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Commonwealth Institute
Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy in respect of the future of the Commonwealth Institute; what proposed legislation will affect the Commonwealth Institute; what recent discussions he has had with the management of the Commonwealth Institute; and if he will make a statement on the outcome of those discussions. [2900]
Mr. Hanley: Discussions have been under way since July this year between Ministers and the executive committee of the Commonwealth Institute on its future operation after March 1996. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met the chairman, vice-chairman, director general and chairman of the Commonwealth Institute, Scotland on 24 October to discuss future policy. The annual general meeting on 5 December will allow future options after March 1996 to be considered.
Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States
Ms Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will supply figures for the amount of money allocated from the TACIS programme for the environment; and what percentage of the total money allocated this represents. [1234]
Mr. Hanley [holding answer 27 November 1995]: The amount committed under TACIS to the environment and nuclear safety sector from its inception up to the end of 1994 was 321 mecu--£242.44 million--representing 18.4 per cent. of total commitments.
Land Mines
Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what part the United Kingdom has played in the clearance of land mines throughout the world. [835]
Mr. Hanley [holding answer 29 November 1995]: We have provided more than £17.3 million over the last four years for humanitarian mine clearance operations in Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, northern Iraq, Laos, Mozambique, Rwanda, north-west Somalia, and Yemen.
Gambia
Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Gambian regime to ensure that free and fair elections are held in July 1996. [2754]
Mr. Hanley [holding answer 28 November 1995]: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development had the opportunity to discuss our concerns with representatives of the regime at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Auckland and to press for a rapid return to a civilian democracy and for the full respect of human rights. The Gambia should benefit from the Millbrook
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programme, which is intended to advance Commonwealth fundamental political values and support the practice of Harare principles.
Mr. LLoyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received about the human rights situation in the Gambia in the last year; and if he will make a statement. [2753]
Mr. Hanley [holding answer 28 November 1995]: We have received numerous representations from individuals and human rights organisations on the Gambia. We have repeatedly called on the regime to respect human rights and demonstrate its own stated commitment to return the Gambia to a civilian democracy in July 1996 by lifting the ban on political activity.
Nigeria
Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what international discussions he has had on the possibility of freezing the assets and accounts of the members of the Nigerian military regime. [2597]
Mr. Hanley [holding answer 27 November 1995]: We continue to consult closely with Commonwealth, European Union and other United Nations partners on all aspects of our policy towards Nigeria.[2566]
Mr. Lloyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy in respect of Nigeria was agreed within the European Union on 20 November; and how the United Kingdom will implement it. [2598]
Mr. Hanley
[holding answer 27 November 1995]: On 20 November the European Union adopted a common position introducing visa restrictions on civilian Ministers and their families, a full arms embargo and a suspension of non-humanitarian aid. The measures agreed on Nigeria in 1993 remain in force. New and existing measures will be strictly implemented by the United Kingdom.
Mr. Lloyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has received from, and what meetings it has held and on which dates, with the Nigerian-British Society since November 1993.
Mr. Hanley
[holding answer 27 November 1995]: We are not aware of any such society. My noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development met a combined group from the British-Nigeria Association and the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce on 15 May, and held a meeting with representatives of the British-Nigeria Association on 24 August. Officials also have regular contact with these and other such organisations.
Mr. Lloyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what instructions were issued to the high commission in Lagos to organise meetings with representatives of (a) Shell and (b) the Ogoni people; what meetings were organised; and if he will make a statement. [2292]
Mr. Hanley
[holding answer 24 November 1995]: Our high commission in Lagos has had regular meetings with Shell, as it does with other companies operating in Nigeria
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as a matter of routine. It has also had regular meetings with a wide variety of groups in Nigeria, including representatives of Ogoni groups.
Mr. Winnick:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the export of arms to Nigeria in the last two years; and what is the current policy. [2254]
Mr. Hanley
[holding answer 24 November 1995]: Previous policy was set out in the answer given to the hon. Member for Clydebank and Milngavie (Mr. Worthington) on 2 December 1993 at column 676. On 11 November, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a full UK arms embargo against Nigeria. On 20 November, the European Union agreed to strengthen existing restrictions on arms sales to Nigeria through a full arms embargo.
Mr. Gerrard:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has held recently with the Government of Sri Lanka regarding provision of humanitarian aid to the Jaffna region of Sri Lanka; [2050]
(2) what discussions he has held recently with representatives of the United Nations regarding provision of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka. [2049]
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with the Sri Lankan Government about offering food and medical supplies to people living in the northern area of Sri Lanka, with particular reference to Jaffna to alleviate suffering and hardship caused by the present conflict; and if he will make a statement; [1782]
(2) what discussions he has had with the Sri Lankan Government on food and medical aid being made available by the British Government to the Tamil community in northern Sri Lanka; [1705]
(3) what reports he has received from the British high commissioner in Sri Lanka on the present conflict that is taking place, with special reference to the facilities which exist to help people who have become refugees as a result of the conflict; and if he will make a statement. [1702]
Mr. Hanley:
The high commissioner in Colombo has frequent and extensive discussions with the Sri Lankan Government and with relief agencies about the conflict and the humanitarian situation in the north of the country.
I refer the hon. Members to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Ilford, South, (Mr. Gapes) on 21 and 22 November at columns 67-8 and 111.
Research and Development
Mrs. Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the indicative contributions to the EU Budget in respect of research and development for his Department in 1993-94. [1914]
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Sir John Wheeler: Table 2.1 of the statistical supplement to the "Forward Look of Government-- funded Science, Engineering and Technology" contains indicative figures for the United Kingdom's contributions to the EC budget in respect of research and development. My Department does not have any policy responsibilities for Community R and D expenditure.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Child Support Agency
Ms Lynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the figures on revenue collected by the Child Support Agency in his answer of 21 June, Official Report, column 252, with reference to the latest data available and also show for each month since April 1994 (a) the amount of revenue demanded attributable to type A interim assessments and (b) the amount which offsets state funds. [2266]
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 28 November 1995:
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I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about revenue collected by the Child Support Agency.
You asked for updated information on maintenance assessed, scheduled for payment and collected via the Agency collection service. The available information on maintenance scheduled for payment and collected by the Agency is set out in the attached table, together with how much of the maintenance collected each month has offset benefit spending. During 1994-95, 65% of maintenance collected offset benefit spending, compared with 54% to date this year.
Additionally, between April and September 1995 £61.46 million arising from Agency assessments was paid direct between parents who do not use the Agency's collection service.
Information on the amount of revenue attributable to Type 'A' interim assessments is not available.
I hope this is helpful.
Assessed and scheduled for payment via Agency collection service Paid via Agency collection service Amount collected which offsets benefit spending
Total 1993-94 107.54 12.57 5.70
1994
April 27.82 3.70 1.78
May 30.43 4.04 1.82
June 32.33 4.66 2.36
July 43.31 4.80 3.08
August 42.64 5.75 3.43
September 47.41 6.10 3.75
October 44.81 6.47 3.53
November 45.95 7.03 4.30
December 53.98 7.09 3.87
January 43.56 7.85 4.52
February 43.48 7.66 5.85
March 49.05 9.09 9.65
Total 1994-95 504.77 74.24 47.94
1995
April 45.44 7.92 4.11
May 45.06 8.99 5.58
June 47.43 9.31 5.36
July 41.87 9.12 4.73
August 42.24 9.70 5.16
September 46.33 10.36 5.21
Year to date 1995-96 268.38 55.40 30.16
Mr. Jim Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what procedure exists for the payment of arrears to the Child Support Agency by instalments. [2387]
Mr. Mitchell: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Jim Cunningham, dated 28 November 1995:
Mr. Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will say what the procedure is for collecting arrears of Child Support from a husband who pays directly to his wife. [2386]
I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about payments of arrears by instalments to the Child Support Agency.
If an absent parent (AP) falls into arrears without contacting the Agency then every effort is made to get in touch with him to determine why payments have fallen behind. He will be asked to make up the missing payments, but if there is a problem, the Agency arranges an arrears agreement with the AP.
The arrears agreement negotiated is based on the amount of debt and the AP's ability to pay. It is made clear to the AP that he will not be expected to pay more than 33% of his net income in regular payment and arrears.
The welfare of any children involved is considered when deciding how much to enforce and officers are trained to negotiate the most reasonable level of payment in the interests of all parties.
Where arrears are in respect of the initial payment period, the possibility of deferring debt other than that appropriate to the most recent 26 weeks can be considered in certain circumstances, where the delay in making the assessment has been substantially due to the Agency. In these circumstances, the arrears agreement is based on that 26 weeks arrears total.
I hope this is helpful.
Mr. Mitchell: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Mr. Jim Cunningham, dated 28 November 1995:
29 Nov 1995 : Column: 744
I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about collection of arrears by the Child Support Agency.
Where child maintenance is paid directly to the parent with care (PWC) by the absent parent (AP), the Agency only becomes aware of arrears when the PWC get in touch to advise us of the AP's
failure to pay. If the PWC wishes the Agency to pursue the arrears she may do so by requesting the collection and enforcement service at any time. The current moratorium of fees means that no further fee will be levied for this service.
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of deduction of earning orders issued by the Child Support Agency since April 1994 (a) against type A interim assessments and (b) against full maintenance assessments. [2267]
If we are asked to undertake collection and enforcement action, the Agency confirms the amount of unpaid maintenance with the AP and arranges an arrears agreement with him. Collection is then made via the Agency so that we can monitor the arrears agreement and take any necessary action to ensure regular payments of maintenance, including enforcement action if this becomes essential.
I hope this is helpful.
Mr. Mitchell: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 28 November 1995:
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give a breakdown of the weekly maintenance being paid in cases where absent parents are paying child support maintenance by way of a deduction of earnings order. [1238]
I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency assessments.
From April 1994 to September 1995, 54,093 deduction of earnings orders have been issued by the Agency. Of these 14,478 were issued on interim maintenance assessments and 39,615 on full maintenance assessments.
I hope this is helpful.
Mr. Mitchell: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 28 November 1995:
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Child Support Agency cases have arrangements to pay via the agency's collection service; and how many are (a) fully paid and (b) partially paid indicating the numbers of (i) type A interim maintenance assessments and (ii) full assessments. [1237]
I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about Child Support Agency deduction of earnings orders.
The latest information I am able to supply is that the Child Support Agency is currently collecting in excess of £996,000 maintenance per week from absent parents, by means of deductions of earnings orders.
I hope this is helpful.
Mr. Mitchell: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Miss Ann Chant to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 28 November 1995:
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(19) Full compliance--no payments outstanding.
(20) Partial compliance--at least one payment received in the last 13
weeks. I hope this is helpful.
I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about cases using the Child Support Agency collection service. The breakdown you requested is shown in the table.
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what criteria have to be fulfilled for an absent parent to be classified as making regular maintenance payments. [1236]
Number of cases involving type A interim maintenance assessments Number of cases involving full maintenance assessments
Fully paid(19) 6,545 39,661
Partially paid(20) 15,979 73,789
Not paid 60,947 17,370
Total 83,471 130,820
Mr. Mitchell: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Miss Ann Chant. She will write to the hon. Member.
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