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Benefits: Winter Fuel Payment
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether winter fuel payments are made to United Kingdom pensioners who live overseas; if so, how many such payments were made in the most recent year for which figures are available; and whether they have made an assessment of the appropriateness of winter fuel payments to those pensioners who live in countries without cold winter weather. [HL1517]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton): European Community law provides that, in certain circumstances, some benefits acquired in one member state must be paid to people who live outside that state but within the European economic area. The Government agreed with the European Commission that winter fuel payments would be made to eligible former UK residents living elsewhere in the European economic area or Switzerland only if they qualified for a winter fuel payment before leaving the UK. We must treat all those states equally and may not therefore make payments only in countries within the European economic area with cold winter weather. Last winter 2005-06 we made 39,870 payments to people living in the European economic area or Switzerland
Source: Winter Fuel Payment Planning and Implementation Team
Notes: Figures rounded to the nearest 10.
Climate Change
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the latest measurements from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Earth System Research Laboratory of the increase of mean carbon dioxide atmospheric concentration at a globally distributed network of marine surface sites; whether, in the light of this information, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration can be
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The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The latest measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration show a slightly increasing trend, which will feed through into increased climate forcing and global temperature rise.
The increases in atmospheric CO2 in 2005 and 2006 were high but not exceptional. In 2005 CO2 concentration rose by 2.0 parts per million (± 0.2 ppm) and in 2006 by 2.1 (± 0.2 ppm). These increases were lower than those seen in 2003, at 2.5 ± 0.2 ppm). Between 1958 and 2000 such large annual rises were rare, with only three occurrences in the record.
It is not yet clear whether the above average annual increase in 2005 and 2006 were primarily due to manmade or natural factors. Possible causes include hot dry summers in Europe and drought in Amazonia, with consequent widespread forest fires. It is too early to be confident that the recent trend towards increasing CO2 concentration will continue, though it is considered likely.
Recent analyses, including the Stern review on the economics of climate change, show that, with strong international action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, stabilisation of atmospheric concentrations at 550 ppm is still achievable. The UK has continued to keep climate change high on its international agenda in 2006. During 2007, the UK will work across all fronts, including the EU, G8 and UN, to inject greater urgency and momentum into the process of driving down global emissions. In addition I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 23 January, Official Report, col. WA 215.
Cluster Munitions
Baroness Northover asked Her Majesty's Government:
What research and analysis has been conducted on the reliability of the self-destruct mechanisms incorporated in (a) M85 submunitions; (b) BLU-108B/B submunitions/P31 combined effects EFP warheads; (c) submunitions of the 155mm Bonus projectile; (d) MJ1 and MJ2 submunitions of the BK-90/DWS 39 air-delivered cluster munition; and (e) any other submunitions incorporating a self-destruct mechanism during test conditions and combat operations; and what methodology was used to assess the reliability of the self-destruct mechanism.[HL1450]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): All munitions undergo rigorous and comprehensive testing both before they are brought into service and once they are part of the UK's stockpile, to ensure there is no degradation in safety or performance.
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The M85 submunition is usually tested by live firings on a controlled range. This offers the opportunity to recover any unexploded devices for further inspection, including noting the correct operation of the self-destruct mechanism. The data are analysed to determine the continued effectiveness and safety of the weapon system and, in partnership with the prime contractor, BAES Land Systems Munitions, to establish whether any improvements can be made.
The supply of the 155mm ballistic sensor munition (BSFM) is still subject to tender evaluation, a part of which is the compliance against self-destruct requirements. This will be further assessed during sub-system testing and live firings during the demonstration and manufacture phases, to verify the overall performance before the BSFM enters service.
BLU-108B, MJ1 and MJ2 submunitions are not incorporated into any weapons that are in service with UK Armed Forces. There are no other weapons in the inventory incorporating submunitions with a self-destruct mechanism.
Baroness Northover asked Her Majesty's Government:
At what level the United Kingdom will be represented at the conference on cluster munitions in Norway in February; and which government departments will be represented.[HL1451]
Lord Drayson: The Norwegian invitation to the UK invited senior officials to the Oslo meeting. The UK delegation will be led at ambassadorial level, with the MoD and DfID in support.
Common Agricultural Policy: Single Farm Payment
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
In relation to the 2005 single farm payments, how many farmers have received no payments to date; and whether they are able to give any indication when these matters will be resolved. [HL1606]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The Rural Payments Agency has estimated there are 194 single payment scheme claims in respect of 2005 that have not received any payment to date. Seventy of these cases are pending the resolution of issues such as probate. The remainder of these 2005 claims are potentially eligible to be paid and are currently being processed. These claims are being paid as soon as possible, but it is not possible to put a timeframe on when they will all be completed.
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
What categorises a single farm payment as complex; how many of the outstanding claims are due to Rural Payments Agency management systems queries; and how many of these claims are being reworked. [HL1607]
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Lord Rooker: The Rural Payments Agency has estimated that there are 194 single payment scheme claims in respect of 2005 that have not received any payment to date. Seventy of these cases are pending the resolution of complex issues such as probate. The RPA is also checking approximately 20,000 2005 cases, which include those involving queries raised by farmers to establish whether the correct entitlement is held and payment has been made.
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Rooker: The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has completed the validation of 2005 single payment scheme claims that generated dual claim tasks, the aim of the validation being to determine the correct claimant of the land in question and therefore the beneficiary of the subsidy. However, in some cases it has not proved possible to resolve disputes between the various parties. In these cases the claims of all such parties have been penalised accordingly. This has resulted in further correspondence being submitted to the RPA which is currently being considered. Some claimants may choose to use the appeals procedure to challenge the penalties applied as a result of a dual claim.
