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Incapacity Benefit Tracking Study
Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the present status of the Incapacity Benefit Tracking Study by Mr. Kirby Swales mentioned on page 72 of the Department of Social Security Research Yearbook 1995-96; and in particular what information the DSS holds about Incapacity Benefit leavers.[HL3141]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham): Two research projects are being conducted into people leaving Incapacity Benefit. The first is the Tracking Study, which is being carried out by the department in-house using administrative records. The second is a large scale survey carried out for the department by the Policy Studies Institute. We plan to publish the reports of both research projects in the autumn. Habitual Residence Test: Review
Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they expect to be in a position to announce the results of their review of the habitual residence test.[HL3193]
Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Work on the review of the habitual residence test is ongoing. However we wish to take account of all relevant evidence and information before drawing any conclusions. This clearly needs to include the outcome of litigation which could have a significant impact on the scope for reform of the test, such as the case of Mr. Robin Swaddling currently under consideration by the European Court of Justice. We expect to bring forward our recommendations later this year. Report: No Entry: The Single Room Rent and Youth Homelessness
Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will study the report No Entry: The Single Room Rent and Youth Homelessness by Adam Chugg for the National Rent Deposit Forum, in association with the Catholic Housing Aid Association.[HL3194]
Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Yes. We intend to study all the available evidence on the impact of the Single Room Rent restriction before taking decisions on the way forward. Scottish Herring Fishing Industry
Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What steps they propose to take on the regulation of the Scottish herring fishing industry as a result of the recent decision at Lerwick Sheriff Count that it is unlawful to ban a boat from fishing both in western waters, west of the four degree line and in the North Sea, east of the four degree line, on the same fishing trip.[HL2947]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sewel): Fisheries departments do not accept that they have acted in contravention of EU law and an appeal against the decision has been lodged. The existing licensing arrangements for herring fisheries will continue to apply, and be enforced, until the outcome of the appeal is known. Infectious Salmon Anaemia
Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many fish farming sites have notified an outbreak of infectious salmon anaemia.[HL2948]
Lord Sewel: The presence of infectious salmon anaemia has been confirmed on eight sites, three in Loch Creran, two in Loch Nevis, two in Loch Linnhe and one in Loch Snizort.
In two instances the fish farm operator notified the Scottish Office that he suspected the disease; in all
other cases it has been confirmed as a result of official surveillance and laboratory testing.
Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have established the source of infectious salmon anaemia; and, if so, what is the source so identified.[HL2951]
Lord Sewel: The source has not yet been identified. An investigation, as required by European disease control legislation, is under way.
Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether there is any evidence that infectious salmon anaemia can spread from farmed salmon to wild salmon.[HL2988]
Lord Sewel: Wild salmon populations are potentially susceptible to infectious salmon anaemia in the same way as farmed salmon; the disease may therefore be transmitted in either direction.
There are no known cases of infectious salmon anaemia in wild salmon. However, the effects of diseases on wild populations are difficult to determine because unhealthy fish are normally rapidly removed by predation. There is no experimental evidence that sea trout can carry the ISA virus without being affected by the disease and that sea trout carriers can infect salmon. ISA and Gyrodactylus Salaris: Outbreaks
Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will list those countries where there have been outbreaks of (a) infectious salmon anaemia and (b) gyrodactylus salaris.[HL2991]
Lord Sewel: Infectious salmon anaemia has previously been confirmed in Norway and Canada. Gyrodactylus salaris has been recorded in Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, France, Spain and Portugal. Edinburgh Castle Great Hall: Fund-Raising Events
Lord Ewing of Kirkford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many applications were received during the course of 1998 from charities requesting the use of the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle to hold a fund-raising charity event.[HL3111]
Lord Sewel: Since 1 January 1998 requests have been received from five charities seeking approval to use the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle. Two of these applications relate to this financial year and three relate to 1999-2000.
Lord Ewing of Kirkford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will publish in the Official Report a list of the charities granted the use of the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle to hold a fund-raising event; together with the dates of the events.[HL3112]
Lord Sewel: The information requested is provided in the following table:
| Organisation | Date of function |
| Shelter | 3 March 1997 |
| Riding for the Disabled | 10 October 1997 |
| Leukaemia and Cancer Children's Fund | 17 October 1997 |
| Edinburgh International Festival | 6 November 1997 |
| Barnardo's | 27 November 1997 |
| British Heart Foundation | 28 November 1997 |
| Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | 15 May 1998 |
| Leonard Cheshire Foundation | Date to be arranged |
| Carers National Association | Date to be arranged |
| The Royal Blind Asylum and School | Date to be arranged |
| Cancer Research Campaign, Scotland | Date to be arranged |
| Marie Curie Cancer Care | Date to be arranged |
Lord Ewing of Kirkford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- On what date each successful applicant for the use of the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle submitted its application to hold a fund-raising event for charity; and on what date they were advised that their application had been granted.[HL3113]
Lord Sewel: The information requested is provided in the following table:
| Organisation | Date of application | Date of approval |
| Shelter | 18 November 1996 | 6 February 1997 |
| Riding for the Disabled | 3 December 1996 | 17 March 1997 |
| Leukaemia and Cancer Children's Fund | 27 January 1997 | 17 March 1997 |
| Edinburgh International Festival | 13 January 1997 | 21 March 1997 |
| Barnardo's | 26 February 1997 | 17 March 1997 |
| British Heart Foundation | 2 December 1996 | 17 March 1997 |
| Leonard Cheshire | 20 December 1996 | 17 March 1997 |
| The Royal Blind Asylum and School | 11 March 1997 | 17 March 1997 |
| Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | 16 December 1996 | 17 March 1997 |
| Cancer Research Campaign, Scotland | 19 January 1997 | 17 March 1997 |
| Carers National Association | 3 April 1997 | 22 July 1998 |
| Marie Curie Cancer Care | 8 May 1998 | 22 July 1998 |
Lord Ewing of Kirkford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will publish in the Official Report a list of organisations whose application to have the use of the Great Hall of Edinburgh Castle to hold a fund-raising event for charity was refused.[HL3114]
Lord Sewel: Those organisations which made an application which on that occasion was unsuccessful are:
- YMCA Scotland
- The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals
- Birdlife International
- Strathallan School
- Marie Curie Cancer Care
- The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
- Tenovus Scotland
- National Art Collection Fund
- Brahmar Kumaris
- Scottish Adoption Association
- St. Columba's Hospice
- National Meningitis Fund
- Children in Scotland
- Edinburgh Sick Children's NHS Trust
- On what date each unsuccessful applicant for the use of the Great hall of Edinburgh Castle submitted its application to hold a fund-raising event for charity; and on what date they were advised that their application had been refused.[HL3115]
Lord Sewel: The information requested is provided in the following table:
| Organisation | Date of application | Date of refusal |
International
Country Dance Society
1997
1997
1997
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