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22 May 2007 : Column WA89
Written Answers
Tuesday 22 May 2007
Afghanistan: Land Rovers
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty’s Government:
On average, how many weapons-mounted installation kit Land Rover vehicles are (a) damaged, and (b) destroyed per week by enemy action in Afghanistan. [HL3562]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Since the deployment of weapons-mounted installation kit Land Rover vehicles in summer 2006 to Afghanistan, a total of 10 have been lost as a result of operational use. Those losses have occurred either as a result of direct enemy action or denial operations by UK forces where vehicles that have been extensively damaged (either through enemy action or accidents) cannot be recovered.
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty’s Government:
What arrangements are in place to provide replacements for damaged or destroyed armoured Land Rover vehicles in Afghanistan; in what time frame the replacement takes place; and what percentage of replacement vehicles have been provided within this specified time frame since January 2007. [HL3618]
Lord Drayson: Arrangements are in place to provide replacements for very seriously damaged or destroyed equipment by use of the recuperation fund. Vehicles are replaced as soon as possible. No strict target time for replacement is applied as the sequencing of shipping replacement vehicles into theatre depends on the logistic priorities at the time and the consequent transportation arrangements.
Armed Forces: Besoin Operational Commun
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they plan to join the 2003 Besoin Operational Commun (BOC agreement) between France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Greece to integrate information and data from national military imagery systems with other European Union member states and the NATO Satcom service. [HL3711]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): We have no plans to join the 2003 Besoin Operational Commun but we keep all options for access to satellite data under constant review.
Bicycles
Baroness Hamwee asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there is any regulation requiring bicycles not to be sold (a) new, or (b) second-hand without effective front and rear lights. [HL3773]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: There are no such regulations. However, the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 (RVLR), as amended, require the use of lights that comply with the regulations on pedal cycles between sunset and sunrise.
Disabled People: UN Convention
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress government departments have made in analysing the compatibility of requirements within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in relation to United Kingdom law. [HL3675]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton): Government departments continue to make steady progress in this complex task which is an essential part of the ratification process for the convention.
Elections: Scottish Parliament
Lord Naseby asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Home Office will take steps to ensure that the report from the Electoral Commission on the Scottish elections 2007 will definitely be available to Parliament before the Summer Recess. [HL3700]
Lord Evans of Temple Guiting: The Electoral Commission is required, under Section 5 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, to “prepare and publish (in such manner as the Commission may determine)” a report on the administration of the Scottish Parliament elections. It is, therefore, for the commission to determine when to publish this report, in accordance with its assessment of the task involved.
Embryology
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 30 April (WA 182), what were the proportions of funding allocated to adult stem cell research compared with that allocated to embryonic stem cell research; what are the totals spent to date; and who have been the beneficiaries thus far. [HL3856]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Medical Research Council (MRC) are two of the main agencies through which the Government support stem cell research.
The latest figures available show funding for stem cell research of £8.2 million for BBSRC, with around 46 per cent for adult stem cell research, and £14.2 million for MRC, with around 40 per cent for adult stem cell research.
The BBSRC and MRC provide funding for research programmes and infrastructure, and by investing in training and employment within universities, medical schools and other research institutes, including research council institutes.
EU: Racism and Xenophobia Directive
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any changes to United Kingdom law will be needed in order to comply with the European Union framework decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia. [HL3635]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The UK will be able to comply with the council framework decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of current criminal law without making changes to domestic legislation.
Firearms: Licensing
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 18 December 2006 (WA 241), whether the rollout process for the national firearms management system, required under Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, is complete; if not, what has been the cause of the delay; and what is the new target date for completion; and [HL3362]
What progress is being made in Scotland to comply with the requirements of Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 to establish a national firearms management system; and [HL3363]
Whether the data cleansing exercise of the national firearms management system is still on track for completion by June 2007; and how long thereafter it will be before the interface is made with the police national computer. [HL3364]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The roll-out of the national firearms licensing management system (NFLMS) to all 43 forces in England and Wales was completed on 26 March 2006. Forces are continuing to work on the data cleansing exercise, and the implementation process will commence with a trial migration for each force starting at the end of April. The trial will provide a further report detailing any errors that will require correction before the live interface with the police national computer (PNC) commences. The migration will now be undertaken on a regional basis and is currently scheduled for 25 to 27 August and the two subsequent weekends.
Health: Costs
Lord Smith of Leigh asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have evidence of “cost-shunting” from health authorities to local authorities. [HL3261]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): Primary care trusts and local authorities continue to have a duty to work together locally, in collaboration with other partners and individuals, to provide high quality health and social care services that both meet the needs of their local population and make the best use of the very considerable public investment we have made in health and social care provision in recent years.
