NOTICES AND ORDERS OF THE DAY
Items marked † are new or have been altered.
Items marked ‡ are expected to be taken during the dinner adjournment.
FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY
At eleven o’clock
High Hedges Bill [HL]—Report [The Baroness Gardner of Parkes]
Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill [HL]—Second Reading [The Lord Beaumont of Whitley]
In the event of the bill being read a second time, the Lord Beaumont of Whitley to move, That the bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House.
Equality Bill [HL]—Second Reading [The Lord Lester of Herne Hill]
In the event of the bill being read a second time, the Lord Lester of Herne Hill to move, That the bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House.
Voting Age (Reduction to 16) Bill [HL]—Committee [The Lord Lucas]
†The Lord Lucas—To move, That the order of commitment be discharged.
MONDAY 3RD MARCH
*The Lord Burnham—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether ships chartered by the Ministry of Defence to transport British military forces to the Gulf will be re-flagged to the Red Ensign; and whether they will be required to operate with, as a minimum, a British master.
*The Lord Sheldon—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of the speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Social Market Foundation on 3rd February, what are those areas where they consider markets cannot deliver the long term returns required.
*The Lord Bradshaw—To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they intend to implement the European Working Time Directive on the railways before they implement it on the roads.
*The Lord Campbell of Croy—To ask Her Majesty’s Government for how long they intend to retain the climate change levy.
Electricity (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill—Second Reading [The Lord Sainsbury of Turville]
In the event of the bill being read a second time, the Lord Sainsbury of Turville to move, That the bill be committed to a Grand Committee.
Crime (International Co-operation) Bill [HL]—Further consideration on Report [The Lord Filkin]
TUESDAY 4TH MARCH
The Lord Bishop of Sheffield
*The Lord Hoyle—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what role Gibraltar is playing in the build-up of military forces in the Gulf.
*The Baroness Gardner of Parkes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of the shortage in the United Kingdom of junior doctors, consultants and other trained medical staff, whether they will delay the implementation of the European Working Time Directive for United Kingdom doctors in training.
*The Lord Beaumont of Whitley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to assist owners of halon fire extinguishers to dispose of them, once it is illegal to possess them.
*The Lord Renton of Mount Harry—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the working of the London congestion charge, they will facilitate the introduction of congestion charging in other cities.
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (Codes of Practice) (Codes B to E) Order 2003—The Lord Falconer of Thoroton to move, That the proceedings of Monday 24th February be vacated.
†Licensing Bill [HL]—Further consideration on Report [The Baroness Blackstone]
‡Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2003—The Baroness Hollis of Heigham to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 5th February be approved. [10th Report from the Joint Committee]
‡Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2003—The Baroness Hollis of Heigham to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 5th February be approved. [10th Report from the Joint Committee]
WEDNESDAY 5TH MARCH
*The Lord Blackwell—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make a commitment to holding a referendum as part of the ratification process for any treaty which gives effect to a new European constitution.
*The Lord Hardy of Wath—To ask Her Majesty’s Government by what proportion unemployment has fallen in the county of South Yorkshire and in the Yorkshire region in 2002 and since 1997.
The Lord Fowler—To call attention to the Green Paper on saving for retirement (Cm. 5677) and to the promotion of adequate pension provision in the United Kingdom; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Park of Monmouth—To call attention to the situation in Zimbabwe; and to move for papers.
Maximum Number of Judges Order 2003—The Baroness Scotland of Asthal to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 6th February be approved. [10th Report from the Joint Committee]
Harbours Bill [HL]—Second Reading [The Lord Berkeley]
In the event of the bill being read a second time, the Lord Berkeley to move, That the bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House.
THURSDAY 6TH MARCH
[At eleven o’clock]
Waste and Emissions Trading Bill [HL]—Third Reading [The Lord Whitty]
At three o’clock
*The Baroness Gould of Potternewton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take following the Review of the Management of Patients with Epilepsy by the University Hospitals of Leicester National Health Service Trust.
*The Lord Adebowale—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy toward drug courts in light of the publication of the updated drug strategy and the proposed introduction of a single generic community sentence.
*The Lord Quirk—To ask Her Majesty’s Government to what extent they are satisfied with the progress of teaching, learning and administration noted in the Annual Report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools published on 5th February.
Water Bill [HL]—Second Reading [The Lord Whitty] [12th Report from the Delegated Powers Committee]
†In the event of the bill being read a second time, the Lord Whitty to move, That the bill be committed to a Grand Committee.
The Baroness Gould of Potternewton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what barriers remain to women’s full participation in the political, economic and social life of the country.
ROYAL ASSENT
FRIDAY 7TH MARCH
[At eleven o’clock]
The Baroness Harris of Richmond—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on A Common Policy on Illegal Immigration (37th Report, HL Paper 187, Session 2001-02).
Wild Mammals (Protection) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill [HL]—Second Reading [The Lord Donoughue]
Ministerial and other Salaries (Amendment) Bill [HL]—Second Reading [The Lord Goodhart]
MONDAY 10TH MARCH
*The Lord Janner of Braunstone—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they expect the prison population in the United Kingdom to rise during the next five years; if so, by what number and proportion; and what steps they are taking to enable the prison system to cope with any such increase.
*The Baroness Hanham—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take to resolve bed blocking in hospitals arising from section 54 of and Schedule 3 to the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.
*The Baroness Sharp of Guildford—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what criteria would need to be satisfied for university departments to gain the 6* status proposed in paragraph 2.15 of the White Paper The future of higher education (Cm 5735).
*The Lord Blaker—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in developing a common foreign policy for the European Union.
Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Bill—Report [The Lord Hunt of Kings Heath]
‡The Baroness Walmsley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will respond to the report on the United Kingdom’s treatment of children published by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child on 4th October 2002.
TUESDAY 11TH MARCH
*The Lord Peyton of Yeovil—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what role they see for parish councils in the future.
*The Lord Dormand of Easington—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how effective present legislation is in restraining excessive increases in payments made to company chairmen and chief executives.
*The Lord Taverne—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the views expressed by Mr Michael Meacher MP published in the magazine The Ecologist on 17th February represent the policy of the Government.
*The Lord Ashley of Stoke—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many hospital patients have (a) become seriously ill or (b) died as a result of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospitals in each of the last five years.
‡Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (Continuance in force of sections 21 to 23) Order 2003—The Lord Filkin to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 23rd January be approved. [9th Report from the Joint Committee]
WEDNESDAY 12TH MARCH
The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury
*The Baroness Gale—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people have successfully given up smoking due to the smoking cessation services; and how many people they would expect to give up smoking if smoking were to be banned in all workplaces.
*The Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to change sentencing provisions for causing death by dangerous driving.
