| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
10 Mar 2005 : Column 2003W—continued
CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
European Constitution
Mr. Brady: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list (a) individuals and (b) organisations that were consulted on the drafting of the question to be asked in the proposed referendum on the EU constitution. [216134]
Mr. Leslie:
The question was drafted bearing in mind the Electoral Commission's published guidelines, which are designed to ensure that a question is intelligible, and
10 Mar 2005 : Column 2004W
there was some discussion with the Electoral Commission about the application of those guidelines. The Electoral Commission's published views on Lord Blackwell's Private Member's Bill of July 2004 were also taken into account. No other non-governmental organisations or other public bodies were consulted. The wording of the question was agreed collectively at ministerial level.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what advice was received from the Electoral Commission on the referendum question on the EU constitution; and if he will publish the advice. [217185]
Mr. Leslie: The Electoral Commission published their comments on the intelligibility of the question on 3 February 2005.
The question was drafted bearing in mind the Electoral Commission's published guidelines, which are designed to ensure that a question is intelligible, and there was some discussion with the Electoral Commission about the application of those guidelines. The Electoral Commission's published views on Lord Blackwell's Private Member's Bill of July 2004 were also taken into account.
We have no plans to publish material relating to the formulation of the Government's policy on the terms of the question.
Magistrates Courts
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) how many courts were held each week at Chorley magistrates court in each month in 2004; [220891]
(2) how many cases were transferred from Chorley magistrates court to other courts in 2004; and for what reasons; [220892]
(3) how many court cases have been heard outside Chorley since 1 January where the defendant resided in the Chorley constituency; [220893]
(4) what guidance he issues on the appropriate number of clerks to run a fully operational magistrates court; [220894]
(5) how many clerks are working in magistrates courts in South Lancashire. [220895]
Mr. Leslie: The information is as follows:
(1) Actual figures are not available, however, a typical weekly pattern for Chorley magistrates court in 2004 was as follows:
| Court | Number of sittings per week |
|---|---|
| Adult | 14 |
| Youth | 1–2 |
| Licensing | 1 |
| Family | (32)1 |
| Local authority | 1 |
| Private prosecutions | (32)1 |
(32) Per month.
(2) Actual figures for cases transferred from Chorley magistrates are not available. I am advised that trial cases may be sent following consultation with both parties to either Ormskirk magistrates court or Leyland magistrates court if a trial can be listed earlier.
(3) Actual figures for court cases heard outside Chorley are not available. I am advised that most cases when the defendant resides in Chorley are heard in Chorley.
(4) There is no guidance issued centrally and this is a matter for the Lancashire magistrates courts committee (MCC) to determine, as it is with each of the other 41 MCCs in England and Wales.
(5) There are seven full time legal advisers, two-part time legal advisers, a deputy clerk and a countywide justices' clerk in South Lancashire.
WORK AND PENSIONS
Dementia Benefits
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what benefits are payable for people suffering from dementia; and if he will make a statement. [221364]
Maria Eagle: We do not pay benefits based on medical diagnosis.
Incapacity benefit is intended to provide a source of income for sick and disabled people of working age who are unable to work.
Entitlement to disability living allowance is based on walking difficulties and/or the need for personal care which results from severe disability. The customer's medical condition is not, necessarily, the key factor. Rather it is the disablement that results from it and the effects of that disablement.
For those over 65 years of age, attendance allowance is available for anyone who needs frequent attention or continual supervision in order to avoid substantial danger to themselves or others. As with disability living allowance, the customer's medical condition is not, necessarily, the key factor.
For those of working age, we are ensuring that the benefit system encourages and promotes work where possible. However, we recognise that those with the most severe conditions may never be able to work, and benefits provide security for those for whom work is not an option.
EU Committees
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many times during the(a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the (i) Committee for the Implementation of the Action Programme to Tackle Discrimination and (ii)Restricted Committee of the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and Other Extractive Industries met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement. [218314]
Jane Kennedy:
The EU Committee for Implementation of the Action Programme to Promote Gender Equality meets twice a year in Brussels. The last three meetings were held on 11 November 2003 (during the Italian presidency), 20 July 2004 and 15 October 2004 (both of which were in the Dutch presidency). There was no meeting during the Irish presidency. An official from DTI attended the last two meetings in 2004.
10 Mar 2005 : Column 2006W
The Restricted Committee of the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and Other Extractive Industries met once, in Luxembourg on 3 December 2003, during the Italian presidency of the EU. The Committee did not meet during the Irish and Dutch presidencies. A member of the Health and Safety Executive represented the UK Government at the 3 December 2003 meeting.
There have been three Command Papers produced on prospects for the European Union which include highlights from the presidencies in question—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005. They are available in the Library and on the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the (i) Committee of the European Social Fund and (ii) Technical Adaption Committee on the Introduction of Measures to Encourage Improvements in the Safety and Health of Workers at Work met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if he will make a statement. [218456]
Jane Kennedy: An official from the Department for Work and Pensions represented the UK at the European Social Fund Advisory Committee on 26 September 2003 and 5 December 2003 during the Italian presidency; on 16 March 2004, 13 May 2004 and 18 June 2004 during the Irish presidency; and on 24 September 2004 and 23 November 2004 during the Dutch presidency. All of these meetings were held in Brussels.
During the Italian, Irish and Dutch presidencies the Technical Adaption Committee on the Introduction of Measures to Encourage Improvements in the Safety and Health of Workers at Work did not meet. At meetings of the Technical Adaption Committee on the Introduction of Measures to Encourage Improvements in the Safety and Health of Workers at Work, the UK representatives would be drawn from staff with the relevant technical and policy responsibilities within the Health and Safety Executive.
There have been three Command Papers produced on prospects for the European Union which include highlights from the presidencies in question—Cm6174 laid in April 2004, Cm6310 laid in September 2004 and Cm6450 laid in February 2005. They are available in the Library and on the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk/commandpapers.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |