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GM Plants
Dr. Gibson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to visit a research laboratory engaged in research into genetically modified plants. [116565]
Marjorie Mowlam: I have recently accepted an invitation to visit the John Innes Centre in order to learn more about the implications of GMO's for the environment and their potential applications in UK industry and agriculture. I meet a range of outside organisations as part of the Government's ongoing dialogue on biotechnology, including environmental groups, consumer bodies and industry representatives. The UK's commitment to a science based approach to biotechnology which protects public health and the environment is made clear in all such discussions.
US International Trade Commission
Mr. Fabricant: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) for what reason, when her officials met analysts from the United States International Trade Commission during the last two weeks, they advised the analysts not to meet hon. Members; [116313]
- (2) what representations her Department has made to visiting analysts from the United States International Trade Commission in respect of their inquiry on behalf of the United States Senate Finance Committee on the impact on the United States economy of including the United Kingdom in NAFTA. [116316]
Mr. Stringer: I refer to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Official Report, column 285W.
Privy Council Judicial Committee
Ms Roseanna Cunningham: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans there are for the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to meet in Scotland when dealing with Scottish devolution or European Convention on Human Rights cases. [116518]
Mrs. Beckett:
I have been asked to reply.
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There are presently no plans for the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to sit in Scotland.
Ms Roseanna Cunningham:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) Scottish legal texts, (b) Scottish session cases and (c) other Scots law books are held by the Privy Council; and if she will place a list of all such material in the Library. [116517]
Mrs. Beckett:
I have been asked to reply.
As at 29 March 2000 there were 16 volumes of Scottish legal materials held in the library of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Details are as follows:
Ms Roseanna Cunningham:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what resources are available to the Privy Council this year to purchase Scottish texts, Scottish sessions cases and Scots law books. [116519]
Mrs. Beckett:
I have been asked to reply.
An additional sum of £20,000 has been allocated on the current year's allowance for the acquisition of textbooks and other reference material for use for the purposes of devolution appeals and references to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what plans he has to introduce legislation to ensure higher levels of compensation from pharmaceutical companies to those suffering from the deleterious effects of the prescribed use of drugs. [116986]
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Mr. Lock:
The level of damages is a matter of common law for the courts to decide, in their own independent sphere. The Government have no plans to introduce legislation on levels of damages in the categories of cases specified.
Dr. Starkey:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what was the annual cost of legal aid in spousal maintenance cases in each of the last five years. [116707]
Mr. Lock:
The Legal Aid Board does not record separately expenditure on spousal maintenance cases. I am, however, able to provide information on expenditure in respect of all ancillary relief cases, which includes both child maintenance and spousal maintenance:
Laws of Scotland 1828 (comprising Laws and Acts of Parliament)
Erskine's Institute of the Law of Scotland--(1871)
Stair's Institutions of the Law of Scotland--(1832)
Bell's Principles of the Laws of Scotland--(1899)
Bell's Commentaries on the Laws of Scotland--(1826) 5th and (1858) 6th
Bell's Dictionary Scotch Law A-E
Bell's Dictionary Scotch Law F-Z
Compendium of English & Scotch Law (Paterson)--(1865)
Session Cases (Cases decided in the Court of Session and also in the Court of Justiciary etc. and House of Lords)--(1998) and (1999)
Scots Law Times (Reports) (News. Sheriff. Lord)--(1998) and (1999)
The Scotland Act (Hinsworth & Munro)--(1998).
In addition the following are on order and due to be delivered shortly: a set of Sessions Cases from 1821; a set of Scots Law Times Reports from 1893; the Parliament House Book (five volumes); Current Law Statutes; together with updating material on the above as it is issued.
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1993-94 | 47.6 |
| 1994-95 | 45.9 |
| 1995-96 | 51.6 |
| 1996-97 | 54.9 |
| 1997-98 | 53.5 |
The figures provided are derived from closed cases. A case is regarded as closed when all outstanding matters relating to the certificate are completed. They may include payments made in more than one year. Due to changes in the Legal Aid Board's computer systems, we do not have as yet closed case data for 1998-99.
Magistrates Courts
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what steps he is taking to ensure that justices of the peace are properly valued in the criminal justice system. [R] [116971]
Jane Kennedy:
More than 95 per cent. of criminal cases begin and end in the Magistrates courts. They also deal with many family, civil and licensing matters. Magistrates courts play a key role in our system of justice. I and my colleagues take every opportunity to make it clear publicly how much we value the work of Justices of the Peace. Their voluntary contribution to civic life is much appreciated by this Government. They put great time and effort into their judicial duties, in their own time and without any remuneration.
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Mr. Sheerman:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent research his Department has commissioned into the level of truthfulness and accuracy of financial statements of personal circumstances provided by those who have been found guilty in magistrates' courts. [116943]
Mr. Sheerman:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what action his Department takes to ensure that magistrates' courts provide facilities for magistrates that are of a high standard. [R] [116942]
Jane Kennedy:
The Lord Chancellor's Department has issued guidance to Magistrates Courts Committees and local authorities on the type of facilities it is expected should be provided in new or refurbished court buildings. Provision of such facilities is a matter for the Magistrates Courts Committee and local authority.
Mr. Sheerman:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to ensure that magistrates courts check the financial details provided by defendants. [116941]
Jane Kennedy:
Magistrates Courts Sentencing Guidelines shortly to be produced by the Magistrates' Association, with the support of the Lord Chancellor, are expected to remind magistrates that section 18 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 requires courts to look into the financial circumstances of the offender before fixing the amount of a fine. If magistrates are not satisfied with the information available, they are able to adjourn the case for further information to be given.
Mr. Don Foster:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what (a) number and (b) percentage of properties in his charge are empty; and what steps are being taken by his Department to reduce the number of such properties. [116916]
Jane Kennedy:
The Court Service currently has six vacant properties and holds vacant space in another six Government buildings. In total this represents 3.1 per cent. of the Court Service estate. Of the six vacant buildings, five are being actively marketed and the Court Service is actively trying to negotiate early surrender of the sixth. Of the space held in the six other Government buildings, the Court Service is about to serve notice to terminate occupation in two. Attempts are being made to sub-let or negotiate early surrender of the remainder.
The Northern Ireland Court Service currently has three properties vacant which represents 9 per cent. of its estate. These three properties are in the late stages of disposal.
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