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We are consulting Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser on the appointment arrangements and expect to advertise for applicants for the reconstituted committee shortly.
Gambling: Sport
Lord Pendry asked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on facilitating voluntary agreements between the football authorities and (a) betting companies, and (b) pools companies on their use of fixtures and data. [HL2761]
Lord Davies of Oldham: In February 2006, the Minister for Sport held meetings between betting companies and football authorities over the use of football's fixture data.
Since then, the Minister and DCMS officials have met and corresponded with representatives of the football authorities on a number of occasions and have made it clear that:
we are not considering seeking to introduce a sports-specific intellectual property right; and we favour voluntary financial agreements between the sports and betting industries.Lord Pendry asked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on facilitating voluntary agreements between sports governing bodies and betting companies in relation to integrity agreements and payments for the use of sports fixtures and data. [HL2762]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The Gambling Commission is undertaking a number of initiatives related to integrity in sports betting. It recently published a consultation document on information sharing between the Gambling Commission, sport bodies and betting operators and intend to hold a workshop on this issue on 5 April this year.
Lord Pendry asked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the amount of bets taken by United Kingdom betting operators on the following sports (a) horseracing; (b) football; (c) cricket; (d) rugby league; (e) rugby union; and (f) tennis. [HL2763]
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Lord Davies of Oldham: The total estimated stake in 2005 and 2006 was £0.9 billion on UK on-course betting and £44.5 billion UK off-course betting.
The Government do not hold information about what proportion of these bets was placed on any particular sport or activity.
Gypsies and Travellers
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will call in large-scale applications for residential development that do not include accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers on land where some Gypsies and Travellers were living or had recently been living. [HL2855]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): The Secretary of State’s approach to calling in applications for her own determination remains in line with that set out in a parliamentary Statement made by Richard Caborn, the then Planning Minister, in 1999 [Hansard, Written Answer, 16 June 1999, col. 138]. The Secretary of State's policy is to be very selective about calling in planning applications. She will only take this step if planning decisions of more than local importance are involved. However, each case will be considered on its individual merits.
Cases that may be called in may include, for example, those which in the Secretary of State's opinion:
may conflict with national policies on important matters;could have significant effects beyond their immediate vicinity;give rise to substantial regional or national controversy;raise significant architectural or urban design issues; ormay involve the interests of national security or of foreign Governments.Planning Circular 01/2006, Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites, offers guidance on major development projects and states:
“A major development or redevelopment project may require the permanent or temporary relocation of a gypsy or traveller site. An onus should be placed on the planning applicant to identify and provide an alternative site, providing the original site has a legal status. The local planning authority should work with the planning applicant and the affected gypsy and traveller community to identify a site (or sites) that would be suitable for relocating this community. In proposing relocation and in seeking a relocation site regard will need to be paid both to the gypsy and traveller community’s social, economic and environmental needs and identified social, economic, and environmental benefits that the major development/redevelopment project will bring to the locality and the broader area”.
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many social landlords have responded to the invitation by the Department for Communities
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Baroness Andrews: The Department for Communities and Local Government holds a forum for registered social landlords with an interest in providing and managing Gypsy and Traveller sites, and 20 organisations are currently represented. Three of these organisations are currently managing sites, and we are working with the Housing Corporation and National Housing Federation to ensure the interest of these, and other RSLs, results in proposals for the provision of accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers.
House of Lords: Drinking Water
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked the Chairman of Committees:
Whether he has assessed the extent to which, wherever practicable, tap water is the most suitable and environmentally friendly source of drinking water for the parliamentary estate; and [HL2797]
Why tap water cannot be used as the principal source of drinking water for the parliamentary estate wherever practicable; and [HL2798]
Whether, in the interests of financial economy, he will ensure that tap water is used as the primary source of drinking water within the parliamentary estate wherever practicable. [HL2799]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): Potable tap water is made available in all areas of the Lords estate where it is practicable to do so. For example, potable tap water points are provided on every floor of Fielden House and Two Millbank; a number of potable tap water points are located in corridors and offices within the Palace; and potable tap water is available in all Lords refreshment outlets.
Potable tap water is no longer provided in Committee rooms. There is limited time available for Committee rooms to be prepared between meetings and the provision of bottled water is quicker and more sanitary than the filling and washing of carafes.
Houses of Parliament: Visitor Information Centre
Lord Greaves asked the Chairman of Committees:
Whether he will place in the Library of the House a copy of the feasibility study of the options for a parliamentary visitor information centre commissioned by the House of Lords Information Committee and the House of Commons Administration Sub-Committee, which was published on a confidential basis in October 2006; and [HL2954]
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What were the reasons for the confidentiality of the feasibility study of the options for a parliamentary visitor information centre commissioned by the House of Lords Information Committee and the House of Commons Administration Sub-Committee; and whether those reasons still apply. [HL2955]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): A feasibility report and options appraisal was prepared by the parliamentary visitor and information centre programme manager in conjunction with external consultants. The report was submitted as evidence to the inquiries undertaken by the House of Lords Information Committee and House of Commons Administration Committee into the viability of a parliamentary visitor centre. Given the commercially sensitive nature of the information contained, circulation of the report was restricted to members of the committees.
