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12 Mar 2007 : Column WA77
Written Answers
Monday 12 March 2007
Afghanistan: Cultural Activities
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
What Afghan cultural activities they have supported in and outside Kabul to demonstrate the United Kingdom's interest in reviving traditional and contemporary arts and culture. [HL2414]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): More than 25 years of conflict have undermined Afghanistan's cultural and artistic traditions. The United Kingdom, through the British Council and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), is committed to supporting Afghanistan as the country works to revive its rich cultural heritage.
The British Council provides effective support to the arts in Afghanistan. Recent contributions include donations of musical instruments, theatrical equipment, and IT and digital production tools to Kabul University's Faculty of Fine Arts as well as staff training to the faculty's staff; sponsorship of Afghanistan's nationwide Summer Festival of Theatre; and funding towards the forthcoming Nawroz Music Festival set to take place in late March in Mazar-i Sharif.
The FCO also provides valuable support to Afghanistan's cultural revival. In 2005 the UK contributed funding to the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research for its investigation of the Minaret of Jam at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation World Heritage Site in Ghor province, central Afghanistan. In 2006 we provided support for two important cultural projects in Kabul's Old City: the Turquoise Mountain Foundation School for Traditional Afghan Arts, which aims to preserve and develop traditional Afghan arts and design while providing economic opportunities for Afghans; and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture as it works to repair the most valuable examples of Afghan architecture in Kabul's Old City. UK funding has been used to restore a Hammam (public bathhouse) in the heart of the Old City, helping to revive a traditional facility for the local community.
Afghanistan: Reconstruction
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
What evidence they have, such as opinion polls, that the Afghan people still connect the presence of foreign troops with reconstruction and development. [HL2412]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): UK troops are in Afghanistan as part of the UN-mandated NATO International Security Assistance Force, and at the request of the Afghan Government, to establish the secure environment necessary for reconstruction and development to take place. Reconstruction of a country ravaged by more than 25 years of conflict is a long-term endeavour. Challenges remain, particularly in the south. But Afghan people are starting to see results across much of the country, particularly in regions where security has been restored. An ABC News/BBC World Service poll published last December shows that 74 per cent of Afghans consider that their living conditions are better than under the Taliban and eight in 10 Afghans support the presence of international troops in their country. While life in Afghanistan is far from easy, most Afghans are conscious of the important amount of resources allocated by the international community to the security and reconstruction of their country. Most Afghans continue to rely on international forces to re-establish the security necessary for reconstruction and development. The enduring unpopularity of the Taliban (89 per cent of Afghans view them unfavourably) and the levels of support for the current Government are testament to the fact that the Afghan people consider that Afghanistan is heading in the right direction. International troops, including close to 6,000 British soldiers, are assisting the Afghan Government and their people along the way.
The ABC News/BBC World Service poll is available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/l/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/ 07_12_06AfghanistanWhereThingsStand.pdf.
The very comprehensive Asia Foundation Survey for 2006 might also be of interest. It is available at: wvw.asiafoundation.org/Locations/afghanistan_survey06.html.
Agriculture: Meat
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why only 5 per cent of the lamb procured by United Kingdom-based British Armed Forces is British lamb; and how this compares to the amount of British beef and pork these forces procure. [HL2369]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): The amount of British lamb procured for the UK-based British Armed Forces is restricted principally by a requirement for year-round availability and value for money. Additionally, meat is required to be delivered frozen, rather than chilled, and there is a shortage of freezing plant production capacity in the UK.
Since the start of the current food supply contract in October 2006, 55 per cent of beef, 100 per cent of pork and 3 per cent of lamb by volume has been procured from British farms.
Armed Forces: Large Aircraft
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): The “Low Technology Threats to Strategic Reach Aircraft” study is intended to report in March 2007. The findings will not be published externally as this would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness and security of our Armed Forces.
