| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
18 Feb 2008 : Column WA1
Written Answers
Monday 18 February 2008
Afghanistan: Army Training
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ensure that no British Army infantry or support units will be sent to combat zones in Afghanistan unless they have been through the full training for new recruits or transferees from other units. [HL1705]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): There is no question of the British Army compromising on the high quality of training it provides either to recruits or to units preparing for operations.
Afghanistan: Military Involvement
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
What specific steps they have taken to avoid the involvement of British military forces in a lengthy campaign in Afghanistan. [HL1650]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): We have always made it clear that there is no solely military solution to the problems faced by Afghanistan. My right honourable friend the Prime Minister's Statement of 12 December (Official Report, cols. 303-07) outlined our approach and identified the need for the rejuvenation of the Afghan economy. Thus a comprehensive UK approach in support of the Afghan Government involving the MoD, FCO and DfID is in place. Together with the wider international effort this has resulted in over 5.4 million children now attending school, a third of whom are girls, and a 60 per cent increase in the number of functioning health clinics. These improved conditions have led to 4.8 million refugees returning to the country.
The Afghanistan Compact, agreed between the Afghan Government and the International Community in February 2006, set out clear development benchmarks with timelines against which progress is measured. We are focusing considerable energy and resources into the Afghan National Army, who will ultimately become responsible for the country's security; this is now bearing encouraging results.
Armed Forces: Future Aircraft Carrier
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
18 Feb 2008 : Column WA2
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): The conclusion of the manufacture contract is closely interlinked with the formation of the BAES/VT Joint Venture, to be called BVT Surface Fleet Ltd, which will receive the contract. We are working closely with these companies to place the manufacture contract for CVF.
Armed Forces: Future Rapid Effect System
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the contract for the initial phase of System of Systems Integrator support to the future rapid effects system programme was awarded in January. [HL1856]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): The Ministry of Defence has awarded an initial contract to undertake the System of Systems Integrator role on the future rapid effect system programme to the team of Thales (UK) and Boeing. The contract was signed on 24 January 2008.
Armed Forces: Helicopters
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Bob Ainsworth, on 9 October 2007 (Official Report, col. 200), when they expect the six additional Merlin helicopters to be in operational use. [HL1805]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): We expect that the first of the six additional Merlin helicopters will enter service in April 2008 and the rest later this year.
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Bob Ainsworth, on 9 October 2007 (Official Report, 73WS), what is the timetable for the conversion and delivery of the eight Chinook helicopters. [HL1806]
Baroness Taylor of Bolton: Conversion work started on the first Chinook Mk3 aircraft in February 2008. The first aircraft are expected to be available in the last quarter of 2009 and the rest will be delivered by mid-2010.
18 Feb 2008 : Column WA3
Arts: Funding
Lord Warner asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will support the Arts Council's proposal to cut by 17 per cent the budget of the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, Surrey. [HL1700]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The Arts Council operates at arm's length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for it. It would not be appropriate for Ministers to comment.
I understand that the Arts Council has revised its funding proposal for the Orange Tree Theatre. The theatre will now receive an inflationary increase on its existing grant for the next three years.
Banking: Société Générale
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that recent co-ordination measures by the tripartite financial supervision authorities will prevent abuses like the Société Générale case in France from occurring in the United Kingdom. [HL1652]
Lord Bach: Financial supervision is not a tripartite responsibility, but rather the job of the FSA. The regulatory objectives of the FSA are set out in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and are: market confidence; public awareness; the protection of consumers; and the reduction of financial crime. The measures taken by the FSA to address these objectives, including those aimed at reducing financial crime, are outlined in its yearly annual report and business plan publications.
Boundary Commission: Suffolk
Baroness Scott of Needham Market asked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to receive the findings of the Boundary Commission on local government in Suffolk.[HL1545]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): I refer the noble Lady to the Statement made in the other place on Wednesday 6 February 2008 (Official Report, col. 67WS).
Central-Local Concordat
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
What changes they propose to make to the policies and working arrangements of the Government Equalities Office following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) that “there should be a presumption
18 Feb 2008 : Column WA4
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): The Central-Local Concordat, agreed between the Government and the Local Government Association (LGA), on behalf of local authorities in England, was signed in December last year. It commits both parties to a framework of principles to secure a new relationship between central government and local government. Discharging the rights and responsibilities of central government and local government set out in the concordat will require major changes in the behaviour and practice of both parties. The operation of this agreement will be monitored on a continuing basis, through renewed central-local partnership arrangements.
The Government are discussing with the LGA how to take forward the concordat, focusing on its guiding principles and specific commitments. These include encouraging councils to make effective use of their power to promote the well-being of their area; enabling local government to conduct a growing share of the business of government; central government consulting and collaborating with councils in setting national policies and proposing legislation; reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes and the volume of guidance issued by central government to local authorities; supporting and encouraging strong leadership and effective partnership working at local level; and increasing local democratic accountability of key public services, in particular the police and health services.
A single set of 198 national indicators for local authorities and local authority partnerships was announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and consultation on detailed definitions of the set concluded on 21 December 2007, with the aim of announcing final decisions in February.
Local authorities across England are currently engaged in discussions with government offices on behalf of all government departments, including the Government Equalities Office, on the content of new local area agreements, which will take effect from 2008/09.
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
What changes they propose to make to the policies and working arrangements of the Ministry of Justice following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in
18 Feb 2008 : Column WA5
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): The Central-Local Concordat, agreed between the Government and the Local Government Association (LGA), on behalf of local authorities in England, was signed in December 2007. It commits both parties to a framework of principles to secure a new relationship between central government and local government. Discharging the rights and responsibilities of central government and local government set out in the concordat will require major changes in the behaviour and practice of both parties. The operation of the concordat will be monitored on a continuing basis, through renewed central-local partnership arrangements.
The Ministry of Justice is committed to the principles of the concordat and will continue to be involved in discussion with the Department for Communities and Local Government on how to take it forward, focusing on its guiding principles and specific commitments.
A single set of 198 national indicators for local authorities and local authority partnerships was announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and consultation on detailed definitions of the set concluded on 21 December 2007, with the aim of announcing final decisions in February.
Local authorities across England are currently engaged in discussions with government offices on behalf of all government departments on the content of new-style local area agreements, which will have effect from 2008-09.
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
What changes they propose to make to the policies and working arrangements of the Department for Communities and Local Government following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) that “there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central government undertakes to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”; (c) that the number of national
18 Feb 2008 : Column WA6
What instructions and advice are being given to regional development agencies concerning changes to their policies and working arrangements following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) “that there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central government undertakes to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”; and (c) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes; and [HL1835]
What instructions and advice are being given to their regional offices in England concerning changes to their policies and working arrangements following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) “that there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central government undertakes to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”; and (c) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes. [HL1836]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): The Central-Local Concordat, agreed between the Government and the Local Government Association (LGA), on behalf of local authorities in England, was signed in December last year. It commits both parties to a framework of principles to secure a new relationship between central government and local government. Discharging the rights and responsibilities of central government and local government set out in the concordat will require major changes in the behaviour and practice of both parties. The operation of this agreement will be monitored on a continuing basis, through renewed central-local partnership arrangements.
18 Feb 2008 : Column WA7
We are discussing with the LGA how we take forward the concordat, focusing on its guiding principles and specific commitments. These include encouraging councils to make effective use of their power to promote the well-being of their area; enabling local government to conduct a growing share of the business of government; central government consulting and collaborating with councils in setting national policies and proposing legislation; reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes and the volume of guidance issued by central government to local authorities; supporting and encouraging strong leadership and effective partnership working at local level; and increasing local democratic accountability of key public services, in particular the police and health services.
A single set of 198 national indicators for local authorities and local authority partnerships was announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and consultation on detailed definitions of the set concluded on 21 December 2007, with the aim of announcing final decisions in February.
Local authorities across England are currently engaged in discussions with government offices on behalf of all government departments on the content of new-style local area agreements, which will have effect from 2008-09.
In keeping with the 2006 local government White Papers, LAAs are negotiated agreements with flexibility for local authorities and their partners to reflect local priorities.
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
What procedures are being put in place to monitor and enforce compliance with the Central-Local Concordat across all government departments, offices and agencies; and where the responsibility for this work lies. [HL1838]
Baroness Andrews: The operation of the new Central-Local Concordat, agreed in December between the Government and the Local Government Association (LGA), on behalf of local authorities in England, will be monitored on a continuing basis through renewed central-local partnership (CLP) arrangements. We are discussing with the LGA the most effective arrangements for future joint working between government Ministers and leading local government councillors in England, under CLP arrangements.
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
| Next Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |