asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the annual subsidy per seat of each of the producing theatres funded by Arts Council England in London and the regions, for the last year for which figures are available; and what is the total seat capacity of each of those theatres. [HL1230]

The Arts Council operates at arm's length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for it. Arts Council England has said that information on individual theatres is confidential and commercially sensitive.

The average subsidy per ticket available in 2005-06 was £5.82. The total number of tickets available for 2005-06 was 7,437,000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the annual subsidy per seat actually sold in the producing theatres funded by Arts Council England in London and the regions, for the last year for which figures are available; and what is the total seat capacity of those theatres. [HL1231]

The Arts Council operates at arm's length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for them. Arts Council England have said that information on individual theatres is confidential and commercially sensitive.

The average subsidy per seat sold in 2005-06 was £8.76. The total number of tickets available for 2005-06 was 7,437,000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What support they intend to give to retired miners and widows of miners in the British Coal litigation seeking to pursue complaints against their former solicitors, having regard to the finding of the Legal Services Complaints Commissioner's Special Report: Investigation into the handling of Coal Health Compensation Scheme complaints by the Legal Complaints Service and the Solicitors Regulation Authority that “a catalogue of systematic administrative failures and poor management controls were identified” on the part of the Legal Complaints Service; and [HL1440]

What support they intend to give to retired miners and widows of miners in the British Coal litigation seeking to pursue complaints against their former solicitors, having regard to the findings of the Legal Services Complaints Commissioner's Special Report: Investigation into the handling of Coal Health Compensation Scheme complaints by the Legal Complaints Service and the Solicitors Regulation Authority that retired and sick miners complaining to the Legal Complaints Service faced a “bewildering array of variables” and that its caseworkers were “inconsistent” and “sometimes misleading miners in the handling of their complaints”; and [HL1441]

What support they intend to give to retired miners and widows of miners in the British Coal litigation seeking to pursue complaints against their former solicitors, having regard to the findings of the Legal Services Complaints Commissioner's Special Report: Investigation into the handling of Coal Health Compensation Scheme complaints by the Legal Complaints Service and the Solicitors Regulation Authority that “The Legal Complaints Service could not provide a complete list of miners' complaints it had received” and that “overall almost 5 per cent of all miners complaints received by the Legal Complaints Service could not be accounted for”; and [HL1442]

What support they intend to give to retired miners and widows of miners in the British Coal litigation seeking to pursue complaints against their former solicitors, having regard to the finding of the Legal Services Complaints Commissioner's Special Report: Investigation into the handling of Coal Health Compensation Scheme complaints by the Legal Complaints Service and the Solicitors Regulation Authority that on conduct investigations, and notwithstanding several requests, the Solicitors Regulation Authority had only provided “limited and incomplete information”; and [HL1443]

What support they intend to give to retired miners and widows of miners in the British Coal litigation seeking to pursue complaints against their former solicitors, having regard to the finding of the Legal Services Complaints Commissioner's Special Report: Investigation into the handling of Coal Health Compensation Scheme complaints by the Legal Complaints Service and the Solicitors Regulation Authority that “The small number of referrals made to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal is a disappointing result given the gravity and extent of the misconduct involved” and that those referrals which had been made by the Solicitors Regulation Authority were taking between 15 and 26 months, which the Commissioner found to be “too long”. [HL1444]

Complaints about solicitors are a matter for the Law Society rather than Government, since the legal profession is independent. However the Government believe that it is important that miners who complain to the Law Society about their claims under the coal health compensation scheme get the level of service and compensation that they deserve. The Government therefore seek regular updates from the Law Society to ensure that progress is being made in continually improving the service, and are awaiting a detailed response from the Law Society to the Legal Services Complaints Commission Special Report.

The Government take a close interest in this issue. Bridget Prentice and Malcolm Wicks sent a joint letter to all the solicitors involved in the scheme to remind them again of their obligations to pay back money to claimants where this was taken without their consent.

The Government plan to provide details of claimants under the Coal Health Compensation Scheme to enable the Law Society to further raise awareness among retired miners following the success of the Rother Valley pilot. This will be on a phased basis over the next 12 months.

