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Israel and Palestine: Gaza
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Government of Israel's use of weapons of heavy destruction against non-military targets in the Gaza strip and Lebanon constitutes a breach of international law and the Geneva convention proscribing attacks on civilians.[HL7041]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): All parties must show restraint and take only proportionate measures that are in accordance with international law. We want to see a diplomatic solution. We remain concerned by the humanitarian situation. As my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary said in another place on 20 July:
“I know, that from the outset we have urged on all parties that they should act proportionately, and that they should do everything possible to avoid civilian violence. I regret ... the killing and injuring of, in particular, civilians in Lebanon, in Gaza or in Israel itself. Our main objective must be to establish what can be done to ameliorate the situation”.—(Official Report, Commons, 20/7/06; col. 511.)
Israel: International Arrest Warrants
Baroness D'Souza asked Her Majesty’s Government:
What was the outcome of discussions with the Government of Israel on the United Kingdom Government’s plans to amend current legislation on international arrest warrants. [HL7116]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): We have explained to the Israeli Government that the Home Office has been considering a range of issues relating to the issuing of arrest warrants in international cases. Any proposals for amending the current legislation would be a matter for Parliament.
Israel: Syria and Iran
Lord Turnberg asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made to the governments of Syria and Iran about their possible role in promoting terrorism against Israel.[HL7078]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): We have summoned both the Syrian and Iranian Ambassador in London to discuss the current situation in Lebanon with them. As my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary said in another place on 25 July:
“We are gravely concerned about the crisis in Lebanon. Syrian and Iranian support for Hezbollah and other extremist groups is encouraging extremism, threatening the stability of the region and putting peace in the middle east further out of reach. We call on Syria and Iran to stop their support for Hezbollah and end their interference in Lebanese internal affairs in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1680”.—(Official Report, Commons, 25/7/06; col. 717.)
Lord Turnberg asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have drawn the attention of the United Nations Security Council to the impact on the peace process in the Middle East caused by the actions of Hezbollah and Hamas with the apparent support of Syria and Iran.[HL7079]
Lord Triesman: We are very concerned about the role of Syria and Iran in Lebanon. Through their support for Hezbollah Iran and Syria are encouraging extremism, threatening the stability of the region, and putting peace in the Middle East further out of reach. We have called on Syria and Iran to stop their support for Hezbollah and end their interference in Lebanese internal affairs in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1680.
As we said at the UN Security Council on 21 July, “Hezbollah does not act alone. As other speakers have said, behind it, lending support and giving direction, are Syria and Iran. Syria provides material support to Hezbollah and facilitates the transfer of weapons, including thousands of missiles, which appear to be supplied by Iran to Hezbollah. Ultimately, long-term stability will be possible only if Syria and Iran end their interference in Lebanese internal affairs, in accordance with Resolutions 1559 (2004) and 1680 (2006)”.
Lebanon: Civilian Casualties
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they will make to the United Nations on the possible classification as war crimes of the recent killing by military strikes of an estimated total of 90 Lebanese children and five Israeli children.[HL7123]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): While Israel has every right to act in self-defence against these provocative acts, we nevertheless share the serious concern in the UN and elsewhere about the number of deaths, casualties and displaced persons that have been caused as a result of this conflict. We have urged Israel to act proportionately, to conform to international law and to avoid civilian death and suffering. As my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said on 18 July, “It is important that Israel's response is proportionate and does its best to minimise civilian casualties, but it would stop now if the soldiers, who were wrongly kidnapped when Hizbollah crossed the United Nations blue line, were released. It would stop if the rockets stopped coming into Haifa, deliberately to kill innocent civilians”.
Lebanon: International Peace Force
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ensure that the newly proposed international peace force to be sent to Lebanon under United Nations auspices will exclude military personnel from the United States and the United Kingdom. [HL7081]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Her Majesty's Government (HMG) are actively discussing with international partners options to help to resolve the current Middle East crisis. Any international force would need the support of, among others, the Lebanese Government and Israel. If a force were to be deployed, HMG would consider, with international partners, how best they could support any such effort, taking into account our existing military commitments. The involvement of US military personnel is a matter for the US Government.
Lebanon: War Crimes
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will gather any available evidence of war crimes against humanity from the Middle East conflict since 1 July with a view to presenting cases to the International Criminal Court.[HL7144]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): We remain deeply concerned by the situation in the Middle East and have called for all sides to act with restraint. We share the serious concern of the UN and others about the number of deaths, casualties and displaced persons that have been caused as a result of this conflict. As my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary said on 20 July, “from the outset we have urged on all parties that they should act proportionately, and that they should do everything possible to avoid civilian violence” (Official Report, Commons, col. 511). We have no plans to gather evidence to present to the International Criminal Court.
Licensing: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether an equality impact assessment was completed on the decision to end the surrender requirement for new pub licences in Northern Ireland and on the later decision to conduct a business review on ending the private market in drinks licences; and whether equality issues are being addressed in discussions of the surrender question.[HL7251]
Lord Rooker: The equality screening exercise under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 on the proposal to abolish the surrender requirement did not identify any significant equality implications. Consequently, an equality impact assessment was not considered necessary.
London: Museums
Baroness Lockwood asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why reference has been made to the Horniman Museum in the consultation document on the future sponsorship arrangements of the Museum of London.[HL7248]
Lord Davies of Oldham: I refer my noble friend to the Answer that I gave on 25 July (Official Report, col. WA 263) to my noble friend Lady Gould of Potternewton.
