Written Answers
Monday, 9th October 2000.
Palace Of Westminster: Security
asked the Chairman of Committees:Whether he will review the provision of security for the Palace of Westminster in the light of a report in
The Sunday Times on 30 July that the Sudanese businessman, Salah Idris, is a leading shareholder in a company which provides security systems to the Houses of Parliament, and in the light of his alleged links with the international terrorist, Osama Bin Laden. [HL3970]
I understand that the report referred to in the noble Baroness's question was forwarded to Black Rod's Office on 17 August. It was immediately passed to the Head of Security, who consulted the appropriate specialist authorities. In a letter to the noble Baroness dated 18 September the Head of Security stated that Salah Idris had no day-to-day involvement in the running of the company concerned. The same company has also installed surveillance equipment at the Royal Courts of Justice and digital playback consoles for New Scotland Yard.The question of security in the Palace of Westminster is kept under constant review and I therefore see no need to change the present arrangements.
"Voices"
asked Her Majesty's Government:When they intend to publish their latest report for women,
Voices 2. [HL4053]
We have today published this year's Government report for women, Voices, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Voices is a practical guide for women to the help and services available from Government. It contains information and advice on the opportunities provided by Government to help women improve their lives. It covers a wide range of subjects, including employment rights, setting up a business, combining work and home life, childcare, support for caring, volunteering, lifelong learning, health, personal finances and information technology. This information is presented in a clear and accessible style.
Voices also meets our commitment to the United Nations to provide an annual progress report on action we have taken to help women in the UK.
Parliamentary Questions
asked the Leader of the House:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 12 July (
WA 33) in relation to smoking and Government Ministers, whether it is in order for noble Lords, by means of the House of Lords Order Paper, to seek to persuade Ministers to offer an example advocating a particular lifestyle and to support the lifestyle of non-smokers by reducing passive smoking. [HL3969]
I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to Lord Stoddart of Swindon on 2 October (WA 205).
Rolls Royce Aero-Engine Exports
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether aero-engines supplied by Rolls Royce to Airbus for fitment to Airbus aircraft for export outside the European Union are counted in official trade statistics as exports to the European Union or as exports to the rest of the world. [HL3804]
HM Customs & Excise are the department responsible for collecting trade statistics on the movement of goods with other countries including EC member states.Customs do not publish details of an individual business's trading activities, for reasons of confidentiality. However, UK statistics on exports to other EC member states are produced on the basis of the declared member state of destination. These exports include goods exported from UK for further processing (including assembly) in other EC member states. If those processed goods are thereafter exported to countries outside the EC, they should be recorded as exports from that EC member state to the non-EC country of destination.
Tourism Accommodation And Disability Discrimination Act 1995
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will consider giving special tax treatment for small tourism accommodation providers to help them to adapt such accommodation in compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, as recommended by the English Tourism Council. [HL3918]
Spending by business to meet the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 may qualify for tax relief under the general rules for writing off machinery and plant expenses against taxable income, the 40 per cent first year allowance and the 4 per cent tax relief for hotel building costs.
Chief Dental Officer
asked Her Majesty's Government:Following the resignation of Dr Robin Wild as Chief Dental Officer, whether the position of Chief Dental Officer has been advertised; and, if so, when. [HL3916]
Robin Wild has retired early and the post has not been advertised at this juncture, Dame Margaret Seward has been appointed to succeed him on a fixed-term basis to concentrate on implementing the Government's new strategy for NHS dentistry. The Civil Service recruitment rules allow for anyone to be appointed on a fixed-term contract for up to 12 months. This period can be extended for up to a year further subject to the Civil Service Commissioner's agreement.
