House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 26 Feb 2002 (pt 23)

Working Conditions and Practices

Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in his Department; how much compensation has been paid to employees; how many work days have been lost due to work-related stress, and at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress, and at what cost, in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [35925]

Mr. Bradshaw: Information on cases of work-related stress is not held and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. No compensation has been paid to employees as a result of work-related stress.

As part of the Government's Revitalising Health and Safety initiative, the FCO commissioned a stress audit by external consultants, who reported in 2001. An action plan was subsequently produced to implement the consultant's recommendations. Under the direction of an action group, management courses are now being redesigned to ensure that staff are better trained to recognise and deal with work-related stress; health promotion activities have been enhanced; and ways of improving existing access to confidential advice and support are being investigated. Since these activities form part of the ongoing work of the FCO's Administration, it is impossible to identify the costs involved separately.

Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of the effect of the Working Time Directive on his Department's employees; how many employees are working in excess of 48 hours per week; what steps he is taking to reduce this number; and if he will make a statement. [35887]

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Mr. Bradshaw: The FCO is committed to reducing the number of its employees working long hours. In order to balance this commitment with the requirements of running a round-the-clock business world-wide, we have concluded an agreement on Working Time with the Trades Unions representing our employees.

Secondments

Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names of staff who have been seconded to his Department from the private sector since May 1997, indicating (a) the names of the organisation from which each has come, (b) their responsibilities and Civil Service grades within his Department, (c) the organisation responsible for paying their salary and (d) the start and end dates of their secondment. [35837]

Mr. MacShane [holding answer 12 February 2002]: We cannot divulge the exact details requested by the hon. Member without the permission of the seconding organisations. Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice to Government Information applies.

However, since May 1997 there have been 63 members of the private sector seconded into the FCO, 46 of whom did so under the Short-Term Business Attachment Scheme (STBAS). These secondees have all been appointed into middle management range posts (i. e. DS5, D6, C4). As for most forms of interchange, departments have borne their own staff's salary costs. The duration of each of these appointments has varied, from six months to four years (with the exception of STBAS which have varied from 3–12 months). The figures can be further broken down as follows:

Staff seconded to the FCO from the private sector:

April 1997–1998 17

April 1998–1999 12

April 1999–2000 17

April 2000–2001 7

April 2001—to date 10

Staff seconded to the FCO from the private sector:
April 1997–1998	17
April 1998–1999	12
April 1999–2000	17
April 2000–2001	7
April 2001—to date	10

As part of a wider Government initiative that promotes and encourages the exchange of people and good practice between the Public and Private sectors, British Trade International actively seeks interchange partners. Interchange is very flexible, offering a range of activities that allow people from different organisations to share good practice, ideas and experience. There are real personnel development benefits as well as a strong business case for this type of activity. Before an interchange can occur all parties must be satisfied that no conflict of interest arises.

Industrial Action

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many days have been lost owing to industrial action by staff in his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each of the last four years. [36180]

Mr. Bradshaw: There has been no industrial action by staff in this department in the UK, or in the NDPBs for which it is responsible, over the last four years.

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Statutory Instruments

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the statutory instruments issued by his Department in the last 12 months, indicating (a) the purpose of each and (b) the cost

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of each to (i) public funds, (ii) businesses and (iii) individuals. [36233]

Mr. Straw: A list of instruments issued or originated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the purpose of each instrument is attached. To provide an assessment would incur disproportionate costs.

S.I. title Number Purpose

The Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) (Overseas Territories)(Amendment) 2001 2001/395 This instrument corrects an error in The Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) 2000.

The Afghanistan (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2001 2001/396 Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1333, which came into force on 19 January 2001.

The United Nations (International Tribunals) (Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda) (Amendment) Order 2001 2001/412 To assist the International Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and Rwanda (ICTR) in trying large numbers of accused within a reasonable time, by establishing a pool of "ad litem" judges in addition to the 14 permanent judges of the Tribunal.

The Liberia (United Nations Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) Order 2001 2001/946 The UN Security Council Resolution 1344 imposed sanctions against Liberia. This order gives effect in the Overseas Territories to the arms embargo and the ban on provision of related technical assistance and training.

The Liberia (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2001 2001/947 The UN Security Council Resolution 1344 imposed sanctions against Liberia. This order gives effect to the arms embargo and the ban on provision of related technical assistance and training.

