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The RSTNTP deals with the main strategic routes into and through Londonderry and this plan was published in March 2005. An enhanced list of schemes for inclusion in the RSTNTP was published for consultation on 31 July 2006 with a response date of 29 September 2006. The full details of the major works schemes included in the plan can be viewed on our website at www.roadsni.gov.uk/consultation/docs/ConsultationDoc_SRI_Prog.pdf or copies are also available in both the House of Commons and House of Lords Libraries. The responses are currently being considered and it is hoped that an announcement of the final proposals will be made later this year. The schemes included in the current RSTNTP and draft proposals would upgrade sections of all the major routes approaching the city.
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The SRTP deals with the whole of Northern Ireland, excluding the Belfast Metropolitan Area and the routes included in RSTNTP. A section has been developed for Londonderry and includes a detailed study of all modes of transport (walking, cycling, public transport and traffic) within the city. The draft document was issued for public consultation in March 2006 with a reply date of 23 June 2006. Full details of the draft plan can be viewed on our website at www.roadsni.gov.uk/consultation/docs/ExecSummary.pdf or copies are also available in both Libraries. It is planned to publish the SRTP at the end of March 2007.
These two transport plans will contain the main proposals for improving traffic flows and addressing other transportation issues for the city and its environs for the period to 2015.
Schools: Global Citizenship
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
What significance they give to an understanding of global citizenship in the school curriculum; and what progress is being made in ensuring that this significance is adequately reflected in the curriculum. [HL1862]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Lord Adonis): The Government give great significance to the role of citizenship education in preparing young people to become global citizens. Through the compulsory secondary curriculum for citizenship, pupils are taught about the world as a global community and the wider issues and challenges of global interdependence and responsibility. Sir Keith Ajegbo’s recent Diversity and Citizenship Curriculum report highlighted the fact that global citizenship is an “increasing imperative”. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has been undertaking a review of the secondary national curriculum, including citizenship education. The draft programmes of study will be subject to a public consultation from 5 February 2007 until 30 April 2007 and views on the issue of global citizenship can be expressed as part of this consultation.
Schools: Sport
Baroness Verma asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 21 November 2006 (WA 3) on training places allocated for physical education teachers in England, what is their assessment of the extent to which the Chancellor of the Exchequer's proposal of 24 October 2006 that the number of curriculum hours allocated to sport for all United Kingdom school children will increase to at least four hours per week by 2010 is achievable.[HL1448]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Lord Adonis): The Government announced their long-term ambition for PE and school sport in December 2004. The main aim is that, by 2010, all children will be offered at least four hours of sport a week. This will comprise two
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This ambition will be delivered through the network of school sport partnerships set up as part of the national Physical Education, School Sport and Club Links strategy. Further details of the delivery of this ambition will be announced following the outcome of the next Comprehensive Spending Review.
Baroness Verma asked Her Majesty's Government:
What evidence they have to support the statement by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Support to the House of Commons Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport on 21 November 2006 that two-thirds of primary school children in this country will be expecting to take part in the Olympic Games and half of them are expecting to be medal winners; and whether there is adequate access to coaching and facilities in British schools in order to achieve these aspirations.[HL1449]
Lord Adonis: The statement made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to the House of Commons Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport on 21 November was based on her experience of visiting primary schools up and down the country. The joint DfES/DCMS national strategy for PE and school sport is already addressing the aspirations of young people regarding the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Government are investing heavily to provide adequate access to coaching and sports facilities in schools. Between 2003-04 and 2007-08, the Departments for Culture, Media and Sport and for Education and Skills will have invested £70 million in sports coaching.
The Building Schools for the Future programme, which aims to rebuild or refurbish every secondary school over the next 15 years, and the Primary Capital Programme starting in 2008, both provide funding to build well designed PE and sport facilities where they are needed.
Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2006: Designation of Land
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
When designating a site under Section 128(3)(c) of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, what criteria they use to assess whether the level of threat to national security is sufficient to justify designation. [HL1743]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): National security is not defined in law. To do so would hinder flexibility in dealing with new and emerging threats. It is recognised by domestic and European courts that, within a wide margin of discretion, it is for the Secretary of State to decide matters of national security.
