Previous Section Index Home Page


Genetically Modified Crops

Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in relation to the approved field trials of genetically modified crops, what evidence is (a) currently available and (b) in the process of being collected, in respect of (i) pollen transfer, (ii) horizontal gene flow to soil bacteria, (iii) changes in the nature of residues in the final product, with particular reference to neurotoxins, metabolites and those in its transgenic counterpart, (iv) transfer of genes from plants to micro-organisms, (v) transfer of genes between plant species and (vi) the impact on insect and wildlife in the local ecosystem. [78015]

Mr. Meacher: There is no readily available comprehensive list of all this work, though the more relevant papers are referenced in various DETR/Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment publications lodged in the Library or placed on the DETR internet site. Research into details of all the processes is continuing,

11 May 1999 : Column: 108

but mainly in Universities and relevant research institutes. The primary aim of the farm-scale evaluations is to investigate the impacts on wildlife populations and biodiversity in growing these crops on the field scale.

Rural Speed Limits

Mr. Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has (a) for the reduction of speed limits on country lanes and in villages and (b) to introduce a network of rural roads on which pedestrians, cyclists and horseriders will have priority over motorists. [83184]

Ms Glenda Jackson: The contribution speed limits can make in effectively managing speed on rural roads is one of the issues being considered within the current speed policy review. Local authorities will soon have the power to make 20mph limits/zones without the consent of the Secretary of State. The new legislation is likely to come into force later this month provided Parliament approves. Evidence suggests these limits are successful only in conjunction with measures that encourage the driver to slow down.

That aside, there is much that can be done within existing legislation and using proven techniques to protect walkers, cyclists and horseriders from the worst excesses of traffic on minor country roads. The Department is working with the Countryside Agency's Countryside Traffic Management Group to develop good practice guidance on rural traffic management designed with sensitivity to the countryside environment.

Environment Council

Mr. Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the subjects (a) he plans to raise and (b) he expects to be raised by others at the forthcoming Environment Council of 7 to 9 May. [83286]

Mr. Meacher: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 22 April 1999, Official Report, column 625. We have since been notified that there will also be two brief presentations during the Informal Environment Council, one on the integration of environmental issues into EU policies and the other on EU Enlargement. In addition, there will be opportunities for me to engage in informal discussions with other Environment Ministers on a wide range of current environmental issues.

Millennium Dome (Taxi Ranks)

Ms Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to provide taxi ranks at the Millennium Dome site. [83378]

Ms Glenda Jackson: The New Millennium Experience Company will be providing appropriate facilities for both taxis and minicabs at the Millennium Dome site.

Passenger Service Charge

Mr. Snape: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from the travel industry about the practice by airlines of separately listing the passenger service charge on air passenger tickets; what assessment he has made of the impact of the practice on the level of airfares; and if he will make a statement. [R] [83470]

Ms Glenda Jackson: We have received a number of representations on this issue, both from private individuals and from representatives of the travel industry, including the Guild of Business Travel Agents, the Institute of Travel Management, and the Association of British Travel Agents. I am examining, together with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, whether showing PSC as a tax may be in contravention of legislation on misleading price indications and trade descriptions. The Office of Fair Trading has written to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) about possible effects of separating out PSC and showing it as a tax in the context of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1994, and has asked IATA to cease representing PSC as a new tax.

Our general policy is to allow air fare levels to be determined by the market place wherever possible. However, before approving the separating out of PSC, the Civil Aviation Authority sought undertakings from British Airways (BA), the only UK airline with sufficient market share to enable it to bring market power to bear on fares, about the effect on fare levels. BA agreed to reduce its lowest fully flexible fare on such routes by the amount of the PSC, thus leaving the fare paid by the passenger unchanged. Within the EU, fares are governed by EC law. Nonetheless, on a number of intra-EU routes BA has undertaken to keep the total amount paid by passengers unaffected by the separation of the PSC. I understand that these undertakings have now been put into effect.

Green Transport Plans

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the introduction of a green transport plan for his Department. [82834]

Ms Glenda Jackson: Since last July's Integrated Transport White Paper, which set targets for the introduction of green transport plans for Government Departments, we have completed 16 plans to cover our headquarters and main buildings and will complete the remaining plan for the QEII Conference Centre shortly.

