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14 Mar 2007 : Column WA121
Written Answers
Wednesday 14 March 2007
Afghanistan: Reconstruction
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the current concentration of British troops in Helmand province has diverted attention from reconstruction and development throughout the country; and, if so, how this can be rectified under the revised strategy. [HL2413]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): The current concentration of British troops in Helmand province has not diverted DfID's attention from reconstruction and development throughout Afghanistan. Afghanistan is DfID's fifth largest programme and the UK is Afghanistan's second largest bilateral donor, with a planned spend of £102 million in 2006-07. Over 70 per cent of our assistance goes directly to the Government of Afghanistan in support of their own priorities. This includes support for the Government's national priority programmes, which operate throughout the country. For example, the national solidarity programme (NSP) operates in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It has helped to establish over 16,000 community development councils to identify local needs and has funded over 22,000 projects in areas including agriculture, education, health, irrigation and transport.
Helmand is a priority for the Governments of both Afghanistan and the UK. We have committed up to £20 million a year to support development in the province. This will help to build the capacity of Afghan institutions and promote economic and social development. The major obstacle to reconstruction and development in Helmand is the lack of security. The presence of the British military, in support of the Afghanistan national security forces, will help to overcome that obstacle and establish a better environment for the effective implementation of the Government of Afghanistan's national priority programmes.
Africa: G8 Investment
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
What proposals they intend to present to the G8 countries to bring about increased investment and development in African Union countries. [HL2490]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): The UK is working closely with German and other G8 colleagues to ensure a strong focus on Africa at the Heiligendamm summit in June. This will build on earlier G8 commitments to support investment and development in Africa, particularly those made at Gleneagles.
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Africa’s prospects have improved significantly over recent years, with average growth reaching 5.5 per cent in 2005. However, longer-term projections are uncertain. We will, therefore, highlight the importance of efforts to support sustained positive growth. We will emphasise fundamental requirements such as good financial governance, strengthened financial markets and a more conducive investment climate. We will also encourage continued G8 support to related Gleneagles initiatives, such as the Investment Climate Facility, the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund and the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa.
Agriculture: Tractors
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any plans to require that agricultural tractors be subject to MoT testing. [HL2598]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: We have no plans to include agricultural vehicles within the MoT scheme.
Animal Welfare: Wild Birds
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 20 February (WA 213), which stated that the Government could not press for a ban on the importation of wild caught birds, how this is compatible with the Prime Minister's letter to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which stated that the United Kingdom intended to press the European Union to extend indefinitely the ban on the commercial importation of wild birds. [HL2343]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The UK Government did press other member states and the European Commission to extend indefinitely the ban on the commercial importation of wild birds, with exceptions for recognised international conservation programmes. The European Union has voted for an indefinite ban on animal health grounds. The UK could not, however, press for a ban on welfare grounds, as this would not comply with World Trade Organisation agreements.
Armed Forces: Friendly Fire
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made to the Government of the United States regarding necessary standards of military training in order to avoid further United Kingdom Armed Forces deaths and injuries from friendly fire incidents. [HL2487]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): We have frequent exchanges on military channels concerning defence-related issues, including training, better collaboration on the ground and reducing friendly fire incidents. We have made regular representations to the US to encourage closer co-operation with UK inquests into deaths of British citizens in friendly fire incidents where there may have been US involvement, most recently on 8 March 2007.
Bahrain: Human Rights
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
What information they have received about the charges made against the chairman of the banned Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and Mr Hassan Mushaima, leader of Haq Movement of Liberties and Democracy, in Bahrain; and about the right of a person whose offence consists of distributing literature criticising the Government to challenge his prosecution as a violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. [HL2290]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): Mohammed Saeed Al Sahlawi and Hussain Al Habashi were convicted in January 2007 on the grounds of possessing leaflets calling on people not to vote in the November 2006 Bahraini elections. They were sentenced to custodial sentences of one year and of six months respectively. On 25 February 2007, the two men were released, following a royal pardon by the king.
The circumstances in which a prosecution can be challenged within a country depend on the laws of that country. Individuals claiming that a state has breached their rights under the covenant may submit written complaints to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, having first exhausted domestic remedies, if the state in question has signed up to this complaints mechanism. Bahrain has not done so.
British Citizenship
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether children of British mothers born overseas before 1961 are excluded from British citizenship, whereas those born subsequently have rights of citizenship equal to those of the children of British fathers; and, if so, whether they have any plans to change this policy. [HL2338]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): Since 1 January 1983, women have been able to pass on their citizenship to their children born overseas in the same way as men. Prior to that date, citizenship could be transmitted only through a British father. It was announced on 7 February 1979 that children aged under 18 of UK-born mothers could be registered as British citizens. In recognition of this, there is provision within the current nationality
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Buses
Lord Bradley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have made an assessment of how long it would take for a quality contract for bus services to go from proposal to implementation under the process set out in Putting Passengers First; if so, whether they will set out the stages and likely timescale for each stage; and whether they will place a copy of any material in support of these assessments in the Library of the House. [HL2163]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: Initial estimates informing our proposals contained within Putting Passengers First are that it might take between 14 and 20 months from consultation on a proposed quality contracts scheme to the scheme coming into operation. This is dependent on a number of variables, which are currently being discussed and developed further with stakeholders, including the traffic commissioners. The Government will publish an indicative timetable alongside the draft Road Transport Bill.
