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Ponds of High Ecological Quality

Baroness Hilton of Eggardon asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the criteria for ponds, which are sources of biodiversity, archaeology and evidence of climate change, to be granted a Habitat Action Plan.[HL2565]

Lord Whitty: The criteria for the selection of priority habitats requiring habitat action plans were published in December 1995 by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group. The steering group decided that

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habitats requiring habitat action plans must meet one or more of the following criteria: habitats for which the UK has international obligations; habitats at risk, such as those with a high rate of decline especially over the last 20 years, or which are rare; areas, particularly marine areas, which may be functionally critical (essential for organisms inhabiting wider ecosystems such as sea grass beds for spawning fish); areas important for key species i.e. UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species.

Habitat action plans for 45 priority habitats that met these criteria were published by October 1999. A subsequent review of the gaps in the priority habitats series carried out by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee identified a further seven priority habitats thought to meet the criteria. Ponds of high ecological quality are one of the habitats identified.

Development and implementation of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan is a devolved matter. The Country Biodiversity Groups for England, Scotland and Wales and the Northern Ireland Executive have been consulted about the proposal for a new ponds of high ecological quality habitat action plan. Their views will be submitted to the UK Biodiversity Partnership for a final decision on whether a UK habitat action plan should be produced.

Thiram and Dichlorfenthion

The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the current approval status for thiram and dichlorfenthion for use as active ingredients in pesticides; what is the current status of the pesticide Aatifon with regard to use in the United Kingdom and France; and what is the position of these substances in relation to the European Community Review Programme for Existing Active Substances.[HL2641]

Lord Whitty: Thiram (a dithiocarbamate substance) is approved for use in products in the UK and France. Dichlorfenthion (an organophosphate) is only approved for use in France. We understand that the product Aatifon (containing thiram and dichlorfenthion) is marketed in France.

Thiram is in the first group of substances being considered in relation to the European Community review programme for existing active substances, although a decision on the continued use of thiram has not yet been taken.

Dichlorfenthion is listed in the second group of substances to be considered in this review programme. However, manufacturers have decided not to support the review of dichlorfenthion, so this substance must be withdrawn from the market in all member states by 2003.

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BSE: Offspring of Infected Cattle

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether all the passports of offspring of BSE infected or suspect cattle which were under restriction on 21 January have been collected; what steps have been taken to prevent any more offspring being moved while under restriction; and when it expects the backlog of offspring under the cull to be slaughtered.[HL2740]

Lord Whitty: There were 659 offspring of BSE infected or suspect cattle in Great Britain under restriction on Monday 21 January 2002, with 44 passports outstanding. But all outstanding passports have now been collected.

Officials wrote on 18 January to all owners of offspring under restriction reminding them that their cattle must not be moved without permission. Farm visits to identify offspring, issue restriction notices and remove passports are again taking place.

We expect that the additional backlog of cases due to foot and mouth disease will have been cleared by 1 April 2002.

Peers: Voting in Referendums

Baroness Greengross asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether Members of the House of Lords are eligible to vote in referendums held in the United Kingdom.[HL2426]

The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): The franchise for any future national or regional referendums held in the United Kingdom is to be specified in the legislation that provides for the holding of that referendum. The franchise for the national referendum on membership of the European Community in 1975 and for the Scotland, Wales and Greater London Authority referendums in 1997 and 1998 included those entitled to vote at local government elections in the area, as does the franchise for mayoral referendums. This includes peers.

Heathrow Motor Car Levy

Lord Bowness asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they would support proposals to levy an extra charge upon cars using Heathrow Airport.[HL2545]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government's White Paper A New Deal for Transport suggested that one of the possible sources for funding local improvements to surface access to airports is for airports to levy a surcharge on car parking charges.

Heathrow Airport already imposes an additional levy on parking charges, the proceeds of which help to

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support bus services and provide free travel around the airport. It has also paid for the M4 spur bus lane.

It is primarily for BAA to consider whether there is a case for levying charges on the use of its private airport road system at Heathrow. Charges for the use of public roads in the vicinity of Heathrow Airport would be a matter for the Mayor of London and the other local authorities concerned.

Lavatories on Trains

Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they last reviewed with the Health and Safety Executive the health hazards caused by faulty or non-functioning lavatories on trains operating throughout the United Kingdom; what was the outcome of the review; and what action they are taking to ensure the health and safety of the travelling public and railway staff in this respect.[HL2555]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: There is no statutory requirement for the provision of toilets on trains. It is for train operators to decide whether they wish to provide toilets on their trains. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would expect train operating companies whose trains have toilets to maintain their on board facilities adequately so that the risks to the public or their employees are properly controlled so far as is reasonably practicable.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link

Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:

In respect of the draft performance regime for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Phase 2 operations, what consultation has taken place with passenger and freight operators who may be affected.[HL2572]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: At present no consultation has taken place in respect of the draft performance regime for Section 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link with passenger or freight operators. Consultation will be arranged at the appropriate time with the relevant parties.

London: Congestion Charging

Baroness Hanham asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there are any contract commitments already entered into by the Mayor of London either in his own capacity or on behalf of Transport for London in connection with congestion charging which carry penalty clauses if not implemented.[HL2587]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: This is a matter for the Greater London Authority, not Her Majesty's Government.

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Occupational Pension Schemes: MFR

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbots asked Her Majesty's Government:

When a definite announcement will be made as to the date for introducing the proposed changes to the minimum funding requirement for occupational pension schemes.[HL2566]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham): On 7 March 2001 the Government announced proposals to replace the minimum funding requirement (MFR) with a long-term scheme specific funding standard in the context of a regime of transparency and disclosure, with additional measures to strengthen protection. Implementing these proposals in full will require primary legislation, and we are working with the pensions industry, consumer organisations, employers and trade unions to develop proposals for legislation as soon as parliamentary time becomes available.

We published The Minimum Funding Requirement: The next stage of reform on 18 September 2001. This document set out our plans for the next stage of reform of the MFR and launched a consultation on draft regulations introducing interim changes to the MFR in advance of its replacement. The consultation period ended on 10 December and we plan to announce the results shortly and to introduce the changes before April this year.

Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Amendment Regulations

Lord Hunt of Wirral asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will withdraw the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Amendment Regulations (S.I. 2002/4030).[HL2746]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): Following representations received from the noble Lord and the Association of British Insurers, arrangements are now being made to revoke the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Amendment Regulations, which came into force on 28 January 2002. Amendment regulations will be laid before the House shortly.

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