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We will continue to monitor this research and evaluate the potential for new screening technologies as the evidence develops, working closely with the UK National Screening Committee.

Health: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Question

Asked by Lord Carlile of Berriew

Baroness Thornton: Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is categorised as a long-term neurological condition of unknown cause.

Although there is currently no effective treatment for CFS/ME, cognitive behavioural therapy, graded exercise therapy, pacing and other lifestyle changes, as well as medication to relieve pain and depression have proved useful for some patients.



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Homelessness

Question

Asked by Lord Roberts of Llandudno

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton): Homelessness charities are often able to assist people who are destitute and not eligible for benefits. In the case of destitute eastern Europeans, we have provided funding to support local authorities in helping destitute eastern Europeans return to their home countries.

Housing

Question

Asked by Lord Taylor of Holbeach

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton): It is not possible to make direct comparisons between the outputs of HMR pathfinders as there are wide variations in the value of projects, local priorities and local markets. The HMR programme is also aimed at attracting interest from developers to their areas and the projects undertaken by pathfinders will therefore vary in relation to investor plans.

Allocations to HMR pathfinders are made for the totality of their programmes, and not for individual elements, on the basis of strategies set out in their business plans. It is for individual pathfinders to judge how much should be spent on particular activities, taking into account the stage of the regeneration process in their area and local market conditions.

Housing: Gardens

Question

Asked by Lord Hylton



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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton): The Government's definition of brownfield land is set out in Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (PPS3). This definition states that "previously developed land is that which is or was occupied by a permanent structure, including the curtilage of the developed land and any associated fixed structure", so does include domestic gardens.

On 2 April 2009 the Government announced a review of evidence to establish whether there is a clear and genuine problem with the extent of housing development on garden land. We committed to considering action if the evidence confirms a problem, provided that any changes should not have the effect of undermining our objectives on housing. Our aim is to conclude the review and make a further announcement shortly alongside the publication of the findings and evidence.

Immigration: General Perez Musharraf

Question

Asked by Lord Ahmed

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): As a matter of policy the Home Office does not comment on individual immigration cases.

Immigration: Detention Centres

Questions

Asked by The Lord Bishop of Ripon and Leeds

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): We would rather not detain families with children and would prefer that they left the UK voluntarily where the courts have upheld a decision of the UK Border Agency that they must leave the country. However, where they fail to leave after being given every opportunity and incentive to do so, the agency has no other option, other than to separate the family, but to detain in order to enforce their departure. Where detention is prolonged, it is normally because the family has made a last minute application to the court to frustrate the removal.

However, we are investigating approaches which would reduce the need to use detention to enforce removal for families with children. We promote the assisted voluntary return scheme with the International Organization for Migration throughout the asylum process to provide assisted voluntary returns which cater for families' needs and allow a return that is dignified and sustainable.



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The agency is working in partnership with Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government to pilot an initiative in Glasgow to offer temporary housing and a package of support to a selection of families whom the UK Border Agency and the courts agree do not require international protection.

Unaccompanied children are, exceptionally, detained in very limited circumstances. These are primarily for their safety and only overnight while alternative arrangements with the local children's services are made for their care.

Asked by Lord Hylton

Lord West of Spithead: Detention is an essential component in maintaining an effective immigration control. It is usually appropriate in the following circumstances: initially, while a person's identity or basis of claim is being established; where there are reasonable grounds for believing that a person will fail to comply with the conditions attached to the grant of temporary admission or release; as part of a fast-track asylum process; or to effect removal.

The decision to detain, or to maintain detention, including those of Eritrean nationals, is made on a case by case basis taking account of the individual circumstances in each case. Imminence of removal and risk of harm to the public are among the factors considered in reaching a decision. There is no policy precluding the return of Eritrean nationals either to third countries or to Eritrea. Nor are there any plans to move away from a case by case approach to Eritreans who are held in immigration detention centres, whether or not they have claimed asylum.

Detention is kept to the minimum period necessary for the purpose for which it was authorised and is not unduly prolonged. Individuals may prolong their own detention by, for example, refusing to co-operate with the redocumentation process or by frustrating lawful attempts at removal.

Detention in each individual case is subject to review at increasingly senior levels within the UK Border Agency to ensure that it lasts only as long as it continues to be justified and necessary.

