Written Answers
Tuesday, 18th February 1997.
European Parliament: Members' Salaries
asked Her Majesty's Government:Which country's Members of the European Parliament have the highest salaries and what is the equivalent in pounds sterling.
Members of the European Parliament receive the same salaries as their national counterparts. Those from Italy receive the highest salaries. Their gross annual salary is currently L208 million or £77,084.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What approaches have been made to them by the European Commission following the announcement in
The European of 23–29 January of the intention of the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Gil Robes, to use parliamentary funds to supplement the salaries of the lower paid Members of the European Parliament in order to raise them to the level of the highest paid Members of the European Parliament.
None.
Occupied Territories: Human Rights
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have studied the joint Palestinian-Israeli report of December 1996,
Human Rights in the Occupied Territories since the Oslo Accords, and what conclusions they have drawn from it.
With our EU partners, the UK closely scrutinises human rights developments in Israel and the Occupied Territories. We have noted the contents of B'Tselem's report, which confirms that there are disturbing deficiencies in both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities' respect for human rights. Since the report was published, we have pressed both sides on their human rights records.
Occupied Territories: Illegal Settlements
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have noted the contents of a recent letter to the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Netanyahu, signed by three former US Secretaries of State and five other former senior US officials, warning of the threat to peace in the Middle East arising from illegal settlements.
The letter signed by eight senior US politicians underlines the importance that the international community attaches to the issue of settlements. Our position is well known to the Israeli authorities: Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories are illegal under international law. They are an obstacle to peace, and should not continue. Both sides should refrain from actions which are likely to provoke violence.
Occupied Territories: Demolition Of Palestinian Houses
asked Her Majesty's Government:When they last discussed with the Government of Israel the demolition and cementing-up of houses in the Occupied Territories and with what result.
My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary met Prime Minister Netanyahu on 3 November 1996 and discussed Israeli practices in East Jerusalem, including the demolition of Palestinian houses. We are concerned that this practice could alter the city's demographic balance, and so jeopardise the prospects for success in final status talks. We will continue to monitor the situation, and will raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities as suitable opportunities arise.
Israel: Compensation For Expropriated Land
asked Her Majesty's Government:What information they have about the extent to which compensation has been paid to the former owners of land in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, expropriated by the occupying power since 1967.
Israeli practice in offering compensation depends on their assessment of the status of the land (state or private), its location (West Bank, Gaza or East Jerusalem) and the intended purpose of the confiscation. No compensation has been offered for the loss of communal or private rights over state land. Compensation has been offered in some cases of expropriation of private land, but has not always been accepted.
Gaza: Students' Access To Tertiary Education
asked Her Majesty's Government:When they last discussed with the Government of Israel the question of access to tertiary education in the West Bank for some 1,200 students from Gaza, and with what result.
Ministers have regularly pressed the Israeli authorities to facilitate safe passage for Palestinians between Gaza and the West Bank; I did so when I was in Jerusalem on 23 January. The EU Special Envoy to the Peace Process, Miguel Moratinos, has started a constructive dialogue with the Israeli authorities on the subject. Joint Israeli-Palestinian committees will convene later this month to discuss safe passage and other outstanding elements of the Interim Agreement.
Nato Enlargement
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will comment on the statement by the Commander-in-Chief and the Chief of Staff of the Hungarian Army that "NATO's view on the issues is, as we are going to be a front-line country constituting a wing of NATO, that joint protection of NATO's airspace is very significant.
No decision has yet been taken on which countries will be invited to begin accession negotiations with NATO.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the US Government has discussed with its NATO allies its offer to Romania of $6.5 million to buy defence equipment, and whether this is in the context of NATO expansion.
This is a bilateral matter for the governments of Romania and the United States. NATO has not set equipment requirements in the context of enlargement.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the offer from the US Navy to provide the Czech Government with F/A-18A, F/A-18B and F-16A/B aircraft rent-free for five years, as reported in the BBC's Summary of World Broadcasts (EE/2830 C/2), is within the discussion of NATO expansion.
This is a bilateral matter for the governments of the Czech Republic and the United States. NATO has not set equipment requirements in the context of enlargement.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the implications for NATO expansion of the recent agreement between the Hungarian government and the Lockheed Martin Corporation to allow Hungary to pay in goods any amount over $1 billion towards an order of fighter aircraft (as reported in the BBC's Summary of World Broadcasts (EEW/0472 WC/4)); and whether these arrangements are part of the discussion of NATO or EU expansion.