Chevening Scholarships
Lord Goodlad asked Her Majesty's Government:
What proposals they have for the future allocation and funding of the Chevening scholarships. [HL2534]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): Following a review of the Chevening scholarship programme last year, we have established as the objective of the programme building influence for the UK among the leaders of the future in support of the Government's international strategic priorities. Future decisions on allocations and funding will be taken in the context of the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review, but will be made against this objective. The programme will continue to operate worldwide, but with allocation weighted towards countries where we believe the Chevening programme can contribute most to support for delivery of the international strategic priorities.
Children: Physical Restraint
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will take steps to ensure that uniform records are kept of the use of restraint, including the age, gender and ethnicity of each subject, at young offender institutions, secure training centres and secure children's homes. [HL2155]
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The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The Youth Justice Board has been working with secure accommodation providers to develop common standards for recording and reporting restraint information. It has issued new counting rules and guidance to improve the comparability of data. The revised data collection framework will include a breakdown by sex and ethnicity. Age has not been identified as a factor influencing the use of restraint. The Youth Justice Board plans to collect data under the new rules from April 2007.
Children: UN Conventions
Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will withdraw their reservation under Article 37(c) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. [HL1561]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): We are currently reviewing the need for the reservation and will announce our conclusion in due course.
Consultants
Lord Howard of Rising asked Her Majesty's Government:
To which items of expenditure the consultancy fee of £400 million, announced by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on 21 November 2006, will apply. [HL2130]
Lord Davies of Oldham: Within the £400 million costs outlined at the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee hearing on 21 November 2006 are not only the costs of the delivery partner but the costs of site mobilisation; that is, the costs of getting the team on site, including site accommodation, of IT provision, and of new teams required by the ODA itself. The use of the delivery partner will help to ensure the highest levels of programme management and cost control.
Crime: EU Nationals
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 1 February (WA 72), how the Statements made by the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the House of Commons on 10 and 16 January and the press statement issued on 13 January provide information relating to the number of offences committed in England and Wales by individuals from other member states of the European Union. [HL2140]
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The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The Written Answer on 1 February referred to the general information available about the overseas crimes issue. Comprehensive details of offences committed in England and Wales by individuals from other member states of the European Union are not collected.
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they collect details of the number and type of offences committed in England and Wales by individuals from other member states of the European Union. [HL2141]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Comprehensive details are not collected. All recordable offences will be entered on the police national computer, but not all these records will include nationality.
Director of Public Prosecutions
Lord Tebbit asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether those responsible for the appointment of Sir Ken Macdonald as Director of Public Prosecutions were aware, when the appointment was made, of his conviction for a drug-related offence whilst a student. [HL2371]
The Attorney-General (Lord Goldsmith): Yes, as stated publicly by my office shortly after the appointment was announced in 2003.
Drivers: Working Hours Regulations
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 6 March (WA 29), how are offences brought to the notice of the administration concerned if the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency makes no record of foreign drivers breaking regulations. [HL2537]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: All offences relating to the use of heavy commercial vehicles from other member states are reported to the competent authority in the home state on a monthly basis. This is in relation to the company responsible for the operation of the vehicle, not specifically the driver. Few other member states have a driving licence endorsement system like our own.
The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) does not record the nationality of drivers prosecuted. VOSA does not generally prosecute non-UK resident offenders, as it cannot require the defendant to attend court, nor can any penalty given in their absence be enforced.
The Road Safety Act includes powers for the introduction of immediate financial deposits against penalties in relation to offences detected. VOSA and the Department for Transport are working to introduce these new powers by the end of 2007.
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Environmental Information Regulations
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether port authorities are obliged to disclose information under the Environmental Information Regulations. [HL2395]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): Port authorities may be obliged to consider disclosure of information under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) only if they are listed in Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act or fall within the definition of “public authority” set out in the EIRs because they carry out functions of public administration or otherwise meet the definition of a public authority for EIR purposes.
Environmental Justice
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many cases involving the public interest in environmental law have had orders for no costs since the Aarhus Convention was ratified; and what has been the net change since 2000 in (a) the money spent on legal aid; (b) the average legal costs in court cases involving environmental public law; and (c) the income threshold for legal aid. [HL2393]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): Information in relation to the number of orders for no costs and the average legal costs in environmental cases is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The amount spent on legal aid is not available, as the Legal Services Commission's information systems do not go down to this level of detail.
The net change in the gross income limit for civil legal aid since it was introduced in 2001 to the present is £4,200 per annum. From December 2001 until August 2002, the limit was £24,000 per annum and, from April 2006 to date, it has been £28,200. If the applicant has income in excess of the limit, funding is refused. If income is at or below the gross income limit, the Legal Services Commission assesses the applicant's disposable income to determine whether they are eligible for civil legal aid.
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