---

8 Mar 1995 : Column WA21

Written Answers

Wednesday 8th March 1995

Police Complaints Authority

Lord Archer of Sandwell asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list the members of the Police Complaints Authority over the last six years, with dates of appointment and of resignation.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch): The membership for the last six years is as follows:

Sir Cecil Clothier (28.4.85–31.7.89 (former Chairman)

Rt. Hon. Roland Moyle PC (28.4.85–28.4.91) (former Deputy Chairman)

Brigadier John Pownall OBE (28.4.85–31.7.93) (former Deputy Chairman)

Mr. Vernon Clements (28.4.85–28.4.91)

Mr. Vincent Moore (28.4.85–28.4.91)

Captain Noel Taylor (28.4.85–30.6.93)

Mrs. Rosemary Vickers (28.4.85–29.8.91)

Mrs. Rosemary Wolff (28.4.85–28.10.92)

Mr. Gerry Gillman (2.6.86–31.3.91)

Mr. Jeff Crawford (1.7.87–1.7.93)

Mr. Karamjit Singh (10.8.87–10.2.94)

Air Vice Marshal David Clark CBE (10.11.87– 9.11.90)

Mr. Peter Moorhouse (25.7.88–to date) (current Deputy Chairman)

Mr. Gordon Marsh (1.7.89–31.8.94)

His Honour Judge Francis Petre (1.8.89–31.7.92) (former Chairman)

Mr. Edward Wignall (30.7.90–to date)

Mr. Gerald Warner CMG (4.11.90–12.7.91)

Brigadier Anthony Vivian CBE (1.4.91–to date)

Miss Beryl Wallis (19.4.91–to date)

Mrs Linda Cawsey (13.5.91–to date)

Mr. Mark Chapman CVO (10.6.91–to date)

Mr. William McCall (1.8.91–31.7.94)

Sir Leonard Peach (1.8.92–to date) (current Chairman)

Mr. John Cartwright (26.10.92–to date) (current Deputy Chairman)

Miss Linda Haye (15.2.93–to date)

Mr. Anthony Williams MBE (24.6.93–to date)

Miss Linbert Spencer (26.7.93—to date)

Miss Ann Kelly (18.4.94–to date)

Mrs. Molly Meacher (15.8.94–to date)

Mr. Navnit Dholakia (15.8.94–to date)

Lord Archer of Sandwell asked Her Majesty's Government:

On how many occasions during the last three years has the Police Complaints Authority, in a statement

8 Mar 1995 : Column WA22

provided under Section 89(10) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, expressed the view that a police investigation had not been conducted to its satisfaction.

Baroness Blatch: I am not aware that any statements to this effect have been issued. Where the authority identifies deficiencies in an investigation under its supervision, it will issue appropriate directions to the police and satisfy itself on any matters of concern before issuing a statement.

Boundary Commission Report: Delay

Baroness Gould of Potternewton asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the reason for the delay in presenting the report of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission which was due in December 1994; when the Home Secretary expects to receive it; and when they expect to put before Parliament the necessary changes in regulations in connection with the new constituencies.

Baroness Blatch: The Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Wales submitted its report to the Home Secretary on 19 December 1994. I understand that the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for England has delayed submitting its report in order to give full consideration to representations following its decision to make modifications to its proposed recommendations in certain areas. The Home Secretary does not expect to receive the report before April. Once he has received a report, the Home Secretary is required to lay it before Parliament as soon as may be, together with a draft of an Order in Council giving effect, with or without modifications, to the recommendations contained in the report.

Citizen's Charter and Electors' Rights

Baroness Gould of Potternewton asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any plans to extend the Citizen's Charter into other areas, in particular by introducing a Citizen's Charter on electors' voting rights and the conduct of elections.

Baroness Blatch: There are no plans to do so. Electors' rights are enshrined in statute and remedies are available in the courts in cases where these rights have been denied.

Attendance Centre Order: Cost

Baroness David asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the average cost of an attendance centre order in 1993 and 1994 respectively.

Baroness Blatch: The average cost of an attendance centre order is estimated to have been £190 in 1993. Figures for 1994 are not yet available.

8 Mar 1995 : Column WA23

Burmese Forces: Chemical Weapons Allegations

Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the British Government have any evidence concerning allegations of the development of potential in, and the use of, chemical weapons by Burmese military forces.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey): We are aware of recent allegations relating to the use of chemical weapons in Burma but are not aware of any evidence which substantiates those claims or which suggests that the Burmese military forces have the potential to produce or develop chemical weapons.

Non-Proliferation Treaty (Israel)

Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their announced intention to agree to the unlimited extension of the Non-Proliferation Treaty indicates that they are content that Israel should retain nuclear weapons and means for their delivery as long as it wishes.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: No. Our policy is to promote the widest possible adherence to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). We have urged Israel to allay suspicions about its nuclear activities by signing the NPT as a non-nuclear-weapon state and concluding a fullscope safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Indefinite extension of the NPT would send the strongest possible signal to non-states parties of the international community's commitment to nuclear non-proliferation.

Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:

In what circumstances they consider Article 4 of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which refers to the "inalienable right" of parties to the treaty to the civil use of nuclear energy, may be abrogated, and whether recent Israeli or other statements that Iran has a nuclear weapons programme, which have not been confirmed by the IAEA, can provide such circumstances.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: Article IV preserves the right of all states parties to the treaty to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in conformity with Articles I and II; in the case of non-nuclear-weapon states, Article II provides that they will not manufacture, or seek assistance in the manufacture, of nuclear weapons. Therefore concerns about a country's compliance with Articles I and II are a relevant factor in considering their position under Article IV.

Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether Lord Henley's statement (in reply to Lord Jenkins of Putney, 11th January 1995, H.L. Deb. col. 172) that "The proliferation of nuclear weapons outside such a stable deterrence system [as obtains in Europe] would pose great dangers" indicates that they would welcome the development of other nuclear

8 Mar 1995 : Column WA24

deterrent capabilities in the Middle East to balance Israel's nuclear weapons; and, if not, why not.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: No. Our policy is to urge Israel to allay suspicions about its activities by acceding to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a non-nuclear-weapon state and concluding a full-scope safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency. This is in line with our broader aim of containing the spread of nuclear weapons through promoting the widest possible adherence to the NPT.

Non-Proliferation Treaty: Civil Use of Nuclear Energy

Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:

What limitations they see to the rights of non-weapons power signatories to the civil use of nuclear energy, which are enshrined in Article 4 of the Non-Proliferation Treaty as "inalienable", and whether they believe that Russia should not be completing a nuclear power station under IAEA safeguards for Iran.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: Article IV of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) recognises the rights of all states parties to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. But it also provides that they should be in conformity with their obligations under Article I and II of the treaty concerning the transfer or acquisition of nuclear weapons. Article III of the treaty also includes a commitment by non-nuclear-weapon states to accept International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards to prevent diversion of nuclear energy from peaceful uses to nuclear weapons. We are concerned about the potential proliferation risk of Russian plans to provide nuclear technology and equipment to Iran because of reports that Iran may have a nuclear weapons development programme.

---