Last summer's Rother Valley pilot was a joint initiative between the LCS, Rother Valley MP Kevin Barron, and the DBERR. Former miners in the Rother Valley constituency received written invitations to information sessions in the constituency that were hosted by Mr Barron and attended by LCS caseworkers. This resulted in over 330 new complaints to the Legal Complaints Service.

The Government have legislated in the Legal Services Act 2007 to create an independent Office for Legal Complaints, which will remove complaints handling from the legal professional bodies. It will also enable approved regulators to deal more effectively with cases of widespread wrongdoing in the future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will continue to fund the Pygmalion programme which provides specific training for writers and producers of children's television. [HL1034]

To date, Performing Arts Labs (PAL), the company which organises Pygmalion, has secured funds from bodies such as Skillset (the Sector Skills Council for Audiovisual industries) and the Arts Council. A grant from Skillset is still active and will be fully drawn down by 31 January 2008. While the Government do not fund programmes like this directly, PAL will continue to be eligible for funds from both the Arts Council and Skillset in the future.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In the light of the introduction of the London low emission zone, whether they intend to monitor improvements in air quality in the coming weeks.[HL1553]

Formal monitoring of the performance of the London low emission zone is a function of the London Mayor and Transport for London, and there are no plans for the Government to report on this separately.

The Government currently operate 15 automatic air quality monitoring sites in London, the data from which are posted on a public access website within hours of their collection. In addition, a more extensive network of monitoring sites is operated by the London boroughs, and these are collectively maintained, and their data gathered, by the Environmental Research Group (ERG) at King's College London.

There are no plans to expand or alter this network in light of the introduction of the London low emission zone, and any significant change in air quality, due to the zone or otherwise, will be picked up by the network.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the question by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 3 December (Official Report, col 1548–9) in connection with the use of the hamster test in research and treatment, whether a licence is needed to use the hamster test for treatment as well as for research; whether it is the intention that paragraph 1(1)(f) of Schedule 2 to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 will require a licence for treatment, and paragraph 3(5) for research; and whether the test has been used without a licence; and [HL903]

Whether in vitro fertilisation clinics have been required to inform patients that their sperm is being examined or tested according to Schedule 2, paragraph 1(1)(f) or Schedule 2, paragraph 3(5) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990; and whether sperm function has been tested in this way without the knowledge or specific consent of the patient. [HL1008]

Section 4(1)(c) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 prohibits the mixing of human and animal gametes without a licence. Under paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) can, under a treatment licence, permit the mixing of human sperm with animal eggs. Such a licence must specify that the activity is permitted.

A treatment licence issued from the HFEA does not as standard permit the practice of mixing human sperm with hamster eggs and any application made for a treatment licence must specify that they wish to undertake this procedure for the licence to contain such permissions.

The HFEA has no knowledge of anyone undertaking this procedure without the relevant licence being in place and although there is no specific requirement in the 1990 Act for consent to be obtained, it is good practice and would be expected.

Provisions in Schedule 2 to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill seek to put in place a statutory requirement for effective consent to be obtained prior to the use of human sperm in this test.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 21 November (WA 78) and 18 December 2007 (WA 115), whether they will specify the relevant provisions of legislation in which all experiments that lack a compelling scientific rationale would already be prohibited. [HL1149]

Schedule 2, paragraph 3(2) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, requires that the creation of embryos for research may not be licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority unless it is necessary or desirable for the purposes set out in that paragraph, or the purposes set out in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Research Purposes) Regulations 2001. Schedule 2, paragraph 3(6) states that no licence under this paragraph [research licences] shall be granted unless the authority is satisfied that any proposed use of embryos is necessary for the purposes of the research.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority therefore cannot permit the use of embryos in research unless the scientific rationale is one of the purposes as decided by Parliament, and the authority believes the use of embryos is necessary for that purpose.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 18 December 2007 (WA 116), whether they will specify the relevant provisions of legislation that would prevent the Home Office from permitting the implantation into an animal of any interspecies embryo in which the animal cells primarily produce extra-embryonic tissues.[HL1150]

Before granting a licence the Secretary of State is required to consult one of the Home Office inspectors appointed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). The Secretary of State may also seek advice on applications from an independent assessor and/or the Animal Procedures Committee (the statutory advisory committee established by ASPA).

A number of categories of licence application are automatically referred to the Animal Procedures Committee for advice. These include applications of any kind raising contentious issues, or giving rise to serious societal concerns (for example involving the creation of embryos through tetraploid complementation using human material).

Advice is sought from independent assessors in cases involving highly specialised science, and where there are significant animal welfare concerns or concern as to the likelihood of success or about the approach being taken.

Section 5 of ASPA allows the Secretary of State discretion when reaching licensing decisions. It is not sufficient that an application satisfies the requirements of the Act for it to be granted. Using this discretion, the Secretary of State can adopt policies that certain categories of work will not be licensed. There are several examples of this such as the use of great apes and the testing of alcohol and tobacco products.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 21 January (WA 13–14), when they will report on the measures they have taken to comply with Article 9(4) of the Aarhus Convention. [HL1543]

The report is available on the Defra website and can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/internat/aarhus/index.htm.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will provisionally discuss with representatives of the eurozone and the European Central Bank a possible application for United Kingdom membership of the eurozone. [HL1574]

The Government's policy on membership of the single currency is unchanged. It remains as set out by the then Chancellor in his Statement to the House of Commons in October 1997, and again in the Statement on the five tests assessment in June 2003.

The then Chancellor announced in Budget 2007 that, “the Government do not propose a euro assessment to be initiated at the time of this Budget”. The Treasury will again review the situation at the next Budget as required by the June 2003 Statement.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 21 November (WA 78) (a) what steps they will take to ensure that parents know to ask the Department of Health or the British Fluoridation Society about the appropriate fluoride content of water for reconstituting infant formula; (b) where they recommend that parents in artificially fluoridated areas obtain water with a low fluoride content; and (c) what is their assessment of the suitability of the British Fluoridation Society to give advice on low fluoride content, in the light of Lord Hunt of Kings Heath's description of the society in a Written Answer on 31 January 2001 (WA 66) as having a promotional role; and [HL892]

Whether, in the light of the concerns about dental fluorosis and other possible health effects referred to in the reports on fluoridation by the NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York in 2000 and the National Research Council of the US National Academy of Sciences in 2006 and of the increase of fluoride in the general environment since the present concentration of 1 part per million (ppm) was established over 40 years ago, they will consider lowering the fluoride concentration in the United Kingdom water fluoridation schemes to 0.8 ppm as suggested in the “York review”, or alternatively to 0.7 ppm as recently implemented in the Republic of Ireland. [HL893]

We are not aware of any risk to overall health associated with the use of fluoridated water to reconstitute infant formula milk. Should they wish, parents can obtain data on the fluoride content of their local water supply from their local water service providers. A list of these and contact numbers can be found on the National Fluoride Information Centre (NFIC) website at www.fluorideinformation.com/default1.aspx.

If parents living in fluoridated areas are concerned about reconstituting infant formula milk with optimally fluoridated water they could use bottled water with low fluoride content for making up the milk. Alternatively, ready-made milk formula is available from all supermarkets.

We have established the National Fluoride Information Centre at the University of Manchester to provide independent and unbiased objective information on all aspects of fluoride and fluoridation, which it makes available through its website.

Evidence to date shows that dental fluorosis remains the only effect which the fluoridation of water has besides protecting against tooth decay. We are supporting the research into the assessment of fluorosis using intra-oral cameras. If, as we expect it shows that the measurement of dental fluorosis can be standardised, we will undertake a further study of its prevalence and aesthetic impact. We would review the one part per million concentration used in fluoridation schemes if the study showed there was a significant level of aesthetically unacceptable fluorosis.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 5 December 2007 (WA 192), what steps they have taken to ensure that decisions on fluoridation taken locally are predicated on full, up-to-date and unbiased scientific information. [HL1333]

The National Fluoride Information Centre (NFIC) at the University of Manchester is funded by the department and provides independent, unbiased and evidence-based scientific information to strategic health authorities and primary care trusts on research studies carried out into the effects of adding fluoride to water. The information is also available through the NFIC website at www.fluorideinformation.com/default1.aspx.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the Food Standards Agency has declined to publish details of the fluoride concentration in the water consumed by each subject in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2003; and whether they will take steps to ensure that those figures are made public. [HL1588]