Armed Forces: MRSA
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many members of the Armed Forces were diagnosed with methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (a) during routine military service; (b) in military hospitals; and (c) in Ministry of Defence hospital units in 2005 and 2006; and [HL1759]
What precautions are taken to reduce the risk of Armed Forces personnel contracting hospital-acquired methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); and [HL1760]
Whether they have made an assessment of the possible increased susceptibility of members of the Armed Forces to methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) if they are placed in general hospitals or Ministry of Defence hospital units; and, if such assessments were taken into account when the decision to close Royal Hospital Haslar was taken; and [HL1761]
Whether Ministry of Defence hospital units are separated from general hospital wards to reduce the risk of members of the Armed Forces having increased susceptibility to hospital-acquired methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA); and whether procedures are in place to reduce the risk of members of the Armed Forces contracting HA-MRSA through staff passing between general patients and service personnel. [HL1805]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Ministry of Defence hospital units (MDHUs) are located within NHS hospitals at Derriford, Frimley Park, Peterborough, Portsmouth, Northallerton and the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) at Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham. The primary purpose of these units is to provide medical training to military medical personnel.
The precise number of military patients diagnosed with MRSA in NHS hospitals is not recorded separately. This information could be obtained only by searching through individual medical records with that person's permission.
The total number of patients of all types who have been diagnosed with MRSA at the hosting NHS hospital can, however, be found on the Health Protection Agency website: www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hai /mandatory_report_2006.htm.
In the case of our remaining military hospitals outside the UK (The Princess Margaret Military Hospital in Akrotiri, Cyprus, and the Royal Navy Hospital, Gibraltar), where the numbers of service patients are small, there were no recorded cases of MRSA in military personnel in 2005 and 2006.
It is rare for patients to remain in field hospitals for more than a day or two. Medical staff will provide any immediate surgical treatment that is required, but any patients needing further surgery or longer-term hospital care will then be aeromedically evacuated back to the UK. We estimate the prevalence of MRSA to be very low tending to negligible. As a result, medical personnel screen a patient only if they have clinical indicators of an infection. There are no known cases where a patient has shown signs of infection or tested positively for either organism in UK military field hospitals in 2006.
The NHS has standard infection control and hygiene measures in place, combined with the prudent use of antibiotics to prevent and control any outbreak of infection. The Defence Medical Services has robust and stringent infection control procedures which fully meet NHS requirements. We take the issue of infection control seriously and work to ensure the best possible healthcare for all service personnel. Standards of infectious disease control at our field hospitals are at least equivalent to those within the NHS.
The military-managed ward which has been established at Selly Oak hospital, Birmingham is contained in a block where NHS patient treatment takes place. We consider that the control and prevention of MRSA in a military population is not so much a case of segregating military patients from the general public rather it is about the observation of infection control procedures for which detailed instructions are prepared and promulgated within the NHS. The MoD is not aware of any evidence published that suggests that military patients are more susceptible to MRSA than general patients, and therefore this was not a factor when the decision to close the Royal Hospital Haslar was taken.
Armed Forces: Pensions
Lord Craig of Radley asked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the implementation and effectiveness of the compensation scheme arrangements in the Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Act 2004 since these were introduced in 2005. [HL2224]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): An evaluation has been carried out of the first year of operation of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme which came into force on 6 April 2005. The aim of the evaluation was to assess the scheme's performance in the first year against the original intent and also to identify any emerging issues. Views were obtained from ex-service organisations, individual claimants and the staff who administer the scheme. The report is now being finalised in light of comments received. Once this is complete the report will be published. I will place a copy in the Library of the House and it will also be available on the MoD internet site.
Armed Forces: South Africans
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made to the Government of South Africa regarding the Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Prohibition and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Bill; and what was the outcome of any such representations. [HL2346]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Representations have been made by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence to the South African Defence Minister on the potential implications of the proposed legislation for recruitment and retention of personnel into the UK Armed Forces. The service of South Africans is greatly valued and we are anxious to retain that service in our Armed Forces. A visit is being planned to South Africa to enable MoD officials to hold face-to-face discussions with the South African Department of Defence to resolve some of the uncertainties.