Connexions Service
asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures they have taken to ensure that the voluntary youth services are fully involved in the planning, development and delivery of the Connexions Service to young people. [HL3952]
We are aware of the important role the voluntary youth sector plays in providing services to young people and wish to include them in the development and delivery of the Connexions Service. National voluntary youth organisation officers are participants in many of the working groups set up in my department to help to develop the service and we have produced a leaflet for voluntary and community organisations encouraging their participation. Those areas currently piloting Connexions have been asked to involve voluntary and community organisations and the guidance we are developing for Connexions Partnerships will make it clear that they should be involved in planning, development and delivery of the new service.
Income Contingent Student Loans: Repayment Threshold
asked Her Majesty's Government:What estimate has been made of the cost of raising the threshold for repayment of income contingent student loans to (a) £13,000; (b) £15,000; and (c) £17,000 at each of the following real interest rates: (i) 0 per cent; (ii) 1 per cent; and (iii) 2 per cent annually for the years up to 2004–5 assuming student numbers continue on current trends and the proportion of income taken remains at the current level. [HL4014]
We have said that we will review the repayment threshold for income contingent loans from time to time, but have no immediate plans to do so. We have not yet made an estimate of the cost of raising the threshold. We remain committed to applying a rate of interest to student loans equivalent to RPI so that borrowers repay no more in real terms than they have borrowed.
Road Accidents And Burglaries: Costs
asked Her Majesty's Government:What has been the total cost of:
for each year of the most recent three-year period for which figures are available. [HL3924]
The total values attributed to the avoidance of deaths and injuries in road accidents in 1997–1999 were (£ millions):
| 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | |
| Fatal | 3,740 | 3,940 | 3,960 |
| Serious | 4,930 | 5,100 | 4,890 |
These values take account of medical costs, lost production, human costs based on willingness to pay, the cost of police and courts, insurance administration, and property damage. Detailed figures are published in Highways Economic Note 1, copies of which are are in the Library of the House.
The Home Office is currently researching the costs of crime and will be publishing its findings in a Home Office Research Study, titled The economic and social costs of crime. The study will be published in the near future and a copy will be placed in the House Library.
Chinook Mark Iii Helicopter: Delivery Delay
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether delivery of the special operations configured Boeing Chinook Mk III helicopters has been delayed; and, if so, what is the reason for the delay. [HL3624]
There has been a short delay in the delivery of the Chinook Mk III to allow work to ensure that some advanced equipment, including the computer driven "glass" cockpit, perform fully to specification.
Chinook Mark 2/2A Helicopter
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 26 June (
WA 51) on cockpit voice and flight data recorders to be fitted to the Royal Air Force Chinook Mark 2/2A fleet as part of the Health and Usage Monitoring (HUMS) programme, how many aircraft have not yet had these recorders fitted; and when it is expected that all the fleet will have been so equippied. [HL3579]
The sixth aircraft from the RAF Chinook Mark 2/2A fleet is currently being fitted with cockpit voice and flight data recorders as part of the Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) programme, which leaves 34 of the fleet still to be so equipped. The programme is subject to the availability of aircraft not on operational duty, and the expected completion date is currently under review.
