Hansard

Written Answers

Volume 419: debated on Monday 6 April 1981

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Written Answers

Immigration: Applications From Indian Dependants

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:How many cases of dependants applying to join their parents in the United Kingdom are now being considered by the Home Office, following reference by entry certificate officers in each of the ports in the Indian sub-Continent respectively, and where the ECO has doubts about the relationship, whether they will arrange for blood tests to be carried out by a doctor nominated by the High Commission for this purpose.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
(Lord Belstead)

The information requested in the first part of the Question is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Government have no plans to arrange for blood tests to be carried out.

Immigration Applications: Blood Tests

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether in the light of the case of Mrs. Anwar Ditta, they will now conduct blood tests on Mr. Riaz Ahmed, Home Office reference A 242497, whose application to join his father in the United Kingdom made originally on 15th February 1972 was refused on the grounds that the entry certificate officer did not believe that the relationship was as claimed.

Lord Belstead

It is not our practice to conduct blood tests to establish relationship for the purposes of the immigration rules. It is open to an applicant for entry clearance to submit whatever evidence he wishes in support of his case.

Prisoners In Segregation

Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether in future they will publish annually, in the

Report on the Work of the Prison Department or otherwise, the number of occasions on which inmates of each penal institution are placed in segregation without having been charged with any disciplinary offence, for reasons of good order and discipline, and the number of occasions on which any such inmates are kept in segregation for more than 100 days.

Lord Belstead

My right honourable friend will consider the noble Lord's suggestion.

Eec Report On Labour Market Policy

Lord Wolfenden

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they agree with the conclusions drawn in the 12th Report of the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities (H.L. 70) on Guidelines for a Community Labour Market Policy.

The Minister of State, Department of Employment
(The Earl of Gowrie)

The Government welcome the consideration given by the Select Committee to the Council's guidelines and have the following comments to make on the committee's conclusions:

  • (i) The Government recognise the importance of communication skills and language competence. The education system is becoming increasingly aware of the value of these skills at all levels, but employers need also to show that they attach importance to them. The evidence suggests that British employers give such skills lower priority than those in certain other countries among our partners in the Community, notably France and Germany.
  • (ii) Under existing ESF rules certain types of schemes of training on employers' premises can and do qualify for assistance. The Government agree that, in view of the heavy demands already made on the fund, any proposals for extension of its scope would have to be looked at very carefully.
  • (iii) The Government's policies are aimed at creating an economic climate in which industry can work to improve productivity, including efficient manpower planning. Manpower planning is a matter for industry itself to resolve at plant level, but the Government are trying to encourage a positive response from both sides of industry. The work of the Manpower Services Commission makes an important contribution to this and to other aspects of national manpower policy.
  • (iv) Although the general principles for implementing a common vocational training policy agreed to by the Council of Ministers in 1963 are still essentially valid, the time has now come to take a fresh look at how these principles apply at a time of high unemployment and rapid technological change. An important step in this direction will be taken later this year when the Commission will propose objectives to Community policy in the field of vocational training in the 1980s.

    • St George's Hospital, Hyde Park Corner

    Baroness Macleod of Borve

    asked Her Majesty's Government:What decision has been made about the future of St. George's Hospital, Hyde Park Corner.

    Lord Cullen of Ashbourne

    Following the move of St. George's Hospital to Tooting, there is no further National Health Service use for the property. There are however some problems to be resolved concerning pre-emptive and restrictive covenants affecting part of the site, on which counsel's opinion is being considered, together with a need to establish the planning position, before a decision can be taken on its future use. The Government hope to make a further statement shortly.

    Argentine Embassy Staff: Allegations

    Lord Avebury

    asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will declare Captain Jorge Vildoza, Assistant Naval Attaché, Lieutenant Alberto Gonzalez and Petty Officer Victor Cardo, stationed at the Argentine Embassy in London,

    personae non grata.

    Lord Trefgarne

    The allegations against these three men are being studied. Meanwhile, we understand from the Argentine Embassy that the officers and petty officer concerned will be leaving the United Kingdom very shortly at the conclusion of their terms of duty.House adjourned at thirteen minutes before eight o'clock.