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A total of 104 independent penetration tests were completed in the past year, in addition to those commissioned internally by system-operating authorities for which centralised records are not maintained. Invariably such testing identifies a range of issues that require subsequent rectification and/or risk acceptance. Specific details are classified; however, as a measure of the results, all systems tested last year retained their security-accredited status.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any member state of the European Union, other than the United Kingdom, has failed to accept the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): The United Kingdom is the only member of the European Union not to have signed the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Iraq: Aircraft
Lord Garden asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by Lord Drayson on 20 February (Official Report col. 1006), what aircraft, including helicopters, have been found by boards of inquiry to have been lost from enemy action since March 2003; whether there was an application to HM Treasury to the reserve for replacement funding in each case; how much such funding was provided; what replacement aircraft have been ordered; and when each is expected to be available for operational service. [HL2144]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Since March 2003 nine aircraft have been lost while on operations.
One board of inquiry has concluded that a Hercules C130K aircraft XV179 which crashed in Iraq on 30 January 2005 was lost as a result of hostile action. Consequently, an application for £46 million from the reserve was approved by Her Majesty's Treasury in June 2006 and the funding was used to part-fund the procurement of an additional Globemaster C17. The aircraft will enter service next year.
Iraq: Ghost Employees
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Government of Iraq have provided the Government with an update on attempts to remove “ghost” employees from police payrolls, and to dismiss those police with criminal records or links to known militia, in provinces within Multinational Division (South East). [HL2134]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Any hiring or removal of Iraqi police officers from the MND(SE) region is performed centrally by the Ministry of the Interior in Baghdad. The Government of Iraq provide reports on progress in the Iraqi police service through various channels rather than directly, on a Government-to-Government basis. Latest reports suggest that nationally several thousand police have been removed over the past six months.
Our strategy to remove any police officers with known militia links in southern Iraq was highlighted
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Ministry of Defence: EU Nationals
Lord Tebbit asked Her Majesty's Government:
To whom the non-British European nationals holding executive or administrative posts in the Ministry of Defence owe their first duty of allegiance. [HL2363]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Non-British European nationals do not have to swear allegiance to the Queen. However, they can only serve in non-reserved posts. Where security and sensitivity issues apply, posts are designated as reserved and can be filled only by UK nationals.
Packaging
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will convene a national conference on excess consumer packaging to secure a manufacturer-distributor agreement on early reductions in such packaging. [HL2488]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Truscott): Discussions on reducing packaging waste are being led by my honourable friend the Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with the support of the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) through the medium of the Courtauld commitment. The commitment, which now has as signatories 13 major retailers, responsible for 92 per cent of the grocery market in the UK, together with eight of the largest suppliers to the grocery sector, has the objective of stopping the growth of packaging waste by 2008 and securing an absolute reduction by 2010. WRAP is also working closely with industry players across the supply chain on initiatives to reduce the volume of packaging, including looking at the design and light-weighting of packaging, and to increase the recyclable content of packaging material. With these developments in mind, it is my view that there is no need for a specific national conference at the moment.
Prisons: Mental Health
Baroness Thomas of Winchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
How soon they will make good the £150,000 shortfall of funding for mental health in-reach to HMP Grendon that has arisen due to
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The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): The same criteria are used to determine the healthcare funding allocation for all prison establishments in England, including operational capacity and prison type. Funds are allocated as a global sum to the local primary care trust (PCT) and it is the responsibility of a prison's partnership board to ensure that its healthcare provision is of an equivalent quality and range to that which the public receives from the National Health Service.
The healthcare allocation for HMP Grendon in 2006-07 was £770,000, including mental health in-reach funding. That represents an increase of 25 per cent on the 2003-04 figure of £615,000.
The PCT has confirmed that no payments have been suspended. HMP Grendon runs a unique regime, with therapeutic personnel employed as part of a specialised custodial service funded by the Prison Service. During 2006, the PCT has worked with the prison to draw up a service specification and tender for supplementary mental health in-reach services. Funding to provide this service has been estimated at £150,000 to £200,000 per annum and is being considered as part of the local delivery plan process.
Questions for Written Answer
Lord James of Blackheath asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the Question for Written Answer HL2003, tabled by Lord James of Blackheath on 8 February, was not answered by 22 February; and when an Answer can be expected. [HL2295]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): A reply was given to the noble Lord on 23 February. I regret the delay.
Secretary of State for Transport
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which towns, villages or cities within the United Kingdom the Secretary of State for Transport has visited since 1 October 2006; and when each visit took place. [HL1858]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: In addition to official visits in London, the Secretary of State for Transport has visited the following towns and cities in his official capacity since 1 October 2006.
| Date | |
Trade: Food and Drink
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the trading gap between the value of food and drink imported and exported by the United Kingdom for each of the years 1997 to 2006. [HL2399]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Truscott): Figures for trade in food, animals and beverages are shown in the following table:
| Imports to UK | Exports from UK | Difference | |
| Year | £ million | £ million | £ million |
| Source: |
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Water Supply: Meters
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether householders in Northern Ireland may purchase water-metering equipment; and, if so, whether there are any limitations to the circumstances in which they may do so. [HL2425]
Lord Rooker: The chief executive of Water Service has written to the noble Lord and gave the following response:
Letter from Mrs Katharine Bryan to Lord Laird dated 9 March 2007.
You recently asked Her Majesty's Government whether householders in Northern Ireland may purchase water-metering equipment and, if so, whether there are any limitations to the circumstances in which they may do so (HL2425). I have been asked to reply, as this issue falls within my responsibility as chief executive of Water Service.
Our intention is to manage the transition to metering in a way that maximises the overall fairness of the charging regime for all customers, with particular focus on affordability. This includes managing the rebalancing effects that result from a metering regime. Allowing customers to carry out their own installation would be like an optional scheme for those who can afford a meter. Pending ministerial approval, it is the intention, however, to move as quickly as possible to the situation where all customers have the option of moving to a metered tariff.
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