Legislatures: Qualifications For Membership
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will list those members of the United Kingdom House of Commons during the last hundred years who have at the same time been elected members of other Commonwealth or Dominion legislatures, showing of which other legislatures they were members; and [HL3822]
In which countries of the Commonwealth a member of the United Kingdom House of Commons is able (a) to stand for election as a member of the national legislature and (b) to sit as a member of the national legislature if so elected; and [HL3823]
In which countries of the European Union a member of the United Kingdom House of Commons is able (a) to stand for election as a member of the national legislature and (b) to sit as a member of the national legislature if so elected; and [HL3824]
Whether a member of the House of Keys of the Isle of Man or the States of the Channel Islands can stand for election to the House of Commons and can sit, if so elected, in both legislatures; and [HL3861]
Whether a person can represent two different constituencies in the House of Commons at the same time; and whether a person who is elected to represent two different constituencies in the House of Commons at the same time can sit and vote for both constituencies; and [HL3825]
Whether a member of the government of a Commonwealth or foreign country can be a Minister in Scotland, or First Minister or a member of the Executive in the Welsh Assembly; and [HL3826]
In what circumstances an elected member of the House of Commons is prevented by law from becoming a Minister in any part of the United Kingdom; and [HL3862]
Whether a member of the national legislature of a foreign country can (a) stand for election to a local authority in the United Kingdom and (b) sit as a member of a local authority in the United Kingdom if so elected. [HL3827]
Anyone can stand for the United Kingdom House of Commons. A Commonwealth citizen, or citizen of the Irish Republic, may take a seat in the House of Commons as long as (like British citizens) he or she is aged 21 or over. In United Kingdom law, there is a general disqualification in respect of members of legislatures outside the Commonwealth, subject to the exception that a Bill now before the Lordships' House seeks to create in respect of the Dail.The Home Office does not hold information about members of the House of Commons who have also been elected members of other legislatures. Nor am I able to answer for the legal requirements of legislatures in other countries, such as member states of the European Union. There is nothing in United Kingdom law, however, to prevent a member of the Isle of Man or Channel Islands legislatures from also standing for and taking a seat in the House of Commons, as long as he or she is a Briton, Commonwealth or Irish citizen.
Neither is there United Kingdom law which prevents one person standing for and being elected to represent two constituencies. The procedures where a member is elected for two seats are set out on page 34 of Erskine May.
The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly will govern who may be appointed Minister or Member of the Executive. Elected Members of the House of Commons have not been prevented from sitting as part of devolved legislatures, although the Scotland Act 1998 prohibits government Ministers from being members of the Scottish Executive.
Election to a local authority is governed by Sections 79 and 80 of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government Elections (Changes to the Franchise and Qualifications of Members) Regulations 1985, which sets residence qualifications in addiction to nationality requirements
Exclusion Orders
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to use their powers under Section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971, as inserted by Section 8 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, to designate certain international instruments excluding certain individuals or categories of person from the United Kingdom. [HL3973]
Yes. The Immigration (Designation of Travel Bans) Order 2000 was laid before Parliament today and comes into force on 10 October. The order designates certain United Nations Security Council Resolutions and European Union Common Positions in respect of Angola, Burma, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Sierra Leone.
Kosovan Refugees: Forced Repatriation
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their policy towards the forced repatriation of certain refugees to Kosovo on the ground that they have been guilty of a crime in the past, even when their sentences may have been long since completed; and what representations they are making to governments which pursue such a policy. [HL3857]
The Government's policy in respect of the repatriation of those persons recognised as refugees in the United Kingdom, whatever their nationality or country of habitual residence, is in accordance with the provisions of the 1951 convention and the 1967 protocol relating to the status of refugees.Article 1F(b) of the convention provides that the provisions of the convention shall not apply to any person with respect to whom there are serious reasons for considering that they have committed a serious non-political crime outside the country of refuge prior to admission to that country as a refugee.
Article 33 of the convention, which prohibits the expulsion or return of those recognised as refugees, provides that the benefit of the prohibition may not, however, be claimed by a refugee whom there are reasonable grounds for regarding as a danger to the security of the country in which he is, or who, having been convicted of a final judgement of a particularly serious crime, constitutes a danger to the community of that country.
Each case is considered on its individual merits taking into account the provisions of the convention and relevant United Kingdom legislation.
No representations are being made to other governments in this respect.
Detention Centre Rules
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they intend to consult Parliament about the draft Detention Centre Rules. [HL3928]
The Detention Centre Rules will be laid before Parliament after they have been "made". This is likely to be in the late autumn.The procedure for this Statutory Instrument was debated and determined during the passage of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. The rules are subject to the ordinary negative resolution procedure and consequently the need for consultation in Parliament on the draft rules does not arise.An extensive consultation process did accompany the drafting of the rules. The background to this will be explained to you when the Minister of State for the Home Office (Mrs Roche) responds to your letter of 6 September 2000.