We are developing plans for all other key buildings in line with the target for March 2000 set in the Integrated Transport White Paper.

Waste

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Government are taking to reduce overall waste levels in the United Kingdom. [83624]

Mr. Meale: The Government will shortly be publishing for consultation their draft waste strategy for England and Wales, which will set out our proposed policies for reducing the levels of waste. Scotland and Northern Ireland will be producing their own strategies.

Porpoises

Ms Lawrence: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department has taken to protect harbour porpoises in United Kingdom waters. [82780]

Mr. Meale: The UK is taking measures to protect the harbour porpoise through a number of forums, both nationally and internationally. Areas of concern being addressed include by-catch, disturbance and pollution.

Strategic Rail Authority

Mr. Michael J. Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made in establishing the Strategic Rail Authority. [82792]

Mr. Prescott: Good progress is being made in establishing the Strategic Rail Authority. The shadow Strategic Rail Authority came into place on 1 April. A Bill to establish the SRA on a statutory basis will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Human Rights Fund

Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding is available under the human rights fund; and what projects were approved for funding in 1998. [83367]

Mr. Tony Lloyd: For financial year 1999-2000, £5.13 million has been allocated to the Human Rights Project Fund, £350,000 to the fund providing Support for International Human Rights Activities and £200,000 to the Commonwealth Human Rights Fund. A list of projects approved for funding under each of these budgets in financial year 1998-99 has been listed. The list of projects supported from the Human Rights Project Fund updates that given in reply to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Sir J. Stanley) on 13 July 1998, Official Report, columns 33-37.

