asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will launch urgent discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority to rescind the plans to construct a third runway and a sixth terminal building at Heathrow Airport. [HL419]

The Government issued their consultation on Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport on 22 November. The consultation document seeks views on a number of issues, including proposals for a third runway and a new terminal. The Government made it clear in the 2003 White Paper The Future of Air Transport that they supported a third runway and additional terminal capacity conditional on strict local environmental limits being met. The Government will take account of the results of the consultation exercise in making final policy decisions later in 2008. It would then be for the airport operator to decide whether and when to bring forward a planning application.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Rooker on 1 October (WA 192) and 22 October (WA 72), whether it is legal under Section 2(b) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to restrain wild birds temporarily for the purpose of wing-tagging or web-tagging, under licence from Natural England; and [HL762]

Whether the Animal Welfare Act 2006 precludes Natural England from issuing licences for scientific study which involve the use of wing-tags and web-tags on wild birds. [HL763]

Licences can be issued by Natural England for the purpose of taking wild birds for scientific study, but do not permit actions prohibited by any other legislation, including the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Under Section 2(b) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, an animal is a “protected animal” if it is under the control of man whether on a permanent or temporary basis. Temporarily to restrain wild birds for the purpose of scientific study is, therefore, likely to render them “protected animals” under the legislation. A public consultation is, however, currently underway on whether wing-tagging should be added to the list of exempted procedures under the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many civilian locums were deployed in the ongoing operational theatres in Afghanistan and Iraq by the Defence Medical Services in 2006–07; and what was the cost of employing them. [HL362]

During the financial year 2006-07, at any one time up to four intensive treatment unit nurses and four emergency medicine nurses were deployed as civilian locums in Afghanistan and Iraq by the Defence Medical Services. A civilian neurosurgeon was also deployed for a period of three months.

A total of 54 individual civilian medical locums were deployed on this basis to operational theatres in the financial year 2006-07. The total spend for this period was £1.155 million. This figure includes agency fees, salaries and pre-deployment training costs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many civilian locums were employed to make up the shortfall of (a) civilian medical practitioners, and (b) uniformed general practitioners during 2006–07; and what was the cost of employing them. [HL363]

The MoD employs locum GPs to provide cover for manning shortfalls in filling civilian and military posts on a permanent basis and to cover for periods when permanent staff are absent on duty (including periods when uniformed personnel are on operational deployments), or on leave, sick leave, maternity leave or taking further education.

Across the MoD, some areas will have contracts with local surgeries where they pay a monthly fee in return for medical cover. Other areas use locum agencies to supply individuals to fill empty posts; one or more individuals might be engaged over a period to cover a single vacancy.

Officials are collating the available data on how much was spent in the year 2006-07 on employing locum general practitioners and the number of days’ cover that was provided for this amount. Once this is complete I will write to the noble Lord and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, since the introduction of the joint personnel administration method of remuneration for Reserve Forces, there has been an increase in resignations; and what has been the overall strength of Reserve Forces in each of the past five years. [HL265]

It is not possible to determine whether there has been an increase in resignations from the volunteer reserves since the phased introduction of joint personnel administrations.

Territorial Army data have been captured on JPA since its introduction on 1 April 2007. However, they are immature and require further validation before they can be published.

JPA was introduced on 1 November 2006 for Royal Marine Reserves but no outflow data are available prior to that date.

The tables below show the outflow from 2003-04 onwards of the Royal Naval Reserve, for whom JPA was introduced on 1 November 2006, and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, for whom JPA was introduced on 1 April 2007. These JPA data also require further validation before they can be published. The outflow figures below have been compiled from local unit administration systems but resignations cannot be distinguished from other outflow reasons.

Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to avoid systematic bias.

The strength of the Reserve Forces in each of the past five years is shown in Table 2.14 of UK Defence Statistics 2007, which is available at www.dasa.mod.uk/natstats/ukds/2007/c2/table2l4.html

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the difference between the working life assumed for military vehicles for the purpose of through-life costing and their actual working lives in operational conditions. [HL548]

We expect to have to repair and overhaul military vehicles used on operations more often than is normally planned in through-life costings. At a fleet management level, however, it is not envisaged that this will affect the original assumptions on the working life of the vehicle.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What long-term efforts are planned to contribute to the restoration of infrastructure damaged by the recent cyclone in Bangladesh. [HL369]

Bangladesh not only suffered infrastructure damage from the recent cyclone, but also from the floods in August and September 2007. The Government of Bangladesh have welcomed international assistance from development partners. In this regard, the World Bank approved a US$150 million rehabilitation credit in response to the floods and has additionally offered up to US$250 million to help cyclone recovery efforts and to strengthen the country’s disaster mitigation systems.

