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Lord Archer of Sandwell asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch): The membership for the last six years is as follows:
Lord Archer of Sandwell asked Her Majesty's Government:
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.
Baroness Gould of Potternewton asked Her Majesty's Government:
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.
Baroness Gould of Potternewton asked Her Majesty's Government:
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.
Baroness David asked Her Majesty's Government:
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.
Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty's Government:
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.
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
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:
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:
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.
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
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.
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