The analysis that we commissioned with the agreement of the Food Standards Agency showed that most of the samples of the water, drunk by the respondents who had supplied urine samples, contained very low concentrations of fluoride—83 per cent of samples contained below 0.19 parts per million (ppm) fluoride and 91 per cent were below 0.38 ppm. In this light and taking account of our view that fluoride in urine is mostly determined by recent fluoride intake and is not therefore a good index of long-term intake, we concluded that the results of the analysis did not merit publication. The chief dental officer would be happy to discuss the findings with the noble Earl, Lord Baldwin of Bewdley.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 14 January 2008 (WA 240), whether, in following the recommendations in section 12.9.1 of the York report to study fluoridation's potential benefits to adults, they will take note of the accompanying statements in that section that (a) “It would be logical to include an assessment of adverse effects alongside any future study of caries”; and (b) proper adjustment should be made for confounding factors, while “Blinding of observers should be attempted and at least standardisation of the assessment would be essential to reduce the potential impact of observer bias”. [HL1589]

We are resolved that any future study of the effects of fluoridation should be carried out to the highest research standards such as those set in the systematic review of fluoridation published by the University of York in September 2000. I can confirm that the proposal currently under consideration for a comprehensive examination of the risks, benefits and costs of existing water fluoridation programmes, including any potential benefits to adults, contains measures to take account of both sources of bias in the measurement of results and any confounding factors which might have affected these results.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What appointments the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland undertook during the first week in January in Northern Ireland. [HL1456]

As 1 January was a public holiday, all government departments were closed. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State was on leave on 2, 3 and 4 January and undertook official engagements on 7 January, including a reception for Cardinal Brady at Hillsborough Castle.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many patients are served by NHS dentists in each local authority area in (a) Wales; (b) England; (c) Scotland; and (d) Northern Ireland. [HL1450]

Information is not available in the format requested, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Information is available on the numbers of patients seen by a National Health Service dentist in England, at primary care trusts and strategic health authority level. This can be found in Table C1 of Annexe 3 of the NHS Dental Statistics for England, Quarter One: 30 June 2007 report, for the 24 month periods ending 31 March 2006, 31 March 2007 and 30 June 2007.

This report, published on 28 November 2007, is available in the Library and is also available online at www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dentstatsq10708.

This report has been published by the Information Centre for health and social care.

Data on the Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are available from the devolved administrations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the ratio of dentists to population in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. [HL1451]

Data are only available for England. Data on Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are available from the devolved administrations.

The population per National Health Service dentist in England is available at Table E1 within Annex 3 of the NHS Dental Statistics for England: 2006-07 dental report.

This report, published on 23 August 2007 is available in the Library and is available at www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dental0607.

This report has been published by the Information Centre for health and social care.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What comparative assessments they have made on (a) the efficacy, and (b) the costs associated with (1) obesity surgery; (2) obesity drugs; and (3) other weight management programmes. [HL1395]

The Government set up the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) as a special health authority in 1999. It is an independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health.

In December 2006, NICE published a clinical guideline on obesity: it made a number of recommendations on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults, This includes recommendations on obesity surgery, drugs and other interventions. Information on this guidance is available on NICE website at www.nice.org.uk/guidance/index.jsp?action=byID&o=11000.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any projects in the Department for Work and Pensions have been suspended or delayed due to concerns about identity security; if so, which projects have been delayed; and what the impact on the overall performance and work of the department will be. [HL1566]

There have been no issues arising from identity security within the department which have prompted the need to suspend or delay any projects.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 17 January (WA 279), whether they will seek via the United Kingdom's diplomatic representation in Tokyo the fullest possible information on the apology made and agreement reached by the Government of Japan with people there infected with hepatitis C by contaminated blood products approved by that Government, in order to decide whether the agreement reached in Japan could in any way affect policy in the United Kingdom; and whether they will place the information in the Library of the House. [HL1533]

The Government have great sympathy for people infected with contaminated blood products following National Health Service treatment in the United Kingdom. The position in Japan does not affect UK policy, therefore we have no plans to obtain further information about the agreement in Japan.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they recognise Mwai Kibaki as the legitimately elected President of Kenya. [HL1415]

We share the concerns of the international community over the conduct of the presidential election. Concerns were highlighted in independent election observer mission reports, including those from the Commonwealth, the East African Community, domestic observers, as well as in the initial findings of the European Union's mission.

