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Architecture
Lord Patten asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which schools of architecture in the United Kingdom, supported by public funds, teach classical and traditional architecture as part of their courses. [HL4401]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Lord Adonis): This information is not held centrally. It is a matter for individual schools of architecture to determine the curriculum content of their courses. The qualifications that are provided by the schools of architecture are subject to the criteria established by the Architects Registration Board (ARB), the body responsible for prescribing the qualifications and practical training experience required for entry on to the UK register of architects. The criteria set out the minimum levels of awareness, knowledge, understanding and ability that students of architecture must acquire. They do not encompass any expectations about preferred architectural style or approach. However, it is expected that students should demonstrate knowledge
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of the history and cultural context of architecture. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) validates courses against the criteria which it holds in common with the ARB.
Avian Flu
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether under Regulation 4(4)(e) of the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/2989) tap water will be treated to render any virus it may contain inactive. [HL4583]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Bach): Current knowledge indicates that conventionally treated drinking water carries no risk to human health from avian influenza.
Badgers
Lord Inglewood asked Her Majesty's Government:
In light of recent legislation, what practical advice they give to persons whose domestic poultry are regularly killed by a rogue badger. [HL4486]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Bach): Any person whose domestic poultry has been killed by a badger may contact Defra's Wildlife Administration Unit for free advice at: Burghill Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS10 6NJ, tel: 0845 6014523.
Benefits: Age-related Personal Allowances
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 15 February (WA 181–82), for the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost of providing age-related personal allowances to those aged (a) 65 to 74, and (b) 75 and over; and [HL4421]
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 15 February (WA 181–82), for the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost of providing age-related married couples' allowances to those aged (a) 65 to 74, and (b) 75 and over. [HL4422]
Lord McKenzie of Luton: The information for 2005–06 is in the table.
| Age | Age-related Allowance (£ million) | Married Couples' Allowance (£ million) |
| Age 65 to 74 | 970 | 280 |
| Age 75 and above | 720 | 330 |
The estimates are based on the 2003–04 survey of personal incomes projected forward to 2005–06 in line with pre-Budget 2005 assumptions.
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Channel Tunnel Rail Link
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which individual employees of Eurotunnel are currently required to be in attendance in order for the company to comply with its safety case for operating trains through the Channel Tunnel. [HL4308]
Lord Davies of Oldham: Safety cases do not contain such specific requirements but they document the procedures for maintaining safe operation, including, for example, the processes for establishing the minimum number of staff in safety-critical posts.
Child Trust Fund
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean asked Her Majesty's Government:
For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost to the Exchequer of the take-up of vouchers under the child trust fund initiative; and [HL4495]
For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the take-up rate of child trust funds. [HL4496]
Lord McKenzie of Luton: The AME accruals cost to the Exchequer of the child trust fund is forecast at £240 million each year.
The latest set of child trust fund statistics on take-up of vouchers was published on 2 March 2006 at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child–trust–funds/child-trust-funds.htm. I am pleased that these figures show a strong take-up rate by parents.
Community Service: Litter Collection
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): Litter collection is a suitable task for those sentenced to unpaid work (previously community service) provided that it does not take employment from paid staff or contractors. It would usually be the first stage of a larger project to refurbish or maintain a public space or civic amenity.
Defra: Research Funding
The Earl of Selborne asked Her Majesty's Government:
What proportion of the budgets of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and its agencies has been allocated to research in the social sciences and natural sciences in each financial year since 2003–04; and what changes are planned in this regard for the financial years 2006–07 and 2007–08. [HL4338]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Bach): Defra estimates provided to the Office for National Statistics classified 3 per cent of science, engineering and technology expenditure by Defra and its agencies as social science for 2004–05. However, given the increasingly multi-disciplinary nature of research and the way that information is held on research funding, this is likely to be an underestimate as social science routinely complements natural science within projects. As stated in our Evidence and Innovation Strategy 2005–08 consultation document, an increase in social science research is anticipated in this period but, at this stage, it is not possible to provide a reliable quantification of this in terms of expenditure share.
Extradition: Mr Manzarpour
Lord Waddington asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made to the governments of the United States and Poland about the case of Mr Ali Manzarpour, a British citizen, concerning the application by the Government of the United States for his extradition from Poland to the United States. [HL4444]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): We continue to monitor closely Mr Manzarpour's case. Our embassy in Warsaw previously registered our interest in the case with the Polish Ministry of Justice. Our consul-general again called on the ministry on 14 February to highlight our continuing interest.
We have had no discussions with the US Government about Mr Manzarpour.
Consular staff have visited Mr Manzarpour in prison, most recently in December 2005. Staff in Warsaw and London remain in regular contact with Mr Manzarpour's lawyers and his family and friends.
Immigration: Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make copies of the report by the previous Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance,
- Ms Fiona Lindsley, available via the Printed Paper Office in good time for the Third Reading of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill on Tuesday 14 March, bearing in mind that a proof-read final text of the report was submitted to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before the end of January. [HL4607]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): The Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance submitted the final version of her report to UKvisas on 23 January 2006. UKvisas has since arranged for it to be printed and studied closely all the recommendations. The report will be submitted to my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary within the next two weeks and will be laid before Parliament once it has been approved.
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