11 May 1999 : Column: 109

Human rights project fund spending 1998-99

NumberPost/departmentProject descriptionAmount (£)
2AccraRadio Programmes to raise awareness of women's rights40,000
3AccraBuilding capacity of NGOs lobbying about the rights of the poor46,000
4African Department (Equatorial)Support to UN Commission on Arms Flows to Rwanda50,000
5African Department (Equatorial)Penal Reform International Initiative in Kigali10,328
6African Department (Equatorial)Support for Nigerian Election Process Initiatives179,731
7Addis AbabaAssistance to Ethiopian Human Rights Conference48,060
8Addis AbabaSupport for Ethiopian Women's Lawyer Association (EWLA)23,000
9Addis AbabaHuman Rights training for Regional Officials24,300
10Addis AbabaFunding for gender and development officer5,000
11Addis AbabaFilms for Street Children by Street Children28,500
12Addis AbabaProvision of legal books for Federal Supreme Court10,000
13AlmatyMedia and Governance Workshop18,858
14AlmatyPublication of Booklets on Human Rights2,869
15AlmatySupport to Seminar on Women's Political Participation4,500
16AmmanIntegrated Support to the Rights of the Child78,900
17AnkaraYoung Lawyer Exchange Scheme37,650
18AnkaraCitizen's Advice Bureau pilot project16,540
19AntananarivoImprovement of Preventive Detention Process35,288
20AshgabatAssistance to Information Centre and Library of the Institute of Democracy6,000
21AtlantaYoung and Human Rights5,000
22BangkokHuman Rights Education and Development Training Programme10,050
23BangkokPublic Education Programme for New Labour Protection Act6,455
24BelgradeAssistance with TV documentaries on human rights30,057
25BelmopanProvision of Training Materials and Support for Human Rights Promoters11,500
26BogotaSupport for rehabilitation of Child Prostitutes in Urban Colombia45,700
27BogotaTraining of teachers about detection and prevention of child abuse18,500
28BrasiliaTraining for Federal Government human rights officials20,000
29BrasiliaSupport to centre for street children23,000
30BrasiliaThe Life Institute--Shelter for street children16,000
31BrasiliaSupport to NGO working with street children23,000
32BrasiliaSupport to centre for street children8,500
33BrasiliaBritish Law Week25,000
34BridgetownCampaign to raise awareness about violence against women/children11,000
35BudapestVocational training for Roma in prison2,900
36Buenos AiresBritish Law Week15,000
37CairoSupport for Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights: Women's Legal Aid Project15,600
38CaracasLegal entitlement workshops for prisoners9,200
39CaracasPublication and distribution of report on human rights12,100
40CaracasJudicial Reform Project6,000
41CastriesTraining programme for St. Lucian prison officers13,500
42China Hong Kong DepartmentChild rights in China25,512
43China Hong Kong DepartmentBritish Law Week--Mock Trial50,000
44ColomboTraining for Health Officials and Police6,000
45DamascusIn-Service Training for Staff Responsible for Detention and Juvenile Centres in Syria15,000
46Dar es SalaamProduction and distribution of human rights booklets5,000
47Dar es SalaamContribution to Arusha peace talks50,000
48Dar es SalaamSupport to Arusha III peace talks50,000
49DhakaKnow Your Rights Media Campaign20,000
50DhakaBritish Law Week36,500
51DhakaStudy Tour to Promote Legal Awareness for Women32,690
52DominicaPrisons and magistrates courts reform project14,190
1DurbanCentre for Socio-legal Studies/Lawyers for Human Rights7,500
53DurbanSupport for programmes for community conflict management and resolution7,500
54Eastern Adriatic DepartmentTechnical Support for Radio B92 in Belgrade40,000
55Eastern Adriatic DepartmentSupport to Macedonian Prison Service4,000
56Eastern Adriatic DepartmentArticle XIX Balkans Media Seminar45,000
57Far Eastern and Pacific DepartmentSeminar on ethical and professional standards in the media65,208
58GaboroneSupport for work on administration of justice on violence against women7,100
59Guatemala CityContribution to Truth Commission62,000
60HarareProvision of CCTV equipment to victim-friendly court2,300
61HarareHuman Rights education radio series800
62HarareRights of the girl child education project4,900
63HoniaraSupport to Community Based Rehabilitation Programme National Workshop3,130
64HRPDParticipation in Oxford International Human Rights Course3,500
65HRPDUNICEF/BBC World Service project on broadcasting to children in conflict100,000
66HRPDSupport for NGO working group on rights for disabled children15,000
67HRPDHuman Rights and Policing Dissemination Project3,500
68HRPDSouth Asia Judicial Colloquium50,000
69HRPDPRI International Penal Reform Conference50,000
70HRPDECPAT Child Sex Tourism Awareness Campaign10,000
71HRPDDesign and Operation of Interactive HRPF Microsoft and Database18,289
72HRPDPilot Study on Non-Consensual Sex in Marriage30,000
73HRPDOne World Broadcasting Trust Conference on Media and Children's rights25,000
74HRPDProduction of Video Film on Human Rights Aspects of Records Management12,000
75HRPD OSCE/CoELaunch of manual on protecting the rights of street children5,000
76HRPD/CoEProposed NGO Training Seminar25,000
77HRPD/ODHIRAttachment of gender mainstreaming officer to OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights61,000
78HRPD/UKMIS GenevaSupport for UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women112,905
79JakartaEU Human Rights Seminar22,500
80JakartaAssistance to National Human Rights Commission and Legal Aid Foundation40,400
81Jakarta/South East Asia DepartmentBBC World Service Training in Support of Indonesian Election Process40,000
82JerusalemPalestinian Rights Programme348,000
83KampalaSupport for Ugandan Human Rights Commission30,000
84KampalaHuman Rights Education in Schools11,420
85KampalaSupport for "The Prisoner" Magazine3,000
86KathmanduRegional Seminar on Crimes Against Women and Children10,000
