| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
21 Mar 2007 : Column WA191
Written Answers
Wednesday 21 March 2007
Afghanistan: Civil Society Organisations
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish a summary of the United Kingdom's aid to civil society organisations in Afghanistan that are promoting human rights, equality, and the rule of international law; and what assessment they have made of the combined effects of international aid in these sectors on public opinion in Afghanistan.[HL2615]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): Each year the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) publishes a comprehensive summary of the UK's aid to civil society organisations promoting human rights, equality, and the rule of law overseas in the FCO 2006 Annual Human Rights Report (published in October 2006). Copies are available in the Library of the House. The report provides an overview of the main challenges to human rights in Afghanistan and explains the Government's activities to promote human rights throughout the country. After more than 25 years of conflict, Afghanistan's reconstruction and development remains a long-term endeavour. Challenges remain, particularly in the south. But the 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.
The ABC News/BBC World Service poll is available at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/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 www.asiafoundation.org/Locations/afghanistan_ survey06.html.
Information on the Afghanistan National Development Strategy is available at www.ands.gov.af.
21 Mar 2007 : Column WA192
British Citizenship
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will bring forward legislation to allow women to transmit their British citizenship to their children who were born to foreign fathers overseas before 7 February 1961. [HL2548]
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, but it was announced on 7 February 1979 that children aged under l8 of UK-born mothers could apply to be registered as British citizens.
In recognition of the fact that some may have learnt of the concession too late to benefit from it, we have removed the condition that the applicant must be under 18 on the date of the application. However, there are no plans to extend the option of registration to those born before 7 February 1961 as they could not, in any event, have benefited under the concession announced in 1979.
Cement
Lord Lewis of Newnham asked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted in the production of one tonne of cement; and what is the estimated total emission of carbon dioxide in the production of cement in the United Kingdom and the European Union. [HL2485]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The UK calculates emissions from cement production as part of the greenhouse gas inventory. Emissions occur both from fuel combustion in the cement sector to provide heat for the calcination process, and from the calcination process itself.
Emissions of CO2 in 2004 from fuel combustion in the cement industry amounted to 4,661.6 thousand tonnes and emissions associated with the cement production process were 5,455.7 thousand tonnes. This equates to a total emission of 10,117 thousand tonnes of CO2. Total clinker (the main raw material for making cement) production was 10,813 thousand tonnes—emissions of carbon dioxide from the UK cement industry in 2004 were therefore approximately 0.94 tonnes per tonne of clinker produced.
Comparable emissions from fuel combustion are not available for the EC or for other European countries, since these are reported combined with other sectors as “other industry”.
Emissions associated with the calcination process, however, are available. The table below contains emissions of CO2 for a number of European
21 Mar 2007 : Column WA193
| Clinker produced (kt) | CO2 emission (kt) | IEF (kt/kt) | |
Other greenhouse gases are not emitted as part of the production process, only as a result of the associated fuel combustion. Emissions of methane and N2O are small—0.54 thousand tonnes and 0.17 thousand tonnes in 2004, respectively.
Children: Community Sentences
The Earl of Listowel asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are reviewing the balance between the surveillance and support elements of sentences served by children in the community. [HL2460]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The Government recognise that in order to be effective community sentences for young offenders must tackle offending behaviour, address educational and social problems and encourage young offenders to take responsibility for their behaviour. That is why we have introduced sentences which have expanded the range of non-custodial sentencing options available to the courts and offer flexible interventions to deal with offending behaviour and provide rehabilitative opportunities while also managing risk and protecting the public.
21 Mar 2007 : Column WA194
While the effectiveness and application of the community sentencing framework is subject to monitoring by the Home Office and YJB, there is no current review of the balance between the surveillance and support elements of community sentences served by young people.
| Next Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |