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Gershon Review: Defra
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay asked Her Majesty's Government:
In the case of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many (a) voluntary and (b) compulsory redundancies have been taken to date as a result of the Gershon review, what is the total departmental bill for each type of redundancy; and what is the natural wastage during the Gershon period to date for the department.[HL989]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): From 1 April 2004 to 30 November 2007, 764 voluntary redundancies and 22 compulsory redundancies have taken place.
The cost to the department of these is calculated as £59.7 million for the voluntary redundancies and £405,000 for the compulsory redundancies.
Over the same period, loss of staff from the department through natural wastage is calculated at 2,779.
HIV/AIDS
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
What systems they have in place to monitor the disbursement of £150 million for vulnerable children under their 2005-08 HIV AIDS programme; and how they propose to strengthen these systems. [HL670]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for International Development (Baroness Vadera): DfID is currently reviewing its system for tracking thematic expenditure following the results of the interim evaluation of Taking Action, the Government's Strategy for Tackling HIV and AIDS in the Developing World, published in May 2007, which suggested
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Indonesia: West Papua
Lord Harries of Pentregarth asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to the findings of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, Mr Manfred Novak, on the use of torture by Indonesian security personnel in West Papua. [HL952]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): We welcome the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Dr Manfred Novak’s visit to Indonesia in November 2007, following an invitation from the Indonesian Government. Dr Novak expressed concerns about abuses in a number of areas, but he noted the openness of prisons in Papua, including for those charged with political offences. Notwithstanding the very real concerns about treatment of detainees, Dr Novak acknowledged that Indonesia has come a long way in recent years and is trying to make positive progress on human rights.
The next step is for Dr Novak to prepare a full report with recommendations which will be put to the UN Human Rights Council, at which the UK is represented. We look forward to seeing this report.
Lord Harries of Pentregarth asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will make representations to the Government of Indonesia to allow freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with particular reference to the right of West Papuans to raise their independence flag. [HL953]
Lord Malloch-Brown: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not intend to make representations to the Government of Indonesia in support of raising the Papuan independence flag. Flying the Papuan national “Morning Star” flag is currently illegal under Indonesian law. Special autonomy legislation allows for the use of Papuan symbols and anthems, but the local legislation that is required to confirm the chosen symbols and anthems has yet to be passed. The UK supports the territorial integrity of Indonesia and therefore does not support independence for Papua.
Lord Harries of Pentregarth asked Her Majesty's Government:
What specific measures they are taking to promote peaceful dialogue between West Papuan leaders and the Government of Indonesia in the search for a resolution to the conflict in West Papua which takes into account the views of the West Papuan people. [HL954]
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Lord Malloch-Brown: We believe that the best way to resolve the issues in Papua is through promoting peaceful dialogue between Papuan groups and the Indonesian Government. We are in regular contact with Papuan activist groups in the UK, and encourage dialogue between them and the Government of Indonesia. Our embassy in Jakarta regularly discusses human rights issues, including in Papua, with the Indonesian Government. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Meg Munn, met the Governor of Papua, Barnabas Suebo, when he visited London on 25 October. They discussed the situation in Papua, including human rights and the implementation of the special autonomy law.
Kosovo
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
In the light of the latest situation in Kosovo, what steps they are taking to ensure that the specific competences of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, the United Nations interim administration mission in Kosovo and the potential European security and defence policy mission are clarified and made accountable to the people of Kosovo. [HL1035]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The UN mission in Kosovo has already handed over a substantial volume of government responsibilities to the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government. These institutions are accountable to the people of Kosovo through the democratic process. The people most recently expressed their will through free and fair elections on 17 November 2007.
The European security and defence policy mission has yet to begin. The European Council on 14 December underlined that the EU stands ready to play a leading role in strengthening stability in the region and in implementing a settlement defining Kosovo's future status.
Overall administrative responsibility for Kosovo currently lies with the UN Special Representative, Joachim Rocker, who is accountable to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.
Kosovo: EU Mission
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to ensure that the European Union mission in Kosovo is assisting the people of Kosovo with access to justice by all appropriate support including financial and human resources for the reform and development of the security and justice sectors of society. [HL994]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The 14 December 2007 European Council underlined that the EU stands
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The EU's security and defence policy rule of law mission to Kosovo will provide financial support and capacity building to the policing, judicial and customs sectors. An EU planning team has been working with the provisional institutions of self-government, civil society and other international actors for the past 18 months to prepare for the mission's arrival.
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are their priorities for the European Union mission to Kosovo in assisting in the reduction of endemic unemployment with particular reference to its potential consequences as a driving factor for conflict. [HL995]
Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government fully recognise the challenges in improving Kosovo's economic situation. Economic development is one of the main reasons that Kosovo needs clarity on its status. But there is no reason why Kosovo, with the long-term help and support of the international community, cannot make a success of its future.
