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Taxation: VAT
Lord Inglewood asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 30 March (WA 157), whether they have signed annexe K of the sixth European Union VAT directive. [HL5131]
Lord McKenzie of Luton: The Government have chosen not to apply to introduce a reduced rate of VAT for supplies of any of the services listed in annexe K of the sixth VAT directive, for the reasons that I gave in my previous reply.
Timor Leste
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to the recommendation of the Timor Leste Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation concerning the role of the United Kingdom in the conflict in Timor Leste
- between 1974 and 1999; and whether they will propose that the report should be considered by the United Nations Security Council. [HL5052]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Government consistently worked through the UN to seek a resolution for East Timor that would fully protect the interests of its people. Since 1999, we have played a committed role in providing assistance for East Timor and in ensuring that appropriate assistance was provided by the UN. We continue to do so.
It is for the UN Secretary-General to decide whether to disseminate the report within the UN, including in the Security Council. The Security Council is already due to discuss the issue of addressing the past human rights abuses in East Timor.
Universities: Northern Ireland
Lord Rana asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many students from (a) China, and (b) India currently study at (i) postgraduate and (ii) undergraduate level in Northern Ireland universities and colleges. [HL5163]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The number of Chinese- and Indian-domiciled student enrolments on higher education courses at Northern Ireland institutions by domicile and level of study 2004–05 is as follows:
| Domicile | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Total |
| Chinese | 305 | 418 | 723 |
| Indian | 12 | 67 | 79 |
Source: HESA and FESR
Universities: Science and Technology
Lord Rana asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many young people are studying for science and technology degrees at Queen's University Belfast and the University of Ulster in the current academic year; and how many studied for these degrees in 1997–98. [HL4807]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): Enrolments of students aged under 21 on science and technology degree courses at Queen's University Belfast and the University of Ulster in 1997–98 and 2004–05 are given below:
26 Apr 2006 : Column WA37
A new subject coding system was introduced for the 2002–03 academic year in which single enrolments were split over one or more subject groups reflecting the programme of study. Comparisons between 1997–98 and 2004–05 should therefore be viewed in this context. For comparability over the two years, figures are based on a snapshot of enrolments at 1 December within the academic year. Information on full-year enrolments on all higher education courses at NI institutions are available from 1996–97 and can
26 Apr 2006 : Column WA38
be viewed at: www.delni.gov.uk/index/publications/pubs-stats/higher-education-enrolments.htm.
Figures refer to students aged under 21 at the beginning of the relevant academic year.
Waterways Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 18 January (WA 124), whether the decision by Waterways Ireland to purchase chocolates for all staff in 2002 was taken by the senior management group; and, if not, who took the decision and why. [HL4942]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): I refer the noble Lord to my Answer of 22 March (col. WA 70). The relevant documents have been placed in the Library. They include details of the decision to purchase chocolates in 2002.
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