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What percentage and number of those on incapacity benefit are: (a) not in receipt of disability living
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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The information is in the table; no estimates are available for the number of incapacity benefit and disability living allowance claimants who receive care.
Benefits: Post Offices
Lord Dearing asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, before announcing the recent successive changes in methods of social security payment, they made any assessments of the potential effects of such changes on the post offices network and of the cost to the public purse in support of post offices; and whether they undertook any surveys of the attitude of pensioners towards the proposed changes in methods of social security payment.[HL7491]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): Since May 1999 the Government's policy has consistently been that benefits and pensions should be paid into bank accounts wherever possible. In research undertaken in September 2004 more than 90 per cent of pensioners said that they were happy having their pension paid into an account.
The existing Post Office card account contract ends in March 2010 as we have always made clear. The full range of accounts which will be available beyond then is not yet settled—discussions between the Government and Post Office Ltd are continuing.
Around 25 bank accounts can also be used at the post office generating income and other business for the sub-postmaster. There are around 20 million people who could access their bank account at a post office, but only around 10 per cent (2 million) per week actually do so. DWP will be happy to work with the Post Office to try to increase this number, which will give post office branches new income. Post Office Ltd has already introduced one new savings account and is developing other savings and banking products.
Bloody Sunday: Inquiry
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Rooker: The cost of the Bloody Sunday inquiry was calculated in July 2006 at £172 million. It has not been possible to provide a more up-to-date answer to the noble Lord’s Question in this parliamentary Session. I will write to the noble Lord.
British Citizenship
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to the concerns raised in the letter “BN(O) limbo”, published in the South China Morning Post on 25 September, highlighting the continuing difficulties faced by British Nationals (Overseas) of Indian origin waiting for British citizenship certificates; and whether they will place a copy of the letter and their response in the Library of the House.[HL7531]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): There have been some technical difficulties surrounding the processing of applications for citizenship from Hong Kong, which have now been resolved, and the Home Office is working closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to ensure that all such applications and requests are processed quickly.
Neither the Home Office nor the British Consulate General in Hong Kong has replied to the noble Lord's open letter which appeared in the South China Morning Post on 25 September 2006. We do not feel it appropriate to respond to letters using the open letters page of local newspapers, which are subject to the editors unencumbered right to edit the contents of any letter forwarded for publication. We will always respond to letters sent direct to the Home Office or Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 18 October (WA 187), what is the basis for their assertion that a person who acquired British Overseas citizenship under Article 6(1) of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 as a result of being a
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Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I said in my previous Answer that a person who was a British Overseas citizen under Article 6(1) of the 1986 Order “will be so effectively by birth”—the implication being that it would suffice for the purpose of his or her application under Section 4B of the British Nationality Act 1981 to indicate that such was the derivation of his or her British Overseas citizenship. I acknowledged in that reply that some changes were needed so that references to Section 4B applications gave clear guidance to those who had acquired British Overseas citizenship on that basis. We shall at the same time ensure that the form and guide B(OS) appropriately cater for those who are British Overseas citizens under Article 6(2) of the 1986 order.
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 18 October (WA 186-7), whether they will also update section 8 of the British citizenship application form B(OS) and part 8 of guide B(OS) to explain how an applicant who became a British overseas citizen ipso jure under Article 6(2) of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 should complete the application form.[HL7838]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I refer the noble Lord to my Answer to his Question (HL7837).
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have responded to the matters raised in the letter published in the South China Morning Post on 23 October, highlighting the issues which continue to face British nationals (overseas) of Indian origin waiting for British citizenship certificates; and whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the letter and their response.[HL7932]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I draw the noble Lord's attention to my Answer to his Question (HL7531).
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
To whom a person resident in Hong Kong should write asking for recompense if he or she has suffered financial loss as a result of an erroneous refusal of an application for British citizenship by the Home Office; what details that person should include with her request; and whether they will place in the Library of the House the criteria or guidelines against which any such application is assessed.[HL8102]
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Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Customers seeking recompense in such circumstances should write to:
IND Customer Focus Team11th Floor West WingBlock C, Whitgift CentreWellesley Road Croydon CR9 1 ATFull details should be provided of the financial loss incurred. When deciding whether a payment of compensation should be made, reference is made to the Government Accounting manual, which exists to ensure the proper handling of public funds. The general principle is that where there has been maladministration on the part of the IND redress will be provided, which is fair and reasonable, in light of all the facts and circumstances of the case. Any payment of compensation is not a legal entitlement and may be subject to approval by the Treasury. Each application for compensation is considered on its merits. A hard copy of the Government Accounting manual is published by The Stationery Office. It can also be accessed online via www.government-accounting.gov.uk or through the HM Treasury website www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.