Cyclone damage has exacerbated needs and damage is still being assessed. However, we expect the Government of Bangladesh to discuss priority needs with the international community in due course.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any proposals to reduce the number of civil servants employed in the Northern Ireland Office; and, if so, what is the proposed timetable. [HL554]

The NIO’s CSR07 settlement reduced the department’s administration cost budget by 5 per cent year on year, from 2008-09 through to 2010-11. These administration cost reductions will be reallocated to front-line service delivery areas, and so may not have a direct effect on overall headcount numbers. The department is currently finalising work to allocate its CSR07 settlement across all spending areas and it will then be in a position to establish headcount figures for the three CSR07 years. This information will be available in advance of the start of the 2008-09 financial year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What levels of emissions cuts were achieved in the United Kingdom and in other participating countries, in the first phase of the European Emissions Trading Scheme. [HL684]

It is difficult to assess the full picture of emission reductions across the EU until the 2007 results are known. This will be in April 2008.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many civil servants over the age of 50 and below 50 years respectively have taken up the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs voluntary redundancy scheme; and at what cost to the department; and [HL578]

What cost savings the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs expects from its voluntary early redundancy scheme in the long term; and what is the immediate impact of the scheme on departmental costs; and [HL579]

How much money they anticipate will be saved by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under its voluntary early retirement scheme. [HL580]

Based on overall departmental gross pay bill costs the estimated net savings from the voluntary early retirement and severance schemes in the current year and over the next three years will be:

At 30 November 2007 271 civil servants over the age of 50 had accepted offers of early retirement and 288 civil servants under 50 had accepted offers of early severance under the schemes run by the department. The total cost of both retirement and severance elements of these schemes during financial year 2007-08 is estimated at £47 million.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether officials of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the voluntary early retirement scheme aged 50 years and over can retire on an immediate full pension; and, if so, why this is being offered to those retiring early voluntarily. [HL581]

The Civil Service Compensation Scheme is a statutory scheme made under the Superannuation Act 1972. This sets out the compensation terms to be provided to civil servants on termination of contract. There are two main categories of compensation; namely, “flexible” and “compulsory” terms. For staff aged under 50 (or with short service), the compensation comprises a cash lump sum calculated by reference to age and length of service; the “compulsory” terms are more generous than the “flexible” terms. For staff aged between 50 and 60, pension benefits are paid early and service is enhanced by a maximum of six and two-thirds years. In addition, those departing under the “compulsory” terms receive a cash lump sum of up to six months’ pay.

The Civil Service Management Code sets out the circumstances in which the different categories of compensation should be used. While departments may, in some circumstances, have the flexibility to decide on the tariff to be offered, they cannot vary the underlying terms of that tariff.

Paragraph 11.6.3 of the Civil Service Management Code states:

“As a pre-redundancy measure, departments and agencies may call for volunteers to leave on compulsory terms in order to avoid compulsory redundancy procedures”.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the cost of processing an application for a United Kingdom driving licence; and how much of this is recovered by charges to the applicant. [HL821]

There are 16 transactions resulting in UK driving licence issue that fulfil applications for a UK driving licence, delivered though face-to-face, phone, paper and web channels. In GB these are delivered through the DVLA and in Northern Ireland through the DVA. Each combination of transactions and delivery route has a different cost attached.

However, only a minority of these transactions involves a charge to the applicant. Many transactions such as application for vocational licences, renewal after medical suspension, reregistration on change of details, renewal after the age of 70 are provided free of charge for policy reasons.

The principle therefore adopted by the DVLA, in line with Treasury guidance, is to recover the whole of the processing costs for such transactions in as close a manner as possible through fee levels levied on those transactions that do bear a charge. Public consultations are regularly undertaken to confirm the regime in place and the balance of fee levels charged.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will calculate the estimated proportion of total revenue from North Sea oil that could be defined as Scottish. [HL750]

The Government's figures for receipts from the UK's upstream oil and gas activity are calculated on the basis of all activity, both onshore and offshore, from the whole of the UK's continental shelf. They are not split down by geographical area and we are therefore unable to provide the breakdown that is requested. As there is no classification of oil and gas fields as English, Scottish or Welsh and there is no accepted view on what comprises “Scottish waters” it would not be possible to undertake such an exercise and the Government have not done so.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they assume oil prices will fall to $53 per barrel by 2030 in their transport strategy forward planning and modelling. [HL747]

The recent Department for Transport Road Traffic Forecasts for England published in October 2007 uses the current Department for Business and Regulatory Reform (BERR) projection for the long-term oil price. This is $53 per barrel by 2020 in 2006 prices. Similarly, the department's UK Air Passenger Demand and CO₂ Forecasts used the BERR work for its central estimates for oil prices. Both publications also included sensitivity analysis where oil prices were assumed to be both higher and lower than the $53 central estimate using $80 and $25 per barrel respectively. Details are available at: www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/roadpricing/researchtrafficcongestion www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/ukairdemandandco2forecasts/

Rail forecasts also use the BERR projections, though recent analyses have not needed forecasts so far into the future.

BERR is keeping this projection under review. Modelling and planning for the transport strategy will reflect latest BERR work.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to amend United Kingdom disability discrimination legislation to assist both victims and carers following recent rulings in the European Court of Justice. [HL644]

The Government have no plans to make any changes to the Disability Discrimination Act as a consequence of any recent European Court of Justice ruling.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What has been the total expenditure to date of public funds on the Galileo project; what further expenditure is included in the public spending plan for each of the next three years; and which other European Union countries are contributing financially to this project. [HL299]

The European Union (EU) and member states of the European Space Agency (ESA) have jointly funded the design and development of Galileo. Approximately €1.6 billion (£1.1 billion) is committed spend on the design and development of the system. The UK commitment to ESA is €142 million.