Civil Aviation Act 1982 (Overseas Territories) Order 2001 2001/1452 To allow for an increase in the penalties that may be imposed for offences under the air navigation legislation in the Overseas Territories and to allow for regulations to be made governing the investigation of aircraft accidents. It also makes consequential amendment to the Civil Aviation Act 1949 (Overseas Territories) Order 1969.

The Liberia (United Nations Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) (No. 2) Order 2001 2001/1867 The order gives effect to the ban on the import of rough diamonds in the Overseas Territories.

The Advisory Centre on WTO Law (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2001 2001/1868 This order confers the legal capacities of a body corporate on the Advisory Centre for WTO Law. This legal capacity is conferred in accordance with Article 10(1) of the agreement establishing the Advisory Centre on WTO Law (cm.4721). The order will enable Her Majesty's Government to give effect to Article 10(1) of the agreement, and will come into force on the date on which the agreement enters into force in respect of the United Kingdom.

The International Criminal Court Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2001 2001/2161 The ICC Act contains powers enabling orders to be made which supplement the provisions of the Act, which will allow secondary legislation to come into force on 1 September 2001.

The Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2001 2001/2128 Regulation of aviation activity in the Overseas Territories.

The International Criminal Court Act 2001 (Commencement) (Amendment) Order 2001 2001/2304 Corrects a defect in S.I. 2001/2161.

The International Criminal Court Act 2001 (Elements of Crimes) Regulations 2001 2001/2505 To enable the UK courts to take Elements of Crimes into account in a domestic trial.

The Afghanistan (United Nations Sanctions) (Amendment) Order 2001 2001/2557 This order was made under the United Nations Act 1946 to amend the Afghanistan (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2001 to enhance the financial sanctions regime imposed against the Taliban.

The Afghanistan (United Nations Sanctions) (Amendment) (Overseas Territories) Order 2001 2001/2558 This order was made under the United Nations Act 1946 to amend the Afghanistan (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2001 to enhance the financial sanctions regime imposed against the Taliban.

The International Criminal Court Act 2001 (Reservations and Declarations) Order 2001 2001/2559 This order was made under the International Criminal Court Act 2001 and sets out the relevant reservations and declarations made by the United Kingdom when ratifying various treaties.

The Specialized Agencies of the United Nations (Immunities and Privileges of UNESCO) Order 2001 2001/2560 The United Kingdom rejoined UNESCO on 1 July 1997. This order restores the privileges and immunities previously enjoyed by UNESCO and persons connected with it by re-applying the 1974 order to them.

The Bermuda Constitution (Amendment) Order 2001 2001/2579 To enable the Bermuda Constituency Boundaries Commission to make recommendations on the establishment of single-member constituencies for elections to the House of Assembly and to make some unrelated and uncontroversial amendments to the Constitution of Bermuda.

The Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2001 2001/3365 This order was made to enforce the prohibition of fundraising for terrorism purposes and restrict the making available of funds and financial services to terrorists and provides powers to freeze accounts of suspected terrorists pursuant to a decision of the Security Council of the United Nations in its resolution 1373 of 28 September 2001.

The Terrorism (United Nations Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2001 2001/3366 This order was made for the same purpose as S.I. 2001/3365 above, for application in the Overseas Territories.

The Civil Aviation Act 1982 (Overseas Territories) (No. 2) Order 2001 2001/3367 This order extends, with modifications, section 76(4) of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 to the Territories listed in Schedule 2 to the order.

The British Nationality Act 1981 (Amendment of Schedule 6) Order 2001 2001/3497 The order updates the list of British dependent territories in Schedule 6 to the British National Act 1981.

The Consular Fees (Amendment) Order 2001 2001/3498 To implement the increase in passport fees on passports issued by the United Kingdom Passport Service.

The Landmines Act 1998 (Overseas Territories) Order 2001 2001/3499 This order was made to extend the provisions of the Act.

The Continental Shelf (Designation of Areas) Order 2001 2001/3670 To ensure that the legislation of either Ireland or the United Kingdom applies to the entire length of the pipeline. The order implements the agreement contained in the exchange of letters dated 31 October 2001. The order also corrects an error in the Continental Shelf (Designation of Areas) (Consolidation) Order 2000.

