Lords Hansard Written Answers text for 15 Jan 2003

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15 Jan 2003 : Column WA43

Written Answers

Wednesday, 15th January 2003.

Iran: Arms Embargo

Lord Burlison asked Her Majesty's Government:

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): The Government have recently issued a licence for the export of goods to be used as part of the process of drilling oil and gas wells. These goods include HMX pellets which could be suitable for use in anti-personnel landmines. However, the Government are satisfied that these HMX pellets, specifically designed for cutting collars and perforating tubes, are intended only for the legitimate end-use stated. The risk of these goods being diverted for use by the Iranian military is minimal.

National Criminal Intelligence Service

Baroness Gould of Potternewton asked Her Majesty's Government:

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Filkin): My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Hampson, currently Chief Constable of West Mercia Constabulary, as director general of the National Criminal Intelligence Service.

Peter Hampson will take over from the current director general, John Abbott, who retires on 21 March this year.

Exmoor: Deer Conservation

Lord Mancroft asked Her Majesty's Government:

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): We are aware of local concerns about the implications for the Exmoor deer herds of any ban on hunting deer with dogs. My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs (Alun Michael) has engaged in direct consultation with a number of representatives of relevant organisations during visits to Exmoor and at meetings held in London. A further meeting is to be arranged soon.

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Lord Rea asked Her Majesty's Government:

Lord Whitty : My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs (Alun Michael) is engaging in discussions with representatives of the organisations concerned about the future of deer management on Exmoor in the event of a ban on hunting. Meetings have taken place during visits to Exmoor and in London, and a further meeting is to be arranged soon. The Government's view is that appropriate control of deer populations can best be considered through local deer management groups. These groups operate both in areas where there is deer hunting and in other areas where there are healthy wild deer herds. Advice on setting up deer management groups is provided by the Deer Initiative, a partnership sponsored by the Forestry Commission. Partners in the initiative include Defra and English Nature, as well as forestry and agricultural interests.

DfES: Staffing

Lord Stoddart of Swindon asked Her Majesty's Government:

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): The department employs 1,914 men and 2,638 women, a total of 4,552 staff. This figure covers staff employed in the following locations: London, Sheffield, Runcorn and Darlington. This also includes 120 staff in the Schools Directorate working on Sure Start and the Children and Young People's Unit who are based in government offices.

NHS Foundation Trusts

Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath) : No. The Secretary of State for Health will not have a power of direction over the Independent Regulator for NHS Foundation Trusts.

Baroness Noakes asked Her Majesty's Government:

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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath : No. We have not consulted the Office for National Statistics about the classification of NHS foundation trusts in the national accounts.