Crossbows
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will consult the Association of Chief Police Officers about measures to prevent the use of crossbows by criminals. [HL3927]
There are no plans to consult the Association of Chief Police Officers on this issue.The police already have statutory powers to deal with the misuse of crossbows. The Crossbows Act 1987 imposes restrictions on the sale and hire of crossbows to, and their possession by, people under 17 years of age. In addition, if the police believe that somebody is carrying a crossbow with intent to cause injury they may prosecute him or her under Section 1 of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953, which makes it an offence to carry an offensive weapon in a public place, carrying a maximum penalty of four years' imprisonment or an unlimited fine or both.
Criminally Active Population
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is the basis of the estimate announced by the Prime Minister in his speech on 31 August that a DNA database holding over 3 million samples will cover virtually the entire criminally active population. [HL3868]
The estimate is supported by theoretical modelling of the offender population carried out by the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate (RDS). It represents an early estimate and is subject to modification in the light of research currently in hand in connection with monitoring the rate of growth of the DNA database.Thus, while the present target is to populate the database with the profiles of three million offenders by 2004, the target may change during the course of the project to reflect best estimates of the criminally active population.
Criminal Justice Act, S95: Publications
asked Her Majesty's Government:How the obligation placed upon the Secretary of State by Section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (information for financial and other purposes) has been interpreted annually since enactment. [HL3863]
The Government regularly produce statistics and research reports on the criminal justice system which include information on race, gender and costs as required under Section 95. A recent example of such a publication is Ethnic Differences in Decisions on Young Defendants dealt with by the Crown Prosecution Service by Gordon Barclay and Bonny Mhlang and published as Section 95 Findings No. 1 on 3 March 2000.Other examples of relevant publications include:
- The Costs of Criminal Justice by Richard Harries and published as Research Finding No. 103 in autumn 1999; and
- Statistics on Women and the Criminal Justice System 1999 published under Section 95 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 in August 1999. An updated version of this report is due to be published in November.
Women Entering Prison: Childcare Planning
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will examine the experience in the Netherlands of allowing women with the care of children who are sentenced to imprisonment a period of grace before starting their sentence in order to make the best possible care arrangements for their children. [HL3888]
There is an opportunity whilst pre-sentence reports are being prepared to consider what childcare arrangements should be put into place, should a custodial sentence be an option. We do not have any plans to bring forward such legislation in the immediate future.
Irish Citizens: British Passports
asked Her Majesty's Government:Under what circumstances persons born in the Republic of Ireland and now resident in the United Kingdom can obtain a full British passport. [HL3943]
Under the British Nationality Act 1981 adults, including Irish citizens, may be naturalised as British citizens if they have lived in the United Kingdom for the preceding five years (three years if married to a British citizen) at the date of application and they meet certain other requirements. A person who holds British citizenship can apply for a British citizen passport.Irish citizens born before 1949 who have also remained British subjects are eligible for British subject passports. British subjects are entitled to registration as British citizens if they have lived in the United Kingdom for the preceding five years and meet certain other residence requirements.Irish minors can be registered as British citizens in a variety of circumstances, some of which entail residence in the United Kingdom.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether, in view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 which guaranteed parity of esteem for both cultures and traditions on the island of Ireland, they will announce arrangements to make British passports available to residents of the Republic of Ireland. [HL3944]
The Belfast Agreement does not contain or imply any undertaking by the British Government to confer British citizenship on the basis of residence in the Republic of Ireland and there are no plans to amend the British Nationality Act 1981 to provide for this.
Probation Service: Equal Opportunities
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the recruitment process of Chief Probation Officers for the probation areas that are to be amalgamated and other vacancies between now and 1 April 2001 will meet the Home Office's equal opportunities policies. [HL3867]
The Government are fully committed to equality of opportunity. Current plans for the new National Probation Service, subject to the enactment of the Criminal Justice and Court Service Bill, envisage a vesting date of 1 April 2001. A recruitment process, which meets the Home Office's equal opportunities policies, is currently under way to fill Chief Officer posts in the eight amalgamating areas and other Chief Officer vacancies between now and 1 April 2001.