*The Baroness Maddock—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure wider awareness of the Standard Assessment Procedure, to inform prospective house buyers of the energy efficiency of their homes.
The Lord Brennan—To call attention to the issues of corporate governance, following the recent reports on non-executive directors, auditing and accountancy; and to move for papers.
†The Lord Redesdale—To call attention to the policy implications of the decision to upgrade the United States Missile Defence Programme at Fylingdales; and to move for papers.
Patients’ Protection Bill [HL]—Second Reading [The Baroness Knight of Collingtree]
In the event of the bill being read a second time, the Baroness Knight of Collingtree to move, That the bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House.
THURSDAY 13TH MARCH
[At eleven o’clock]
†Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill—Committee [The Lord Rooker]
[At three o’clock]
*The Lord Lamont of Lerwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the cost to date of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.
*The Lord Judd—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the Russian Government on the implications for the global alliance against terrorism of the referendum planned for 23rd March in the Chechen Republic on a new constitution.
*The Lord Smith of Clifton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the original intention in producing the Government’s Annual Reports; why these ceased after three years; and whether there is any likelihood of them being resumed.
†[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill will continue]
In the Moses Room
At 3.45 pm
European Parliament (Representation) Bill—Grand Committee [The Lord Chancellor] [12th Report from the Delegated Powers Committee]
FRIDAY 14TH MARCH
[At eleven o’clock]
The Lord Wade of Chorlton—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Science and Technology Committee on Chips for Everything: Britain’s opportunities in a key global market (2nd Report, HL Paper 13).
The Earl of Selborne—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on Environmental Regulation and Agriculture (36th Report, HL Paper 186, Session 2001-02).
MONDAY 17TH MARCH
*The Baroness Barker—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the Ombudsman’s Report on continuing National Health Service care.
†*The Lord Lloyd of Berwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to reach a decision on the application for a Harbours Revision Order under the Harbours Act 1964 in respect of the West Pier Brighton, submitted on 3rd July 2001.
†*The Lord Astor of Hever—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made to ensure that service users have 24-hour access to mental health services.
Health (Wales) Bill—Report [The Lord Evans of Temple Guiting]
TUESDAY 18TH MARCH
*The Lord Geraint—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the estimated tonnage of illegal meat imported into this country last year and what was the corresponding figure for 1992.
*The Lord Faulkner of Worcester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what future they envisage for the Post Office underground railway in London.
*The Lord Clement-Jones—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what future they plan for the health visitors’ profession.
†*The Baroness Park of Monmouth—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they have taken to help British pensioners in Zimbabwe whose pensions are paid through the banks at the official exchange rate.
‡The Lord Bishop of Winchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response both to the Final report of the United Nations Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo and to recent events there.
[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill will continue]
WEDNESDAY 19TH MARCH
*The Lord Roberts of Conwy—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to raise corporate investment from last year’s record low point.
†*The Baroness Knight of Collingtree—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what improvements have been made in situations of doctors suspended from the National Health Service since the setting up of the National Clinical Assessment Authority.
The Baroness Rendell of Babergh—To call attention to racism in the performing arts in the United Kingdom; and to move for papers. [Balloted Debate]
The Baroness Howe of Idlicote—To call attention to the relationship between arrangements for the funding of students and student choice in British universities; and to move for papers. [Balloted Debate]
The Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are satisfied with the performance of the Civil Aviation Authority in regulating low-cost airlines.
THURSDAY 20TH MARCH
[At eleven o’clock]
[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill will continue]
[At three o’clock]
[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill will continue]
Asylum (Designated States) Order 2003—The Lord Filkin to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 11th February be approved. [11th Report from the Joint Committee]
Code of Guidance on Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Encouraging positive partnerships—The Lord Whitty to move, That the draft Code of Guidance laid before the House on 5th February be approved.
MONDAY 24TH MARCH
†*The Lord Morris of Manchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what new help they are considering for Gulf War veterans and the dependants of those who have died from Gulf War illnesses since the conflict.
TUESDAY 25TH MARCH
*The Viscount Waverley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the overseas performance of Trade Partners UK is satisfactory.
WEDNESDAY 26TH MARCH
The Lord Chalfont—To call attention to the balance between national security and individual liberty in a democratic society; and to move for papers.
The Lord Northbourne—To call attention to the role of parents in providing for the needs of the nation’s children in the 21st century and to the case for making available more encouragement and support for parents; and to move for papers.
NO DAY NAMED
PART I
The Lord Blaker—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have for the future ownership and control of postal addressing.
The Lord Blaker—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their policies when faced with overwhelming humanitarian crises and massive violations of human rights in other countries.
The Lord Moynihan—To call attention to the state of the United Kingdom’s relations with Cuba; and to move for papers.
The Lord Palmer—To call attention to the situation in the British countryside; and to move for papers.
The Lord Bradshaw—To call attention to the trends in the number of road deaths and casualties; and to move for papers.
The Lord Berkeley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the quality and effectiveness of the United Kingdom’s railways are satisfactory.
The Baroness Scott of Needham Market—To call attention to the state of the bus industry; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Finlay of Llandaff—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to tackle the threat that obesity poses to the health and well-being of the nation.
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the services available to patients with Motor Neurone Disease are adequate.
The Lord Freeman—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether progress to date with the efficient use of resources in East Africa arising from debt relief and increased direct overseas aid is satisfactory.
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To call attention to the case for the abolition of the judicial functions of the House of Lords and the creation of separate Supreme and Constitutional Courts; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Hooper—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to review the implications of taxation on the preservation and conservation of the cultural heritage of the United Kingdom.
The Lord Hardy of Wath—To call attention to the coal industry, the development of clean coal technology and the maintenance of a mining engineering industry within the United Kingdom; and to move for papers.
The Earl of Onslow—To call attention to the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles; and to move for papers.
The Lord Lipsey—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to fulfil their manifesto commitment to review the experience of new electoral systems and the Jenkins Report, with a view to assessing whether changes might be made to the electoral system for the House of Commons.
The Baroness Hooper—To call attention to recent developments in Latin America; and to move for papers.
The Lord Clement-Jones—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements are being put in place for commissioning of specialised health services from April 2003.
The Baroness Maddock—To call attention to the effects of poor housing on the health and well-being of the nation; and to move for papers.
The Lord Thomas of Gresford—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will review the law, practice and procedure of Public Interest Immunity in criminal cases.
The Viscount Waverley—To call attention to the causes of terrorism; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Greengross—To call attention to corporate social responsibility; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Greengross—To call attention to women’s health and the case for a lifecourse approach; and to move for papers.
The Lord Alton of Liverpool—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on the threat posed by North Korea to international security and to the human rights of its citizens.
