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Guantanamo Bay
Lord Morris of Aberavon asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the
answer by the Lord Triesman on 11 July (Official Report, col.
583), on what date they made it clear to the Government of the United
States that Guantanamo Bay should be
closed.[HL6935]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): We have long made it clear that we regard the circumstances under which detainees are held at the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay as unacceptable. The US Government are well aware of our views through our regular discussions on detainee-related issues.
Gulf War Syndrome
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What procedures
Gulf War veterans must comply with to have the umbrella term Gulf War
syndrome applied to recognised medical conditions for which they are
already receiving an award and which are attributable to service during
the 1990-91 Gulf
War.[HL6888]
24 July 2006 : Column WA228
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): If a veteranhas recognised medical conditions accepted as attributable to or aggravated by service in connection with the 1990-91 Gulf War, they should write to the Veterans’ Agency requesting a review of whether the application of the umbrella term Gulf War syndrome would be appropriate. Thereafter a claim form may be required depending on the circumstances of the case.
Gulf War: Pensions
Lord Tyler asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What legal
remedy is available to counter reinterpretation and tampering by public
officials in handling decisions of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal such as
that in the case of Gulf War veteran Mark McGreevy, as documented in
the tribunal president's letter to the Ministry of Defence of 5
April.[HL6843]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): The Ministry of Defence did not attempt to reinterpret or tamper with the decision by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal in the case of Mr McGreevy. The department acted in good faith and with the intention of giving effect to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal's decision. The response by the department of 5 June to the president of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal’s letter of 5 April explained the way in which Gulf War syndrome has been applied in Mr McGreevy's case as an umbrella term. A copy of the Ministry of Defence letter has been placed in the Library.
An individual who feels that the Ministry of Defence has failed to implement a tribunal decision may have a remedy in judicial review.
House of Lords: Smoking
Baroness Gale asked the Chairman of Committees:
- What
arrangements will be made to ensure that the House of Lords adopts
policies on smoking consistent with the Health Act
2006.[HL7121]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): Part 1 of the Health Act 2006 does not apply to either House of Parliament, but it has been the long-held position that on matters such as public health and safety this House gives effect to general legislation as if it applied to the House.
In the next Session, proposals will be put to the Administration and Works Committee for bringing the House fully in line with Part 1 of the Health Act 2006. The committee will then make a set of recommendations to the House before the provisions of that part of the Act come into force
24 July 2006 : Column WA229
Memorials
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What
plans they have to commemorate the military personnel and police who
died in (a) the 1916 Easter rebellion in Ireland; (b) the 1919-21 war
of independence in Ireland; and (c) the 1921-22 civil disturbances in
Northern
Ireland.[HL6541]
Lord Rooker: We have no plans to do so.
The National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph is an expression of remembrance and a commemoration of all those killed and injured in service of their country, and all those who mourn them.
National Academy for Gifted Youth
Baroness Buscombe asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the
proposed register of pupils in the National Academy for Gifted Youth
will be held in electronic form; who will have access to the
information held on it; and, if it is to be held electronically, when a
procurement process will begin for the information technology required
to support
it.[HL7074]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Lord Adonis): The national register will include all pupils identified as gifted and talented by their primary and secondary schools, including those 11 to 19 year-olds who are within the top 5 per cent by ability and so eligible for membership of the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY). The national register will be computerised. It will draw together material in NAGTY's existing database and in the national pupil database. We have asked NAGTY to undertake the management of the national register and we anticipate that it will be developed under existing contracts. Schools will be the main users of the national register. We anticipate access for parents and pupils to their own data, as well as access to relevant aggregated data for school improvement partners, local authorities and higher education institutions, in a manner consistent with the data protection legislation.
NHS: Appointments
Lord Livsey of Talgarth asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What oversight
role the chairman of the NHS Appointments Commission has when the
suitability of a National Health Service chairman to continue in post
is assessed when a chairman's circumstances have substantially changed
since his appointment; and
[HL6988]
24 July 2006 : Column WA230
- How
they determine whether a relationship between a national health service
chair and chief executive officer has become too close or
“cosy” as described in the NHS Appointments
Commissioner’s publication, Governing the NHS—a Guide
for NHS Boards; and what remedies are available to address the
situation.[HL6989]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): The NHS Appointments Commission has the power, delegated to it by the Secretary of State for Health, to terminate the appointment of chairs and non-executive members of NHS boards, under circumstances prescribed in regulations. This includes provisions for the termination of an appointment if someone has become disqualified from appointment during their tenure of office or if it is not in the best interests of the NHS for them to remain in post.
NHS: Finances
Baroness Quin asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many health
trusts in England were in deficit at the end of the financial year
2005-06; and, of these, how many were foundation
trusts.[HL6911]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): The 2005-06 provisional outturn figures for the National Health Service show that a total of 68 NHS trusts, excluding NHS foundation trusts, incurred a deficit.