Data Protection: International Collaboration
asked Her Majesty's Government:In the context of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, what progress is being made, both at United Kingdom Government level and European Union-wide, in negotiations to harmonise European and United States data protection procedures. [HL3910]
The Government are seeking to encourage greater co-operation, on an international level, on matters relating to the criminal exploitation of methods for protecting data and communications, such as strong encryption. This forms part of a package of measures the Government are putting in place to help deal with the threat posed by rising criminal use of new technologies. Encouraging the development of such a new international framework was a specific recommendation contained in the May 1999 report Encryption and Law Enforcement, published by the Cabinet Office Performance and Innovation Unit.Government officials have engaged in bilateral exchanges with, for example, the European Commission and the United States and through the informal G5 Information Security Group comprising France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In addition, United States Government and industry representatives attended the second United Kingdom Government-Industry Forum on Encryption and Law Enforcement on 9 May 2000, and United Kingdom officials will attend a similar event in the United States during October. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary and my honourable friend the Minister of State for the Home Office (Mr Clarke) have been in contact with the Attorney General of the United States of America and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation respectively about the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 following Royal Assent.
Port Of Belfast
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their estimate of the present commercial value of the Port of Belfast; when they expect that a decision will be made about its privatisation; and what are the probable consequences of delaying the decision, for the economy and infrastructure of Northern Ireland. [HL3812]
Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Millennium Dome: Sale
asked Her Majesty's Government:Why they rejected the bid of £120 million made by Bourne/Legacy in July for the purchase of the Millennium Dome. [HL3870]
The Government selected Dome Europe as preferred bidder because it offered the best proposals evaluated against the competition criteria, including the benefits of continuity of use and greater funding certainty. However, the proposal from Legacy plc was a strong one and following Dome Europe's decision to withdraw the Government has entered into discussions with Legacy plc as the sole remaining shortlisted bidder in the competition to sell the Millennium Dome. Legacy plc could be granted "preferred bidder" status as long as they make satisfactory progress with their proposals.
asked Her Majesty's Government:When they informed English Partnerhips that they must consider all offers to buy the Millennium Dome site; that the offers should include those from former bidders or property developers; and that it is no longer essential to retain the Dome structure as part of the contract of sale. [HL3873]
Following the decision by Dome Europe to withdraw from the competition for the future use of the Dome, the Deputy Prime Minister requested that English Partnerships produce a paper on the options for the future use of the Millennium Experience site. This exercise is being run in parallel to the current competition for the Dome and the discussions that are taking place with Legacy plc. The Government remain committed to a long-term future for the Dome.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether it is still their intention, as stated by Lord Falconer of Thoroton as the sole shareholder of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC), on 27 July (HL col. 581), that £53 million should be paid to NMEC from the proceeds of the sale of the Millennium Dome. [HL3874]
The Government are in discussion with Legacy plc, the second shortlisted bidder in the competition to sell the Dome. Should Legacy plc be selected as preferred bidder, Ministers will make a decision on the division of proceeds according to the make-up of the proposal, the land required and the financial offer.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Which Minister or Ministers made the decision that the bids for the Millennium Dome made by Nomura and Dome Legacy in the spring of 2000 should not be proceeded with at that stage. [HL3850]
The decision to shortlist Dome Europe and Legacy plc in May of this year was made by the Minister for local Government and Regeneration, myself, the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting, and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Which organisations have submitted bids since August to buy the site of the Millennium Dome. [HL3848]
Under the current competition rules, no new bids for the Dome or the Millennium Experience site can be accepted. However, a number of expressions of interest have been received by the competition team since August and have been passed to English Partnerships to incorporate in their review of options for the use of the Millennium Experience site. These expressions of interest are commercially confidential at this stage.