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Written Answers
Monday, 19 January 2004.
House of Lords: Post Received
Lord Norton of Louth asked the Chairman of Committees:
- What was the monthly average of the number of items of post received in the House of Lords in 2003; and how this compares to the figures for 2002 and 2001. [HL736]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): The total number of items of post received in both Houses of Parliament in 2003 was 12.5 million items. The House of Lords receives an estimated 20 per cent of the post received, giving an annual figure for the Lords of approximately 2.5 million items, or an average of just over 208,000 items per month.
Prior to 2003, the volume of post received was measured by weight rather than by number. There has, however, been an estimated annual increase of 2.5 per cent in the number of items of post received since 2001.
Police Service of Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 20 November (WA 357), why the physical competence test for the Police Service of Northern Ireland was moved to the training stage for recruits; and whether it is still a condition of entry to the police. [HL219]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): The physical competence test is now completed during training rather than during initial selection. This allows suitably qualified candidates to be given expert advice on physical fitness and is intended to provide more people with the opportunity to qualify for entry into the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Trainees cannot graduate and be attested as constables unless they have reached the same high standard of fitness that was previously required.
North/South Language Implementation Body: Budget 2004
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Why the Eire Government announced the 2004 budget allocations for the Cross-Border Language Implementation Body unilaterally in November; and why the proper procedure was not used; and [HL272]
Whether they had advance knowledge of the announcement of the 2004 budget for the Cross-Border Language Implementation Body; and, if so, what action they took in response; and [HL300]
What business case the Eire Government used to set the budget for 2004 for the language implementation body; and who had approved the budget at the time of announcement in November. [HL302]
Baroness Amos: The 2004 budget for the North/South Language Body has not yet been announced. The recommended budget allocation for the North/South Language Implementation Body will be subject to agreement by Ministers North and South in accordance with the arrangements under the agreement made by the exchange of notes between the two governments dated 19 November 2002. This process has not been completed in respect of 2004. Proper procedure is being followed in line with the budgetary process as set out in the North/South Language Body's Financial Memorandum. The business plan as required by the financial memorandum has not yet been agreed.
North/South Implementation Bodies
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer concerning the supply of final accounts for cross-border implementation bodies, why there was a delay in the accounts for 2000 for Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission; and whether they regard the delay as satisfactory. [HL222]
Baroness Amos: The main reason for the delay in publication of the 2000 accounts for the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission was due to the auditor of the Foyle Fisheries Commission, the predecessor body, not certifying the commission's final accounts until October 2002. This was because the accounting standards applicable to the FFC were changed and the new standards created difficulties with regard to the funding of the FFC Pension Scheme. Previous assurances with regard to the funding that had been provided by the commission's sponsoring departments were no longer adequate to allow the auditor's certificate. Lengthy discussion with the Department of Finance (ROI) eventually agreed that resolution would only be achieved if a qualification of the accounts was provided by the auditor.
The late publication is not deemed satisfactory.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether under the care and maintenance policy in place for cross-border implementation bodies it is possible for a decision to be taken to relocate a headquarters to a different area.[HL559]
Baroness Amos: Under the care and maintenance policy in place for North/South implementation bodies it would be possible for a decision to be taken to relocate a headquarters to a different area.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 18 December 2003 (WA 162) concerning the pension provision for staff of cross-border implementation bodies, what was the outcome of the meeting on 15 December 2003.[HL680]
Baroness Amos: The outcome of the meeting held on 15 December was that the parties present agreed to work to ensure that amendments to the legislative framework governing pensions in both the UK and Ireland will enable the early implementation of the pension scheme for the North/South bodies. As a result, further work is being taken forward by officials.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 8 September 2003 (WA 6) concerning the budget of the cross-border implementation bodies set up under the Belfast agreement, whether it is possible to change proportionality of the budgets between the British and Irish Governments; and, if so, whether this will be undertaken in respect of the 2004 budgets.[HL681]
Baroness Amos: The proportionality of funding between the UK and Irish Governments is considered, and where necessary changed, as part of the annual budget process for North/South implementation bodies. This applies equally to the 2004 budget process.
Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman: Budget 2002–03
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- In the financial year 2002–03 what was the proposed budget for the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman; and how much was spent.[HL560]
Baroness Amos: The Police Ombudsman has confirmed that the budget for her office for the financial year 2002–03 was £6,838,000 and that £6,517,806 was spent.
Waterways Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What plans Waterways Ireland has to improve the tourist potential of the waterway system in 2004.[HL598]
Baroness Amos: Waterways Ireland's strategy for the development of inland waterways as a tourism resource is set out in the body's corporate and business plan 2002–04 a copy of which is available in the Library.
A marketing and promotional strategy has been developed to generate an increased awareness and promote greater use of the inland waterways and will be launched in 2004.
Northern Ireland: Civil Servants and Smoking
Lord Laird asked her Majesty's Government:
- What is the average annual cost of providing 144 smoking chambers on their premises in Northern Ireland for use by civil servants.[HL712]
Baroness Amos: The information requested is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
Northern Ireland Assembly: November 2003 Elections
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they consider that the November 2003 elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly were fairly conducted.[HL742]
Baroness Amos: Yes. The administration of elections in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Chief Electoral Officer. The Electoral Commission has a statutory obligation to produce reports on the running of all elections in the United Kingdom, including the recent Assembly elections in Northern Ireland. I understand the Electoral Commission's statutory report on the Assembly elections will be available in the spring.
International Financial Institutions
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they support the proposal for a Global Governance Group made up of the 24 heads of government whose countries provide directors for the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, together with the United Nations Secretary-General and the heads of major international institutions.[HL655]
Baroness Amos: The British Government are unaware of the proposal which is referred to here. However, we are strongly committed to broadening international debate and action on economic and social issues. We support efforts to enhance G8 outreach to developing countries, to strengthen the voice and representation of developing countries in the international financial institutions, and to deepen co-operation between the United Nations and the IFIs. Following the Anglo-French summit in November 2003, we shall continue to discuss with France and other partners ideas for new political arrangements in these areas.
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