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3 July 2008 : Column WA53
Rates in the table are rounded to the nearest whole number.
- Note: In all cases, the results are based on a male who starts work aged 22 in 2012, with savings at the default level, phased in over a three-year period. The figures may therefore represent only a few years of saving at the 4 per cent individual contribution level. For example (d), this means that the hypothetical individual will have saved at the full level only for eight years. Those with small pension savings, resulting from few years of saving, would be able to trivially commute their pension pot.
Planning: Eco-towns
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the average number of weekday passengers using Elsenham railway station in each of the past 10 years; and what are the estimated equivalent
3 July 2008 : Column WA54
Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Department for Transport does not hold information on the number of rail passenger journeys made at Elsenham station.
This information may be available by contacting the Association of Train Operating Companies directly at the following address: ATOC Ltd, 3rd Floor, 40 Bernard Street, London, WC1N 1BY.
The planning application for any eco-town location will need to be supported by a comprehensive transport assessment. Until this has been completed, the impact of an eco-town development on train services cannot be determined.
Post Offices: Card Account
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are their plans for the future of Post Office card accounts; what recent discussions they have had with Post Office Ltd regarding the future of card accounts; and when they plan to make an announcement on the future of the contract. [HL4398]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton): I refer the noble Lord to my Written Answer of 24 June 2008, volume 702, col. WA 237.
Officials have regular discussions with Post Office Ltd about the day-to-day management of the existing Post Office card account contract. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on discussions that may have taken place as part of the procurement for the Post Office card account successor.
Railways: Rolling Stock
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many requests they have received in the past 18 months from train operating companies for redeployment of rolling stock between those companies. [HL4361]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: The deployment of fleets between train operators is an operational issue for the operators to manage.
Schools: Concessionary Travel
Lord Lucas asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will encourage local authorities and local transport executives to co-operate with a view to enabling school pupils, in particular pupils at sixth-form and further education colleges, to benefit from concessionary travel arrangements when travelling to schools and colleges in their local area. [HL4356]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Children, Schools and Families (Lord Adonis): We do encourage local authorities and passenger transport executives to work together to ensure that children and young people can get to school or college. Outside London, local authorities and passenger transport authorities have discretionary powers under Section 93 of the Transport Act 1985 to offer concessionary travel to young people in full-time education.
It is for local authorities and passenger transport executives to determine locally what arrangements, including concessionary travel arrangements, might be made available to young people in their area.
Terrorism: Northern Ireland
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Bolton on 18 June (Official Report, WA 173—74), whether the implementation team working on details relating to the new scroll and emblem to be awarded to families of personnel who die on operations or as a result of terrorist action will receive representations from Northern Ireland; whether anyone on the team is familiar with local Northern Ireland circumstances between 1970 and 1998; and whether they will provide further information about the implementation team. [HL4366]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): As part of its consultation process, the implementation team welcomes any representations. In order that they can be fully considered, representations should be made by 31 July 2008. The team can be contacted directly at the following address: Died on Operations Recognition Implementation Team, Ministry of Defence, Level 7 Zone J, Main Building, London, SW1A 2HB.
The implementation team is led by Brigadier Stephen Gledhill and supported by a military staff officer and a civil servant. The team has had extensive operational and policy experience of Operation Banner, the military operation in Northern Ireland between 1969 and 2007. The sensitivities relating to operations in Northern Ireland will be fully considered by the implementation team, although how far back the recognition should go and who will receive it are still being considered as part of the team's deliberations.
Waste Management: Brofiscin Quarry
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Environment Agency or the Environment Agency Wales sought the written
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The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): Part I of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 governs the application and approval of interception warrants. Neither the Environment Agency nor the Environment Agency Wales is permitted to make an application for an interception of communications warrant by virtue of Section 6 of the Act. It is the established policy of successive Governments, and in accordance with the duties imposed by Section 19 of the Act, to neither confirm nor deny in response to questions as to whether or not interception has taken place in a particular case.
Zimbabwe: Asylum Seekers
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will release Zimbabwean asylum seekers currently held in immigration detention pending removal, as there is no prospect of their imminent return to Zimbabwe. [HL4460]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): Detention is an essential element in the effective enforcement of immigration control, in particular in support of our removals strategy. Continued detention of individuals is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Zimbabwe: Military Intervention
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
In what circumstances they would support a United Nations-sponsored military intervention in Zimbabwe. [HL4425]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): We do not believe military intervention is the best way in the current circumstances to bring change and reform to Zimbabwe. African regional organisations and neighbouring countries continue to lead political and diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
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