Energy: River Thames
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will commission a study on the potential savings of money and carbon dioxide emissions which could be achieved by using water from the River Thames as a heat source for heat pumps to serve public buildings adjacent to the river. [HL1540]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The department does not plan to commission such a study. However, we are aware of the costs and benefits of heat pumps and include them when considering the potential contribution of carbon-reducing technologies, eg for the energy efficiency commitment, or the proposed energy performance commitment. The River Thames and other large rivers are recognised as useful heat sources for heat pumps for both public and private buildings.
Gulf War Illnesses
Lord Roberts of Conwy asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 8 January (WA 32), what representations they have received and what research they have commissioned on illnesses believed to be linked to service in the 1990-91 Gulf conflict that have
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): We are not aware, from representations or scrutiny of the UK or international research literature, of any new illnesses or conditions linked to the 1990-91 Gulf conflict and emerging only in recent or, specifically, the past two years.
The Medical Research Council provides independent expert advice on our Gulf veterans’ illness research programme and members of the scientific community are encouraged to submit suitable study proposals. To date no research has been recommended or commissioned nor study proposals received on such illnesses. The principal focus for research aimed at assisting Gulf veterans is now to identify suitable rehabilitative therapies for those veterans with persistent symptoms.
Health: Bone Scanning
Baroness Quin asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy on the availability of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry bone density scanning facilities within the National Health Service to women over 60. [HL1522]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): Bone health, including the development of strategies to prevent osteoporotic fractures, is a key priority of the National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People. The NSF recommends that where individuals are identified as being at high risk of developing osteoporosis, investigations such as dual energy x-ray absorptiometer (DXA) scans should be carried out.
Arrangements for the delivery of the standards of care outlined in the NSF are a matter for local determination. However, the Government are taking steps to increase NHS capacity in DXA scanning to improve access and reduce waiting times. In 2005-06, £3 million was allocated from a centrally held revenue budget for purchasing additional scans from the independent sector. Capital provision of £17 million has been made available in 2006-07 and 2007-08 for investment in new DXA scanning equipment.
Health: GP Survey
Lord Colwyn asked Her Majesty's Government:
What costs were involved in the current Ipsos MORI Hospital Choice general practitioner survey; and why the completed forms are returned via first-class mail when the consultation deadline is 6 April. [HL1570]
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The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): The Hospital Choice survey is part of the General Practitioner Patient Survey (GPPS). It is expected that, overall, the GPPS will cost no more than £11 million to £12 million. The total cost of the Hospital Choice element of the survey will depend upon the number of responses received by Ipsos MORI from patients but is likely to be in the order of £2.5 million.
The Hospital Choice survey will be handed out to patients referred between 16 January and 31 March 2007. First-class return postage is used as it has been shown to increase the response rate for such surveys. The higher the response rate, the more accurate the survey results will be for each practice.
House of Lords: Captioning
Lord Harrison asked the Chairman of Committees:
What steps are being taken to extend the provision of captioning facilities within the Chamber of the House of Lords in order to assist Members and visitors with hearing difficulties. [HL1666]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): Following a request from a Member, one Palantype machine has been installed in the Chamber. There are no plans to install additional machines as no further requests have been received. Members can access an enhanced sound feed in the Chamber by plugging an earphone into equipment installed in the benches. Earphones are available from the Doorkeepers. A hearing aid induction loop is also available in the Chamber for use by both Members and visitors.
Iraq: Migrants
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organisation for Migration, UNICEF and the Governments of Jordan and Syria to ensure temporary protection and eventual resettlement for Iraqi civilians, Palestinians and Kurds, now in both states, having fled from violence and persecution in Iraq; and [HL1209]
What financial or physical help they are providing to organisations caring for Iraq's refugees in Jordan and Syria. [HL1525]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): We are concerned at the increasing numbers of people displaced by violence in Iraq. DfID has recently announced a £4 million contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to continue to provide emergency assistance, including water, medical supplies and rehabilitation of health infrastructure to vulnerable people including internally displaced people (IDPs) in Iraq. This brings
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We are also considering UNHCR's appeal to help refugees in neighbouring countries and keeping in close touch with our international partners (including those you mention) to ensure agencies are adequately resourced and equipped to respond to needs. Above all the first priority of the Iraqi Government must be to end the violence that is causing this situation, with the support of the international community and the region.
Local Government: Gross Value Added
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Davies of Oldham: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
Letter to Lord Hanningfield from the National Statistician, dated May 2006.
As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on gross value added (GVA) for the UK counties. (HL 1496)
The Office for National Statistics publishes regional GVA using official statistical geographies known as nomenclature of units for territorial statistics (NUTS)1. The NUTS classification does not fully correspond to counties of the United Kingdom.
For NUTS 1 level statistics the latest year available is 2005. For NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 it is 2004. Copies of the publication tables showing regional GVA at NUTS levels 1, 2 and 3 have been placed in the House Library. The full range of regional GVA data is available on the National Statistics website at www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=14650.
1 The nomenclature of units for territorial statistics (NUTS) provides a single uniform breakdown for the production of regional statistics for the European Union. There are three levels of NUTS in the UK. These are:
NUTS 1: Government Office Regions and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
NUTS 2: 37 areas—individual and groups of counties and unitary authorities.
NUTS 3: 133 areas—generally groups of unitary authorities or districts, also known as local areas.
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