The European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (European School) Order 2001 2001/3671 This order declares the Exchange of Notes dated 20 December 2000 and 12 January 2001 between Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Board of Governors of the European School amending the agreement between the Government of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Board of Governors of the European School at Culham to be a Community Treaty as defined in section (2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

The European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization) Order 2001 2001/3672 This order declares the Exchange of Notes dated 20 December 2000 and 4 January 2001 between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation to be a Community Treaty as defined in section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

The European Communities (Immunities and Privileges of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization) Order 2001 2001/3673 To enable the granting of relief from Insurance Premium Tax and Air Passenger Duty to NASCO.

The European Communities (Privileges of the European School) Order 2001 2001/3674 To enable the granting of relief from Insurance Premium Tax and Air Passenger Duty to NASCO.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2001 2001/3921 This order confers privileges and immunities upon the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, on representatives of its members, its officials and experts.

The Visiting Forces Act (Application to Bermuda) Order 2001 2001/3922 The order extends to Bermuda the Visiting Forces Act 1952. This allows most of the provisions of the 1951 NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) to be implemented in Bermuda, once that agreement is extended to Bermuda.

Children and Young Persons: The Child Abduction and Custody (Parties to Conventions) (Amendment) Order 2001 2001/3923 The order amends Schedule 1 to the Child Abduction (Parties to Conventions) Order 1986.

The al-Qaeda and Taliban (United Nations Measures) Order 2002 2002/111 This order was made to impose sanctions on Osama bin Laden, the Taliban and the territory of Afghanistan.

The al-Qaeda and Taliban (United Nations Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2002 2002/112 This order was made to impose sanctions on Osama bin Laden, the Taliban and the territory of Afghanistan extending to the territories listed in Schedule 1.

S.I. title	Number	Purpose
The Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) (Overseas Territories)(Amendment) 2001	2001/395	This instrument corrects an error in The Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) 2000.

The Afghanistan (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2001	2001/396	Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1333, which came into force on 19 January 2001.

The United Nations (International Tribunals) (Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda) (Amendment) Order 2001	2001/412	To assist the International Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and Rwanda (ICTR) in trying large numbers of accused within a reasonable time, by establishing a pool of "ad litem" judges in addition to the 14 permanent judges of the Tribunal.

The Liberia (United Nations Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) Order 2001	2001/946	The UN Security Council Resolution 1344 imposed sanctions against Liberia. This order gives effect in the Overseas Territories to the arms embargo and the ban on provision of related technical assistance and training.

The Liberia (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2001	2001/947	The UN Security Council Resolution 1344 imposed sanctions against Liberia. This order gives effect to the arms embargo and the ban on provision of related technical assistance and training.

Civil Aviation Act 1982 (Overseas Territories) Order 2001	2001/1452	To allow for an increase in the penalties that may be imposed for offences under the air navigation legislation in the Overseas Territories and to allow for regulations to be made governing the investigation of aircraft accidents. It also makes consequential amendment to the Civil Aviation Act 1949 (Overseas Territories) Order 1969.

The Liberia (United Nations Sanctions) (Overseas Territories) (No. 2) Order 2001	2001/1867	The order gives effect to the ban on the import of rough diamonds in the Overseas Territories.

The Advisory Centre on WTO Law (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2001	2001/1868	This order confers the legal capacities of a body corporate on the Advisory Centre for WTO Law. This legal capacity is conferred in accordance with Article 10(1) of the agreement establishing the Advisory Centre on WTO Law (cm.4721). The order will enable Her Majesty's Government to give effect to Article 10(1) of the agreement, and will come into force on the date on which the agreement enters into force in respect of the United Kingdom.

The International Criminal Court Act 2001 (Commencement) Order 2001	2001/2161	The ICC Act contains powers enabling orders to be made which supplement the provisions of the Act, which will allow secondary legislation to come into force on 1 September 2001.

The Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2001	2001/2128	Regulation of aviation activity in the Overseas Territories.

The International Criminal Court Act 2001 (Commencement) (Amendment) Order 2001	2001/2304	Corrects a defect in S.I. 2001/2161.

The International Criminal Court Act 2001 (Elements of Crimes) Regulations 2001	2001/2505	To enable the UK courts to take Elements of Crimes into account in a domestic trial.

The Afghanistan (United Nations Sanctions) (Amendment) Order 2001	2001/2557	This order was made under the United Nations Act 1946 to amend the Afghanistan (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2001 to enhance the financial sanctions regime imposed against the Taliban.

The Afghanistan (United Nations Sanctions) (Amendment) (Overseas Territories) Order 2001	2001/2558	This order was made under the United Nations Act 1946 to amend the Afghanistan (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2001 to enhance the financial sanctions regime imposed against the Taliban.

The International Criminal Court Act 2001 (Reservations and Declarations) Order 2001	2001/2559	This order was made under the International Criminal Court Act 2001 and sets out the relevant reservations and declarations made by the United Kingdom when ratifying various treaties.

The Specialized Agencies of the United Nations (Immunities and Privileges of UNESCO) Order 2001	2001/2560	The United Kingdom rejoined UNESCO on 1 July 1997. This order restores the privileges and immunities previously enjoyed by UNESCO and persons connected with it by re-applying the 1974 order to them.
The Bermuda Constitution (Amendment) Order 2001	2001/2579	To enable the Bermuda Constituency Boundaries Commission to make recommendations on the establishment of single-member constituencies for elections to the House of Assembly and to make some unrelated and uncontroversial amendments to the Constitution of Bermuda.

The Terrorism (United Nations Measures) Order 2001	2001/3365	This order was made to enforce the prohibition of fundraising for terrorism purposes and restrict the making available of funds and financial services to terrorists and provides powers to freeze accounts of suspected terrorists pursuant to a decision of the Security Council of the United Nations in its resolution 1373 of 28 September 2001.

The Terrorism (United Nations Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2001	2001/3366	This order was made for the same purpose as S.I. 2001/3365 above, for application in the Overseas Territories.

The Civil Aviation Act 1982 (Overseas Territories) (No. 2) Order 2001	2001/3367	This order extends, with modifications, section 76(4) of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 to the Territories listed in Schedule 2 to the order.

The British Nationality Act 1981 (Amendment of Schedule 6) Order 2001	2001/3497	The order updates the list of British dependent territories in Schedule 6 to the British National Act 1981.

The Consular Fees (Amendment) Order 2001	2001/3498	To implement the increase in passport fees on passports issued by the United Kingdom Passport Service.

The Landmines Act 1998 (Overseas Territories) Order 2001	2001/3499	This order was made to extend the provisions of the Act.

The Continental Shelf (Designation of Areas) Order 2001	2001/3670	To ensure that the legislation of either Ireland or the United Kingdom applies to the entire length of the pipeline. The order implements the agreement contained in the exchange of letters dated 31 October 2001. The order also corrects an error in the Continental Shelf (Designation of Areas) (Consolidation) Order 2000.

The European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (European School) Order 2001	2001/3671	This order declares the Exchange of Notes dated 20 December 2000 and 12 January 2001 between Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Board of Governors of the European School amending the agreement between the Government of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Board of Governors of the European School at Culham to be a Community Treaty as defined in section (2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

The European Communities (Definition of Treaties) (North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization) Order 2001	2001/3672	This order declares the Exchange of Notes dated 20 December 2000 and 4 January 2001 between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation to be a Community Treaty as defined in section 1(2) of the European Communities Act 1972.

The European Communities (Immunities and Privileges of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization) Order 2001	2001/3673	To enable the granting of relief from Insurance Premium Tax and Air Passenger Duty to NASCO.

The European Communities (Privileges of the European School) Order 2001	2001/3674	To enable the granting of relief from Insurance Premium Tax and Air Passenger Duty to NASCO.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (Immunities and Privileges) Order 2001	2001/3921	This order confers privileges and immunities upon the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, on representatives of its members, its officials and experts.

The Visiting Forces Act (Application to Bermuda) Order 2001	2001/3922	The order extends to Bermuda the Visiting Forces Act 1952. This allows most of the provisions of the 1951 NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) to be implemented in Bermuda, once that agreement is extended to Bermuda.

Children and Young Persons: The Child Abduction and Custody (Parties to Conventions) (Amendment) Order 2001	2001/3923	The order amends Schedule 1 to the Child Abduction (Parties to Conventions) Order 1986.

The al-Qaeda and Taliban (United Nations Measures) Order 2002	2002/111	This order was made to impose sanctions on Osama bin Laden, the Taliban and the territory of Afghanistan.

The al-Qaeda and Taliban (United Nations Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2002	2002/112	This order was made to impose sanctions on Osama bin Laden, the Taliban and the territory of Afghanistan extending to the territories listed in Schedule 1.

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