87KathmanduLegal Aid Service for Women Prisoners in Eastern Nepal9,500
88KathmanduTranslation of PRI Handbook on Good Prison Practice2,460
89KathmanduAttendance at International Conference on Penal Reform1,750
90KhartoumPublication and distribution of human rights material6,500
91KievFrom Declaration to Reality: Implementing Human Rights in Ukraine48,000
92KievChildren's rights awareness project26,600
93KievSupport for human rights NGOs33,400
94KievSupport to National Conference on Human Rights1,500
95KievPrinting of International Human Rights Documents for use by Police and Prison Officers4,000
96KingstonSupport for Jamaica Council for Human Rights14,500
97KingstonHuman Rights Lectures by British Law Lord1,700
98KingstownEquipment for prison workshop5,500
99KinshasaSupport for Documentation Centre for Legal Studies at Ministry of Justice53,000
100Kuala LumpurParticipation in Oxford International Human Rights Course4,000
101Kuala LumpurSupport to National Human Rights Society2,100
102Kuala LumpurSupport to Sisters in Islam Women's Group2,000
103KuwaitHuman rights seminar15,000
104Latin America DepartmentParticipation by representative of Northern Ireland Office in Peace Conference in Bogota2,000
105LagosPrison link units scheme17,000
106LagosPresidential Committee on Prison Decongestion and Reform17,300
107LimaContribution to Ad Hoc Pardon Commission78,800
108LimaSupport for radio programmes on human rights70,000
109LusakaVernacular Leaflets and Broadcasts on Governance10,000
110MaputoTraining for Government Officials and Women in Small Businesses24,000
111MaseruConversations With Abused Women and Children7,500
112MbabaneSupport for Human Rights Seminar1,500
113Mexico CityProject to promote awareness of women's rights161,600
114Mexico CityProduction of TV documentary on children's rights10,000
115Mexico CityHuman rights of HIV/AIDS sufferers: education and awareness project10,000
116MoscowDevelopment of links between human rights NGOs and the mass media21,240
117MoscowHuman rights of HIV/AIDS sufferers: education and awareness project23,000
118MoscowSupport for regional monitoring of human rights25,000
119MoscowProject to promote public access to information18,000
120MoscowPresidential Commission on Human Rights Conference on Teaching Human Rights5,000
121MoscowRegional Monitoring of Human Rights25,000
122MoscowYouth Human Rights Film Festival25,000
123MoscowSupport to "Express-Chronicle" Human Rights Newspaper31,250
124MoscowSupport for Early Intervention Centre for Disabled Children17,000
125MoscowRussian Women Lawyers Advocacy and Community Initiatives Project24,000
126MoscowInternational Journalists Congress11,160
127MoscowLaw and Mass Media25,000
128NairobiSupport to International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)20,000
129NairobiCivic education workshops to promote awareness of role of MPs17,900
130NairobiParticipation in human rights seminar in Belfast5,000
131NairobiMedical Aid to prisoners and torture victims85,000
132NairobiAdvocacy campaign to promote children's rights50,000
133NairobiRift Valley Law Society Link Project24,500
134NairobiGlobal March Against Child Labour17,000
135NairobiCross-Party Parliamentary Initiative on Consensus Building5,000
136New DelhiProject to raise awareness of human rights in prison management85,000
137New DelhiTraining and development of counselling skills for legal NGOs28,000
138New DelhiMainstreaming a Human rights Module in Civil Service Training27,500
139New DelhiProvision of books and information resources to human rights NGOs42,000
140New DelhiAssistance to Institute of Social Sciences11,000
141New DelhiPilot Study of Civil Society Mobilisation Against Caste Violence9,800
142PekingProfessional Ethics Seminar90,000
143PekingImpact of HR Conventions on National Legislation15,000
144PekingLegal Personality15,000
145PekingPublicity of British policing methods and judicial system55,000
146PekingTraining Video for Supreme People's Procuratorate35,000
147PekingHuman Rights Education27,000
148Phnom PenhTraining for provincial authorities by Cambodian Institute of Human Rights24,540
149Phnom PenhProgramme of support for street children51,160
150Port LouisMedia training8,000
151PragueEducation for Czech Roma Children Project40,000
152PretoriaSimunye News (community newspaper)3,800
153PretoriaSupport for 2nd African Human Rights Conference5,000
154PretoriaAll Africa Human Rights Moot Court Competition5,000
155PretoriaStrengthening links between African Human Rights NGOs10,000
156PretoriaMedia Training6,500
157PretoriaParticipation in Oxford International Human Rights Course10,000
158PretoriaCSVR Safe Schools Project50,000
159QuitoPromotion of women's participation in politics41,513
160South Asian DepartmentJoint human rights projects with UK company8,386
161Sana'aUK/Yemen Criminal Justice System66,000
162SantiagoSupport for implementation of prison reform4,534
163SarajevoHuman Rights Advocacy and Training (project to be completed FY 1999-2000)39,160
164SarajevoWomen's Advice and Support Centres15,000
165SEADUK/Philippines initiative on child welfare161,400
166SeoulSeminar on "Protecting the Vulnerable"11,800
167SingaporeParticipation in Wilton Park Conference on Promoting Press Freedom3,500
168TbilisiSupport to Human Rights Seminar2,172
169Tel AvivProduction of Human Rights Newspaper40,000
170Tel AvivHuman Rights Within the Community29,500
171TibilisiHuman Rights Media Training24,000
172UKMis GenevaSupport for UN Special Representative on Human Rights in Rwanda68,500
173UKMis GenevaWorld Organisation Against Torture Database42,500
174UlaanbataarTraining for members of the Mongolian prison service11,100
175UlaanbataarSupport for Mongolian National Centre Against Violence16,000
176VictoriaAudio/Visual Equipment for Victim Friendly Court8,230
177VilaAssistance to Vanuatu Ombudsman7,500
178WindhoekWalvis Bay Legal Advice Office6,700
Total4,952,485

