| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
Gambling
Lord Acton asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much they estimate was the total gambling turnover in the United Kingdom for each of the years 2001 to 2006. [HL2560]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government's estimate of total UK gambling stake, which is broadly equivalent to turnover for the gambling sector, is set out in the following table.
| UK Gambling Stake 2001-02-2005-06 (£ million) | |
| Financial Year | Total Stake |
| Source: HMRC bulletins, Gaming Board, Gambling Commission Annual Reports, DCMS estimates. | |
20 Mar 2007 : Column WA184
Information Systems: DfT
Lord Harris of Haringey asked Her Majesty's Government:
In respect of the Department for Transport, (a) on how many occasions in the past year malicious programs have compromised departmental computer systems; and, for each occasion, how many machines were affected; how long it took to remove the programs from the system; and what was the impact on the department's activities; (b) what penetration tests have been carried out of information systems over the past year and what were the results, indicating in each instance whether the tests were carried out independently of the providers of the system concerned; and (c) on how many occasions in the past year the departmental management team has considered information risk. [HL2437]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: (a) In the past year, the computer systems at the Department for Transport have been compromised by malicious programs (such as worms, viruses, etc) on nine separate occasions. On eight of these occasions, a single machine was affected; on the other occasion a CITRIX server was infected which could have affected 200 users. The malicious programs were removed as soon as practicable, and did not have a significant impact on the day-to-day running of the Department for Transport’s operations.
On (b), we do not comment on the frequency, status or results of any penetrative security tests carried out on departmental computers.
On (c), the department follows standard advice on risk management.
Information Systems: Northern Ireland Office
Lord Harris of Haringey asked Her Majesty's Government:
In respect of the Northern Ireland Office, (a) on how many occasions in the past year malicious programs have compromised departmental computer systems; and, for each occasion, how many machines were affected; how long it took to remove the programs from the system; and what was the impact on the department's activities; (b) what penetration tests of information systems have been carried out over the past year and what were the results, indicating in each instance whether the tests were carried out independently of the providers of the system concerned; and (c) on how many occasions in the past year the departmental management team has considered information risk. [HL2474]
Lord Rooker: In the past year, the computer systems at the Northern Ireland Office have not been compromised by any malicious programs (such as worms, viruses, etc).
20 Mar 2007 : Column WA185
A health check of the Northern Ireland Office's CONFIDENTIAL network, including penetration testing, was carried out in the past four months. Overall, the technical security of the network was adjudged to be of a high standard. Any technical vulnerabilities which were uncovered are being addressed in ongoing plans.
Information risk and assurance issues form a key item of the departmental risk register and are considered by departmental management every six months.
Iraq: Aircraft
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many C-130 Hercules aircraft deployed to Iraq are fitted with explosive suppressant foam (ESF); whether they plan to increase the number of Hercules aircraft fitted with ESP in all operational theatres, and in what timescale; and how the decision to fit ESF to Hercules aircraft in-theatre is made. [HL2326]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): I am withholding the number of C130 Hercules aircraft deployed to Iraq that are fitted with explosion suppressant foam (ESF) as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the security of the UK's Armed Forces. Work continues on the fitment of ESF to the majority of the Hercules fleet. On current plans, this work will be completed by the end of this year. As numbers of ESF-equipped aircraft increase, these will be the platforms of choice for operational deployment.
Organophosphates
Lord Tyler asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the current membership of the inter-departmental Official Group on Organophosphates (the Carden committee); what was the date of its last meeting; when it is expected to meet next; and what will be the matters included on the agenda for that meeting.[HL2640]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The Official Group on Organophosphates is chaired by the Chief Veterinary Officer and has membership from:
Cabinet Office; Defra: Environmental Protection Strategy Division and Defra legal advisers; Department of Health (including legal advisers);Food Standards Agency; Health and Safety Executive;Health Protection Agency;Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency;20 Mar 2007 : Column WA186
The group last met on 19 April 2005. The secretariat has recently begun preparations for the next meeting, which is likely to be held during the summer. The complete agenda has yet to be confirmed. However, it will include a review of completed research projects and consideration of a summary paper which will be presented to the Committee on Toxicology for its advice on the way forward. We anticipate receiving this advice in autumn 2007.
Planning Gain Supplement
Baroness Hanham asked Her Majesty's Government:
What expenditure they expect to incur on implementing the paving work for the planning gain supplement; and [HL2582]
Whether they have a business plan for the expenditure they expect to incur on implementing the paving work for the planning gain supplement; and, if so, whether they will place a copy of the plan in the Library of the House; and [HL2583]
Whether there is an upper ceiling on the expenditure they expect to incur on implementing the paving work for the planning gain supplement; and, if so, what is that ceiling. [HL2584]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The Explanatory Notes to the Planning Gain Supplement (Preparations) Bill gave a preliminary estimate of the costs to implement the planning gain supplement. The costs will be refined in the course of the work that would be authorised under both the paving legislation and any further substantive legislation.