Civil Service: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service are entitled to annual sick leave without a doctor's certificate; if so, how much sick leave they are entitled to; and what are the reasons for this entitlement. [HL8132]
Lord Rooker: Within the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) terms and conditions, there is no entitlement to annual sick leave.
Under a Cabinet Office review, doctors are not required to provide a sickness absence certificate for an absence of less than eight calendar days. Therefore, to comply with this, the NICS terms and conditions make provision for absences of up to seven calendar days to be self-certified by staff.
While there is no maximum limit as such on the total number of self-certified days, all sickness absence levels are closely monitored. Where departments believe that the facility is being abused, or used excessively, there is discretion to withdraw it. In the event of any future absences, staff would be required to provide at their own expense a doctor’s statement as evidence of incapacity.
Commission for Equality and Human Rights
Lord Ouseley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the circumstances which led to the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) being allowed to wait until 2009 before becoming a part of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights have changed; if so, when they expect the CRE to join; and what are the reasons for any changed circumstances.[HL8119]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): Following the appointment of Trevor Phillips as chair of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR), the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government sought his advice and that of the CRE on the principle and practicalities of the CRE joining the CEHR in October 2007 at the same time as the Equal Opportunities and Disability Rights Commissions. In response to that request, he has informed her that he and the CRE support this proposal. It is the unanimous view of the CRE commissioners that the needs of race equality work and the status of race and community relations would be best served by a simultaneous transition process for all three existing commissions. The Secretary of State has accepted this advice.
Lord Ouseley asked Her Majesty's Government:
What changes have occurred since the appointment of the chair of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) in the arrangements for the transition of existing commissions into the CEHR; and whether the CEHR will be operational by October 2007.[HL8120]
Baroness Andrews: Since the appointment of Trevor Phillips as the chair of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) there have been no changes in the arrangements for the transition of the existing commissions into the CEHR, apart from the date of incorporation of the CRE which is now October 2007. The detailed plans for transition will be dependent on the commissioners’ decisions on the structure of the CEHR.
The plan remains for CEHR to be operational by October 2007.
Consultation: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Regarding Section 75 groups recognised by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, how many consultations the Northern Ireland Office has arranged in each year since 1999; what form such consultations took; and what groups they consulted; and [HL7544]
Regarding Section 75 groups recognised by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, whether the groups consulted by Northern Ireland Office responded to any consultation; if so, to what extent and in what form they addressed equality of opportunity issues; and whether any suggestions were made leading to a change in proposed policies.[HL7545]
Lord Rooker: The NIO equality scheme, approved by the Equality Commission in November 2001, set out how the department proposed to fulfil the duties of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, with regard to all of its policies and functions. In 2006, the
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Information on consultations prior to 2001 is not available. However, as part of the equality screening and equality impact assessment processes set out in the equality scheme, the Northern Ireland Office provides an opportunity for consultation groups, stakeholders and the wider public to contribute to NIO polices and legislation including, where appropriate, written consultation exercises, focus groups and public meetings. The aim is to increase the involvement of people and groups in public consultation and to seek their views. Obtaining views from across the community in the form of public consultations is considered an important part of policy-making and development.
Consultations are carried out in accordance with the Cabinet Office code of practice on written consultation, and the consultation period will normally last for a minimum of 12 weeks to give the public time to respond. The Northern Ireland Office consults with the list of consultees named in the Northern Ireland Equality Commission’s guide to the statutory duties, and since 2001 this list has been updated annually and on request throughout the year. Further details on equality-related consultation exercises may be found in the five-year review of the NIO equality scheme on the Northern Ireland Office website at www.nio.gov.uk.
There would be disproportionate costs associated with the collation of information on responses to all consultations. However, the Northern Ireland Office website at www.nio.gov.uk provides a library of consultations and, where available, the summary of responses and any associated revision to the policy or legislation, although, as equality is mainstreamed effectively into decision making, it can be difficult to identify changes to a policy made as a result of consultation alone.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Regarding Section 75 groups recognised by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, how many consultations the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland has arranged in each year since 1999; and what groups the office consulted; and [HL7546]
Regarding Section 75 groups recognised by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, whether the groups consulted by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland responded to any consultation; if so, to what extent and in what form they addressed equality of opportunity issues; and whether any suggestions were made leading to a change in proposed policies.[HL7547]
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