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British Commonwealth Occupation Force
Mr. David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to issue a campaign medal to those who served in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan in the years 1945 to 1948; and if he will make a statement. [115593]
Dr. Moonie: There are no plans to institute a medal for service in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan between 1945 and 1948. The Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals, which advises the Sovereign on all matters relating to the institution of medals, has a longstanding policy that it will not consider cases for the retrospective award of medals for service given many years ago.
Strategic Export Controls
Mr. Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to publish the numbers of weapons and items of equipment being exported from the United Kingdom in the next Annual report on Strategic Export Controls on a country by country basis; and if he will make a statement. [115425]
Mr. Hoon:
The Government will continue publishing details of weapons and equipment exported in the Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls using information obtained from the United Nations Conventional Arms Register and HM Customs and Excise. The Government are committed to strengthening the Arms Register and also to achieving greater international transparency in the sales overseas of major defence systems. Information relating to the two previous years is contained in Part III of the 1997 and 1998 Reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. It is planned to publish the 1999 Report later this year.
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Dr. Godman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussion he has had with other NATO countries about allowing members of the armed services to become members of trade unions; and if he will make a statement. [115145]
Mr. Spellar:
There have been no discussions with other NATO countries about this issue. Due to the unique nature of Service life it is Ministry of Defence policy not to have a Service trade union, or federation, for members of the Armed Forces. There are no plans for change.
The Ministry of Defence has agreements with a number of major trade unions, as well as concessions with professional associations, whereby Service personnel may be recognised as eligible for membership. No restrictions are placed on attendance at meetings of civilian trade unions, professional associations, or courses of instruction run by them intended to enhance trade skills and professional knowledge, provided Service uniform is not worn, Service duties are not impeded and no action is taken which would bring the Services into disrepute. It is important that the Armed Forces maintain a position of political neutrality. Service personnel may not therefore participate in industrial action, or any form of political activity organised by a civilian trade union, or professional organisation, to which they belong.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures have been put in place to ensure that overbreeding of animals at Porton Down is minimized; and if he will make a statement. [115272]
Dr. Moonie:
This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Sir John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 21 March 2000:
21 Mar 2000 : Column: 495W
I am replying to your parliamentary question about the animal breeding programmes at Porton Down since the laboratories are part of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).
As I explained in my letter to you on 19 January 1998 the animal species currently bred at Porton Down are mice, rats, marmosets, rhesus monkeys and a few pigs. Apart from the unusual circumstances arising in 1994/95, when 94 marmosets had to be culled, there has been no excess breeding of non-human primates. Any surplus pigs, as I explained previously, are sent to market.
As you know, the independent Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC) which reviews animal care and welfare arrangements within DERA addressed the issue of animal breeding during the period of its last report (31 October 1998 - 1 November 1999). In particular, the breeding of mice and rats was considered as this leads to the largest surplus. The Porton strain of mice and rats has been used for many years and the outcome of current research programmes relies on the accumulated background data derived from these strains. For this reason, the preferred option is to continue the rodent breeding programme at Porton. The alternative would be to purchase mice and rats from a supplier, which would mean carrying out additional experiments to produce base line data for the different strain.
The scientists at Porton are, of course, mindful of the need to minimise overbreeding in this area. Porton maintains a small number of breeding pairs of mice and rats to supply ongoing research programmes. The number of breeding pairs in the colony is adjusted to meet the estimated demand of the research programmes. Research programmes, however, are not entirely predictable and on occasions there may be an urgent need for animals. Estimates for animal use
are regularly reviewed. To an extent research programmes are adjusted either by bringing forward an experiment to use a surplus or, in the case of a shortage, utilising smaller groups over a longer period or by widening the weight range where possible.
The Committee was satisfied overall that the animals bred at Porton are well cared for and only culled when necessary. The AWAC report also pointed out that all culled rodents are donated to wildlife sanctuaries to feed wild birds and so are not wasted.
I hope that this is helpful.
Lawyers (Intimidation)
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received from the Law Society and Bar Council for Northern Ireland concerning allegations of intimidation of lawyers; what surveys or research have been undertaken to determine the extent of intimidation; what assessment he has made of (a) under-reporting of intimidation and (b) malicious or unfounded allegations; and if he will commission a study to determine the extent of intimidation and make recommendations. [111946]
Mr. Ingram [holding answer 2 March 2000]: The current Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has received no representations from the Law Society or the Bar Council for Northern Ireland concerning allegations of intimidation of lawyers.
On surveys and research, the Government are aware that the Independent Commission for Police Complaints undertook a survey into the specific area of complaints relating to allegations of improper conduct by police officers towards, or in respect of, solicitors. Furthermore, the Commission monitors and supervises all complaints of intimidation of lawyers or any attempts to undermine their professional integrity. I am not aware of other survey or research work.
On under-reporting, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers in his March 1998 report concluded that there had been under-reporting, again in relation to police complaints. I note that the Special Rapporteur recommended that solicitors should lodge formal complaints and that he welcomed the steps taken by the Law Society to introduce a complaints procedure for solicitors.
Given that there have been no representations by the Law Society or Bar Council, and that there are procedures for investigation of allegations (including the Law Society's own) and these are to be enhanced in respect of complaints about police conduct when the Police Ombudsman is introduced later this year, the Government are not currently persuaded that they should commission a study.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his reply of 19 January 2000, Official Report, column 445W, if he will set out the Government's response to the specific concerns about Mrs. Nelson's safety raised by the UN Special Rapporteur in his 1998 report. [113863]
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Mr. Ingram:
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers referred in his March 1998 Report to complaints made by Mrs. Nelson. The Government had already informed the Special Rapporteur that the complaints by, and on behalf of, Mrs. Nelson were under investigation, under the supervision of the Independent Commission for Police Complaints.
In addition, the Government had already sought, in February 1998, an assessment from the police on Mrs. Nelson's security. The RUC determined that they had no intelligence to substantiate a specific threat to Mrs. Nelson.
Mr. McNamara:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 24 January 2000, Official Report, columns 5-6W, if he will place in the Library a copy of the assessments of Mrs. Rosemary Nelson's security made by the RUC in February and August 1998. [113472]
Mr. Ingram
[holding answer 10 March 2000]: No. The assessments are confidential and are not made public. My reply on 24 January 2000, Official Report, columns 5-6W, however, indicated the outcome of the Chief Constable's threat assessments on Mrs. Nelson.
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