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Including the two organisations previously referred to, a total of £4.8 million will be awarded in the financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08.
Water Supply: Catchment Abstraction Management
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty’s Government:
How many catchments and sub-catchments have so far been assessed under the Environment Agency’s catchments abstraction management strategy; and what proportion of each category has been assessed as (a) over-abstracted, and (b) over-licensed. [HL7088]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): As at March 2006, the Environment Agency had completed 64 catchment abstraction management strategies (CAMS) out of a total of 119.
The 64 CAMS have 871 assessment points. An assessment point is a location in a catchment where an estimate of resource availability and the impact of abstraction and discharge has been made.
For the CAMS prepared to date, 12 per cent of the assessment points suggest there may be cases of over-licensing; with a further 10 per cent suggesting that they are over-abstracted.
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Armed Forces: Medals
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty’s Government:
What representations the Minister for veterans’ affairs, Mr Tom Watson, has received from Falklands veteran Graham John Cordwell of the Parachute Regiment about the production and sale for private profit of medals and medal ribbons; and whether they intend to take any action. [HL6743]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Mr Cordwell wrote to the Minister for Veterans on 23 June, seeking answers to a number of questions. A copy of the response has been placed in the Library of the House.
Current copyright and design law provides a comprehensive regime for protecting and controlling the re-use of Crown and Ministry of Defence-owned intellectual property. However, the protection afforded is not perpetual and once it has expired manufacturers are free to reproduce the designs. The Ministry of Defence has in place a number of licensees who manufacture replica medals and miniatures for sale, for which fees are paid. We do not control the reproduction of the ribbons as, in the opinion of the MoD’s intellectual property staff, the designs do not meet the originality threshold to obtain copyright or design protection.
In addition, where we do have copyright protection, the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 obliges public sector bodies to licence the reproduction of this material on an equitable basis, where a request is received.
My noble friend may be aware of the current Government review of intellectual property legislation by Andrew Gowers, under the Treasury. The MoD has made an informal submission to the review on the subject of protection of medals and decorations of the Armed Forces. However, the issue of the protection of honours is wider than just those for which the Armed Forces are eligible, these being the responsibility of the Honours Committee of the Cabinet Office. Ultimately it will be the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry, as the department responsible for intellectual property, to propose any legislative amendments that Ministers choose to implement from the report's recommendations.
Assisted Area Status
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty’s Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): The Government have taken the current assisted areas map (2000-06) as the baseline for developing the new map. Torridge does not have
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The Government propose the following measures to prioritise areas for inclusion on the new map (2007-2013):
employment rate,adult skills at level 2 and above,incapacity benefit claimants, andmanufacturing share of employment.Further detail on the proposed designation of assisted areas, including the draft map, can be found in the DTI document Review of Assisted Areas—Stage 2—The Government’s Response and Draft Assisted Areas Map and accompanying documents, available at www.dti.gov.uk/regional/assisted-areas/assisted-areasreview/page24618.html.
Company Law
Lord Harrison asked Her Majesty’s Government:
What steps they will take to promote the European Union strategy, “Modernising Company Law and Enhancing Corporate Governance in the EU”, published in May 2003 in the European Union communication for an action plan. [HL7158]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): The Government have been promoting a clear UK strategy for modernising company law and enhancing corporate governance in the EU. In July 2005, the Department of Trade and Industry issued a publication, “Promoting Competitiveness: The UK Approach to EU company law and corporate governance” (URN 05/1205). In November 2005, the department hosted a UK presidency conference of EU partners and stakeholders on progress on corporate governance and on future priorities for the European Commission’s action plan. The outcome of that conference has been a full review of the action plan, the results of which are due later this year.
Courts: JPs
Baroness Morgan of Drefelin asked Her Majesty’s Government:
What representations he has received about the position of self-employed justices of the peace and the difficulties they may face in respect of both their own professional obligations and their magistrates’ court attendance duties if summoned for jury service. [HL7002]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): My department has received four letters from justices of the peace summoned for jury service about the combined commitment of being a JP and a juror. All four were received within
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Gangmasters
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty’s Government:
What steps the Department of Trade and Industry has taken to notify employment agencies that if they place anyone within the agriculture and food processing industries that agency must have a gangmasters’ licence. [HL7086]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): Our officials have been in close touch with the relevant employment agency trade association, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, regarding the requirements for licensing under the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act. They have also been working closely with colleagues at the Gangmasters Licensing Authority regarding the implications for employment agencies who supply workers to the agriculture and food processing industries. The GLA has produced a range of publications and guidance for all labour providers which are available on their website or in hard copy. They have worked closely with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation to ensure that employment businesses and agencies are aware of the requirements for licensing.
Government Departments: Special Advisers
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10 July (WA 89), how many assistants currently support special advisers to Ministers in the Department for Constitutional Affairs and what is the nature of their services. [HL6939]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): Two members of staff are primarily employed to provide support of a non-political nature in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.
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Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Whether special advisers are required to declare to the Permanent Secretary within the relevant department any other outside employment or work, paid or unpaid, that they may undertake in addition to their main duties; whether such information is published; and what plans they have for creating a register of interests for special advisers; and [HL7046]
Whether, in accordance with Section 17 of the Model Contract for Special Advisers, those special advisers employed by the Prime Minister have notified their head of department of any other external employment they have undertaken in the past year; and, if so, what was the nature of any such external employment. [HL7101]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: The rules for civil servants, including special advisers, who wish to take up other employment in addition to their Civil Service duties are set out in Section 4.3 of the Civil Service Management Code. Such information is not normally made public. There are no plans to create a public register of interests for special advisers.