The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the Forum for the Future report Government’s Business—Enabling Corporate Sustainability.
The Lord Avebury—To call attention to homelessness and social deprivation of Gypsies and travellers; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Cox—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the staffing situation of the Defence Medical Services is satisfactory; and what is their view of the future of the Services.
The Baroness Rawlings—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what humanitarian assistance they have provided to people living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the last four years of civil war in that country.
The Lord Norton of Louth—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the security of the ballot in elections held by postal voting.
The Baroness Masham of Ilton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is being done to combat the spread of tuberculosis; and what facilities for treatment and after-care are available in the United Kingdom.
The Baroness Whitaker—To call attention to the developing countries in poverty which lack strong funding relationships with donor countries or international institutions; and to move for papers.
The Lord Norton of Louth—To call attention to the case for improving contact and understanding between the two Chambers of Parliament; and to move for papers.
The Lord Addington—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures are being taken to remove all barriers to literature for those who have difficulties accessing books in traditional print formats.
The Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde—To move, That this House takes note of the Pensions Green Paper Simplicity, Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement.
The Lord Stoddart of Swindon—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much money (a) they and (b) the European Union spend each year in the United Kingdom on information about the European Union, and how these sums of money are split between (i) schools, (ii) universities and other further educational establishments, and (iii) elsewhere.
The Baroness Gale—To call attention to the illicit trafficking of people; and to move for papers.
The Lord Carlile of Berriew—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the way in which the courts deal with issues surrounding children who commit criminal offences and their families is satisfactory.
The Baroness Park of Monmouth—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements are in place for the reception of the United Kingdom passport holders from Zimbabwe who wish to stay in this country but have to prove they qualify for habitual residence.
The Baroness Sharp of Guildford—To call attention to student debt in the light of the proposals put forward in the White Paper The future of higher education; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Wilcox—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to rising levels of personal debt and its social consequences.
The Lord Ashley of Stoke—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any new proposals for dealing with methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospitals.
The Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the All-Party Parliamentary Archaeology Group report The Current State of Archaeology in the United Kingdom.
PART II
MOTIONS FOR BALLOTED DEBATE
[Ballot on 19th March for debate on 9th April]
The Lord Campbell of Croy—To call attention to the functioning and effects of the Data Protection Act 1998; and to move for papers.
The Lord Alton of Liverpool—To call attention to Her Majesty’s Government’s policy on the policing of illegal drugs; and to move for papers.
The Lord Bishop of Oxford—To call attention to the religious element in global terrorism and appropriate interfaith responses; and to move for papers.
The Lord Dubs—To call attention to the contribution that renewable sources of energy should make to the United Kingdom’s long term energy supply; and to move for papers.
The Earl of Onslow—To call attention to the method, existing since the beginning of this session of Parliament, for the replacement of hereditary peers; and to move for papers.
The Lord Forsyth of Drumlean—To call attention to the plight of Atlantic salmon; and to move for papers.
The Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank—To call attention to the relationship between Ministers and the judiciary; and to move for papers.
PART III
SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS
[The date in brackets is that on which the Report was published]
The Lord Smith of Clifton—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures (HL Paper 150, Session 2001-02). [24th July 2002]
The Lord Grenfell—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on the Review of Scrutiny of European Legislation (First Report, HL Paper 15). [18th December 2002]
The Lord Scott of Foscote—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on The Future Status of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (6th Report, HL Paper 48). [4th February]
The Baroness Harris of Richmond—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on Europol’s Role in Fighting Crime (5th Report, HL Paper 43). [6th February]
The Lord Peston—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Select Committee on Economic Affairs on Globalisation (First Report, HL Paper 5-I). [17th January]
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
[Tabled on 27th February, or unanswered after 21 days]
[The Government department responsible for
answering each Question is shown in brackets]
22nd January
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of King’s Heath on 14th January (WA 42), whether they will name—
(a) the two per cent of National Health Service trusts which have wards which do not meet the single sex accommodation standards;
(b) the five per cent of National Health Service trusts which do not meet the additional safety requirements for mentally ill patients; and
(c) the seven per cent of trusts which do not meet the standard for separate lavatory and washing facilities. [DoH] (HL1249)
23rd January
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action has been taken and what priority has been given to upgrade medically 2,688 Royal Navy personnel, 10,602 Army personnel and 3,833 Royal Air Force personnel, who were listed as downgraded in October 2002. [MoD] (HL1270)
27th January
The Lord Swinfen—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether servicemen in the Gulf and neighbouring countries, and those being sent to that region, are being offered multiple or combined inoculations; and whether the servicemen are asked to sign a disclaimer to the effect that if they suffer any illness in the future that may be attributed to such inoculations they will not claim compensation. [MoD] (HL1315)
28th January
The Lord Marlesford—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what sum the Lord Chancellor intends to make available in the present financial year for legal aid for asylum cases. [LCD] (HL1356)
29th January
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 28th January (WA 141) concerning Connswater River, when the study of pollution management will be completed; and what steps they propose to take in the interim. [NIO] (HL1387)
30th January
The Lord Campbell Savours—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Mr Jonathon Davies, a criminal barrister and Crown Court recorder, was consulted during the course of the joint Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and H M Inspectorate of Constabulary review of rape issues. [LSLO] (HL1452)
4th February
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the block grant from them and from the government of the Republic of Ireland to the Cross Border Implementation Bodies during 2002; how much was under-spent by each Body; and to which exchequer and in what proportion the under-spend is allocated. [NIO] (HL1502)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 3rd February (WA 3) concerning valuation of property in North Down, what were the two valuations referred to in the answer; and what was the final price settled at. [NIO] (HL1503)
5th February
The Baroness Gale—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they consider appropriate to ensure protection against passive smoking in public places. [DoH] (HL1525)
The Baroness Gale—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have received from the tobacco industry on measures to protect non-smokers. [DoH] (HL1526)
The Lord Clement-Jones—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will decide the funding allocation for the Health Protection Agency to be set up on 1st April. [DoH] (HL1529)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 4th February (WA 79), which of the following activities they consider the Provisional IRA is still involved in: recruitment, re-arming, training, targeting and punishment beatings. [NIO] (HL1538)
The Lord Campbell-Savours—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in developing NHS Professionals as a bank for health professionals. [DoH] (HL1541)
The Lord Campbell-Savours—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all National Health Service trusts are working successfully with NHS Professionals. [DoH] (HL1542)
6th February
The Lord Stoddart of Swindon—To ask Her Majesty’s Government which provisions in any Treaty of the European Community or in directives or regulations arising therefrom which require public services provided directly by national or local government, or delivered by other bodies which are wholly owned by them, to be open to competition from private firms; and whether there are any judicial decisions enforcing, or exempting them from, any such requirement. [CO] (HL1553)