Health: Fruit
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Paymaster General on 17 October 2006 (Official Report, 1108-09W), what is their assessment of the relative merits of different policy instruments for encouraging consumers to choose beverages such as fruit juices and smoothies that help consumers meet the five-a-day government fruit and vegetables target; and [HL3702]
Whether they have made any assessment of the effect of a reduction of VAT charged on fruit juices and smoothies on demand for such beverages; and whether an increase in demand would lead to improved health and encourage healthy dietary choices. [HL3703]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The Choosing Health White Paper published in November 2004 sets out a comprehensive plan of action on physical activity, diet, personalised support, information and curbs on marketing. The Government are working on six fronts: changing population attitudes towards eating and activity; helping children to be active and eat healthily; supporting targeted, local-level obesity interventions in children; raising awareness of the importance of healthy weight to children and parents; working with local partners on delivery and developing the knowledge base.
Under the school fruit and vegetable scheme, all four to six year-olds in LEA schools are entitled to a free piece of fruit or vegetable each school day. The Government have also supported classroom teaching on the benefits of good nutrition and provided a £235 million package to transform the quality of school meals.
When considering further support for their healthy eating objectives, the Government will continue carefully to consider which measures provide the most cost-effective and targeted support for these objectives. Factors that need to be considered include the need for effective targeting of support; the relationship between one type of food or drink and particular health outcomes and the administrative costs for businesses of complying with any changes. Some of these issues were highlighted in the 2004 report by Derek Wanless Securing Good Health for the Whole Population.
HM Revenue and Customs does not hold definitive data on the relationship between price and consumption of fruit juices and smoothies. The Government are committed to retain the zero rate for fresh fruit and vegetables, meaning that people can obtain five daily portions of fruit and vegetables VAT-free.
Horse Industry
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will introduce a Bill to amend the Animals Act 1971 following the Mirahedy case which has resulted in increased insurance premiums for those running riding schools. [HL3735]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): I refer the noble Baroness to the Answer I gave her on 8 March 2007 (Official Report, col. WA64). The situation has not changed since then. No government time is available to introduce legislation on this issue into Parliament, but the Government remain willing to support the horse industry in its efforts to amend the Animals Act, provided a suitable vehicle, such as a Private Member's Bill, can be found.
House of Lords: Water
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked the Chairman of Committees:
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): Accurate water usage figures for the House of Lords are available for the past three financial years. The volume of water used has been as follows:
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked the Chairman of Committees:
How many of the lavatories in the House of Lords installed before 2000 are fitted with water saving devices in their cisterns, such as hippos, as recommended by water companies. [HL3885]
The Chairman of Committees: The lavatories in the House of Lords have been surveyed and water saving devices fitted to those suitable for their application. Since the early 1990s, all new lavatories installed in the House have been low volume lavatory cisterns as required by water by-laws and regulations. The use of water saving devices such as the hippo are not recommended with these cisterns. However, plans are underway to install dual-flush devices in such cisterns where possible in order to reduce water consumption.
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked the Chairman of Committees:
The Chairman of Committees: Plans are underway for the installation of water saving devices across the Lords estate. Devices to be installed will include lavatory cistern dual-flush mechanisms, self-closing tap conversions to prevent excessive water usage, tap and shower aerators to reduce water flow rates without loss of performance and urinal cistern controls to ensure urinals flush only when used.
Income
Lord Barnett asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the income per head in each of the regions shown in Table 9.4 of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2007 issued by HM Treasury. [HL3719]
Lord Davies of Oldham: Information on income per head by region is produced by the ONS and is published in regional trends available at www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=1442.
Iraq
Lord Morris of Aberavon asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Whether they will respond to the questions by Lord Morris of Aberavon in the debate on the Iraq Statement on 16 April (Official Report, col. 37). [HL3627]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave on 16 April (Official Report, column 37).
Justice: Civil and Family Systems
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Statement by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 29 March (Official Report, col. 1797), what are the criteria for ensuring that there is a properly resourced and effective civil and family justice system. [HL3636]
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): The policy for funding the civil and family justice system is set out in the Civil Court Fees consultation paper (CP 5/07) published on 2April 2007. At present 80 per cent of the resources required to operate an effective civil and family justice system comes from fee revenue. The balance is funded from the department supply. It is proposed in the consultation paper that by 2010-11 fee revenue will have increased to 100 per cent recovery of costs, at which stage the only reliance on department supply will be for remissions and exemptions. In 2006-07 this amounted to £35 million.
My officials consult regularly with the judiciary, the legal profession and other users of the civil and family justice system to determine service levels. Fees are set to ensure adequate resources will exist. Review procedures are in place within HM Courts Service to ensure that these service levels are met.
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Advocate-General for Scotland has a role in determining policy for the funding and administration of the civil and family justice system in England and Wales. [HL3637]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Advocate-General for Scotland does not have a role in determining policy for the funding and administration of the civil and family justice system in England and Wales. The Ministry of Justice is grateful to him for responding to a Question on its behalf as none of its Ministers was available due to pressing departmental business.
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