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Table 2: Allocations made under the National Heritage Act 9(4) of items accepted in lieu of tax in the Financial Year 2008-09-temporary allocations (those not superceded by a permanent allocation).
Home Department
Animal Procedures Committee (Annual Report)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Meg Hillier): In accordance with section 20(5) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, the Committee's annual report for 2008 has today been laid before the House. Copies are available in the Vote Office. The report includes:
The 86/609 Working Group submitted advice to the Home Office in relation to the revision of Directive EC 86/609.
The Housing and Husbandry Sub-Committee guidance on fish welfare and euthanasia.
The Education and Training Sub-Committee continued its work on module 5 training and guidance for accrediting bodies.
The Ministers updated response to the Animal Procedures Committee's report on the annual statistical report.
The Applications Sub-Committee produced guidance to applicants for the process of referral to the Applications Sub-Committee.
The Committees programme of work for 2009 onwards.
Proceeds of Crime
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Alan Campbell): I am issuing today guidance to the Serious Organised Crime Agency on the exercise of its functions under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. I am placing a copy of the guidance in the Library.
Under section 2A of the 2002 Act, as inserted by paragraph 124 of schedule 8 to the Serious Crime Act 2007, SOCA must exercise its functions in the way which it considers is best calculated to contribute to the reduction of crime. In considering this, SOCA must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State. The guidance broadly sets out the way in which the agency should operate in this respect.
Guidance in the same terms is being issued simultaneously by the Attorney-General to the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Director of Revenue and Customs Prosecutions, the Director of the Serious Fraud
Office and the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland, in accordance with section 2A. In the interests of convenience and consistency of approach the Attorney-General and I are issuing our guidance jointly in the same document.
The joint guidance is being issued in accordance with the commitment in the Government's report "Extending Our Reach: A Comprehensive Approach to Tackling Serious Organised Crime" (Cm 7665), published in July, to facilitate the use of non-conviction based asset recovery powers.
I am placing a copy of the joint guidance on the Home Office website.
Justice
Judicial Declarations (Freemasonry)
The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor (Mr. Jack Straw): Since 1998, all first time successful candidates for judicial appointment or the magistracy have been required to declare whether or not they are freemasons, the aim of the scheme being to promote public confidence in the judicial system. This policy was part of a wider approach across the criminal justice system, though its particular application differed in the separate services of the criminal justice system.
The policy was put in place in response to a report of the Home Affairs Select Committee-Home Affairs Committee Third Report: Freemasonry in the Police and Judiciary Session 1996-97 (HC 192). The report itself made no finding of impropriety in the conduct of the judiciary arising from membership of individual members of the judiciary of the freemasons. Its recommendations were therefore of a precautionary nature, and intended to maintain public confidence in the criminal justice system.
The United Grand Lodge of England made representations in May. They drew attention to the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in Grande Oriente d'ltalia di Palazzo Guistiniani v Italy (no.1) and Grande Oriente d'ltalia di Palazzo Guistiniani v Italy (no.2) and indicated that they might seek judicially to review the application of the policy to the judiciary. In the light of my consideration of those representations I decided to review the policy.
As a result of this review we have decided to end the current policy of requiring applicants for judicial office to declare membership of the freemasons.
The review of the policy operating since 1998 has shown no evidence of impropriety or malpractice within the judiciary as a result of a judge being a freemason and in my judgement, therefore, it would be disproportionate to continue the collection or retention of this information.
There are existing safeguards that help support the proper performance of judicial functions, and these apply to freemasonry no less than to other interests-in particular, the judicial oath, the availability of the complaints procedure and the office for judicial complaints, the independence of the Judicial Appointments Commission which recommends candidates for judicial appointment, and judicial terms and conditions of service.
I remain committed to the overarching objective of ensuring public confidence and transparency in the justice system. I believe that the safeguards mentioned will achieve this, but in the light of this change in policy I will keep under review, together with the Lord Chief Justice, whether other action is required.
Transport
Franchise Rail Services
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Mr. Sadiq Khan):
My right hon. and noble Friend the
Secretary of State for the Department for Transport, has made the following ministerial statement.
Further to my statements on 1 July 2009, Official Report, column 225 and Official Report, column WS 24, on east coast main line rail services, after the close of the markets yesterday I notified National Express East Coast Ltd that I am terminating their franchise with effect from 11.59 pm on 13 November.
The publicly owned east coast main line company will take over running of this franchise from that time, with an orderly handover from National Express East Coast. I can assure the travelling public that services will continue without disruption and all tickets will be honoured. Staff currently employed by National Express East Coast will transfer to the east coast main line company under the Transfers of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE), with the necessary statutory consultation.
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