The Lord Patten—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the dropping of all charges by the Crown Prosecution Service in the case of Mr Colin Skellett, whether they will list all the background briefings that were given by the police and Crown Prosecution Service to the press at the time of Mr Skellett’s arrest; and whether they will name those who authorised them. [LSLO] (HL1558)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to seek amendments to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the European Convention on Human Rights, or the European Convention for the Elimination of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment so as to limit or abridge the prohibition against torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. [FCO] (HL1561)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to denounce the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or the European Convention on Human Rights or the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. [FCO] (HL1562)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to seek amendments to Article 3 of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. [FCO] (HL1563)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, upon ratification on behalf of the United Kingdom on 8th December 1988 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, any reservation was made to Article 3 of the Convention. [FCO] (HL1564)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the terms of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 require that any support for the Irish language (as provided for in the Communications Bill now before Parliament) must be matched by equal support for the Ulster Scots language. [NIO] (HL1567)
The Lord Rotherwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the 600 alleged seizures of illegal meat by sniffer dogs in the last six months, how many persons have been prosecuted. [DEFRA] (HL1574)
The Lord Rotherwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government why there have been so few prosecutions of people caught bringing illegal meats into the United Kingdom in the last year. [DEFRA] (HL1575)
The Lord Rotherwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to prosecute people caught bringing illegal meats into the United Kingdom. [DEFRA] (HL1576)
27th February
The Baroness Howells of St Davids—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there are any proposals to amend the Department of Health’s and the Food Standard Agency’s departmental expenditure limits and administration cost limits for 2002-03. (HL1919)
The Lord Tebbit—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the pension of the Lord Chancellor will be based on the salary to which he is entitled or that which he currently chooses to accept. (HL1920)
The Lord Tebbit—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the provisions intended to limit the total value of individual pension funds apply in the same manner to all categories of persons. (HL1921)
The Lord Lipsey—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will publish the statistical basis for the Secretary of State for Health’s statement in his speech on 5th February that National Health Service management costs are falling. (HL1922)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any Home Office civil servant or special adviser provided information last week to the Daily Mail about cases previously decided by Mr Justice Collins; and, if so, what was the nature of the information, and in what circumstances and under whose authority it was provided. (HL1923)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are taking part in, or sponsoring in any way, British participation in the forthcoming Defence Fair (IDEX) to be held in Abu Dhabi; and, if so, what will be the cost to the taxpayer. (HL1924)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the value of arms and military equipment sold by the United Kingdom to China, in the last year for which figures are available. (HL1925)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have evidence that goods made in labour camps in China are being imported to the United Kingdom; and, if so, what action they are taking to prevent such imports. (HL1926)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the United Nations will—
(a) appoint a Special Rapporteur to assess the human rights situation in Tibet; and
(b) publish reports on conditions in labour camps in China. (HL1927)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the United Nations has considered requests for a referendum to ascertain the will of the people of Tibet as regards self-determination; if so, when; and with what result. (HL1928)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any British companies are involved directly or indirectly in exploiting the natural resources of Tibet. (HL1929)
The Earl of Sandwich—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what additional funding will be available to meet the humanitarian consequences of a war in Iraq over and above existing aid budgets; and, if this is to come from the global contingency reserve, how much of that reserve is already committed in this financial year. (HL1930)
The Earl of Sandwich—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the event of a war in Iraq, what is their estimate of the number of displaced persons on which to base a contingency plan of assistance; in how many countries this programme will be in operation; and which United Nations agency will provide overall co-ordination . (HL1931)
The Earl of Sandwich—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what conclusions they have drawn from the suicide in custody of Mikail Bodnarchuk on the day of his removal to Ukraine from immigration removal centre Haslar in January; and whether they will review their own evidence of torture in Ukraine in the Home Office Country Assessment. (HL1932)
The Earl of Sandwich—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have established minimum standards of accommodation, free time and visiting hours in the new immigration removal centres; and, if so, whether they will provide details of those standards as applied to Haslar and other comparable centres. (HL1933)
The Lord McColl of Dulwich—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how patients with coronary heart disease can obtain treatment with drug eluting stents ahead of the appraisal from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, given that evidence is available on their clinical efficacy. (HL1934)
The Lord Acton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much bilateral aid is paid to Zimbabwe by each European Union member state; and how much was given to Zimbabweans through the European Commission’s Conflict and Humanitarian Office by (a) the United Kingdom and (b) other European Union member states. (HL1935)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the announcement of 24th February concerning investment for the Northern Ireland Health Service, the £29 million provided for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service is new money which has not been announced before; over what period it will be available and for the development of what part of the Ambulance Service. (HL1936)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to encourage civil servants in Northern Ireland to continue working until 65. (HL1937)
The Lord Fearn—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what help has been given in the past, or will be given in the next twelve months, through the Arts Council or other body, to “Stagetext” which makes theatre accessible to people with hearing loss. (HL1938)
The Lord Fearn—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much grant was given to English Heritage for the years 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. (HL1939)
The Lord Fearn—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what water sports safety measures have been legislated for or activated in the last two years. (HL1940)
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what the Operational Welfare Package is comprised of for those troops serving in the Gulf; and what is the allocation of telephone calls, e-mails and Forces’ airmail letters per individual. (HL1941)
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the problems encountered with local suppliers providing British troops in the Gulf region have now been solved. (HL1942)
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are being taken to encourage all service personnel deployed to the Gulf to accept anthrax vaccinations. (HL1943)
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what orders have been placed for the Titan bridgelayer and the Trojan obstacle remover; when they will come into service; what are their anticipated in-service lives; how they will be allocated to units; and what capabilities they will replace. (HL1944)
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the reasons for reducing the Armed Forces manning requirement between 1st April and 30th September 2002; by how much was the requirement reduced; and what were the reductions within each service. (HL1945)
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action has been taken by the Ministry of Defence and what progress has been made to assist house purchase through the Long Service Advance of Pay to members of the Army at an earlier stage than is currently allowed. (HL1946)
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER AWAITING ANSWER
27th FEBRUARY 2003
[Tabled on the dates shown]
[The Government department responsible for
answering each Question is shown in brackets]
22nd January
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of King’s Heath on 14th January (WA 42), whether they will name—
(a) the two per cent of National Health Service trusts which have wards which do not meet the single sex accommodation standards;
(b) the five per cent of National Health Service trusts which do not meet the additional safety requirements for mentally ill patients; and
