Written Answers
Friday, 12th May 2000.
Un Committee Against Torture
asked Her Majesty's Government:What issues they will be raising at the session of the United Nations Committee against Torture, starting on 19 May.[HL2288]
The committee is considering reports from nine states parties to the United Nations Convention against Torture during its 24th and current session, which ends on 19 May. The United Kingdom is not one of the nine and does not propose to raise any issues at this session.
Prison Service Projects
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list the projects on which the Prison Service spent money without contractual backing in 1999–2000, giving in each case the name of the project and the amount spent. [HL2326]
The noble Lord's Question has been interpreted as referring to building projects undertaken by the Prison Service. No money was spent on projects valued at £50,000 or over without contractual backing in 1999–2000. Information on projects valued at less than £50,000 is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Pakistan: Debt Relief
asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to relieve Pakistan's debts to Britain. [HL2309]
In January 1999, in view of Pakistan's economic difficulties, the UK together with other sovereign creditors, agreed to reschedule 3.3 billion dollars of Pakistan's debts falling due in 1999 and 2000.
Parliamentary Written Answers: Reference To Web-Pages
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in giving replies to Questions for Written Answer, they believe it appropriate for Ministers to refer Lords to the content of web-pages
rather than giving substantive answers in the
Official Report as a matter of record for the benefit of both the questioner and the general public. [HL2118]
Ministers are required under the terms of the Ministerial Code to be as open as possible with Parliament. Wherever possible, Parliamentary Questions will receive substantive answers. However, there are circumstances in which it can be both appropriate and helpful to refer to content on web-pages which elaborates on or gives further background which is relevant to the Question tabled.
Belfast City Airport
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 18 April
(WA 87) regarding Belfast City Airport, and in view of the information that legal action for any non-compliance with limits of passengers and flights would be taken against the airport by the planning service, whether they consider that the voluntary agreement to submit information from the airport without independent monitoring is satisfactory. [HL2184]
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 18 April ( WA 87) regarding Belfast City Airport, whether they will list the number of air transport movements and scheduled seats for sale for 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999; and whether they are satisfied that in any 12 month period the limits imposed by agreements in 1994 and 1997 were not exceeded. [HL2185]
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 18 April ( WA 87) regarding Belfast City Airport, what was the reason for the second agreement of 22 January 1997 with the city airport; who was involved in the decision to increase air transport movements from 38,000 per year to 45,000; and what public consultation took place. [HL2186]
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 18 April ( WA 87) regarding Belfast City Airport, whether they will give an undertaking that any further increase in air transport movements at the airport will be considered only after a full public inquiry. [HL2214]
Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Planning Service under its chief executive, Mr H. S. McKay. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Belfast To Bangor Railway Line
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 18 April (
WA 86)
regarding the Belfast to Bangor railway line, what was the date of application for the European grant for relaying the track; why the estimated cost has increased by over 50 per cent since that date; and why an application for European Union funding for the new estimate of costs has not been made. [HL2215]
An application for European funding to upgrade the railway line between Belfast and Bangor was submitted to the Department of the Environment on 5 October 1998. Translink has advised that its original estimate of the cost was based on carrying out the work using their own resources. However, these resources are heavily committed elsewhere and in order to meet the deadline for receipt of European grant they would have to contract out the work. Translink has advised that the increase in the estimated cost is largely due to this change.The Department of Regional Development was notified of the increased estimated cost of the project in June 1999. By that time there was insufficient European funding available to meet the shortfall in funding for the project.
Northern Ireland Railways
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will ensure that the proposed railway transport task force in Northern Ireland will take into account the draft regional framework document entitled
Shaping our Future published in 1999 as well as a proposal for a light railway connection from Portadown to Armagh using the original track bed. [HL2216]
In considering the future options for Northern Ireland railways, the railways task force will take relevant policy documentation into account, including the draft regional strategic framework for Northern Ireland.The task force will also take account of the range of projections of possible need and demand for rail services within the wider strategic context of the future development of transportation in Northern Ireland. Specific options, such as a light railway connection from Portadown to Armagh using the original track bed, will be considered in the more detailed development of a regional transportation strategy.