European Finance and Transport Ministers have recently agreed a way forward for the funding of Galileo over the 2007-13 financial perspective. Ministers have acknowledged the Commission's estimate, based on a public procurement, of €3.4 billion (£2.3 billion) over the period to 2013 for deployment and initial operation of the system. It is intended that future funding for the deployment and initial operation of Galileo will come directly from the EC budget and there will be no further contributions made to the project via the ESA. The Commission anticipates the following expenditure profiling over the next three years on Galileo:

2008: €940 million

2009: €800 million

2010: €990 million

EU member states make contributions to the EC budget as a whole and not to individual spending programmes within it. Consequently, all EU member states may be said to be contributing financially to Galileo.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the forecast underspend in the Objective 2 regional programmes in this calendar year for each English region; how much is forecast to be paid back to the European Union under the rules; how these figures compare with the preceding calendar year; and what are the top 10 underspending projects in each region. [HL426]

The expenditure on Objective 2 programmes in English regions will continue until the end of this calendar year. It would be misleading to speculate on the final outturn as forecasts are constantly changing and projects are still submitting grant claims.

We are working with colleagues across the region and with project partners to ensure that all eligible expenditure is claimed and declared and the risk of decommitment minimised.

No decision will be taken on whether repayments will be required under the rules until the new year. The Commission will decommit any part of the fund which has not been spent by the end of the calendar year and the resources available from the fund will be reduced by the unspent amount.

As spending is ongoing and we do not yet know whether there will be repayments, we cannot yet compare this year with the last. However, such a comparison will be possible in the new year, once spending for the current year has finished and the final outturns are known.

It would also be misleading to identify a list of projects that, at present, are below their expenditure profiles while spending is still ongoing, as the position is constantly changing.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the effects of proposals to shift the functions of 46 fire and rescue centres to nine regional command centres in addressing emergencies such as major flooding. [HL440]

The case for FiReControl was made in an independent review of the FRS control rooms conducted by Mott Macdonald in 2000 and was subsequently revisited following the tragic events of 9/11 in 2001. Recent events have strongly reinforced the need to move to an integrated, resilient network of regional control centres.

The FiReControl project will enhance the capability of the fire and rescue service (FRS) in England to deal with major emergencies such as natural disasters, industrial accidents and terrorism. The capacity of the network, and the way it will operate, have been designed specifically to deal with surges in demand similar to those which occurred during the recent floods.

Our analysis has shown that the current 46 control rooms have limitations. They use different technologies so cannot communicate seamlessly with each other; they do not have access to each other's information so can deploy resources only within their FRA area; also they can take messages and pass them back only if other control rooms are overwhelmed. Under the new arrangements, these problems are addressed and regional control centres will be able effectively to mobilise resources anywhere in the country.

The nine new resilient regional control centres will be fully networked, using the same IT system and will be able to:

back each other up and share the call load among regional control centres when there are particularly busy periods, such as during major flooding;

deploy the most appropriate resources regardless of which regional control centre answers the call;

locate the caller (whether on a mobile or landline) which will save time;

use satellite positioning equipment to tell control operators which fire appliances, with the right equipment on board, have the shortest travel time to an incident; and

use new in-cab displays so firefighters have constantly updated information including a map showing the quickest route to the incident; details of known risks and hazards; and the location of the nearest hydrants.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Marine Bill will include provisions for the security of fisheries around the British Overseas Territories. [HL692]

The Marine Bill will not include provisions specifically for the security of fisheries around the British Overseas Territories. However, the Bill will make certain enforcement powers exercisable in relation to English and Welsh registered fishing boats and to British nationals wherever they may be active, whether inside or outside of UK waters.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to reduce the problems of (a) urban drainage; (b) sewers; and (c) gullies in addressing the threat of flooding and the unblocking of spillways. [HL575]

We will review approaches to urban drainage as part of the upcoming government water strategy, Future Water, due to be published in early 2008. This will take into account recommendations from the independent review of the summer flooding being undertaken by Sir Michael Pitt.

To support this work, the Government, along with UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR), are spending £2 million on 15 integrated urban drainage pilot studies around the country to test new approaches to reduce the risk of urban drainage flooding. The pilots are intended to clarify responsibilities for urban drainage management and are due to complete in spring 2008.

For 2005-10, Ofwat has allowed water and sewerage companies a programme of nearly £1 billion to safeguard homes against the risk of sewer flooding. This would resolve or mitigate every known high-risk problem of internal flooding from overloaded sewers where companies' plans confirmed action was needed by 2010. The Government have announced their intention to improve management of the overall sewerage system by transferring private sewers and drains draining to the public system into the ownership of water and sewerage companies.

Gullies are provided to drain water from roads and their maintenance is the responsibility of the relevant highway authority. The term spillway is most commonly used in the design and operation of reservoirs where it is important to have sufficient overspill capacity to maintain the safety of the dam structure. In the context of urban drainage, it is important that the design of the urban fabric allows safe routes for the outflow of excess surface water. Planning guidance encourages this though it can be difficult to achieve in established developed areas.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much money has been made available in each of the past three years for flood management of rivers in the United Kingdom. [HL682]

Flood risk management is a devolved matter and Defra has policy and funding responsibility in England. Funding is made available to manage risk from both rivers and the sea. Information on the proportion invested in flood management of rivers is not held. The table below shows the budget allocation for Defra flood defence budgets for the past three years.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much money designated for flood prevention measures remained unspent at the end of each of the past five years. [HL683]

The Defra budget allocations and outturn figures for flood defence in the past five years are shown in the table below:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What functions, both public and private, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has fulfilled in Northern Ireland since appointment; and [HL25]

What public appointments the current Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has had, outside Northern Ireland, since his appointment; and [HL694]

When they plan to answer the Question (HL25) tabled on 6 November; and what are the reasons for the delay. [HL783]

I apologise to the noble Lord for the delay in answering. The information requested by the noble Lord is held by the Northern Ireland Office. However, the disclosure of some of this information, including details of internal or interdepartmental meetings with Ministers or officials, would be prejudicial to the effective conduct of public affairs.

The information that can be disclosed is set out in the following table. In addition to those functions listed, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has had a number of meetings with political parties in Northern Ireland and has regular meetings with other key public figures in Northern Ireland.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On how many occasions since appointment the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has officially visited the United States; on what dates he travelled to and from that country; what was the purpose of any such visits; and what was the cost; and [HL288]

Whether the current Secretary of State for Northern Ireland stayed in the United States on official business; if so, when; at what cost; and how many officials were involved and at what cost. [HL451]

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has visited the United States on official business on three occasions since appointment. It is important as we progress towards the completion of devolution to maintain contact with the US Administration and key politicians and opinion formers there. Such visits also enable my right honourable friend to support the devolved Administration in attracting inward investment to Northern Ireland.

Details are as follows. It is not possible accurately to disaggregate the cost for accompanying officials from those incurred by the Secretary of State. The estimated costs include flights, hotel accommodation, and other miscellaneous expenses where available.

Washington DC and New York—10 July to 13 July—accompanied by three officials; estimated cost £21,300

Boston and New York—16 October to 18 October—accompanied by three officials; estimated cost £29,125

Washington DC and New York—14 November to 19 November—accompanied by two officials; estimated cost £19,500.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the hours of work of the Secretary of State for Scotland's private office in the Scotland Office. [HL605]

The Scotland Office private office supports both the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of State for Scotland. The office is normally manned from 08.30 until 19.00 Monday to Friday, and beyond those times when required. As with other ministerial private offices, a 24-hour on-call service is operated by private office staff.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportion of the green belt in England consists of (a) productive farmland and woodland; (b) amenity land and land used for sporting purposes; (c) land that is built on for housing; (d) land that is built on for commercial uses; (e) land used for transportation; (f) waste land; and (g) land used for other purposes. [HL306]

The 2006 designated green belt covered 1,631,800 hectares of land; this is 13 per cent of the land area of England.

Information on how much of land designated as green belt has a particular land use is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether English Partnerships has found a buyer for Severalls Hospital near Colchester; what is currently the condition of the buildings and parkland on the site; what requirements they have for their maintenance; and how they intend to ensure that this heritage is conserved for the future. [HL666]

English Partnerships is in advanced negotiations with a preferred developer and will make an announcement when these are concluded. The buildings in English Partnerships’ ownership are largely occupied under leases and are maintained to an agreed standard. English Partnerships employs GVA Grimley, a major commercial agent, to manage the site on a day-to-day basis including arranging site security. The master plan for the entire site includes the retention of the listed building as well as some other existing buildings as part of the development. The design plan will incorporate the heritage aspects as well as retaining and enhancing the green space element. Design quality, public realm, open space and landscaping were all key issues in the development specification against which developers had to bid.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What steps they will take to ensure the prioritisation of an effective response to the issue of children affected by HIV and AIDS in the new government strategy; and [HL651]

What steps they are taking to provide support to strengthen the organisational capacity of national governments and civil society responding to children affected by HIV and AIDS. [HL655]

DfID is currently working with UNICEF in support of national orphans and vulnerable children plans in 13 African countries. This is helping to ensure that plans for orphans and vulnerable children are fully in line with broader national HIV/AIDS plans, and with other social plans and programmes, especially education, health and social welfare.

The UK is also supporting the development of broad social protection interventions that will include children affected by AIDS in seven African countries and funding international and local NGOs to provide services directly to vulnerable children including food, shelter and psycho-social support. DfID’s funding through public partnership agreements also supports organisations to respond to the needs of children affected by AIDS. These organisations include PLAN UK, World Vision and Save the Children.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will commit to continuing to earmark at least 10 per cent of all the Department for International Development's HIV and AIDS funding for children affected by HIV. [HL652]

Taking Action, the UK’s strategy for tackling HIV and AIDS in the developing world, has a total commitment of £1.5 billion, of which at least £150 million is going towards supporting orphans and vulnerable children. We are currently updating Taking Action. The needs and rights of children affected by AIDS will remain a UK priority when the updated strategy is published next year.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Department for International Development is working with civil society to develop and implement a system to track HIV and AIDS resources to ensure that they reach the communities which are most affected and to monitor the results they achieve. [HL653]