(c) the seven per cent of trusts which do not meet the standard for separate lavatory and washing facilities. [DoH] (HL1249)
23rd January
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action has been taken and what priority has been given to upgrade medically 2,688 Royal Navy personnel, 10,602 Army personnel and 3,833 Royal Air Force personnel, who were listed as downgraded in October 2002. [MoD] (HL1270)
27th January
The Lord Swinfen—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether servicemen in the Gulf and neighbouring countries, and those being sent to that region, are being offered multiple or combined inoculations; and whether the servicemen are asked to sign a disclaimer to the effect that if they suffer any illness in the future that may be attributed to such inoculations they will not claim compensation. [MoD] (HL1315)
28th January
The Lord Marlesford—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what sum the Lord Chancellor intends to make available in the present financial year for legal aid for asylum cases. [LCD] (HL1356)
29th January
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 28th January (WA 141) concerning Connswater River, when the study of pollution management will be completed; and what steps they propose to take in the interim. [NIO] (HL1387)
30th January
The Lord Campbell Savours—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Mr Jonathon Davies, a criminal barrister and Crown Court recorder, was consulted during the course of the joint Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate and H M Inspectorate of Constabulary review of rape issues. [LSLO] (HL1452)
4th February
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the block grant from them and from the government of the Republic of Ireland to the Cross Border Implementation Bodies during 2002; how much was under-spent by each Body; and to which exchequer and in what proportion the under-spend is allocated. [NIO] (HL1502)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 3rd February (WA 3) concerning valuation of property in North Down, what were the two valuations referred to in the answer; and what was the final price settled at. [NIO] (HL1503)
5th February
The Baroness Gale—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they consider appropriate to ensure protection against passive smoking in public places. [DoH] (HL1525)
The Baroness Gale—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have received from the tobacco industry on measures to protect non-smokers. [DoH] (HL1526)
The Lord Clement-Jones—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will decide the funding allocation for the Health Protection Agency to be set up on 1st April. [DoH] (HL1529)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 4th February (WA 79), which of the following activities they consider the Provisional IRA is still involved in: recruitment, re-arming, training, targeting and punishment beatings. [NIO] (HL1538)
The Lord Campbell-Savours—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made in developing NHS Professionals as a bank for health professionals. [DoH] (HL1541)
The Lord Campbell-Savours—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all National Health Service trusts are working successfully with NHS Professionals. [DoH] (HL1542)
6th February
The Lord Stoddart of Swindon—To ask Her Majesty’s Government which provisions in any Treaty of the European Community or in directives or regulations arising therefrom which require public services provided directly by national or local government, or delivered by other bodies which are wholly owned by them, to be open to competition from private firms; and whether there are any judicial decisions enforcing, or exempting them from, any such requirement. [CO] (HL1553)
The Lord Patten—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the dropping of all charges by the Crown Prosecution Service in the case of Mr Colin Skellett, whether they will list all the background briefings that were given by the police and Crown Prosecution Service to the press at the time of Mr Skellett’s arrest; and whether they will name those who authorised them. [LSLO] (HL1558)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to seek amendments to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the European Convention on Human Rights, or the European Convention for the Elimination of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment so as to limit or abridge the prohibition against torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. [FCO] (HL1561)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to denounce the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or the European Convention on Human Rights or the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. [FCO] (HL1562)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to seek amendments to Article 3 of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. [FCO] (HL1563)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, upon ratification on behalf of the United Kingdom on 8th December 1988 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, any reservation was made to Article 3 of the Convention. [FCO] (HL1564)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the terms of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 require that any support for the Irish language (as provided for in the Communications Bill now before Parliament) must be matched by equal support for the Ulster Scots language. [NIO] (HL1567)
The Lord Rotherwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the 600 alleged seizures of illegal meat by sniffer dogs in the last six months, how many persons have been prosecuted. [DEFRA] (HL1574)
The Lord Rotherwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government why there have been so few prosecutions of people caught bringing illegal meats into the United Kingdom in the last year. [DEFRA] (HL1575)
The Lord Rotherwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to prosecute people caught bringing illegal meats into the United Kingdom. [DEFRA] (HL1576)
10th February
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their justification for the link between the Lord Chancellor’s salary and pension benefits and the salary and pension benefits of the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales depends upon the fact that the Lord Chancellor is the most senior judge and is entitled to sit in a judicial capacity; and, if not, what is the justification for maintaining the link in current circumstances. [CO] (HL1596)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government for how long holders of each of the following offices have to serve to receive their maximum pension entitlement—
(d) Speaker of the House of Commons;
(f) Chancellor of the Exchequer. [CO] (HL1601)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government which individuals whose pensions are paid from public funds become entitled to their maximum pension entitlement as soon as they are appointed. [CO] (HL1602)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government for how long Lord Chancellors have been entitled to their full pension as soon as they are appointed. [CO] (HL1603)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Senior Salaries Review Body, in conducting its review of the proposed 12.6 per cent increase in the Lord Chancellor’s salary, will take into account the difference between the pension entitlements of the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice and the Cabinet Secretary. [CO] (HL1604)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the Lord Chancellor is entitled to a full pension as soon as he is appointed, in contrast to the Lord Chief Justice and the Cabinet Secretary, to whose salaries his salary is linked. [CO] (HL1605)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 28th January 2003 (WA 142), whether they will update the answer on the basis of the Lord Chancellor receiving a salary of either (a) £184,096 or (b) £202,736. [CO] (HL1606)
The Lord Jordan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what amounts of export credits were given to British companies trading with Burma/Myanmar during the years 1998 to 2002; and whether there is any Government policy that will restrict the granting of export credits for trade with Burma/Myanmar on the grounds of human rights in that country. [DTI] (HL1613)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Belfast Agreement of 1998 affects all those who live in Northern Ireland and in the Irish Republic; and, in particular, whether the Unionist, Protestant, Ulster Scots and British communities in the Irish Republic are included in parity of esteem status under the Agreement. [NIO] (HL1616)
The Lord Lamont of Lerwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Amos on 4th November 2002 (WA 75), 6th November 2002 (WA 103) and 25th November 2002 (WA 17) about human rights in Pakistan and the situation of Asif Ali Zardari, why they have not raised this case with the Parkistani Government in view of the court case registered by the Sindh High Court in early 2002 against certain police officers with respect to Mr Zardari’s ill treatment. [FCO] (HL1617)
The Lord Lamont of Lerwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Amos on 4th November 2002 (WA 75), 6th November 2002 (WA 103) and 25th November 2002 (WA 17) about human rights in Pakistan and the situation of Asif Ali Zardari, why they have not raised this case with the Parkistani Government in light of the length of the proceedings against Mr Zardari and the failure of the Pakistani authorities to comply with the Supreme Court Order for a timetable for the completion of all proceedings against Mr Zardari. [FCO] (HL1618)
11th February