Lyme Bay: Scallops
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the damage caused to the marine environment in Lyme Bay as a result of scallop dredging; and [HL6991]
What assessment they have made of the monetary value of scallops taken from Lyme Bay in (a) 2004—05, and (b) 2005—06; and [HL6992]
Whether English Nature has advised what area of the seabed in Lyme Bay should be protected immediately; and whether the Government will publish the advice they have received from English Nature about the damage caused to marine reefs in Lyme Bay as a result of scallop dredging; and [HL6993]
What factors they will take into account in deciding whether to introduce a stop order to control scallop dredging in Lyme Bay; and whether they will introduce a stop order under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to stop damage to the marine reefs in Lyme Bay.[HL6994]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): We have considered very seriously the action needed to protect the pink sea fans, ross corals and sunset corals, and to protect other parts of Lyme Bay’s important marine environment.
We have worked closely over recent months with both English Nature and representatives of the fishing industry to reach a compromise on the areas of the bay to be closed. In the end, Ben Bradshaw determined that a zonal solution backed by independent scientific assessment and advice was the most proportionate way to provide the necessary protection for those areas of Lyme Bay of greatest nature conservation and marine biodiversity importance. It will also allow a valuable sustainable fishery (estimated value of up to £3 million annually) to continue where it has done for many years.
The areas to be closed give over seven times the level of protection that was available in Lyme Bay last year and cover more than 90 per cent of the pink sea fan locations presently confirmed by English Nature and Devon Wildlife Trust surveys. Members of the South West Inshore Scallopers Association confirmed they would respect the closed areas from midnight on 24 August and have in place a system for monitoring compliance. They also undertook to advise non-members of the agreement not to fish in these areas. At the same time we will be considering, with the Devon and Southern Sea Fisheries Committees, the most appropriate legislative vehicle to make this protection statutory.
We will also be considering suggestions that we should exclude other forms of extractive fishing from the closed zones, in order to allow the biodiversity of Lyme Bay to receive maximum benefit and to allow scallops to benefit in the open areas. Potters, gill netters, pelagic trawlers and divers will be fully consulted as we develop our ideas.
Middle East: Women
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have proposals to increase support and practical help for women's organisations throughout the Middle East.[HL7146]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): The UK is working to support women's organisations in the Middle East, both by ensuring that women's issues are at the forefront of the international development agenda and by supporting home-grown initiatives in the region. Through the Global Opportunities Fund and the Engaging with the Islamic World programme, the UK contributes an annual £8.5 million towards a wide range of projects, which include a number of projects that support the advancement of women. Examples of current and planned projects include enhancing the participation of women parliamentarians in Jordan, supporting women's role in society in Saudi Arabia and strengthening women's civil society and the non-governmental organisations sector in Afghanistan.
Migrant Workers
Lord Taylor of Holbeach asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 17 July, what issues will be covered by the Audit Commission report on migrant workers; and when the report will be published.[HL7049]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): As this is an operational matter, my officials asked the Audit Commission to reply direct to the noble Lord. The chief executive subsequently replied to him on 21 July, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Ministry of Defence: Joint Personnel Administration System
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress they are making as regards the rollout of the Joint Personnel Administration change programme; and when rollout of the programme will be completed.[HL7324]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) was rolled out to the RAF in March 2006. Self-service functionality has been available to all personnel since 18 May.
The rollout to the Royal Navy remains on target for implementation in October 2006. Technical improvements are being made to cope with the expected initial surge of self-service usage on rollout, additional inquiry centre staff are being recruited and trained, and an improved training package for users has been introduced.
Rollout to the Army remains on target for implementation in March 2007.
Ministry of Defence: Sexual Harassment
Lord MacKenzie of Culkein asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many allegations of sexual harassment have been made against male officers of the Ministry of Defence Police since April 2003; in how many cases disciplinary action has been taken; and in how many cases officers have been dismissed or required to resign.[HL7297]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): Five sets of allegations have been made against male officers of the Ministry of Defence Police since April 2003. Disciplinary action has been taken in three of the cases. Throughout the period since April 2003 no officer has been dismissed or required to resign.
MRSA
Lord MacKenzie of Culkein asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why there has been a delay in the issue of a licence for ChloraPrep despite the recommendation of the Health Protection Agency in July 2005; and whether the use of 2 per cent chlorhexidine preparations is more effective in preventing methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) than the 0.5 per cent currently available for use in central line insertion.[HL7294]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency granted a licence for ChloraPrep on 10 September 2005 and the licence holder has confirmed that the product has been available since early November 2005.
Although ChloraPrep is a preparation containing two per cent chlorhexidine gluconate in 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol and is indicated for the disinfection of pre-injection sites, the product information does not make any claims for activity against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.
NATO: Riga Summit
Lord Garden asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are their priorities for the NATO summit in Riga; and whether the NATO comprehensive guidance document will be published ahead of the summit.[HL7279]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): UK priorities for the Riga Summit will be NATO's transformation agenda and NATO operations. The aim of the former is to ensure that NATO has the necessary capabilities, structures and relationships with third countries to meet today's global security challenges. The comprehensive political guidance document is unlikely to be published ahead of the summit.
NHS: Appointments
Lord Livsey of Talgarth asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether consideration has been given to measures to encourage the recruitment of black and minority ethnic executive directors to acute National Health Service trusts in Birmingham, in view of the fact that none of the 50 listed in the most recent annual reports is from such a background.[HL6987]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): It is recognised that black and minority ethnic (BME) people remain under-represented in senior management. The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 places a positive duty on public bodies, including the National Health Service, to promote race equality. It is therefore essential that steps are taken to ensure that NHS staffing is representative of the community it serves.
NHS Employers has issued guidance to encourage the NHS to use the current opportunity of reorganisation to address this imbalance. The guidance includes a checklist designed to outline the recommended action that NHS employers should take to ensure that there is no direct or indirect discrimination against any particular individual or group through organisational change.
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