The UK is not currently working with civil society to develop and implement such a system. UNAIDS collects national data through national AIDS spending assessments (NASA) on the part of national Governments and bilateral and multilateral agencies. National AIDS spending assessments provide indicators of the financial country response to HIV and AIDS and support the monitoring of resource mobilisation. In addition, DfID is supporting national AIDS councils in a number of countries to monitor and evaluate the impact of their national AIDS strategies.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to support national Governments to ensure the provision of co-trimoxazole to all HIV-exposed children as a prophylaxis and for the treatment of opportunistic infections. [HL654]

Preventing and treating opportunistic infections are vital components of caring for and treating people, including children, living with HIV. A UK-supported trial in Zambia has shown that providing co-trimoxazole to children with HIV reduced mortality by as much as 43 per cent.

DfID is at the forefront of strengthening health systems and improving access to essential drugs. Co-trimoxazole is on the World Health Organisation’s essential drugs list and interventions that improve availability of essential drugs will improve access to it. Essential drugs are intended to be available within the context of functioning health systems at all times in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality, and at a price the individual and the community can afford.

DfID is also working with governments to strengthen their distribution systems for essential drugs. In Zambia, we are working with the World Bank to develop a pilot for innovative ways to improve delivery in the public distribution system.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they are supporting national governments to deliver comprehensive and integrated prevention of mother-to-children transmission services, outlined by the G8 summit in June. [HL656]

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV has been virtually eliminated in developed countries because women of reproductive age have access to high quality antenatal, maternity and family planning services, into which HIV prevention, treatment and care have been integrated. DfID is working to ensure that women in poor countries have the same choices and opportunities. DfID helps to tackle HIV-related mother and child mortality and to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV through our support to health system strengthening. For example, in Zambia, DfID is providing £5.5 million to support a multi sectoral response to tackling HIV, which includes support for prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How the Department for International Development will ensure that appropriate priority is placed on the development of infant diagnostics for HIV adaptable to resource-limited settings; and through what avenues this will be achieved. [HL697]

Infant diagnostics for HIV continue to be a challenge in resource-limited settings. The most common way to test for HIV is to identify antibodies to the virus but antibody tests are not reliable in very young children. In response to this a new approach to HIV diagnosis in infants has been introduced in some African countries since late 2006. This involves testing “dry blood spots”' collected in a way that does not need specialist equipment at the point of care. This technology offers a vital opportunity for timely access to lifesaving treatment and care services for children who are infected with HIV. However, these services are just getting started in many countries and therefore relatively few infants have been able to receive such tests.

The UK announced support of €20 million for UNITAID in September 2006, as part of a 20-year commitment, increasing to €60 million per year by 2010 subject to performance. This month, UNITAID together with UNICEF launched a joint initiative that will include support to early paediatric diagnosis to improve early access to paediatric HIV treatment for young HIV-infected infants.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there are any reliable statistics for the number of on-load hook failure accidents during lifeboat drills for the United Kingdom flagged fleet; and how these compare to the statistics for the number of on-load hook failure accidents during lifeboat drills worldwide. [HL564]

Accidents of this type are required to be reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch of the Department for Transport. According to its database, which contains records from 1991 to date, three accidents have been reported involving UK-flagged vessels during lifeboat drills, where an on-load release hook failed.

There are no reliable worldwide statistics available for accidents of this type.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What guidance is available to district councillors in England on answering letters from those living in their wards and who are on the current electoral register. [HL447]

The Government are not aware of any such guidance. However, the Councillors Commission, which we established in February 2007 to look at how better to support councillors and make local democracy more responsive to local people, has considered the need for greater clarity of role and for associated training to be available to all councillors. The commission will make its recommendations to the Government in December.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they will ensure that local strategic partnerships do not take decisions which are legally the responsibility of local authorities. [HL745]

Local strategic partnerships are partnerships which include local authorities, service delivery partners and representatives of the local business and third sectors. They are not bodies in law and they cannot take decisions that are legally the responsibility of local authorities. It is for members of local strategic partnerships (LSPs) to take their own legal advice and to act in accordance with the law.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment the Department for Communities and Local Government has made of the ability of small unitary authorities to recruit high-calibre candidates for senior officer appointments. [HL592]

The Department for Communities and Local Government has not made any assessment of this issue.

The main provision made to support small unitary authorities is through the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA), which runs a managerial leadership programme.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in conjunction with the World Bank and the International Labour Organisation, they will make representations to the Government of Madagascar and commercial interests to ensure that sapphire miners in Madagascar earn a living wage and have minimum safety precautions and that their children receive at least primary level education. [HL759]

We are concerned by recent reports of hardship and poor working conditions caused by rapid expansion of the gem-mining industry in Madagascar. The UK non-resident ambassador to Madagascar will raise the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development guidance for multinational enterprises and the UN global compact, which both address issues of labour and best practice, at his next meeting with representatives of the Malagasy Government.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What new nature conservation information they have received since August 2006 regarding the need for protecting the full 60 square miles of the Lyme Bay reefs from scallop dredging. [HL718]