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will refer to the condition of religious freedom in Uzbekistan in their statement at the forthcoming Session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission. [FCO] (HL1622)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have received any reports from the Legal Services Commission, the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors and the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner about the alleged poor quality of work done by certain firms acting for asylum-seekers; whether the procedures for weeding out incompetent and exploitative advisers are working effectively; and whether they will consult the above organisations on ways of raising standards. [LCD] (HL1624)
The Lord Carlile of Berriew—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what would be the cost to public funds of obtaining information concerning the number of police officers above the rank of inspector currently suspended in England and Wales; and what is the amount of salary and other emoluments being paid to them. [HO] (HL1626)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the salaries of (a) the Lord Chancellor, (b) the Prime Minister and (c) the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1990, 1980, 1970, 1960, 1950, 1925 and 1900. [CO] (HL1628)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 6th February (WA 41), whether they have a copy of the Irish government briefing paper quoted in the media. [NIO] (HL1629)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 6th February (WA 42) concerning any requirement for Republic of Ireland civil servants working in Northern Ireland to take an oath of allegiance, whether, given paragraph 9 of the Rights section of the Belfast Agreement of 1998, this is also a matter for the United Kingdom. [NIO] (HL1630)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 6th February (WA 42) concerning the site of the Battle of the Boyne, whether, given paragraph 9 of the Rights section of the Belfast Agreement of 1998, this is also a matter for the United Kingdom. [NIO] (HL1631)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 6th February (WA 42) concerning equality, what is the position as regards functions which cannot be partitioned between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. [NIO] (HL1632)
The Lord Judd—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contingency plans are now being prepared in liaison with intergovernmental and non-governmental humanitarian agencies for co-ordinated humanitarian operations to feed, care for and protect the civilian population in Iraq should there be war. [DfID] (HL1633)
The Baroness Byford—To ask Her Majesty’s Government which division of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has taken over responsibility from the former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Arable Crops Division for issuing export certificates for animal health products; whether the target turnaround period is still five working days from receipt of the application to issue of the certificate; and what proportion of certificates are issued within this period. [DEFRA] (HL1636)
The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they measure the effectiveness of the Green Claims Code they introduced in 1998; in what ways they are deterring bad practice with regard to green claims; and how many times since 1998 they have done so. [DEFRA] (HL1642)
The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer—To ask Her Majesty’s Government in what ways they support the efforts of businesses which are acting responsibly on green claims. [DEFRA] (HL1643)
12th February
The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what increase in the use of slug pellets they have recorded or estimated on (a) farmland, (b) gardens and (c) horticultural holdings over the last ten years; what is the decline in the song thrush population over the same period; and whether they have evidence of a correlation between the two. [DEFRA] (HL1662)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many asylum seekers were accommodated at the Oakington centre on each day of January. [HO] (HL1664)
The Earl Russell—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the cost to date of litigation under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. [LSLO] (HL1669)
The Lord Rogan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether members of the armed forces currently based in the United Kingdom will be entitled to overseas allowances if and when deployed to the Gulf; and, if not, why not. [MoD] (HL1671)
The Lord Rogan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether members of the armed forces currently based overseas and in receipt of overseas allowances will still benefit from these allowances if and when redeployed to the Gulf; and, if not, why not. [MoD] (HL1672)
The Lord Rogan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether reserve members of the armed forces who are called up for service in the Gulf will be entitled to overseas allowances; and, if not, why not. [MoD] (HL1673)
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how long the remaining modifications to convert the Challenger 2 tanks for desert operations will take on arrival in the Gulf theatre. [MoD] (HL1675)
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there will be sufficient blood stocks available at field hospitals, if the United Kingdom should enter the Gulf theatre of battle. [MoD] (HL1676)
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made on the Storm Shadow stand off missile programme; and whether it will be made an urgent operational requirement. [MoD] (HL1677)
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements are in place for nuclear, biological and chemical protection of United Kingdom base areas in the Gulf; and what theatre missile defence will be available. [MoD] (HL1678)
The Lord Vivian—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many e-mail terminals will each service unit in the Gulf possess for welfare e-mails; and whether there will be any security censorship of these messages. [MoD] (HL1679)
13th February
The Lord Lloyd-Webber—To ask Her Majesty’s Government which countries in the Middle East, other than Iraq, have weapons of mass destruction. [FCO] (HL1685)
The Lord Tebbit—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 4th February (WA 19-20), whether the answer given on that date concerning the legal jurisdiction under which information held by or on behalf of the Criminal Records Bureau is held would have been completely accurate on 10th December 2002, the day on which that question was tabled. [HO] (HL1688)
The Lord Tebbit—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 4th February (WA 19-20), what are the names of all companies to which work on the processing of data held by or on behalf of the Criminal Records Bureau has been contracted or sub-contracted. [HO] (HL1689)
The Lord Tebbit—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 4th February (WA 19-20), why information is being processed on behalf of the Criminal Records Bureau on the Indian sub-continent. [HO] (HL1690)
The Lord Tebbit—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 4th February (WA 19-20), whether the pay and conditions of work of persons on the Indian sub-continent handling information held by or on behalf of the Criminal Records Bureau are in accordance with United Kingdom and European Union legislation on minimum pay and standards on employment. [HO] (HL1691)
The Lord Tebbit—To ask Her Majesty’s Government in what manner they ensure fair distribution of pro formas for responses to the sounding exercise on the level of interest in each region in holding a referendum about establishing an elected regional assembly. [ODPM] (HL1692)
The Earl of Sandwich—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the event of a war in Iraq, they have calculated the cost of the damage to—
(a) United Kingdom-trade and international development in the Middle East and Africa, including the loss of important contracts;
(b) aid partnerships; and
(c) diplomatic ties over the next two years. [FCO] (HL1698)
17th February
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current estimate of the public expenditure required by the United Kingdom by way of contribution to the costs of the removal by armed intervention of the present regime in Iraq. [HMT] (HL1703)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current estimate of the public expenditure required by the United Kingdom by way of contribution to the costs of securing, policing and stabilising a new government in Iraq during each of the first three years after any removal of the current regime. [HMT] (HL1704)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is a condition of their support for the removal by armed intervention of the present regime in Iraq that, after any regime change, the occupying powers would seek to ensure that the new government is democratically elected and that government is conducted under the rule of law. [FCO] (HL1705)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is a condition of their support for the removal by armed intervention of the present regime in Iraq that, after any regime change, the occupying forces would seek to ensure that the new government respects the human rights of the inhabitants of Iraq. [FCO] (HL1706)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will give effect in the United Kingdom to the guidance on judicial appointments contained in Recommendation No R(94)12, adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 11th October 1994, namely that (i) the authority taking the decision on the selection and career of judges should be independent of the government and the administration; (ii) where constitutional or legal provisions or tradition allow judges to be appointed by the government, there should be guarantees to ensure that the procedures to appoint judges are transparent and independent in practice; and (iii) there should be a special independent and competent body to give the government advice which it follows in practice. [LCD] (HL1708)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the mission by the United Nations Human Rights Commission to Côte d’Ivoire at the end of December 2002, and recent reports by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees of large numbers of internally displaced people fleeing the conflicts in both Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia, they consider that the situation in the region amounts to an overwhelming humanitarian crisis. [FCO] (HL1709)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made with the Publish What You Pay Initiative in Angola; and whether they will propose to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that a web page be established where members of the public in Angola and other countries would be able to see which multinational companies were complying with the Initiative, and how much they had paid to the host governments. [DfID] (HL1710)
