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Embryology
Questions
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 10 February (WA 176), how the three-dimensional organisation of an embryo is defined under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990; and which section of that Act precludes the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority from subjecting an embryonic entity created in vitro to regulation as an embryo where it has not been demonstrated as non-living or non-human. [HL1764]
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 19 March 2008 (WA 44) and 10 February 2009 (WA 176), how the organisational structure of a viable embryo is apparent in an entity if it “looks like semolina and it stays like that”, as described by the head of the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University on 1 April 2008; and what evidence suggests that currently licensed cytoplasmic hybrids can develop a primitive streak, in the light of a recent report in the journal Cloning and Stem Cells. [HL1765]
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 12 January (WA 96-97) and 10 February (WA 176), how the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority classifies an outgrowing embryo in terms of ability to develop a primitive streak if the authority does not consider published data regarding the
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): Subsection 1(1)(a) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 defines an embryo as a live human embryo where fertilisation is complete. As I stated in my Answer of 10 February 2009 (col. WA176), the embryonic masses that form when embryos outgrow their structure are not considered by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to be embryos because they do not have the 3D organisation of an embryo, do not have a relationship between extra-embryonic and embryonic tissue essential for normal development and do not develop a primitive streak. However, the HFEA regulates the creation and use of embryonic masses as part of its routine work of examining the creation, use and storage of all human embryos at licensed centres.
The HFEA has advised me that its Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (formerly knows as the Scientific and Clinical Advances Group) is of the view that the embryonic masses that form when embryos outgrow their structure would not develop a primitive streak but it is possible that primitive streak-like cells may be detected. I have no further comments on the remarks of the Head of the Institute of Human Genetics at Newcastle University.
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 10 February (WA 176), whether cloned human blastocysts corresponding to those described in the journal Nature (volume 439, pages 212-15) would always fall within the regulatory remit of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. [HL1767]
Lord Darzi of Denham: Any embryo created in the laboratory, regardless of its potential for development, would fall within the regulatory remit of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
EU: Regional Development Fund
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government why they do not support an extension of the 2000-06 European Regional Development Fund programmes for English regions but support such an extension for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. [HL1871]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): The department is only responsible for the decision that affects the 2000-06 European regional development fund programmes for the English regions.
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It has become clear that extension of the 2000-06 programmes cannot be done without incurring significant additional costs and these costs cannot be met without reducing expenditure elsewhere. The programmes are closing and there would be additional administrative costs in extending them. No free money has been offered by the European Community.
The devolved Administrations responsible for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with proportionally larger regional support budgets, accepted the offer believing that they can benefit from the European Commission's offer and that is their decision.
Faith Groups
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many faith-based advisory groups they have established in each of the past five years. [HL1702]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): The Faith Communities Consultative Council was established in 2006. The council brings together representatives of the nine historic faith communities living in the United Kingdom, and of ecumenical and interfaith bodies; and is the main forum for discussion between government departments and faith communities. My department is presently collecting information on other faith-based advisory groups that Whitehall departments have established. I will write to the noble Baroness when this information is to hand, and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
Food: Pork and Bacon
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 3 February (WA 105), why they did not give statutory force to the Food Standards Agency voluntary guidance that bacon produced from imported pork should not be described as British bacon. [HL1598]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The Government did not give statutory force to the Food Standards Agency voluntary guidance that bacon produced from imported pork should not be described as British bacon for the following reasons. The United Kingdom and the European Commission (EC) are signatories to the World Trade Organisation agreements which stipulate that the country where the last significant change took place is the country of origin. Neither the UK nor the Commission can prevent in law a producer labelling their product in accordance with this principle.
Furthermore, food labelling rules are harmonised in the European Union and a requirement that bacon could only be called British if it originated from British pigs would intrude on EC competence. As I indicated in my earlier answer, these rules are under review.
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Non-governmental Organisations
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much funding of United Kingdom development- or democracy-related non-governmental organisations came from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the last financial year for which figures are available. [HL1733]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): As detailed in the report on funding to UK-based third-sector organisations for the financial year 2007-08, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provided £2,104,403 to UK development and democracy-related non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The FCO recognises that NGOs can play a vital role in supporting change towards more accountable, responsive governance and has used this funding to support development and democracy through a diverse range of projects.
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Gambling
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many new establishments have received gambling licences in each of the years since the Gambling Act 2005 came into force; what is the total number for the East of England; and how this is broken down by county in the East of England. [HL1626]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting (Lord Carter of Barnes): Local licensing authorities are responsible for considering and issuing gambling premises licences under the Gambling Act 2005 and providing information on premises licences to the Gambling Commission.