This is a bilateral matter for the governments of Hungary and the United States. It does not form part of NATO or EU discussions of enlargement. NATO has not set equipment requirements in the context of enlargement.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether all NATO countries have a veto on expansion; if so, whether the Secretary-General of NATO was authorised to state in Hungary that "Turkey could not halt NATO enlargement" (as reported in the BBC's Summary of World Broadcasts (EE/2837 C/6)) and if so, by whom.
As with all Alliance decisions, the decision to invite certain countries to open accession negotiations with NATO will be taken by consensus. The Hungarian press report to which the noble Lord refers also reports the Secretary General as noting that all allies had accepted that this important decision should be taken in July.
Reza Barzegar Massoumi: Conviction
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have noted the conviction by the 7th branch of the Criminal Tribunal in Istanbul of Reza Barzegar Massoumi, an agent of the Iranian Intelligence Ministry, on charges of complicity in the murders of Mrs. Zahra Rajabi and Mr. Ali Moradi, opponents of the Iranian regime; whether the proof in a court of law of the involvement of agents of the Iranian government in acts of terrorism abroad affects the relationship between Britain and Iran, or between the European Union and Iran, and in what way; and whether they will review other acts of terrorism against opponents of the Iranian regime, in co-operation with other European Union governments, with a view to deciding to raise these matters at the forthcoming meeting of the Human Rights Commission in Geneva.
Her Majesty's Government have indeed noted the conviction of Reza Barzegar Massoumi in Turkey. His claims about the involvement of the Iranian government came as no surprise, but the court did not determine whether the Iranian government was behind the murders. We continue to be concerned about Iran's support for terrorism and her threats to Iranian dissidents abroad.The Government, together with their European Union partners, are currently preparing their position for this year's session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
Atrush Camp, Northern Iraq
asked Her Majesty's Government:What information they have about the fate of the inhabitants of the Atrush refugee camp in Northern Iraq since the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees stopped delivering humanitarian aid or providing protection to the residents; how many persons are estimated to remain in Atrush, and what assessment has been made by the UNHCR of their health and nutritional problems.
We understand that a number of refugees have left the Atrush camp but that some 8,000–12,000 remain. We understand from the UNHCR that it has made no assessment of their health or nutritional problems. The UNHCR is ready to help refugees from the camp to resettle.
Turkey: Use Of Torture
asked Her Majesty's Government:What conclusions were reached by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment as a result of visits to Turkey in 1996; and whether the full report including the detailed findings by the doctors will be available to the delegations attending the forthcoming Human Rights Commission meeting in Geneva.
In a detailed public statement issued on 6 December, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) said it had found clear evidence of the practice of torture and other forms of severe ill-treatment by the Turkish police. CPT reports usually remain confidential unless the country concerned chooses to make their contents known.
Globe Theatre
asked Her Majesty's Government:On what grounds they can justify the recent planning permission to bury the remains of the original Globe Theatre without further investigation or documentation of this site; and whether they will call in the application so that the matter may be further considered.
Planning permission has been sought from the London Borough Council of Southwark for the conversion of Anchor Terrace and the erection of a block of apartments on adjoining land. Anchor Terrace stands on part of the site of the original Globe Theatre, all of which is protected as a scheduled ancient monument. The proposals for which planning permission has been sought do not involve any disturbance of any of the remains of the scheduled ancient monument. The remains of the Globe Theatre were discovered in 1989 and subsequently excavations on part of the site were carried out. The excavated remains were fully recorded and protected with a temporary covering. Scheduled monument consent has now been granted by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for National Heritage for the temporary protection to be replaced by a permanent covering, which is considered to be the best method of preserving the site. This is in accordance with government policy set out in PPG 16 Archaeology and Planning, and advice received from English Heritage.
Art Trade: Self-Regulation
asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps the United Kingdom Association of Art and Antiquities Dealers take to monitor the working of the CINOA Code of Practice (H.L. Deb., 5 July 1996, col. WA 121) and whether the Government are satisfied that self-regulation is an effective safeguard against the traffic in illicit antiquities.
Monitoring of the working of the CINOA Code of Practice is an internal matter for the Association of Art and Antiques Dealers and is not something with which the Government are involved. The Government believe that self-regulation can and should continue to be an effective safeguard, provided that members of the art trade ensure that adequate monitoring takes place, and that effective sanctions are applied in cases of infraction.
Lorry Weights: Proposed Increase
asked Her Majesty's Government:What environmental and infrastructural problems would be associated with the possible introduction into Britain of 44–tonne lorries.
The Government's recent consultation document on lorry weights, a copy of which is in the Library, discusses these issues at some length. The general introduction of 44–tonne, six-axle lorries would have no adverse effects upon the infrastructure because such vehicles would cause no more wear than the 38–tonne, five-axle vehicles currently on our roads.
Construction Contracts
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they have decided to bring into operation Part II of the Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996; and, if so, when this will be: and, if not, why not.
In November 1996, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment published a consultation paper entitled Making the Scheme for Construction Contracts pursuant to his duty under Section 114 of the 1996 Act to consult on regulations to supply fall-back provisions for construction contracts that fail to comply with the provisions of Part II. Over 100 detailed responses were received: the Government are considering them carefully.
The order making the scheme is subject to the approval of both Houses of Parliament. The consultation paper pointed out that it was reasonable to assume that it would not be laid until spring 1997.
Bse And Organophosphates
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Lucas on 11 June 1996
(WA 160), whether they have reconsidered their decision not to make public funds available for testing the hypothesis linking BSE with organophosphates.
It is quite clear from the pattern of the UK epidemic that it is feed borne, and not associated with any other substantial means of spread. There are many hypotheses for the origin of the epidemic, all unproven, of which the organophosphate (OP) hypothesis is one.We have no present plans to extend the current research programme to include the OP hypothesis. The evidence which we have on the biochemical activity of organophosphates and on the relationships worldwide between the use of organophosphates and the occurrence of BSE lead us to suppose that the hypothesis is most unlikely to be true. Additionally, despite much vocal support, the basis for the OP hypothesis has not been published in peer reviewed scientific journals, and the work leading to its evolution has not been verified independently.The theory that Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) could have been caused by the exposure of cattle to OP pesticides as a treatment for warble fly infestation has already been considered in detail by scientists in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Health and the Medical Research Council. A report from SEAC entitled
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies—A Summary of Present Knowledge and Research (HMSO ISBN 0–11–242–9874), published in 1995 and available in the Library of the House, reviewed a number of alternative theories on BSE, including the OP theory, and concluded that none justified extending the current research programme to investigate them further at that stage. The report notes that the original epidemiological investigation considered any possible association between the use of agricultural chemicals, including OP insecticides, and the occurrence of BSE. None was found.
However, given the great lack of knowledge and understanding of the disease process in BSE and TSEs generally, and the importance of our attaining such understanding, we are determined not to close our ears to any possible explanation, however unlikely it may seem to us at the time. We are aware of the recent press reports concerning new research carried out by the Institute of Psychiatry into the use of Phosmet and its possible association with BSE. SEAC, which keeps all alternative theories on BSE under regular review, has asked Mr. Purdey to put his theory to a future meeting of the committee.
Organophosphorus Sheep Dips: Vpc Review
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the outcome of the review of organophosphorus sheep dips carried out by the Veterinary Products Committee.
The VPC has carefully and thoroughly examined the effectiveness of the Certificate of Competence Scheme and other issues relating to the use of OP sheep dips. They confirmed earlier advice that, provided that they are used safely and in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions, there is no scientific justification for withdrawing OP sheep dips from the market.>The VPC recommended that the Certificate of Competence should apply to the use of OP sheep dips as well as their purchase. This objective will be achieved by strengthening measures to secure compliance with existing statutory duties. New guidance will be issued by the Health and Safety Executive which will explain and emphasise the duties placed on farmers under the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and the linked Codes of Practice to train and instruct their dippers and to maintain their competence. The guidance will contain information about the Certificate of Competence scheme operated by the National Proficiency Tests Council and will commend certification as a structured approach to these duties and as valuable evidence that adequate training had been given and competence achieved.The VPC had found some evidence to suggest that a small minority of veterinarians were occasionally supplying OP sheep dips to clients who did not hold a Certificate of Competence. We will be asking the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to make a clear reference to the undesirability of this practice in their Guide to Professional Conduct.We also accept the VPC's advice that the reclassification of OP sheep dips from Pharmacy and Merchants List (PML) to Prescription Only (POM) status would be unnecessary as it would not improve the protection of human safety and, if it deterred farmers from using OP dips prophylactically, it could lead to increased levels of ectoparasitic diseases in sheep.Officials at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate will examine the current labelling requirements for OP sheep dip products and will submit proposals to the VPC the objective of which will be to make the information simpler to follow.The VPC has advised that, in order to improve controls over the disposal of sheep dips, including both OPs and synthetic pyrethroids, there should be a mechanism whereby farmers should notify the water regulators (the Environment Agencies) that they are using dips and of their proposed methods of disposal.