Since August 2006, Defra has received specific conservation information from a variety of sources including reports by the Devon Wildlife Trust, Natural England and Bangor University. Conservation information continues to arrive both as a result of scientific research and in response to the current consultation on measures to protect marine biodiversity in Lyme Bay reefs. Defra will examine all the evidence when reaching a decision on how best to achieve that protection.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What new information they have received since August 2006 regarding the economic benefits of protecting the 60 square miles of Lyme Bay reefs from scallop dredging. [HL719]

Since August 2006, Defra has received information from a variety of sources on the economic costs and benefits of protecting the 60 square miles of Lyme Bay reefs. Included in this information is the Devon Wildlife Trust Homarus report, Estimate of Economic Values of Activities in Proposed Conservation Zone in Lyme Bay. Many organisations are contributing other economic information in response to the current consultation on measures to protect marine biodiversity in Lyme Bay. Defra will consider all the evidence when reaching a decision on how best to achieve that protection.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will consider new methods of assisting home owners facing mortgage repayment difficulties and repossessions. [HL709]

In 2004 the Government extended the scope of Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulation to cover mortgages. FSA regulation ensures that borrowers are afforded important protection and have appropriate means of redress.

The Government provide further assistance for homeowners facing financial difficulties through the provision of face-to-face debt advice. In addition, the Thoresen review is also considering options aimed at giving consumers greater access to generic financial advice and will publish its final report next year.

The Government also provide targeted financial support available through the DWP's support for mortgage interest (SMI).

The Government are in discussion with lenders to identify ways in which lenders can assist those experiencing difficulty and keep all legislation under review.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the average length of time taken by the Northern Ireland Office to reply to Parliamentary Questions tabled in the House of Lords in each of the past two parliamentary Sessions; and what steps they are taking to shorten this time. [HL695]

The Northern Ireland office received 1,603 House of Lords Parliamentary Questions in the past two Sessions.

The average time taken to answer a Question was 19 days. However, this figure includes Questions that were tabled in the final days of each parliamentary term that were not answered until the start of the new term.

The department attaches considerable importance to answering all Parliamentary Questions within the accepted time limits. Since devolution a number of measures have been introduced to improve performance, including issuing daily reminders and weekly performance reporting.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will hold discussions with the Rail Operators Association and individual companies with a view to increasing the number of quiet non-mobile phone coaches in trains. [HL713]

Designating a carriage as a mobile phone free zone is a matter for individual train operators, which must weigh the needs of all railway passengers.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether adequate security is provided by the situation at the Merial animal health laboratory where there is only one valve that separates the live virus product line from the line providing an outlet from the steam cleaning process; and whether they will insist that water from this outlet should also pass through a facility for heat treating waste. [HL457]

As part of the Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO) licence, we require Merial to apply rigorous standard operating procedures. The licence requires several layers of biosecurity to be in place to ensure the process is contained.

The valve separates the live virus product line from the line which provides an outlet for the condensate from the steam cleaning stages which, as a precaution, also enters the contained drainage system leading to the final chemical treatment facility.

The SAPO licence remains suspended and the inspection team will produce a full report to the acting Chief Veterinary Officer. We will then consider what further action needs to be taken.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 25 October (WA 134), what progress is being made with the national highways sector scheme 17 and 17B. [HL735]

The sector scheme documents are live documents and are reviewed on a regular basis.

Training syllabi and assessment of technician competency have been developed by IVR(UK) for the national highway sector scheme committee for vehicle recovery. These are based on national occupational standards and form an integral part of the schemes. Training and assessment for the original 18 modules has been developed and is available. Five additional training and assessment modules, beyond the national occupation standards, have been identified, and of these two modules have been developed and delivered and the remaining three modules are under development.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 25 October (WA 134), which stakeholder organisations, contractors or potential contractors are involved in the national highways sector scheme 17 and 17B. [HL736]

The national highways sector scheme committee for vehicle recovery (NHSS 17 and 17B) includes representation from the following organisations:

Trade Associations, Clubs, Training Bodies and Clients

Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)

Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators Limited (AVRO)

AutomotiveSkills Ltd

Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Highways Agency (HA)

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)

The Institute of Vehicle Recovery (IVR)

IVR (UK) Ltd

London Association of Recovery Operators (LARO)

Motor Clubs (including Green Flag/RAC/AA etc)

Motor Industry Training Council (MITC)

Road Haulage Association (RHA)

Road Rescue Recovery Association (RRRA)

Road Rescue Training Association (RRTA)

SURVIVE (WG 2)

Certification, Inspection and Accreditation Bodies

Association of British Certification Bodies (ABCB) (represented by Eagle Certification Ltd)

Federation of Certification Bodies (FCB) (represented by ICS registrars)

Recovery Industry Engineering Standards Ltd (representing inspection bodies)

Consortium of Automotive Registration Services Ltd

United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)

Paper Members

County Surveyors Society

Scottish Executive

Welsh Assembly Government

DRD(NI)

Specialists co-opted by the committee and secretary are not included in this list.

