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Iraq: Language Training for Troops
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
What training programmes in native Iraqi languages are currently available to troops prior to deployment in Iraq; what levels of proficiency are taught; and how many personnel have taken each of the courses available in the years 2003, 2004 and 2005.[HL6691]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): There are three courses specialising in Iraqi language training available for troops prior to deployment to Iraq, each with a different proficiency level. The numbers undertaking this training over the past three training years are shown in the table below.
In addition to these three courses Cascade Training takes place at unit level during pre-deployment training over anything up to six months. The training is undertaken by those who have completed the Basic Patrol Arabic Course augmented by specially appointed and trained Operational Unit Education Officers. Once deployed, training is continued by the same staff augmented by the Theatre Education Centre. Every soldier is also issued with a language card which is taught during pre-deployment training and is practised regularly by all in theatre. Other courses are available but not routinely undertaken by those deploying to Iraq.
Muslim Community
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to reassure the Muslim community in the United Kingdom regarding its future security, following recent terrorist incidents in the Middle East and elsewhere.[HL6628]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The Government brought forward measures in the Crime and Disorder Act
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In addition, the Government are continuing the process of engagement with Muslim communities and are working with them on issues such as security, protecting the communities from radicalisation, and combating Islamophobia. One of the recommendations from the “Preventing Extremism Together” working groups’ report was the creation of local forums. These forums will allow for a diverse range of members of the British Muslim community, local law enforcement agencies and public service agencies to come together to discuss issues relating to tackling Islamophobia and extremism. They will also provide a safe space for discussion and sharing views, and allow for the channelling of ideas and new thinking in dealing with extremism. Three of these have now taken place.
The new Commission on Integration and Cohesion, which was announced on 28 June 2006, will examine how different communities can live together, respecting differences but with a shared sense of belonging and purpose. It will also examine the issues that raise tensions between different groups in different areas and which lead to segregation and conflict. Lastly, the Government are supporting a number of projects addressing Islamophobia and providing opportunities for Muslims to share their concerns.
Nepal: Women
Baroness Northover asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they propose to make to the Government of Nepal with regard to compliance with Security Council Resolution 1325 by inviting women to participate at the peace negotiations; by ensuring that they have representation on the draft constitution committee; and by developing their own national plan on implementation of 1325, in line with the United Nations action plan.[HL6579]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): While the peace negotiations and the interim constitution drafting committee are matters for the Nepalis, we support and encourage representation of all groups in the current peace process and the future constituent assembly.
My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, Ian McCartney, met the Nepalese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 20 June. We will continue our dialogue with the Government of Nepal on human rights and other issues, including women's inclusion in the democratic process.
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Parole Board
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 6 June (WA 184), when was the last occasion when the chair of the Parole Board was a full-time appointment; and why they decided to make it a part-time appointment.[HL6260]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The chair of the Parole Board was a full-time position until 2000. The change to three days a week reflected the assessment of the requirements of this post at that time. We currently see no reason for changing that assessment, although it will be reviewed again when we make a new appointment.
Peace Funding: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much Peace II funding has been available for allocation in Northern Ireland; and how much has been allocated.[HL6536]
Lord Rooker: The table below details the amount of funding available and the amount allocated under Peace II (2000-2004) and the Peace II extension (2005-06) in Northern Ireland. These figures exclude priority 6, which provides technical assistance for Peace II management, monitoring, evaluation, research and publicity. An exchange rate of £1=€1.55 has been used for 2000-2004 and £1=€1.45 for 2005-06.
| Total Available £ | Total Allocated £ | |
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many applications West Tyrone Voice has made for Peace II funding; whether any of these applications were unsuccessful; if so, for what reasons; and whether they will place in the Library of the House all documentation relating to the applications.[HL6554]
Lord Rooker: West Tyrone Voice has made 18 applications for Peace II funding. Ten of these applications have been successful, three have been withdrawn and three other applications are currently awaiting a final decision. Two applications were unsuccessful, as they failed to meet the minimum threshold score in the reconciliation criteria. All relevant documentation on applications will be placed in Library as requested.