The Government recognise states, not Governments. Given that none of the independent international observers to the elections believes the tallying met international standards it is difficult to have any confidence in the announced result. Against that background, we are supporting the mediation efforts of Kofi Annan and his African colleagues to ensure an agreement between the two sides in Kenya on a Government that will enjoy Kenyan and international confidence.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What level of efficiency savings they are requiring from each government department in each year in the three-year period starting with the current year; and what proportion of the revenue spending this amounts to in each year. [HL1432]

Departmental targets for delivering efficiency and value for money savings were agreed in both the 2004 Spending Review and the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review for three-year periods. These are not broken down into annual targets.

A list of departmental efficiency and value for money targets can be found in Table 1.1. of “2004 Spending Review—efficiency progress to June 2007” and in the departmental chapters in the Comprehensive Spending Review White Paper, both of which have been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much local authorities spend per head in (a) England; (b) Scotland; (c) Wales; and (d) Northern Ireland. [HL1474]

Information on local authority spending in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is published in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses in April 2007 (Cm 7091), in particular chapters 7 and 9. Table 9.18 shows local authority identifiable expenditure on services by country. Population figures by country are published by ONS.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will defer consideration of the application by the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust for foundation trust status in view of the trust's patient care, hospital organisation, personnel matters and budget management. [HL1336]

Aspirant National Health Service foundation trusts (NHSFTs) need the support of their strategic health authority (SHA) before submitting a formal application for Secretary of State's support. East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust's application for NHSFT status is currently undergoing final assessment by the north-west SHA. Assessment to date suggests that the trust will be in a position to make a formal application for the Secretary of State's support at the end of January.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much the NHS spends per head in (a) England; (b) Scotland; (c) Wales; and (d) Northern Ireland. [HL1473]

Total health expenditure per head in England in 2006-07 was £1,610. Details of health expenditure for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are available from the devolved administrations.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will scale down the Exchequer contribution to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and divert such savings to tackle poverty, deprivation and inequalities in London. [HL1192]

The Government are committed to the hosting of the London 2012 Games, which will deliver a lasting sporting, economic and environmental legacy not only for London but for the whole of the UK. The Minister for the Olympics has announced the budget for the 2012 Games to the House. Hosting the Games will bring major benefits to one of the poorest and most deprived areas of London—so making a major contribution to tackling poverty, deprivation and inequalities in London.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 22 October 2007 (WA 73–4) and in light of the experience of some councils with the present concessionary fares schemes and concerns about the situation which will arise in April 2008, whether they will reassess the allocations of funding. [HL1593]

The Department for Transport consulted local authorities and others last autumn on the formula basis for the distribution of the special grant for the national bus concession to be implemented from April this year. The provisional distribution was announced on 6 December 2007. This proposed distribution is based on the most popular option in the consultation responses, and, following comments received during the consultation, adjustments were made to the formula to result in a funding distribution that better reflects where the likely burden of costs of the national bus concession will fall between different categories of authority. A report on the proposed special grant distribution will be laid before Parliament in due course.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they will take to deal with the problem of disruptive behaviour on public transport, including school buses. [HL1592]

The Government, transport industry, local authorities and others are investing in and undertaking wide-ranging initiatives to tackle disruptive and anti-social behaviour committed on public transport. These include staffing initiatives, staff training, awareness raising in schools and CCTV surveillance. There is also a range of legal measures available to transport operators to deal with anti-social behaviour.