As the feasibility report and options appraisal was submitted as evidence to their inquiries, it will be for the committees to decide whether the report should be published. I understand that the Commons committee is likely to report shortly after the Easter Recess. Past practice would suggest that they will publish a selection of the evidence that they have received at the same time.
Lord Greaves asked the Chairman of Committees:
When the House of Lords Information Committee will next discuss the provision of a parliamentary visitor information centre or alternative facilities; and when it plans to issue a report on the provision of such facilities. [HL2956]
The Chairman of Committees: The House of Lords Information Committee will meet next on 18 April to consider visitor services and facilities. The committee hopes to publish a report before the summer recess.
Lord Greaves asked the Chairman of Committees:
Whether any further joint meetings of the House of Lords Information Committee and the House of Commons Administration Sub-Committee will be held in relation to the options for the provision of a parliamentary visitor information centre or alternative facilities. [HL2957]
The Chairman of Committees: There are no concurrent meetings scheduled between the House of Lords Information Committee and the House of Commons Administration Committee. However the committees have resolved to maintain close contact and exchange committee papers on visitor services. The chairmen also meet regularly.
Immigration: Wages
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many complaints they have received from migrant workers about non-payment or delayed payment of wages; of these complaints, how many
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Lord Davies of Oldham: The statistical data on enforcement of the minimum wage is collected centrally through information received during inquiries into employers at risk of not paying the national minimum wage. The statistical data are held by reference to the team that is conducting the inquiry or by DTI region. HMRC does not currently collect information about the ethnic origin of workers who complain about non-receipt of the minimum wage, nor does it currently collect information about the particular aspect of minimum wage legislation that is breached, which leads to an underpayment of minimum wage.
The agricultural minimum wage is enforced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
India: Dalits
Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether arrangements will be made for a Minister to meet a delegation of representatives of the Dalits currently visiting the United Kingdom.[HL2962]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): Unfortunately, on this occasion, such a meeting has not been possible due to Ministers' diary commitments. However, a meeting has been arranged at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 28 March with officials from the India Desk, South Asia Group, and the Human Rights, Democracy and Governance Group.
Money: Scottish Banknotes
Lord Selkirk of Douglas asked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they will take to ensure that Scottish banknotes are accepted overseas for exchange into other currencies; and whether they will take steps to ensure that exchange rates overseas for Scottish banknotes are the same as the exchange rates for English banknotes. [HL2886]
Lord Davies of Oldham: Her Majesty’s Government believe that the exchange of banknotes into other currencies is a commercial matter for the parties involved.
The acceptability of any banknotes will be influenced by the parties’ familiarity with the banknotes and consequent ability to authenticate them as genuine as well as their ability to obtain value for the banknote.
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The four banknote denominations issued by the Bank of England account for around 90 per cent of banknotes issued in the United Kingdom. In contrast, the three commercial note-issuing banks in Scotland and four in Northern Ireland collectively issue 39 banknotes designs. Consequently, some Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes may not be as readily recognised and accepted overseas as Bank of England banknotes.
Her Majesty’s Government believe that the responsibility for promoting recognition and encouraging the acceptance of Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes lies with the issuing banks.
The exchange rate offered for Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes overseas will be influenced by the acceptor's perception of his ability to obtain value for the banknote. As these banknotes are not liabilities of a central bank, some parties may reflect this in the exchange rate offered.
Muslims
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Davies of Oldham on 14 March (WA 134), whether they are aware of any reliable estimates of the proportions of Sunni and Shia Muslims, ordinarily resident in the Great Britain. [HL2808]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, National Statistician, to Lord Lester of Herne Hill, dated 28 March 2007.
As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question inquiring whether there are any reliable estimates of the proportions of Sunni and Shia Muslims ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. [HL2808]
I would refer you to the Answer given in Official Report, Volume 690, No 58. col. 134, which explains that information requested is not available.
Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, under the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007, it will be the responsibility of veterinary surgeons to ensure that measures to improve environmental conditions or management systems have been taken to prevent tailbiting before pigs' tails are docked; and, if not, what means of enforcement they envisage. [HL2729]
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The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The routine tail docking of pigs is not permitted. The ban under the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 will be carried over into the new Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007.
Under the law, the tail docking of piglets may not be carried out unless there is evidence that injuries to other pigs' tails have occurred, and other measures or management systems have been implemented in order to improve environmental conditions and prevent tail biting. Advice from private veterinary surgeons should be sought by producers in making decisions about changing conditions to avoid having to tail dock.
The welfare of the pigs remains the responsibility of the owner or stock-keeper. In the event of an inspection by the State Veterinary Service, which is responsible for the enforcement of farm animal welfare legislation, the onus will therefore continue to be on the owner or stock-keeper to show compliance with the law.
Olympic Games 2012: Travellers
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
When the Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs assessment for Greater London will be published; and whether the needs of Gypsies and Travellers who will be required to move because the land on which they are now living will be required for purposes connected with the 2012 London Olympic Games will be met. [HL2805]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): We expect the Gypsy and Traveller accommodation needs assessment for London to be published in the autumn. The London Development Agency, which is responsible for clearing the Olympic zone, and the local authorities that provide the sites on which the Gypsies and Travellers are currently living are working to ensure that their accommodation needs are met.
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