Monitor has responsibility for overseeing the financial performance of NHS foundation trusts. The latest 2005-06 provisional outturn figures from Monitor show that a total of 11 NHS foundation trusts incurred a deficit.
NHS: Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
Lord Livsey of Talgarth asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether National
Health Service trusts and organisations in England have been reminded
of the NHS Standards of Business Conduct, following the June
2005 Audit Commission report into the contracting arrangements of the
Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, with Talquin Limited, which
found that the NHS standards had been broken; and
[HL6943]
- Whether
a National Health Service trust in England, which has seconded a member
of staff to another trust or other NHS organisation in Wales is obliged
to inform the receiving trust or organisation of an ongoing Audit
Commission investigation relating to the seconded member of staff; and
[HL6944]
- What
powers they have to intervene if a National Health Service trust board
does not take action over a clear breach of the NHS Code of
Accountability by an executive director; and
[HL6945]
24 July 2006 : Column WA231
- What information the
Department of Health received during the Audit Commission investigation
in 2005 at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital into contracting arrangements
with Talquin Limited; and when any such information was received; and
[HL6946]
- Whether
a Minister was briefed during the Audit Commission investigation in
2004-05 at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital into contracting arrangements
with Talquin Limited regarding this investigation; and
[HL6947]
- Whether
it is normal procedure for the Department of Health to request the
secondment of a National Health Service trust chief executive connected
with an Audit Commission
investigation.[HL6948]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): The report referred to in these questions was a specific review undertaken at the trust's request by the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust’s appointed external auditor. The NHS West Midlands strategic health authority (SHA) reports that there were no recommendations requiring action by the Department of Health.
Employment matters are the responsibility of the relevant local NHS organisations, particularly with regard to appropriate references for the individual concerned. However, the NHS West Midlands SHA confirms that the “receiving” NHS organisation was made aware of the circumstances of the individual concerned.
The Department of Health can be asked for a view by a current or prospective employer about the appropriateness of a chief executive under investigation taking on another NHS role. The department's advice takes account of the nature of the concern and any recommendations forthcoming from an audit inquiry of an NHS Management Code of Conduct investigation.
The department would want assurances that due process has been followed in any investigation and that all the relevant information has been made available to a prospective employer. Decisions about offering chief executives in this type of situation a secondment opportunity rests with the prospective employer.
According to departmental records no information was received by either Ministers or the department with regard to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust and its contracting arrangements with Talquin Limited.
In the event of a primary care trust (PCT) or NHS trust not performing one or more of its functions adequately, or if there are significant failings in the way it is being run, then the Secretary of State may make an intervention order under Sections 84A and 84B of the National Health Service Act 1977. The Secretary of State also has powers under Section 17 of that Act to direct an NHS trust or PCT about the exercise of its functions whether as a sanction or otherwise. There are further powers under Sections 97C, 97D and 99 to direct an NHS trust or PCT in respect of its financial functions.
24 July 2006 : Column WA232
The Secretary of State has delegated her appointment functions for chairs and non-executive board members to the NHS Appointments Commission. The appointments may be terminated where it is not in the interests of the NHS, or it is not conducive to the good management of the NHS trust or PCT, for the individual to continue to serve. However, termination is only made after due process.
NHS: Sexual and Reproductive Health
Baroness Tonge asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What plans they
have to increase the number of specialists in sexual and reproductive
health working in the National Health
Service.[HL6774]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): Sexual and reproductive health services are provided in a range of settings including genitourinary medicine clinics, community contraceptive services and general practice. The Department of Health has led and supported a number of initiatives which support training and development of the workforce and multidisciplinary working. Workforce planning for these services is a matter for local determination.
NHS: St Thomas's Hospital
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether
they will investigate the causes of the suspension and dismissal of a
senior member of staff at the sickle cell anaemia unit of St Thomas's
Hospital; and why these causes have not been communicated to him after
several
months.[HL6995]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): This is a matter involving an individual member of staff who I understand is fully aware of the position and is in contact with the trust. It would be inappropriate for the trust to communicate details to any third party without their explicit consent. The trust's internal procedures are continuing and it would not be appropriate for me to comment.
Northern Ireland: Festivals
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How grants from
the transitional fund, which were used to fund an extra £100,000
to the West Belfast Nationalist Festival this year, are being equality
tested.[HL6997]
Lord Rooker: The Community Festivals Fund is being piloted and the policy is the subject of a consultation exercise that will conclude on 30 September 2006. An equality impact assessment is being undertaken as part of this exercise.
Individual grants are not specifically equality tested.