Individual contractors or potential contractors do not have representation on the committee. Their interests are served through participation of their trade association on the committee.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 20 November (WA 67–8), what timetable is set for the road-pricing demonstrations project; and when it is hoped that a decision will be made about whether to progress the project. [HL530]

The Government have now entered into a competitive dialogue process with potential bidders who are seeking to support the road-pricing demonstrations project. The expectation is that this dialogue will be completed and a framework agreement established by late spring 2008, shortly after which the first demonstration will commence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they are making to the Government of Russia concerning the arrest and brief imprisonment of opposition leaders, the shooting of Mr Farid Babayev, the harassment of some parliamentary candidates, the governing party's control over the national media, including the closure of the Samara edition of Novaya Gazeta, and the refusal of admission to observers from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. [HL632]

In our relations with Russia, we express openly our concerns to the Russian authorities about human rights and democracy, including on restrictions on freedom of expression. This engagement includes raising individual cases, bilaterally, and, where appropriate, in the European Union and Council of Europe contexts.

The Government issued a statement on 3 December expressing concerns about allegations of electoral malpractice relating to the Duma elections on 2 December, and endorse the judgment of parliamentary observers from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe that these elections were neither free nor fair. It is deeply disappointing that Russia prevented the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) from observing the elections. The ODIHR would have provided expert, independent election monitoring. The Government have urged the Russian Central Election Commission to investigate all allegations of electoral abuses fully and promptly. In advance of the elections the EU presidency expressed its concerns to the Russian authorities about the violent response to opposition protests.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make representations to the Government of Russia to arrange fully independent inquiries into the deaths of the journalists Igor Domnikov, Yuri Shchekochikhin and Anna Politkovskaya. [HL633]

We have regular, open discussions on human rights with the Russian authorities. Media freedom and the situation facing human rights defenders have been recurrent themes during those discussions. We also support non-governmental organisations working to promote media freedom and journalist safety in Russia.

Increased risks to the security of journalists continue to undermine media freedom in Russia. As our annual report on human rights will say, Anna Politkovskaya's murder was a tragedy for freedom of speech in Russia. The murders of these reporters have brought renewed attention to the dangers faced by journalists in Russia. The Government continue to raise concerns including individual cases in bilateral, EU and Council of Europe contexts where appropriate, and to press the Russian authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the reply by Baroness Crawley on 18 April (Official Report, col. 216) on the study set up between the Department of Transport in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom Department for Transport to examine the current funding system for Irish Lights and recommend alternative splits of funding between the two Governments (a) who is undertaking the study; (b) how many times the participants have met to discuss it; (c) when the study is to be completed; and (d) when the report of the study will be published. [HL698]

The study is being undertaken by an external consultant attached to the Department for Transport's in-house policy consultancy unit, working closely with the Department for Transport officials and with officials from the Irish Department of Transport, the Commissioners of Irish Lights, and Trinity House. The participants have discussed the study a number of times. We expect the study to be completed early in 2008, following which it will be published.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are taking any action, either bilaterally or with their international partners, to prevent Somaliland from being drawn into the current situation in Somalia; and whether there is a tribunal competent to try persons responsible for war crimes in Somalia. [HL760]

The Government support international efforts to develop a peaceful and sustainable democracy in Somaliland. The UK provides around £8 million of assistance to Somaliland, including supporting governance, democratisation, health, education and reconciliation in Somaliland. We also encourage the Somaliland authorities to engage in constructive dialogue with the transitional federal government to agree a mutually acceptable solution regarding their future relationship.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent, permanent court that tries people accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It is a court of last resort and will not act if a case is investigated by a national judicial system, unless the proceedings are not genuine. As Somalia is not a state party to the Rome statute of the ICC, cases would have to be referred to the ICC by the UN Security Council.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much has been paid in taxes and penalties arising out of the offshore account amnesty, the payments in respect of which were due on 26 November. [HL628]

The offshore disclosure arrangements deadline for disclosures was 26 November with yield of more than £400 million from around 45,000 disclosures. These figures will be finalised over the next few weeks.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

How many civil servants in HM Revenue and Customs have been assigned to deal with the offshore account amnesty. [HL629]

It is not possible to give an exact figure for civil servants assigned to deal with the offshore project. The offshore work is an important part of the general operations of HMRC to tackle tax evasion and will be assigned the appropriate resource.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they expect any further United Nations structural reforms in view of the lack of progress since the high-level panel proposals in 2005. [HL711]

A number of reforms agreed at the World Summit in 2005 have been implemented, including the establishment of the new Peacebuilding Commission, Human Rights Council, the principle of responsibility to protect, and the Central Emergency Response Fund. The UK continues to press for further progress on management reforms.

The UK welcomes the initiatives of the president of the General Assembly in driving forward progress on Security Council reform. The UK wants to see a Security Council that reflects the modern world and that can effectively meet contemporary challenges to international peace and security. In his Guildhall speech on 12 November my right honourable friend the Prime Minister stated:

“Long term but now also interim options must be examined to reform a UN Security Council—whose permanent members do not include Japan, India, Brazil, Germany, or any African country—to make the Council more representative, more credible and more effective”.