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Shipping: MSC “Napoli”
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will hold a public inquiry into the beaching of the cargo ship “Napoli” and the preceding decisions not to tow the stricken ship to closer ports of refuge either in the United Kingdom or in France. [HL1696]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: My honourable friend the Minister of State for Transport, the Minister with responsibility for shipping, made it clear on 21 January that he considered there was no need for a public inquiry.
Slavery
Lord Ouseley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will go beyond the recent statement of regret made by the Prime Minister for the country's involvement in the slave trade prior to the abolition of the slave trade in 1807. [HL1121]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): In addition to the Statement made by my right honourable friend the Prime Minister on 28 November 2006 (Official Report, col. WS 103-4), my right honourable friend the Prime Minister announced on 22 January 2007 the Government's intention to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. Signature of the convention will strengthen support for victims and introduce measures to prevent trafficking. He also announced a series of events over the coming months to commemorate the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade.
Sudan: Darfur
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they are taking to prevent the harassment and intimidation of international personnel in Darfur, including attacks on United Nations' and non-governmental organisations' compounds, and to stop the spread of communicable diseases both in Western Sudan and its immediate neighbours. [HL1653]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): Humanitarian agencies are struggling in exceptionally and increasingly difficult circumstances to deliver vital aid to those in need in Darfur. The Secretary of State for International Development issued a statement on 26 January 2007 condemning the abuse UN and NGO humanitarian staff were subjected to in Nyala, south Darfur by the Sudanese security forces and calling on the Government of Sudan to bring those responsible to account.
We are working with all sides to the conflict to ensure the ability of humanitarian agencies to operate freely, securely and without constraint. We are calling on all sides to cease the violence immediately, renew the ceasefire and political process, and accept the AU/UN peacekeeping force for Darfur.
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Sporadic outbreaks of communicable diseases, such as meningitis and cholera, have taken place in Darfur in recent years. Due to the presence of so many international aid agencies, however, the response has been swifter and more effective than in many other parts of Sudan. A concern is outbreaks in areas now too insecure for aid agencies to operate.
DfID channels most of its humanitarian funds through the Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF), which was key in tackling a cholera outbreak in 2006. In 2007, 10 per cent of the CHF (approximately £70 million, of which DfID's contribution is £40 million) will be set aside for emergency response.
Taxation
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the total tax take in each county in England in the past financial year, broken down by different forms of taxation; and [HL1724]
What proportion of money is spent by the public sector in Essex compared to the overall level of money collected in taxation within Essex in the past financial year; and [HL1726]
What is the estimated total public spend per head of population in each county in England in the past financial year. [HL1780]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The available information on income tax is published by HMRC in table 3.13 “Income and tax, by county and region”, available at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income distribution/menu-by-year.htm. Regional stamp duty receipts attributable to residential property are also published by HMRC, available at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/stamp duty/tablel5-2.pdf. The Government have made no estimates of aggregate taxes at county level. Neither total nor per capita public spending estimates are available at the county level.
Transport: Heavy Goods Vehicles
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 26 January (WA 271-72), whether new trucks, which are 7.5 tonnes and over and are intended for use only within the United Kingdom, will be required to be fitted with retro-reflective tape, as set down in United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulation 48. [HL1786]
Water Supply: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
On whose authority the special adviser to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland expressed critical remarks to the chief executive of the
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Lord Rooker: All activities of the NIO special advisers are in accordance with the code of conduct and under the authority of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
In relation to water charges legislation, there has already been a one-year delay in the introduction of these long overdue reforms. Any additional delay would mean:
there would be an immediate public expenditure shortfall of £80 million to £90 million as a result of the loss of anticipated revenue;that Northern Ireland is likely to lose the RRI borrowing power which is currently contributing £200 million of investment in Northern Ireland's infrastructure earning year;that we would continue to ask taxpayers in GB to pay more in taxes while people in NI continue to contribute only around half what people in England, Scotland and Wales pay;there would be increased risk of costly infraction if Crown immunity is not removed; andthere would be a loss of the wider benefits which water reform will bring to customers and the environment.Waterways Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What proposals Waterways Ireland have as capital projects this year; and when each will be completed. [HL1278]
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Lord Rooker: The table below details Waterways Ireland capital projects in 2007.
| Navigations | Works | Estimated Completion |
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Number of projects on which small amount of works remain from 2006 |
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