We believe that the current policies support a requirement to enforce our immigration laws and we therefore have no intention of changing them at this time.

Interception of Communications

Question

Asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer



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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): As a result of this year's communications data consultation the Government will continue to develop their proposed approach. This approach will require legislation to ensure that the data required by public authorities to protect the public are collected and retained by communications service providers. Plans for legislation are not developed sufficiently for it to be included in this Session of Parliament.

Separately, as outlined in its public statement on 3 May 2009, GCHQ has an ongoing programme of investment in the technology and skills needed to keep one step ahead of the threats facing the UK.

Internet: Deep Packet Inspection

Question

Asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The Government are considering how deep packet inspection technologies might support the lawful acquisition of communications data.

It is the long established policy of successive governments not to comment in detail on the role of technologies that may be used to carry out lawful interception of communications or communications data acquisition. Deep packet inspection is such a technology.

Internet: Google Earth

Question

Asked by Lord Dixon-Smith

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Bach): I am replying as the Ministry of Justice is responsible for data protection policy.

No authorisation is required for taking photographs of streets in the United Kingdom for publication on the internet.

The Data Protection Act 1998 is administered and enforced by the Information Commissioner's Office independently of government.



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The Information Commissioner has issued advice about Google Street View, one of Google Earth's features. The commissioner's view is that Google Street View is very unlikely to breach the Data Protection Act 1998. The full document: can be accessed at the Commissioner's website at http://www.ico.gov.uk/global/search.aspx?collection=ico&;keywords=street+ view.

NHS: Foundation Trusts

Question

Asked by Lord Mawhinney

Baroness Thornton: None.

NHS: Race and Equality

Question

Asked by Lord Ouseley

Baroness Thornton: The department has been informed by the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority (SHA) that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has served three trusts in its region with compliance notices: NHS Surrey, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust and Frimley Park NHS Foundation Trust. These notices set out the steps that need to be taken to meet requirements under the Race Relations Act 1976 (Statutory Duties) Order 2001.

The SHA has assured the department that it is working positively with the ERHC to help all trusts in its region to achieve and maintain compliance with equality legislation.

Pakistan: Torture

Question

Asked by Lord Ahmed

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): It is the Government's policy that all claims for asylum, including those from Pakistani nationals, are considered on their individual merits in accordance with the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the European Convention on Human Rights, against the

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background of the latest accurate, objective, sourced and up-to-date information on asylum seekers' countries of origin produced by the UK Border Agency country of origin information service.

Police: Tasers

Question

Asked by Lord Vinson

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The import of tasers into the UK is very closely controlled by legislation. Such conducted energy devices are classified as "prohibited weapons" by virtue of Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968. The police service are the only body in the UK with authority to import taser. When used according to the stringent and rigorous guidelines applied by the police, taser has proved to be a valuable less lethal option to conventional weapons.

Taser has been banned from being exported from the UK since July 1997. Not all countries have the same level of regulation as the UK. The UK Government are concerned that, in the wrong hands, taser may be misused.

Prisons: HMP Wayland

Question

Asked by Baroness Stern

Baroness Thornton: No new capacity places opened at Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Wayland during 2006-07. However, 300 new capacity places were approved by the National Offender Management Service and made operational during 2007-08.

Part-year funding of £223,000 was issued by the department to East of England Strategic Health Authority to cover health and set-up costs associated with these places.

In 2008-09, £437,000 was added to the baseline healthcare funding that the department allocated to HMP Wayland, increasing the annual provision from £868,000 to £1,305,000.

Sport and Recreation: Funding

Question

Asked by Lord Moynihan



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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton): The only direct grant to local authorities during the requested period relating specifically to sporting and recreational provision is the £5 million funding for free swimming in 2009-10 that this department is contributing to a DCMS programme.

This department, and its predecessor departments, are responsible for paying revenue support grant and national non-domestic rates (which together with principal formula police grant comprise formula grant) to local

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government. This is the main general grant paid to councils on behalf of Government as a whole and covers all local authority services, including sport and recreation. However, the grant is unhypothecated and decisions on the use of this funding are for local authorities.

There are other unhypothecated grants paid to local authorities mainly paid under Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003 such as area based grant, where decisions on the use of this funding are also for local authorities.

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