11 May 1999 : Column: 115

Commonwealth human rights fund spending 1998-99

NumberPost/NGOProject descriptionAmount (£)
1Commonwealth Broadcasters AssociationFunding for fares of a number of delegates to attend Commonwealth Broadcasters Association general conference, Gibraltar13,250
2Commonwealth Lawyers Association/Commonwealth Parliamentary Association/ Commonwealth Legal Education Association/Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges AssociationJoint Colloquium on Parliamentary Supremacy and Judicial Independence: Towards a Commonwealth Model, Bucks, 15-19 June40,000
3Ottawa/Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative(Canadian) Non-Governmental Organisation Conference, Harare45,000
4BridgetownConference on children's rights, "Means of implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in a Commonwealth context"28,811.50
5Commonwealth Press Association (in association with Commonwealth Journalists)Production of draft "Commonwealth Statement on the Independence of the Press and the Journalists who work within it" Phase I: research on state of press law. Phase II: Wilton Park Conference30,000
6Commonwealth Broadcasters AssociationPart-funding Nigerian speaker at Commonwealth Broadcasting Association lecture, 19 October 1998 (Ms Ayo Obe, President, Civil Liberties Organisation, Nigeria)259.5
7Dar es SalaamWorkshop on Human Rights15,000
8New DelhiDevelopment by Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative of human rights curriculum for use by non-governmental organisations across the Commonwealth23,400
195,711

11 May 1999 : Column: 115

Support for international human rights activities 1998-99

NumberProject descriptionAmount (£)
1Contribution to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture130,000
2Support for the Office of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Disability20,000
3Support for the Office of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture36,700
4Annual Subscription to the Hague Peace Academy7,800
5Annual Contribution to the Permanent Court of Arbitration12,700
6Annual Contribution to the International Commission of Jurists15,000
7Consultancy fees for the preparation of United Nations Treaty Monitoring Body reports and to the Head of the United Kingdom Delegation to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights14,200
8Seminar at the 54th United Nations Commission on Human Rights (CHANGE)4,200
9Amnesty International, "Rights Idea Competition"4,300
10Minority Rights Group Seminar, "The Role of the Media in the Protection of Minorities"10,000
11Council for Education and World Citizenship, "Broadsheet on Child Rights"5,000
12British Council seminar at the 43rd Commission on the Status of Women5,000
13Save the Children Fund, Children and Torture Project30,000
14Catholic Institute for International Relations Conference, "Burying the Past"3,000
15Contribution to Nepalese Women's Non-Governmental Organisation for a representative to attend the 43rd Commission on the Status of Women1,000
16Death Penalty Panel Discussion at the 55th United Nations Commission on Human Rights10,000
17Contribution to the United Nations Association for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 50th celebrations5,000
313,900

11 May 1999 : Column: 117

11 May 1999 : Column: 117


Next Section Index Home Page