We accept this advice and the Government are considering what improvements should be made to existing mechanisms for control over the disposal of sheep dips. Any eventual proposals will be subject to public consultation.
The VPC has advised that further basic research into OPs should be carried out, and we accept this advice. We shall be seeking to establish research projects with the further help of the VPC's sub-committee, the Medical and Scientific Panel.
The VPC has suggested that a review of non-OP sheep dips should be conducted to consider whether existing controls on OP dips should be extended to these products. We have asked the VPC to proceed with this review, not least because dips in which the active ingredient is a synthetic pyrethroid are intrinsically hazardous to aquatic life and great care is needed in their use and disposal.
In addition, we have asked the VPC to review the safety of veterinary medicines other than sheep dips which have an organophosphate as the active ingredient.
I would like to thank Professor Aitken, his predecessor, Professor Sir James Armour, and the committee for the care and diligence with which they have considered these important issues and all the information put to them, and for their clear advice.
The report setting out the VPC's recommendations to the Licensing Authority (Agriculture and Health Ministers), is today being placed in the Library of the House.
Tri-Service Defence Medical Training Organisation
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they set up the Defence Medical Training Agency; and, if so, when they set it up, what it cost to set up, and what it costs to run.
A tri-Service Defence Medical Training Organisation was established on 1 April 1996 and is currently being reviewed for Agency status.
Army Foundation College
asked Her Majesty's Government:What further initiatives they are taking to improve manning in the Army.
We are determined to reverse the current levels of undermanning in the Armed Forces. We shall accelerate our recruiting efforts, which already show a marked improvement in results over previous years. The Army alone will need up to 17,000 recruits per annum over the next few years.
But numbers are not the only issue. Equally important is the need to attract recruits of the right quality to cope with the complexities of modern warfare, and to provide the highest standards of leadership, for which our forces are rightly renowned and which were previously provided under the Junior Leaders scheme.
To obtain suitable, high quality recruits in sufficient numbers, we propose to supplement our current recruiting methods with a new approach, designed to attract school-leavers of 16 years and over, interested in gaining qualifications and enhanced career opportunities as well as guaranteed employment.
We have decided, therefore, to open a new Army Foundation College in September 1998. It will offer a 42-week Army Foundation Course for soldiers destined for front line roles, combining military and leadership training with vocational education. It will develop key skills in numeracy, communications, IT, personal skills and problem solving, needed for access to national vocational qualifications.
When fully established, the College will accommodate up to 1,300 students. Its graduates will therefore contribute significantly to resolving the Army's manning difficulties. We are confident that many of them will rise to fill key positions, providing the Army with high-quality leadership into the future.
Following the example of other successful defence projects, such as the recent competition for the new Joint Services Command and Staff College, we intend to seek private finance for the college. There is a possible site available at the former Army Apprentices College at Harrogate, which we shall draw to the attention of bidders, but it would not be appropriate to take a firm decision on location at this stage.
The new Army Foundation College will ensure that the Army is well placed to attract the best young men and women into its ranks. It will offer ambitious young people valuable qualifications and one of the most challenging and worthwhile careers in the country today.
Data Protection Legislation: Enforced Subject Access
asked Her Majesty's Government:What proposals they have in respect of enforced subject access under the Data Protection Act 1984.
The Government recognises the objections in principle to enforced subject access. However, this problem cannot be resolved through the Police Bill because the practice affects not only police records but also many social security records and possibly others. Therefore, we intend to include a general solution in the legislation giving effect to the Data Protection Directive. We will first consult employers' organisations and others likely to be affected.
Prevention Of Terrorism(Temporary Provisions) Act 1989: Report
asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to publish the report from Mr. J. J. Rowe, QC on the operation in 1996 of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989.
My right honourable friend has today arranged for copies of Mr. Rowe's report to be placed in the Library. Mr. Rowe recommends that the legislation should be renewed in its entirety for a further 12 months. This is also the Government's view, and a draft order to give effect to this is being laid before the House today.
Ashworth Hospital: Health Advisory Service Review
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many members of the Health Advisory Service were involved in the visit to Ashworth Hospital in 1995; what was the duration of their visit; and whether a copy of any report of the visit will be placed in the Library of the House.
There were eight members of the team which reviewed Ashworth Special Hospital, including the directors of the NHS Health Advisory Service. The visit took place between 7 and 25 November 1994. The report was published by the then Special Hospitals Service Authority and copies will be placed in the Library.