Railways: Cross Country Franchise
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 12 March (HL2176) about the new Cross Country rail franchise, whether the 30 per cent increase in capacity referred to in the Answer represents what the Government expect to happen by 2010; and, if bidders differ in their estimations of patronage growth during that time, how this factor will be evaluated in the bidding process.[HL2641]
20 Mar 2007 : Column WA187
Lord Bassam of Brighton: In developing the specification for the new Cross Country franchise, assessments were made of current crowding levels as well as forecasts of future growth; therefore, bidders were instructed to put forward proposals for an increase in capacity of at least 30 per cent. Hence, they have been free to put forward proposals with more capacity. Bids are being assessed for deliverability, and bidders’ views on growth will form part of that deliverability assessment.
Schools: Commissioner
Baroness Walmsley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 21 February (WA 266), what are the annual objectives agreed with the Schools Commissioner. [HL2766]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Lord Adonis): The individual objectives agreed between members of the Senior Civil Service and their line managers are personal targets relating to their own development and delivery.
The broader aim of the Schools Commissioner is the creation of a school system that offers high standards and a choice of good schools in every local authority. In doing so, the Schools Commissioner's objectives are to:
collect and share emerging good practice in the promotion of choice and diversity, including through the publication of an annual report that brings together data on parental satisfaction and school standards;work with local authorities, schools and other partners to help to identify the right reform solutions for poorly performing schools;champion trust schools and academies as key levers in raising standards, particularly in deprived areas;identify suitable potential partners for trusts and academies and facilitate the matching of schools to those partners;maintain a record of all proposals relating to trusts and make it available via the DfES website. This will allow a school interested in acquiring a particular trust to access information about it and to follow up any questions with the school or trust in question; monitor and promote fair access, including through producing a two-yearly national review of fair access based on national data and the annual reports provided by admissions forums;work with local authorities to build capacity to help fulfil the new commissioning role set out in the White Paper Higher Standards, Better Schools for All (October 2005); andwork closely with a range of stakeholders, including the directors for children and learners20 Mar 2007 : Column WA188
Sinn Fein
Lord Tebbit asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they hold any evidence concerning the allegation that the Sinn Fein leaders Mr Martin McGuinness and Mr Gerry Adams were, or are, leaders of the army council of the Irish Republican Army. [HL2675]
Lord Rooker: As I am sure the noble Lord is aware, it is the long-standing policy of the Government not to comment on matters of intelligence or individual cases.
Taxation: VAT Carousel Fraud
Lord Steinberg asked Her Majesty's Government:
What estimate they have made of the loss of VAT receipts as a result of missing trader and carousel fraud. [HL2568]
Lord Davies of Oldham: HMRC published annual estimates of the level of MTIC fraud alongside the 2006 Pre-Budget Report, in Measuring Indirect Tax losses—2006, which is available from the House of Lords Library or from the HMRC website.
These estimates showed that the scale of attempted MTIC fraud in the UK grew rapidly in 2005-06 to between £3.5 billion and £4.75 billion; with an associated negative impact on VAT receipts during the year of between £2 billion and £3 billion.
Lord Steinberg asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Davies of Oldham: The level of attempted missing trader intra Community (MTIC) VAT fraud increased significantly in 2005-06, driven largely by fraudsters' confidence and behavioural response to a changing environment, including the outcomes of legal action in Europe1.
The Government's strategic approach to tackling this problem, using both criminal and civil interventions, have successfully reduced attempted fraud levels this year.
Trade estimates produced by the Office for National Statistics, using overseas trade data supplied by HM Revenue and Customs, suggest that MTIC-related trading activity has fallen by around 90 per cent since the summer of 2006.
20 Mar 2007 : Column WA189
Transport: Licences
Lord Tebbit asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which categories of licence which qualify holders to act as operators of public transport vehicles, ships and aircraft will be subject to VAT upon the cost of medical examinations of holders for renewal and which categories will not be so subjected from 1 May onwards. [HL2674]
Lord Davies of Oldham: From 1 May, reports and medical examinations for the purpose of providing certain certificates, such as a certificate of fitness to hold a licence to drive or fly, will be subject to the standard rate of VAT of 17.5 per cent. However, supplies of medical care and treatment, and all medical examinations undertaken principally to protect (including maintain or restore) the health of individuals will remain exempt from VAT.
This is in response to a decision by the European Court of Justice in 2003 on the scope of the VAT exemption for medical care.
20 Mar 2007 : Column WA190
Waterways: Moorings
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much the work on the moorings at Kilglass on the Shannon will cost; who is carrying out the work; and after what process of selection. [HL2448]
Lord Rooker: I understand from Waterways Ireland that the moorings at Kilglass, Co Roscommon are being completed as part of the 2007 Capital Programme at an estimated cost of €350,000. The on-site work is being carried out by Waterways Ireland's direct labour force.
The floating moorings and breakwater were procured from Inland & Coastal Marina Systems Ltd following a public tender process, having been advertised in the EU Journal, Belfast Telegraph and Irish Independent A stone wall was constructed by Michael Kelly Stonemasons and steel piles were supplied by Cleveland Steel, both following competitive processes which comply with procurement procedures set out in Waterways Ireland's financial memorandum.
| Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |