There will be a presentation to update the Council on the European security research and innovation forum by Mr Dragutin Mate, the chairman of ESRIF and former Interior Minister of Slovenia. ESRIF is currently completing a report that is intended to chart the EU’s 2 Apr 2009 : Column 79WS
security research and innovation requirements over the next 10 to 20 years. The UK supports the objectives of ESRIF and the production of its final report.
During the Mixed Committee with Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Lichtenstein, Ministers will be asked to report on progress in implementing the second generation of the Schengen information system (SIS II), in the light of the Council conclusions adopted at the last Council which identified the need to resolve problems in the central system. The UK remains of the view that we need a decision in June on the future of SIS II. The Council is also expected to adopt conclusions on the development of the SIRENE bureaux. These are not relevant to the UK since they concern arrangements for the operation of the current Schengen information system, to which the UK is not a party.
The presidency will present to the Mixed Committee the current state of play on the implementation of the regulation establishing the visa information system (VIS). The UK does not participate in that regulation.
Lastly, the presidency is expected to congratulate Switzerland on the successful completion of its air borders evaluation allowing it to lift checks on persons at its air borders on 29 March 2009.
Under AOB in the main Council session, there will be a presentation by the Commission on the state of negotiations relating to the EC re-admission agreement with Morocco. The UK welcomes progress made by the Commission but wants to see these efforts taken forward, especially in view of the time that the mandate has been opened. There will also be a report on the state of play in relation to ratification of the EU-US extradition and mutual legal assistance agreements. The Commission will provide Justice Ministers with an overview of the EU funds available to support e-justice. Finally, information will be provided on the visit between VP Commissioner Barrot and Czech Minister of Interior Langer to the US.
Prime Minister
Interception of Communications Commissioner and the Intelligence Services Commissioner
The Prime Minister (Mr. Gordon Brown):
In accordance with Section 57 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, I have re-appointed the right hon. Sir Paul Kennedy as Interception of Communications Commissioner from 11 April 2009 to 10 April 2012.
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In accordance with Section 59 of the same Act, I have also re-appointed the right hon. Sir Peter Gibson as Intelligence Services Commissioner from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2012.
Justice
United Kingdom Supreme Court
The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor (Mr. Jack Straw):
The renovation of Middlesex Guildhall has now been completed on time and within budget by Kier Group Plc. The building has been handed to the Ministry of Justice to carry out the final phase of works.
This is a major milestone in the development of a Supreme Court for the United Kingdom. We remain on track to deliver a fully functioning Supreme Court in time for the opening of the legal year in October 2009.
This renovation has breathed new life into a previously tired building, which sits in one of the most historic and recognisable public spaces in the world. The renovation works have been completed to the highest standard, as appropriate for its setting and required for a Grade II* listed building.
The Ministry of Justice will now take forward the final phase of works.
As announced in July 2008, work will soon begin to ensure the security provision at Middlesex Guildhall is in line with other high profile central government and court buildings.
I will ensure the House is kept updated on the progress of establishing the Supreme Court as work continues.
Cabinet Office
Member's and Peer's Correspondence
The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr. Tom Watson):
I am today publishing a report on Departments’ and Agencies’ performance on handling Members’ and Peers’ correspondence during 2008. Details are set out in the table below. The 2007 correspondence statistics can be found on 20 March 2008, Official Report, column 71WS. Departmental figures are based on substantive replies unless otherwise indicated.
The footnotes to the table provide general backgroundinformation on how the figures have been compiled.
Correspondence from MPs/Peers to Ministers and Agency Chief Executives in 2008
Correspondence from MPs/Peers to Ministers and Agency Chief Executives(i)
2008
Department or Agency
Target set for Reply (Working Days)
Number of Letters Received
% of Replies Within Target
Attorney-General’s Office
20
314
94
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform(ii)
15
9,875
59
Companies House
10
60
100
Insolvency Service
10
430
91
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2 Apr 2009 : Column 82WS
Cabinet Office
15
473
93
Department for Communities and Local Government(iii)
15
10,227
68
Planning Inspectorate
8
186
83
Crown Prosecution Service
15
484
98
Department for Children, Schools and Families
15
15,810
86
Department for Culture, Media and Sport(iv)
20
4,798
58
Royal Parks Agency
20
11
100
Ministry of Defence
15
5,345
81
Met Office
10
14
100
Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
15
919
98
Department for Energy and Climate Change(v)
15
2,215
39
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs(vi)
15
14,526
68
Animal Health
15
60
93
Marine Fisheries Agency
15
23
91
Rural Payments Agency
15
396
73
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
20
10,334
87
Government Equalities Office(vii)
20
818
49
Department of Health
20
20,242
95
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
20
113
75(*)
20
19
88(**)
NHS Purchasing and Supplies Agency
20
36
94
(*)Agency Ministerial cases
(**)Letters sent directly to Agency Chief Executive or where Agency Chief Executives responded on behalf of Ministers
Food Standard Agency
20
590
76
DH Ministers replies
20
258
78(VIII*)
20
217
71(**)
FSA Chair/CE replies
20
70
95(*)
20
12
33(**)
Meat Hygiene Service
20
33
97
(*)Response to non-campaign letters
(**)Response to campaign letters
Home Office
15
6,933
89
Criminal Records Bureau
10
666
96
Identity and Passport Service
10
1,247
84
UK Border Agency
20
51,905
78
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2 Apr 2009 : Column 84WS
Department for Innovation, Universities and Science
15
5,223
74
UK Intellectual Property Office
10
19
100
Department for International Development(ix)
15
3,100
67
Ministry of Justice
20
5,231
82
HM Courts Service
15
38
97
Land Registry
20
88
97
National Offender Management Service(x)
20
537
90
Office of the Public Guardian
15
246
89
Official Solicitor and Public Trustee
15
17
100
Tribunals Service
10
1,390
89
Northern Ireland Office
15
568
82
Compensation Agency
10
66
88
Northern Ireland Prison Service
10
78
83
Office for National Statistics
15
153
88(*)
10
82
78(**)
(*)Letters signed by the National Statistician. Also includes 62 letters signed by HMT Ministers
(**)Letters sent direct by the National Statistician
Office of the Leader of the House of Commons
15
422
95
Office of the Leader of the House of Lords
15
11
90
HM Revenue and Customs
15
4,826
73
15
1,252
76(*)
(*)Local Office and “delegated” figures (where local tax offices have replied directly to MPs)
Scotland Office
15
102
64
Department for Transport
15
8,393
77
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
7
1,692
99
Driving Standards Agency
10
227
62
Highways Agency
15
365
99
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
15
56
98
HM Treasury
15
14,057
80
National Savings and Investments
15
17
88
Office of Government Commerce
15
12
83(*)
15
24
92(**)
(*)Letters where Ministers have replied
(**)Letters where Chief Executive has replied
Valuation Office
18
41
73
Treasury Solicitor’s Department
10
25
88
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Wales Office
15
113
80
Department for Work and Pensions
20
15,360
84
Child Support Agency
15
7,313
100
Debt Management Service
15
56
100
Disability and Carers Service
15
598
100
Health and Safety Executive
15
149
98
Jobcentre Plus
15
2,229
83
The Pension Service
15
1,477
98
(i)Departments and Agencies which received 10 MPs/Peers letters or fewer are not shown in this table. Holding or interim replies are not included unless otherwise indicated. The report does not include correspondence considered as Freedom of Information requests. (ii)Implementation of new correspondence handling system led to delays in first half of the year. Issues have been resolved and led to significant improvement in performance in second half of the year. (iii)Communities and Local Government's performance improved in 2008 and it continues to take measures to improve further. (iv)During 2008, DCMS underwent a Department-wide transformation programme, including significant changes to the central correspondence unit. This resulted in a drop in performance and efforts are being made to resolve outstanding issues as quickly as possible. (v)DEFRA/BERR currently handle DECC correspondence. The setting up of new Department led to delays in responding to correspondence. Measures being put in place to improve correspondence performance as a matter of high priority. (vi)Creation of DECC led to a significant increase in correspondence which was initially handled by DEFRA. Prior to this 75 per cent. of correspondence was responded to within target. (vii)GEO, a new Department, began handling its own Ministerial correspondence in May 2008. It is making changes to improve performance of internal handling of correspondence. New internal guidance has been implemented as well as staff training. (viii)The FSA and DH are working together to minimise delays in the processing of correspondence. (ix)DfID is introducing changes to their correspondence handling system and will be introducing a new correspondence database in June to improve performance. The correspondence unit has been restructured and reinforced with additional staff and targets have been steadily improving since July 2008. (x )Includes HM Prison Service