The Education and Inspections Act 2006 empowers head teachers to take action to address unacceptable behaviour even when this takes place outside of school premises. It is the Department for Children, Schools and Families' view that this would include behaviour on school buses.

asked the Leader of the House:

Further to her Written Answer on 17 December 2007 (WA 107), in reply to a Question asking why 64 Written Questions were overdue for Answer on 6 December 2007, why that number rose to 72 by 10 January. [HL1427]

There are various reasons for overdue responses; in particular the Christmas and New Year holidays often present administrative difficulties for departments. My office continues to remind departments of the importance of answering Questions for Written Answer accurately and wherever possible within the 14-day deadline. On Tuesday 29 January there remained 55 Written Questions overdue for answer.

asked the Leader of the House:

Whether apologies or explanations have been sent to Lords who are still awaiting Answers to Written Questions tabled in November 2007, which should have been answered before the Christmas Recess. [HL1437]

There has been no such correspondence with the Members concerned although on occasion Ministers have written concerning overdue Answers. My office is working closely with departments to address the issue of outstanding Questions for Written Answer and to ensure that they are answered wherever possible within the 14-day deadline.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In respect of (a) the Food Standards Agency; (b) the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; and (c) the Human Tissue Authority, how many criminal prosecutions were brought by that regulator for each of the last three years for which figures are available; and, of those cases, how many gave rise to a conviction. [HL1376]

The information requested is shown as follows:

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much has been paid to each highways authority in England as part of the Access Management Grant Scheme in each year that the scheme has operated. [HL1527]

Details of payments made to each local highway authority under the Access Management Grant Scheme since the scheme has operated are given below:

2004-05 Payments Made

2005-06—Payments Made

2006-07—Payments made

In 2006-07 the scheme was withdrawn by the Countryside Agency due to a moratorium on spending. It was reinstated by Natural England in 2007-08.

2007-08—Payments made to date

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which local authorities in England are at present collecting and recycling or processing kitchen waste (a) from all properties in their area; (b) from some properties on a permanent basis; and (c) from some properties on a pilot basis. [HL1434]

The table below sets out the Waste and Resources Action Programme's (WRAP) best understanding of those local authorities which provide a separate food waste collection service. Some other local authorities collect mixed garden and food waste.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many juveniles have been held at HMP Woodhill for each year in the last five years. [HL1512]

The numbers of juveniles (aged 15-17) detained in HMP Woodhill for each year as at June 30, is shown in the table below:

Woodhill Young Offender Institution accommodates young adults and occasionally takes under 18 year-olds who have been classified Category A prisoners.

These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportion of young people under the age of 18 in custody have been imprisoned for drugs-related offences. [HL1478]

At the end of November 2007 in prison establishments in England and Wales there were (a) 1,805 sentenced 15-17 year-olds of which 4 per cent were serving sentences for drug offences; and (b) 546 15-17 year-olds being held on remand, of which 8 per cent were for drug offences.

At the end of December 2007, there were 220 young people in secure children's homes, of whom none was in for drug-related offences. There were 246 young people in secure training centres, of whom two were in custody for drug-related offences, making the proportion in custody 0.8 per cent.

These numbers relate to specific drugs offences only (including the possession and supply of drugs) and not to other offences (such as those involving acquisitive crime) which may be related to drugs issues of the offender.

These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large-scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many young people in custody were receiving mental health treatment on 1 January for each year from 2000 to 2008. [HL1480]

Information about access to services is not held centrally.

In the study Mental Health Needs and Effectiveness of Provision for Young Offenders in Custody and in the Community (Professor Richard Harrington and Professor Sue Bailey, Youth Justice Board for England and Wales, 2005), 31 per cent of young people were identified as having a mental health problem. A copy is available in the Library.

Mental health services for prisoners, including young people, have been a key part of the Government's recent reforms of prison health services and the Department of Health is now investing nearly £20 million a year in NHS mental health in-reach services for prisoners. In 2007-08, an extra £4 million has been invested in the further development of mental health services within local HM Prison Service establishments, of which £1.5 million is to support the implementation of tier 3 child and adolescent mental health services within the HMPS young people estate.

These are 102 community mental health teams working within prisons, with some 360 extra staff employed. Every prison in England and Wales has access to these services.

All young people are assessed at the point of reception into custody and those who are at risk of having a mental health problem, or vulnerable to suicide, are referred for a mental health assessment.

In 2001, the Department of Health published Promoting Mental Health for Children Held in Secure Sittings: A Framework for Commissioning Services to support primary care trusts with custodial units in their area to plan, commission and deliver requirements as per the Children's National Service Framework. A copy will be placed in the Library.