Our High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr Paul Boateng, has also made representations to the Government of South Africa on several occasions.
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they intend to take to address the implications of the Government of South Africa's Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Prohibition and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Bill for South African citizens serving in the British Armed Forces. [HL2347]
Lord Drayson: We have been following the development of the draft Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Prohibition and Regulation of Certain Activities in Areas of Armed Conflict Bill very closely and are urgently investigating the potential consequences for South African personnel currently serving in the UK Armed Forces, should the legislation be enacted, so that we can support those who may be affected. We greatly value the service given by South African personnel and are keeping them appraised of the situation at regular intervals.
Armed Forces: Vector Patrol Vehicles
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
What number of Vector patrol vehicles, to be delivered incrementally between January and August 2007, they consider should provide an effective capability in Iraq by the end of January 2007. [HL2260]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Vector will be delivered to Afghanistan, but there are currently no plans to deploy it to Iraq.
Bangladesh: Chittagong Hill Tracts
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have made an assessment of the intentions of the caretaker Government of Bangladesh regarding the implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord of 1997; and, in particular, whether the caretaker Government of Bangladesh have informed the Government about any planned or recently implemented withdrawals from that territory of military units; and, if so, how many men were in those military units. [HL2434]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): At this time, we have no evidence of an enhanced will to implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord of 1997. The caretaker Government of Bangladesh have neither informed the Government nor publicly announced their intentions on the CHT Peace Accord. Although there has been some media reporting in this respect, we are not aware of significant troop withdrawals from CHT. Through our High Commission in Dhaka, we have consistently urged the caretaker Government and the Bangladesh armed forces to respect human rights and the rule of law.
Further to the Answer I gave the noble Lord on 28 February (Official Report, col. WA 307), the visit to CHT by officials from our High Commission in Dhaka, planned to take place later this month, has regrettably had to be temporarily postponed.
British Citizenship
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Triesman on 8 February (WA 152) concerning British citizenship applications which had been refused in the past on the basis of incorrect information on Indian citizenship law, whether the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong has now received all the outstanding British citizenship certificates; and, if not, how many certificates are still outstanding. [HL2381]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): The British Consulate-General in Hong Kong has not received all of the British citizenship certificates. Fifty-seven are still outstanding.
Children: UNICEF Report
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will hold discussions with the Children's Commissioner for England, Sir Albert Aynsley-Green, on children's problems in the United Kingdom, as outlined recently by UNICEF. [HL2296]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Lord Adonis): Ministers and officials have regular and constructive meetings with the Children's Commissioner to discuss matters relating to children and young people. Many of these concern issues raised by children and young people themselves as well as those areas highlighted in the UNICEF report. As well as raising issues with the Government, the commissioner is also able to raise his views before relevant Select Committees should he choose to do so.
The Children's Commissioner for England commented on UNICEF's report on 14 February. The Government note the commissioner's views and welcome his support for the investment and effort that, through Every Child Matters and other initiatives, we have made to improve children's well-being.
Environmental Justice
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the Aarhus Centre, supported by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, in Azerbaijan; and which organisation in the United Kingdom fulfils such a role. [HL2391]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): The Aarhus Centre in Baku performs a useful role in promoting public environmental awareness in Azerbaijan. There is no direct equivalent of an Aarhus Centre in the United Kingdom. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' environmental information unit provides advice and guidance, on the environmental information regulations which derive from the Aarhus Convention.
Health: Funding for Treatment
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it remains their policy that patients undertaking treatment funded by the National Health Service from any source will not have that funding withdrawn solely for financial reasons. [HL1392]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): It is our policy that a patient receiving treatment funded by the National Health Service will not have the treatment stopped solely on the grounds of cost during the course of treatment. Primary care trusts, NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts are responsible for making decisions on the care of individuals on a case-by-case basis.
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