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Pensions: Adult Dependency Allowance
Baroness Hollis of Heigham asked Her Majesty's Government:
What would be the cost, both gross and net, in 2015 and 2020 of retaining the adult dependency allowance for partners aged 60 to 65.[HL6731]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): The information requested is set out in the table below. The Government's proposal in the White Paper Security in retirement: towards a new pensions system, published in May 2006, to abolish the adult dependency increase would not affect those entitled to it prior to the change; they would remain entitled to it until 2020. We are reinvesting the savings to provide better state pensions, particularly for women.
Police: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
When the new policing college near Cookstown, County Tyrone, will be completed; and at what cost.[HL6236]
Lord Rooker: The original outline business case for the new police college estimated a cost of £74.6 million for construction. With professional fees and land costs, this gave a total projected cost in the 2002 outline business case of £102.9 million. A revised outline business case has since been submitted to the department, which estimates the cost, on the basis of prices at the fourth quarter of 2006, at £134.15 million.
The Government have advised the Northern Ireland Policing Board and PSNI that it will make up to £90 million available for the new college and work is ongoing to explore a number of options to take this project forward. Construction of the college will begin as soon as that work is complete, but it is too early to say at this stage when the college will be completed.
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether progress has been made towards the implementation of Patten recommendation 131 relating to the proposed Police Service of Northern Ireland training college at Desertcreat
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Lord Rooker: The Government have advised the Northern Ireland Policing Board and PSNI that it will make up to £90 million available for the new college and work is ongoing to explore a number of options to take this project forward. Construction of the college will begin as soon as that work is complete, but it is too early to say at this stage when the college will be completed.
Police: Reorganisation
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why figures on the estimated set-up costs relating to each police force merger in England and Wales were published in the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 25 April (WA 16) when a further Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 17 May (WA 47) indicated that such information was still under review by Ministers.[HL5879]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The estimated cost of restructuring set out in my written reply of 25 April (WA 16) was an accurate current assessment of costs and savings. These are being refined as part of a process of negotiation currently taking place and will be taken into account as part of the process referred to in my reply of 17 May (WA 47).
Post Office Card Account
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 19 June (WA 64), how the Department for Work and Pensions will provide help and support for customers unable to open a bank account because of disability, old age or illness and who are ineligible for assistance of the sort provided by sub-postmasters and mistresses in opening a Post Office card account.[HL6668]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): This will depend on the needs and circumstances of the customers concerned and the range of account options that are available as customers move from Post Office card accounts to having their benefit or pension paid into a bank account or a new Post Office product. Our priority will be to ensure that this is a straightforward process for the customer. Customers who have managed to open and operate a Post Office card account should be able to do the same with at least a basic bank account. As we have done in the past, supportcould, where appropriate, include helping customers
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Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the evaluation report on the pilot schemes for the migration of Post Office card account holders to banking facilities has been published.[HL6670]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: My honourable friend James Plaskitt will make a Written Ministerial Statement and place a summary report of our findings in the Library in due course.
Prisoners: Housing after Release
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much they have spent in each of the last five years on grants to voluntary organisations for the provision of housing, aftercare and training for ex-prisoners; and what sums they propose to spend for these purposes in each of the next five years.[HL6246]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): It is not possible to identify grants made specifically to support ex-prisoners, as in many cases the organisations funded are working across several purposes and with ex-prisoners, prisoners and those on community sentences. Grants made centrally by the Home Office to voluntary sector organisations working in this area in the past two years were: in 2004-05, £7.6 million; and, in 2005-06, £8.7 million. In 2006-07, they are planned to be £8.9 million. In addition, grants of £7.5 million, £8 million, and £8.1 million respectively were made/are planned for the provision of voluntary sector approved premises that house people under supervision in the community. For future years, spending plans have not been finalised to this level of detail. These figures do not include grants made by local probation boards, as these figures are not held centrally.
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