The Gambling Commission has provided the following information on the number of new premises licences issued since 1 September 2007, when the Gambling Act 2005 came into force, based on information provided by licensing authorities in England, Scotland and Wales. The numbers presented are gross, and do not reflect premises licences revoked, surrendered or otherwise falling into abeyance.
| Period | Number of Premises Licences granted for Essex | Number of Premises Licences granted for Cambs | Number of Premises Licences granted for Herts | Number of Premises Licences granted for Beds |
The Gambling Commission has advised that full information has not yet been provided by 28 licensing authorities, one of which is in the East of England.
The comparatively large number of premises licences issued in the year 2007-08 reflects the coming into force of the Gambling Act 2005 on 1 September 2007.
Gaza
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government when will they resume their discussions with the Government of Israel on the use of white phosphorus shells in the recent military action in Gaza. [HL1675]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): We are concerned about reports into the use of white phosphorus in the recent conflict in Gaza. We look forward to the results of the investigation which has been launched by the Israeli Government.
My honourable friend the Minister of State, Bill Rammell, reiterated our concerns on 24 February 2009 (Official Report, House of Commons, col. 2004W) and we will continue to do so.
Government: Accommodation
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether grace and favour accommodation occupied by Government ministers is taxable as a benefit in kind. [HL1619]
The Financial Services Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Myners): The tax rules that apply when someone is provided with accommodation because of his or her office or employment are the same for government Ministers as for other taxpayers and would depend on personal circumstances. Guidance on the tax rules can be found in HMRC's employment income manual, a copy of which can be found on HMRC's website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/EIM11331.htm.
A booklet entitled MPs, Ministers and Tax, which covers related questions, has been placed in the Library of the House.
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Heritage: Minton Archive
Question
Asked by Lord Howarth of Newport
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have now taken to secure the Minton Archive; and what further steps they will take in this respect. [HL1510]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting (Lord Carter of Barnes): KPS Capital Partners, LP, which has agreed to buy Waterford Wedgwood UK plc, has not yet indicated its intentions regarding the Minton Archive. A number of government and heritage bodies are working together to ensure that, if an opportunity to acquire the archive arises, every effort may be made to preserve it intact and make it available to the public. The National Archives and the Business Archives Council, with other partners, have produced proposals to address the longer-term issues posed by the vulnerability of business archives and these will be vigorously pursued in view of the heightened risks to such material in the current economic climate.
NHS: Constitution
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the remarks by Lord Darzi of Denham on 23 February 2008 (Official Report, House of Lords, col. GC 27), what is the extensive communications plan to communicate the NHS Constitution; who they consulted in drawing up the plan; what is the estimated cost of implementing the plan; and whether they will place a copy of the plan in the Library of the House. [HL1722]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): A reference group of National Health Service communications leads representing the range of NHS organisations (strategic health authorities, acute trusts, mental health trusts and primary care trusts) was involved in developing the communications strategy to support engagement with the NHS Constitution.
A phased approach to communications has been put in place.
The first phase is to lay the foundations for ongoing communications. Part of this phase involves making the constitution accessible to all, and supporting NHS bodies in their work to promote the constitution locally among staff and patients.
The second phase focuses on engaging NHS staff with both their own rights and pledges and those of patients, so that they are well placed and equipped to have meaningful conversations with patients. This phase will be supported by a toolkit of resources, including a short film, posters, staff leaflet, messages for managers and induction, briefing presentation and an e-learning module.
The third phase is to further engage patients and the public so that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities, and the NHS's pledges to them.
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The total cost of implementing this communications plan to date has been about £300,000.
Petitions
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many petitions the Department of Health received in (a) 2007 and (b) 2008; what steps the department has taken to publicise them; and whether they will place the text of the petitions received and the number of signatures in the Library of the House. [HL1620]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what procedures the Department of Health has for receiving, acknowledging, dealing with and responding to petitions that it receives from members of the public. [HL1621]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The department deals with petitions from members of the public as items of correspondence. Upon receipt, petitions are logged on to the department's correspondence database and a letter of reply is prepared in line with the normal correspondence performance standards. Receipt is not acknowledged unless specifically requested. As the database does not differentiate petitions from other items of correspondence, the information on numbers of petitions requested by the noble Lord could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many petitions the Department for International Development received in (a) 2007, and (b) 2008; what steps the Department has taken to publicise them; and whether they will place the text of the petitions received and the number of signatures in the Library of the House. [HL1745]
Lord Tunnicliffe: The Department for International Development (DfID) received seven petitions in 2008 and six petitions in 2007, mainly as a result of civil society campaigning. DfID does not publicise these petitions but we do post a reply to major campaigns on our website at www.dfid.gov.uk/news/campaign-responses.asp.
The text of these petitions can usually be found on the website of the civil society group organising the campaign. A copy of the text of the petitions, along with the number of signatures received, will be placed in the Library of the House.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what procedures the Department for International Development has for receiving, acknowledging, dealing with and responding to petitions that it receives from members of the public. [HL1746]
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