To strengthen the co-ordination of UN activities, a high-level panel on system-wide coherence was established to identify ways of improving the performance of UN operations in the areas of development, humanitarian activity and the environment. The panel report, Delivering as One, was launched in New York on 9 November 2006. The UK fully supports the proposals made in the report and looks forward to exploring with other UN member states how the lessons learnt from eight in-country pilot schemes, started as a result of the report, can inspire further reforms.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will remit or minimise visa fees for Belarusian children suffering from the after-effects of the Chernobyl disaster who wish to visit Britain for holidays or treatment; and whether such visits have ceased since September of this year. [HL758]

We appreciate the important work being undertaken by United Kingdom charities to provide respite care and medical treatment for children affected by the Chernobyl disaster. UKvisas held a stakeholder meeting with some of the charities at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 3 December. We look forward to working with the charities in partnership as this important care continues. Up to 4,000 visas a year are issued to children travelling to the United Kingdom from Belarus under the auspices of the Chernobyl charities and these visas are all issued gratis. There are no plans to change this arrangement.

Visits under the charity schemes have slowed considerably during the autumn, but charities inform us that they will shortly be submitting applications for travel during the Christmas holiday period.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to ensure that residents are able to take domestic waste to their nearest local authority tip irrespective of local authority boundaries, without additional financial penalty. [HL720]

Section 51(2)(a) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 allows a waste disposal authority to arrange for places outside its area to be used by its residents to deposit their household waste free of charge. In practice, this requires neighbouring authorities to work together to ensure that suitable arrangements are in place.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Lord Rooker on 28 March (Official Report, cols. 1644–7), on what date in May 2006 the “protection of reservation rights” was filed at the Solutia Incorporated bankruptcy proceedings in the United States; what form the filing took; and what was the outcome. [HL751]

The Environment Agency's reservation of rights was filed with the US Bankruptcy Court in Solutia's bankruptcy proceedings on 26 May 2006. The filing was entitled Response and Reservation of Rights of UK Environment Agency to Debtors Disclosure Statement. The ultimate outcome of the filing was, following negotiation, the express listing of the Brofiscin Quarry Site at Groesfaen as a “Legacy Site” under the terms of Solutia's reorganisation plan and the global settlement between Solutia, Monsanto and Pharmacia.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the same resolution would have been afforded to deal with waste disposal sites contaminated by toxic chemicals produced by Monsanto (known as “legacy sites”) in the United Kingdom as has been afforded to United States claimants in the settlements achieved in the United States Bankruptcy Court hearings of 29 November had the United Kingdom Government joined the action against Solutia Inc in the United States Bankruptcy Court. [HL752]

Under Solutia's reorganisation plan, Brofiscin Quarry and other unidentified UK sites that meet the “Legacy Site” definition will receive the same environmental remediation coverage from Monsanto as will be given to a large number of US sites also scheduled as “Legacy Sites”.

The legal advice given to the Environment Agency by its US counsel was that, given the prospective nature of the Environment Agency's potential claims regarding Brofiscin Quarry and other UK sites, “joining the action” against Solutia in the US Bankruptcy Court would not have materially altered the settlement the Environment Agency was able to obtain. Solutia's reorganisation plan did make provision for the settlement of many claims for personal tort arising from environmental damage. Such personal torts are outside the remit of the Environment Agency.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many days practical experience is required over what period to gain the tier 1 level 2 boatmasters licence. [HL715]

Two hundred and forty days over a minimum period of 24 months.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which businesses carrying passengers on boats on limited coastal operations were consulted during the statutory consultation process leading to the Merchant Shipping (Inland Waterway and Limited Coastal Operations) (Boatmasters' Qualifications and Hours of Work) Regulations 2006 (SI 3223/2006). [HL716]

More than 200 companies, colleges and representative organisations were consulted at each of the two non-mandatory public consultations, and as part of the statutory public consultation.

A list of the consultees from the statutory public consultation can be found at:

www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-guidance-regulation/mcga-consultations/mcga-consultations-archive/archived_consultations_2006/ds-ssb-bmlconsultation2-letteranddocs/ds-ssb-bmlconsultation2-2/ds-ssb-bmlconsultationdoch.htm

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking to promote the (a) cleaning, and (b) dredging of river systems; and [HL679]

What assessment they have made of the effect of reducing, (a) cleaning and (b) dredging of river systems on (i) the water table and (ii) flood risk. [HL680]

Defra has funding and policy responsibilities but does not carry out works to reduce flood risk. The operating authorities (principally the Environment Agency) undertake prioritised programmes of maintenance work on watercourses, including cleaning and dredging where appropriate. Otherwise responsibility for clearance lies with the land owner.

Reducing maintenance on low-risk watercourses releases resources for the Environment Agency to use on high-risk watercourses in accordance with its risk-based approach to asset management.

The effect on low-risk watercourses will probably be increased weed growth and siltation which will reach a natural balance. This may result in an increase in flood risk along these watercourses, which is accepted as it is classified as low risk.

While it is important that all channels for flood water are kept free of debris and at their design profile, there is often a limit to the amount of dredging that can sensibly take place. Main rivers and other larger or more natural watercourses should not need dredging and normally establish stable regimes. On some rivers, too much dredging could cause the river banks or walls to collapse; likewise deepening a tidal river below its natural bed level will not normally reduce flood risks. Dredging can also cause significant disruption to the natural river environment.