Northern Ireland Act: Designated Public Bodies
asked Her Majesty's Government:What persons have been designated as public bodies for the purposes of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. [HL2228]
The majority of public bodies to which Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 applies are identified in the legislation.
It is intended to lay an order as soon as possible which will list a number of additional bodies designated by the Secretary of State to which Section 75 will apply.
Later this year and subsequent to further consultation a second designation order will be made listing bodies which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland considers should be designated.
Duchy Of Lancaster: Visit By Minister
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton, on 2 May (
WA 157–58), why they state that during the visit of the Minister for the Cabinet Office to the Duchy of Lancaster on 25 February, she discussed topics including rural issues, whereas in the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 3 April ( WA 108–09) it was stated that the Minister had made visits to the countryside in the Duchy of Lancaster; and what were the places in the countryside that were visited that day. [HL2332]
When my right honourable friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office visited the Duchy on 25 February she attended four events, including discussions with tenant farmers and participation in a local rural forum.
Urban Design
asked Her Majesty's Government:When they will publish good practice guidance on urban design in the planning system. [HL2459]
The good practice guidance we have prepared in partnership with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment will be published on Monday 15 May. Copies of By Design. Urban design in the Planning System: towards better practice will be placed in the Library of the House.
By Design will form a key part of the Government's strategy for promoting better urban design in the planning and development system. It provides sound, practical advice on how to implement the Government's commitment to good design as set out in planning policy guidance, in particular PPG1 General Policy and Principles and PPG3 Housing. It also reinforces the call in the Urban Task Force's report Towards an Urban Renaissance for earlier, greater and better-informed attention to urban design.
South-East Europe: Un Meeting
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will be represented at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe meeting in Geneva; what are the main points for discussion regarding south-east Europe; and whether these include the re-opening of the Danube to navigation at Novi Sad. [HL2287]
Her Majesty's Government were represented at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Spring Seminar and Annual Session in Geneva, 3–5 May 2000 by officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the United Kingdom Mission to the Office of the United Nations at Geneva.The main points of the debate on south-east Europe were the regeneration of the economies of south-east Europe, international financial and technical assistance, regional co-operation and the political context of strategies for economic policy and regional co-operation.There was no substantive debate on the re-opening of the Danube to navigation at Novi Sad, although the issue was raised briefly in the discussion.
Ethiopia
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Amos on 2 March (
WA 86–87), what is their latest estimate of emergency food requirements in Ethiopia; what numbers are affected in the various provinces; what is the interval between pledges of emergency food aid to Ethiopia and their delivery (a) to ports and (b) to the areas affected; and which United Kingdom-based non-governmental organisations are active in the areas of food shortage; and of these which have been, or will become, channels of emergency aid during the present crisis. [HL2097]
The estimate in the Government of Ethiopia's Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Committee's (DPPC) 2000 Annual Appeal in January 2000 was for approximately 900,000 metric tonnes of food aid this year. The UN is planning to launch a regional Greater Horn of Africa Appeal later this month, following the United Nations Secretary General Special Envoy's visit to the region between 11 and 19 April.The estimated number of beneficiaries expected in 2000 are as follows:
| Estimate of 2000 | ||||
| Region | 2000 Population Estimate | Beneficiaries-drought affected | Total Displaced Beneficiaries | Total |
| Tigray | 3,744,867 | 1,047,400 | 315,936 | 1,363,336 |
| Afar Region | 1,236,016 | 272,704 | 33,901 | 306,605 |
| Amhara | 16,518,874 | 2,534,915 | — | 2,534,915 |
| Orimiya | 22,165,467 | 1,598,246 | — | 1,598,246 |
| Somali Region | 3,758,828 | 1,321,000 | — | 1,321,000 |
| Beneshangul | 549,812 | 4,201 | — | 4,201 |
| SNNPR | 12,383,746 | 852,740 | — | 852,740 |
| Gambela | 175,077 | 46,600 | — | 46,600 |
| Harari | 156,587 | 7,070 | — | 7,070 |
| Diwe Dawa | 300,739 | 47,459 | — | 47,459 |
| Addis Ababa | 2,522,718 | — | — | — |
| Country Total | 63,512,731 | 7,732,335 | 349,837 | 8,082,172 |