24 July 2006 : Column WA233
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which
organisations have been refused the full amount of funding requested
from the first allocation of festival funding operated by the Northern
Ireland Events
Company.[HL6999]
Lord Rooker: A list of the organisations that were offered less than the full amount of funding requested from the first allocation of festival funding, including those that were rejected in full, are as follows:
Successful ApplicationsArmagh Festival of Traditional and Folk Song
Ballymacarrett Community and Cultural Engagement Project
South Lough Neagh Regeneration Association
Gilford District LOL Number 13
Cairncastle LOL 692 Cultural and Community Group
Carlingford Lough International Currach Championships
Bangor District Educational and Historical Society
Coleraine District LOL Number 2 Festival Committee
South Tyrone Empowerment Programme (STEP)
Crumlin Community Festival Group
Fiddlers Green Music and Arts Festival
Fern Community Relations Programme
Greater Shankill Community Festival
Lady of the Lake Festival Committee
Randalstown Arches Association
Richhill, Hamiltonsbawn and District Golden Jubilee Committee
Sandy Row Residents' Association
Northern Ireland Sheep Shearers' Association
Unsuccessful ApplicationsDollingstown Ulster Scots Cultural and Heritage Society
Longstone Community Association
Wilson Archer, Megalife Ministries
Merville May Day Festival Committee
24 July 2006 : Column WA234
Magherafelt and District Motorclub
Mid Ulster Vintage Vehicles Club
Only one applicant, Carrickfergus District LOL Number 19, was awarded the full amount requested.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the
Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 12 July (Official Report,
WA 126) concerning funding for community festivals, what is meant
by “this funding will be processed by the Department of Culture,
Arts and Leisure”; who will pay the funding; from what source
the funding will be paid; and how much is available from that
source.[HL7000]
Lord Rooker: This means that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure will be responsible for the administration and payment of these funds.
Up to £145,400 will be available to three community festivals in the current year from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure under transitional funding arrangements.
Official Meetings: Sir Gulam Noon
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay asked Her Majesty's Government:
- On what dates in
2006 the Secretary of State for Health has met Sir Gulam Noon; where
each meeting took place; and what topics were
discussed.[HL7027]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): The Secretary of State for Health has not met Sir Gulam Noon in 2006 to date in her ministerial capacity.
Police: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many members
of the Police Service of Northern Ireland were on duty in the South
Armagh area on each day in the week commencing 19
June.[HL6660]
Lord Rooker: The deployment of police officers is an operational matter for the Chief Constable. During the week commencing 19 June 2006 the police strength in Newry and Mourne district was as follows.
24 July 2006 : Column WA235
Rally Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How
much has been paid in grants to Rally Ireland for 2005 and 2006; from
what source; after what process; and whether they will place
allthe documentation in the Library of the
House.[HL6826]
Lord Rooker: As of 10 July 2006 Rally Ireland has received Exchequer funding of £321,099.21 for its 2005 event and £200,886.92 for its 2006 event.
This funding has been issued through the Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) in accordance with its procedures on the payment of grant claims as follows:
The applicant can present grant claims as soon as a contract is signed and they have incurred expenditure, subject to it satisfying all conditions of offer. Each claim is accompanied by an auditor's certificate, bank statement evidencing expenditure and copies of invoices relevant to the claim and quotes/tenders if applicable. This is assessed by NIEC for accuracy and against conditions of offer and if everything is in order a payment is released.
Much of the documentation regarding the payment of grant by NIEC to Rally Ireland, and indeed any other body being funded, is commercially sensitive and as such is prohibited from disclosure in line with relevant information access legislation.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether, since
May 2005, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has met with
Ronan Morgan, promoter of Rally Ireland; if so, when; and where they
met.[HL6847]
Lord Rooker: Since May 2005 my right honourable friend has met Ronan Morgan on a number of occasions as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Secretary of State for Wales.
As Secretary of State for Northern Ireland he met Mr Morgan at the launch of the World Rally Championship bid on 4 July 2005 at Parliament Buildings and at the Rally Ireland events in October 2005 and March 2006. Mr Morgan was also part of a delegation which met the Secretary of State in Stormont Castle on 25 October 2005.
As Secretary of State for Wales, my right honourable friend attended a charity dinner at which Mr Morgan was in attendance as guest of someone else. He also attended the Wales Rally GB in September 2005, when Ronan Morgan was still working as event director of that event, and is likely to have met him there.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether
hospitality was involved in meetings between the Secretary of State for
Northern Ireland and Ronan Morgan, promoter of Rally Ireland; and, if
so, who paid for
it.[HL6891]
24 July 2006 : Column WA236
Lord Rooker: Hospitality was involved in my right honourable friend’s meetings with Ronan Morgan at the October 2005 and March 2006 Rally Ireland pilot events. This hospitality was paid for by the event promoters.
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