The Viscount Goschen—To ask Her Majesty’s Government by what mechanism they keep track of targets and pledges made by Government departments; and how they monitor progress towards the attainment of these specific goals. [CO] (HL1711)
The Viscount Goschen—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will list, by Government department, (a) the number of targets which they have set themselves; and (b) what each department’s average success rate is in achieving those targets within the allotted time. [CO] (HL1712)
The Lord Northbourne—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many accusations of sexual abuse were made against teachers by pupils and by parents respectively in England and Wales for the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion of each category is expected to lead to a prosecution. [HO] (HL1714)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 10th February (WA 96) concerning the press release of 3rd July 2002 on the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, how much was at that time intended to be spent on the Service in 2003-04 and 2004-05; and how these figures have since changed. [NIO] (HL1715)
The Lord Lamont of Lerwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government why Aisha Megrahi has been refused permission to stay in Britain even though her husband is serving a life sentence in Barlinnie gaol; whether it is normal policy to refuse wives permission to stay in this country when their husbands are imprisoned here; and, if so, whether this is consistent with the European Convention on Human Rights. [HO] (HL1717)
The Baroness Cox—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they regard a couple with three or more children as a large family; and whether the United Kingdom has an unofficial two-child policy. [DoH] (HL1718)
The Baroness Cox—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the government of Cuba regarding Dr Oscar Elias Biscet, who was imprisoned by the Cuban authorities for three years following his condemnation of Cuba’s high abortion rate. [FCO] (HL1721)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current definition of weapons of mass destruction. [MoD] (HL1728)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they believe that Egypt possesses weapons of mass destruction. [FCO] (HL1729)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they believe that Iran possesses weapons of mass destruction. [FCO] (HL1730)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they believe that Israel possesses weapons of mass destruction. [FCO] (HL1731)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they believe that Saudi Arabia possesses weapons of mass destruction. [FCO] (HL1732)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they believe that Syria possesses weapons of mass destruction. [FCO] (HL1733)
18th February
The Baroness Whitaker—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they satisfy themselves that United Nations personnel on peacekeeping operations are fully accountable for their actions; and whether any alleged breaches by such personnel are dealt with in accordance with the rule of law. [FCO] (HL1735)
[As amended on 20th February]
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the reopening of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office in Belarus, and the announcement by the new OSCE Ambassador Eberhard Heyken that he would monitor and report on institution-building, they will propose that the OSCE should offer assistance to non-governmental institutions concerned with free and fair elections, in advance of the forthcoming local elections. [FCO] (HL1736)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will list the submissions made to the United Kingdom National Contact Point for complaints against breaches of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, giving in each case the date of the original submission, the name of the company or companies involved, the country in which the breach is alleged to have occurred, the action taken, and the date of the reply by the National Contact Point. [DTI] (HL1737)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 18th February (HL Deb, cols. 1021-24), whether they can estimate the proportion of asylum seekers whose applications are susceptible to influence by Government policy. [HO] (HL1738)
The Viscount Simon—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what investigations they have conducted to ensure United Kingdom motorists receive access to justice in foreign courts. [HO] (HL1739)
The Viscount Simon—To ask Her Majesty’s Government in what circumstances a United Kingdom citizen, disqualified from driving by a foreign court, would be able to appeal to a United Kingdom court against the disqualification. [HO] (HL1740)
The Viscount Simon—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether translation facilities are available to United Kingdom citizens charged with motoring offences in other European Union member states. [HO] (HL1741)
The Baroness Williams of Crosby—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1457, they are now investigating those United Kingdom companies and individuals listed in Annex III of the report of the “Panel of Experts” on Congo, and reminding them of their obligations under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. [FCO] (HL1742)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements they have made with the media, and in particular the BBC, for the public to receive information in the case of emergency situations. [CO] (HL1743)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made to bring the National Attack Warning System (NAWS) into operation. [CO] (HL1744)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they plan to produce a draft of Emergency Planning Civil Contingencies legislation. [CO] (HL1745)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many days in 2002 each Lord of Appeal in Ordinary sat for the purpose of judicial business in (a) the House of Lords and (b) the Privy Council. [LCD] (HL1754)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 13th February (WA 144), whether they (a) have not consulted and (b) will not consult any legal opinions obtained during the time of the devolved Northern Ireland Executive. [NIO] (HL1755)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many members of the Northern Ireland civil service are qualified to supply legal opinions; and in which departments they are located. [NIO] (HL1756)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the underspend in the Northern Ireland block grant in the years 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02; and which departments were responsible for what percentage of the underspend. [NIO] (HL1757)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the current business plans for all the North South Implementation Bodies will be passed by the North South Ministerial Council; and whether all the business plans and all decisions relating to Implementation Bodies will be placed in the Library of the House. [NIO] (HL1758)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the budget each year for the North South Ministerial Council Secretariat since its formation; and what is the projected budget for this year. [NIO] (HL1759)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the projected budgets of the Implementation Bodies for the year 2003; and what percentage increase or decrease these represent over 2002. [NIO] (HL1760)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what effect the Sexual Offences Bill will have on Northern Ireland. [HO] (HL1761)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Sexual Offences Bill will achieve gender neutrality for Northern Ireland in the same way as for England and Wales; and, if not, what are their reasons for treating Northern Ireland differently. [HO] (HL1762)
The Earl of Mar and Kellie—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is a future for the Lisburn-Antrim railway line, after the current funding runs out in March 2003. [NIO] (HL1775)
19th February
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have made any estimate of the number of asylum seekers from Iraq who may arrive in the United Kingdom per month following any military operations against Saddam Hussein. [HO] (HL1777)
The Baroness Williams of Crosby—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what stage has been reached in the investigations of mass graves at Dasht-e-Leili in Afghanistan; whether they are co-operating with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the Afghan Human Rights Commission for this purpose; and what precautions are being taken to protect the evidence at Dasht-e-Leili. [FCO] (HL1779)
The Baroness Williams of Crosby—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel about the wall now being built in the West Bank inside the 1967 Armistice line; and what status they expect the wall to be accorded in the “road map” for peace. [FCO] (HL1780)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, with the suspension of the devolved administration in Northern Ireland, what detailed arrangements have been put in place to replace the North South Ministerial Council decision-making process; and whether this is an interim measure which can have no impact on long term policy or new areas of activity. [NIO] (HL1781)
The Lord Morris of Manchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that referring members of the public to websites for advice, for instance on travel to unstable countries or on types of hospital infection, is sufficient when many people do not have access to personal computers. [CO] (HL1782)
The Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount of coal burnt at coal fired generation plants with flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) equipment in each year between 1997 and 2002 compared with the amount burnt at plants without FGD. [DEFRA] (HL1783)
The Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the total amount of sulphur dioxide emissions from coal fired generation plans with flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) equipment in each year between 1997 and 2002 compared with the amount emitted from plants without FGD. [DEFRA] (HL1784)
The Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the average amount of sulphur dioxide emissions per gigawatt generated from coal fired plants with flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) equipment in 2002 or the latest twelve-month period available, compared with the equivalent figure from plants without FGD. [DEFRA] (HL1785)
The Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take to encourage a reversal of the decline in load factors at coal fired generation plant fitted with flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) equipment and the increase in coal burnt at plant without FGD. [DEFRA] (HL1786)
The Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much coal fired generation capacity they expect to be taken out of the market as a result of the implementation of the Large Combustion Plant Directive. [DEFRA] (HL1787)
The Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to impose stricter sulphur dioxide emission limits on coal fired generators that do not have abatement plant fitted. [DEFRA] (HL1788)
The Earl of Caithness—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of satellite communications and global positioning systems, how long they expect light dues to continue. [DfT] (HL1789)
The Earl of Caithness—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, given their agreement of the “user pays” principle with regard to light dues, how they propose to charge dues on (a) vessels using lighthouse services but not calling at United Kingdom ports, and (b) smaller fishing and pleasure vessels. [DfT] (HL1790)
The Earl of Caithness—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they propose to publish their responses to the consultation document Light Dues Review published in May 2002. [DfT] (HL1791)
The Lord Mason of Barnsley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the up-to-date position on the question of ending the North Sea drift net fishery. [DEFRA] (HL1793)
The Lord Campbell of Croy—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action is being taken to reduce the amount of sulphur dioxide and other polluting substances being released into the atmosphere from the generation of electricity in coal fired power stations. [DEFRA] (HL1795)
20th February
The Lord Hardy of Wath—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they propose to set up a national academy of teachers of mathematics as proposed by the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education. [DfES] (HL1800)
The Lord Inglewood—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they accept the Work Foundation’s findings (on 27th January 2003) that overall absence rates in 2002 were 1.5 per cent in the information technology sector; 1.54 per cent in the utilities sector; 2.23 per cent in the manufacturing sector and 7.86 per cent in the public/voluntary sector; and if so, whether they plan any action as a result. [DTI] (HL1801)
The Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what account is taken of the running costs of flue gas desulphurisation plants in the market for electricity generation to ensure that these plants are not at a commercial disadvantage to plants without abatement equipment. [DTI] (HL1802)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what circumstances they consider it constitutionally appropriate for Ministers to criticise publicly the decisions of the judiciary. [LCD] (HL1803)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take to address the concern expressed by the Civil Justice Council in their report on Full Costs Recovery that the present level of fees discourages access to the courts, particularly on the part of low-wage employees and small business proprietors not eligible for legal aid. [LCD] (HL1804)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the view expressed in The Times on 20th February by the Master of the Rolls, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, that the courts system may seize up because of a funding shortfall, whether they will increase public expenditure on the courts. [LCD] (HL1805)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the cost per head of providing courses arranged through Learn Direct. [DfES] (HL1806)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contracts have been awarded to the Capita Group by the Department for Education and Skills. [DfES] (HL1807)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contracts have been awarded to the Capita Group by the Department for Transport. [DfT] (HL1808)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contracts have been awarded to the Capita Group by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. [DEFRA] (HL1809)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contracts have been awarded to the Capita Group by the Cabinet Office. [CO] (HL1810)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contracts have been awarded to the Capita Group by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. [FCO] (HL1811)
The Baroness Harris of Richmond—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the average waiting time for the analysis of suspicious substances in each police forensic laboratory in England and Wales. [HO] (HL1812)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the year ending 30th April 2002, what percentage of crimes notified to the Police Service of Northern Ireland resulted in either a caution or a conviction; and how that compares to the average percentage for the rest of the United Kingdom. [NIO] (HL1813)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the year ending 30th April 2002, how many incidents of burglary were notified to the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and how this figure compares to the number of notified instances of burglary in the previous two years. [NIO] (HL1814)
24th February
The Lord Tebbit—To ask Her Majesty’s Government why it took them eight weeks to give their answer on 4th February (WA 19) to the Lord Tebbit’s question of 10th December 2002 (HL584) concerning the Criminal Records Bureau. [HO] (HL1820)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the legislation governing data protection principles applies to prevent the disclosure of personal data gathered by Transport for London for the purposes of the congestion charge to other public authorities for purposes unrelated to the congestion charge. [LCD] (HL1821)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, as reported in the Guardian newspaper on 20th February, the European Commission has made an agreement with the United States government, binding on all British airlines with effect from 5th March, whereby personal information about all passengers flying to the United States will be disclosed to the United States customs, immigration and other agencies; if so, whether (a) the terms of the agreement contain safeguards matching European data protection laws; and (b) the agreement has been approved by Her Majesty’s Government or by the Council of Ministers. [LCD] (HL1822)
The Lord Lamont of Lerwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government in how many cases in the last five years of people who have been wrongly imprisoned and released from prison there are payments of compensation due which have not yet been paid; what the sums of money claimed or agreed are; and for how long the payment has been outstanding in each case. [HO] (HL1823)
The Lord Lamont of Lerwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions in the last five years compensation has been paid to people who have been wrongfully imprisoned; and what is the total value of the compensation that has been paid. [HO] (HL1824)
The Lord Lamont of Lerwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government on how many occasions in the last five years people have been released from prison, after serving more than five years, on the grounds that there was a miscarriage of justice. [HO] (HL1825)
The Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they plan to implement, in the event of military intervention in Iraq, to prevent the looting of archaeological sites and museums and to safeguard the rich historic, archaeological and cultural heritage of Iraq. [FCO] (HL1826)
The Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will now ratify the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, with the First and Second Protocols to the Convention; and, if not, what are their reasons for delay. [FCO] (HL1827)
The Lord Stoddart of Swindon—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many of the 447,600 non-industrial civil servants employed on 1st April 2002 were men and how many were women. [CO] (HL1828)
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