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 10 July (WA 89), how many assistants currently support special advisers to Ministers in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport; and what is the nature of their services. [HL6971]
Lord Davies of Oldham: Special advisers have one member of staff who provides support of a non- political nature in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers.
Government Departments: Independent Expert Reports
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty’s Government:
What reports of independent experts have been commissioned by departments during the current Session of Parliament, giving in each case the date on which a draft report was received; the date on which each was approved for grammar, spelling and syntax; the date on which each was first submitted for ministerial approval; and the date on which each was published. [HL7117]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: The information requested is not collected centrally.
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Gulf War: Pensions
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Drayson on 12 July (WA 124), where, in the Ministry of Defence response to the president of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal’s letter of 5 April, does the department address the hope expressed by the then Minister for veterans’ affairs in October 2005 that the tribunals decisions had achieved closure of the Gulf War syndrome issue, while the subsequent handling by the Veterans’ Agency and the Ministry of Defence of its decision in the McGreevy case appeared designed to undermine any such closure. [HL7048]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): In the Ministry of Defence letter of 5 June to the president of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal, the fourth paragraph states: “As you are aware, the Ministry of Defence welcomed the decision by the Pensions Appeal Tribunal in the case brought by Mr Martin. The Tribunal’s decision accepted the use of the umbrella term Gulf War Syndrome for accepted conditions which are causally linked to service in the 1990-91-Gulf War. The Secretary of State recognised that some veterans were concerned that the link between their ill-health and their service in the Gulf had not been sufficiently acknowledged. The Tribunal's decision in Martin gave a formal means of providing such recognition and it was for that reason, not least, that the Ministry of Defence welcomed it”. The then veterans’ Minister, in his Written Statement of 24 November 2005 (Official Report, Commons, col. 129WS), hoped that this formal recognition would help to provide an element of closure for those who have sought this acknowledgement of their ill health. The extract from the 5 June letter was made in the context of the earlier ministerial Statement.
Moreover, in the spirit of helping to provide closure and acting in good faith, the Veterans’ Agency in its notification letters to Mr McGreevy went further than required by including previously accepted conditions, which were linked to his Gulf service, under the umbrella term of Gulf War syndrome. While the 5 June letter accepts that this was done in error, it nevertheless indicates the Ministry of Defence’s willingness to assist in the closure process.
Israel and Palestine: Gaza
Lord Hylton to ask Her Majesty's Government:
What action they will take to enable 235 ships' containers of food, now at Ashdod, belonging to the World Food Programme and the United
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The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): Our best information is that the food containers have been moved from Ashdod and are now awaiting delivery at Karni Crossing. The crossing has been open for humanitarian imports since 13 July, but had been closed for six days before that.
In the past fortnight, my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has spoken to Israeli Foreign Minister Livni and Palestinian President Abbas to try to help find a way to end the current humanitarian crisis. Our missions are working closely with both parties and the G8. The EU and the UK have issued statements in response to the crisis.
Israel and Palestine
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Whether the forthcoming G8 meeting will discuss the current situation in the Middle East, with particular regard to Israel, Palestine and their immediate neighbours and the need for negotiated solutions. [HL7006]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): On 16 July, G8 leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East. A copy of their statement will be placed in the Library of the House and I will also arrange for a copy to be sent to the noble Lord.
Kosovo: Peacekeeping Force
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty’s Government:
What plans there are to increase the Kosovo peacekeeping force presence in Kosovo to boost security during the final status talks process. [HL7071]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson):Although the security environment in Kosovo is stable, NATO has deployed a battalion from its operational reserve as a demonstration of its commitment to Kosovo. The deployment confirms NATO's ability to reinforce in-theatre NATO-led forces at very short notice and continues NATO's mission to provide a safe and secure environment for all of Kosovo. It is not assumed that the NATO force in Kosovo, KFOR, will see an increase in troop numbers during the status process.
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Kosovo
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty' Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): The security environment in Kosovo is stable. The security forces including NATO's KFOR, the UN Interim Administrative Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) continue to work together to maintain a safe and secure environment as the political process to determine the final status of Kosovo proceeds.
London: Museums
Baroness Gould of Potternewton asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Why the consultation document on the future sponsorship arrangements for the Museum of London includes the possible transfer to the Greater London Authority of the Horniman and Geffrye Museums when the Mayor of London has not sought this responsibility. [HL7057]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The sponsorship of the Museum of London, the Horniman Museum and Gardens and the Geffrye Museum was the subject of a similar consultation exercise in 1998, when the Greater London Authority (GLA) was in the process of being established. The result of the consultation was that it was decided not to transfer responsibility for these museums to the GLA. However, it was left open to review the matter at a later date when the GLA had been given time to develop its role and functions.
Following the Mayor of London's recent request to take on the Government's sponsorship responsibilities for the Museum of London, it was decided that there were sufficient grounds to consult again on the general principle of the GLA also taking on responsibility for the Horniman and Geffrye Museums. Any proposed changes that may emerge as a result of the consultation will be discussed with the museums in full.
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