The European Council on 14 December 2007 made clear the EU's readiness to assist Kosovo on the path towards sustainable stability, including with the deployment of a European security and defence policy mission. This mission will focus on policing and the rule of law. The EU also stated its readiness to assist economic and political development. Kosovo received €70 million in 2007 and will receive €120 million in 2008 from the EU's Instrument for Pre-Accession.
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their assessment in connection with the European Union mission in Kosovo of unscheduled power cuts, an uneven distribution of electricity and the difficulty encountered by people in paying outstanding utility bills, as causes of potential conflict. [HL996]
Lord Malloch-Brown: Unscheduled power cuts, an uneven distribution of electricity and a difficulty in paying—and enforcing payment of—utility bills are already a feature of daily life in Kosovo. These issues reflect the decrepit state of much of Kosovo's infrastructure which has seen inadequate investment over many years. Indeed economic recovery and investment in infrastructure is one of the main reasons that Kosovo needs clarity on its status.
The EU is already engaged in this area. Kosovo received €70 million in 2007 and will receive €120 million in 2008 from the EU's Instrument for Pre-Accession. Part of this funding is focused on cross-border co-operation—an essential element of ensuring a regular energy supply.
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Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are their priorities for the European Union mission in Kosovo in promoting an equitable solution to the energy supply problems there. [HL997]
Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government fully recognise the challenges in improving Kosovo's economic situation. Economic development, including in the energy sector, is one of the main reasons that Kosovo needs clarity on its status. But there is no reason why Kosovo, with the long-term help and support of the international community, cannot make a success of its future.
Passports: Entry Permits
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
What rights of entry into the United Kingdom are given to non-European Union passport holders who have been granted (a) temporary, and (b) permanent entry permits into another European Union country. [HL1005]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): Non-EEA nationals residing legally in another member state have no right of entry to the United Kingdom. Any request to enter is considered under the appropriate immigration rules.
Police: 999 Response Times
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the maximum response time target for a 999 call for police assistance; and which police forces in England have met this target over the most recent 12-month period. [HL1003]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The information requested is published in the annual reports of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). The latest available data refer to the 2004-05 financial year, and can be found in figure 8 of the HMIC annual report 2004-05. This publication is available via the Home Office website at www.officialdocuments.gov.uk/document/hc0506/hc08/0842/0842.pdf.
Police forces have individual targets for the time taken to respond to 999 calls, ranging from 10 to 15 seconds inclusive.
Prisoners: Mental Health
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the adverse effects of repeated transfers of prisoners on their mental health; and, if so, what steps they are taking to minimise this. [HL852]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): There is currently little information about the impact of imprisonment on people with mental health problems.
The Government are funding a three-year study on The Pathway of Prisoners with Mental Health Problems through Prison Health Services and the Effect of the Prison Environment on the Mental Health of Prisoners.
The study is due to complete in March 2008. Further information is available on the Department of Health's national research register at www.nrr.nhs.uk/ViewDocument.asp?ID=M0007172306.
The Prison Service’s instruction 3050 on the continuity of healthcare for prisoners sets out how prisons should ensure that health treatments are continued when a prisoner moves from one prison to another. The Department of Health document, the Offender Mental Health Care Pathway, reiterates this advice, specifically for prisoners with mental health problems.
Revenue and Customs: Data Security
Viscount Goschen asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the data security arrangements of HM Revenue and Customs, or its predecessor bodies, have ever been audited; and, if so, what were the conclusions of the most recent audit. [HL807]
Lord Davies of Oldham: HMRC Internal Audit conducts regular audits of aspects of the department's work. Data security is considered where appropriate across the internal audit programme and areas of concern are reported to senior management. HMRC Security and Business Continuity also undertakes a programme of assurance activity in respect of accredited IT systems.
On 20 November the Chancellor announced a review of HMRC's data handling procedures to be conducted by Kieran Poynter, chair of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The interim report was published on 17 December 2007 and copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses.
The National Audit Office also conducts audits of HMRC systems and processes and the noble Lord may wish to write to the Comptroller and Auditor-General.
Sudan: Abyei Boundary Commission
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made to the government of Sudan over the past two years in favour of the recommendations of the Abyei Boundary Commission; and with what results. [HL1101]
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The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): We have urged both the national Sudanese Government and the Government of Southern Sudan to resolve all issues that stemmed from their civil war and to implement fully the comprehensive peace agreement. We have encouraged representatives of the national Government to resolve the stand-off over Abyei which has lasted since the Abyei Boundary Commission reported to the Sudanese presidency in July 2005. However, we have not specifically pressed them to accept the recommendations of the Abyei Boundary Commission.
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