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St Andrews Agreement
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Who were the parties to the St Andrews agreement of 13 October; and whether the oath for Executive Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly which pledges support for the Police Service of Northern Ireland is part of the agreement.[HL7742]
Lord Rooker: The St Andrews agreement is currently an agreement between the British and Irish Governments. We have asked the Northern Ireland parties to consult internally and to respond by 10 November as to whether they will endorse the terms of the agreement.
Paragraph 8 of Annexe A to the agreement deals with potential amendments to the pledge of office and makes it clear that,
- “before the Government legislates on the pledge of office it will consider the outcome of further Preparation for Government Committee discussions on policing and the rule of law”.
Sudan: Darfur
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their current estimate of the total number of fatalities and the number of displaced people in Darfur; and what is their assessment of any progress towards ending the conflict.[HL7539]
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The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos): No reliable figures exist for the total number of persons killed across Darfur since the conflict began and estimates vary widely.
But every death, casualty or rape in Sudan is a tragedy. That is why we are pressing the Government of Sudan and the rebel groups to stop the fighting; to agree to the deployment of a UN force in Darfur; to co-operate in bolstering the AU in the interim; to commit to and implement the Darfur peace agreement; and to ensure full humanitarian access for the UN and NGOs in Darfur.
The security situation in Darfur remains critical. The Prime Minister is working to take forward a broad international initiative to press all sides to stop the fighting, secure transition from the current African Union (AU) force to a United Nations one, bolster the AU in the interim, reinvigorate the political process and ensure full humanitarian access for the UN and non-government organisations in the region. Ending the conflict is dependent on progress being made on these actions.
Vehicles: Weight Restrictions
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
When the level of fixed penalty notices issued under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 for infringements of weight restriction orders was last reviewed; and [HL7865]
Whether the present level of fixed penalty notices for breaching weight restriction orders is proportionate to the financial advantage gained by those infringing them; and [HL7866]
Whether they have any plans to increase the amount of the penalty for infringing weight restriction orders.[HL7867]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): We have no current plans to increase the fixed penalty level for contravening a weight restriction imposed by a local traffic regulation order under the relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. However, the penalty levels associated with all fixed penalty offences are kept under continual review by the fixed penalty procedures working group, with representatives from relevant government departments and criminal justice agencies. Where a driver is detected committing a fixed penalty offence the police will be guided by the principles of proportionality in applying the law. There is no automatic penalty for contravening a weight restriction imposed by a local traffic regulation order. Where an offending driver is detected the police will decide what action to take in the particular case. At present, offending drivers detected by the police can be dealt with by way of fixed penalty if the police offer that option. This gives offenders the chance to discharge their liability to be convicted by the payment of £30. The police have the discretion not to offer a fixed penalty, for example, if they regard the offence committed as too serious. In that event they report the case for prosecution in the courts. The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of up to £1,000.
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Waste Management
Lord Vinson asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will introduce de minimis levels of compliance with the waste disposal directive to prevent the criminalisation of domestic burning of plastic waste such as window envelopes.[HL7785]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The Government have no plans to set de minimis levels of compliance.
Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they have delayed consideration of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 by a Grand Committee; and when it will be debated.[HL7774]
Lord Rooker: The timetable for the passage of the Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006 has been adjusted to allow the judicial review brought by the Consumer Council to be concluded before the parliamentary debates. These debates are now expected to take place after 15 November 2006.
Young Offender Institutions: Stoke Heath
Baroness Stern asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the certified normal accommodation and operational capacity of A wing at HM Young Offender Institution Stoke Heath; and [HL7859]
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How many people were being held on A wing at HM Young Offender Institution Stoke Heath at the time of the incident there on 2 October; and how many of these were juveniles; and [HL7860]
Whether HM Prison Service deployed tornado teams to HM Young Offender Institution Stoke Heath in the course of the incident on 2 October; if so, how many teams were deployed; and from what other institutions; and [HL7861]
Whether the incident on 2 October at HM Young Offender Institution Stoke Heath came to an end as a result of negotiation or by intervention; and whether any force was used by staff in bringing the incident to an end; and [HL7862]
Whether any young offenders or staff were injured at HM Young Offender Institution Stoke Heath during the incident on 2 October or in the course of its conclusion; and, if so, what was the extent of their injuries.[HL7895]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The certified normal accommodation and operational capacity on Stoke Heath young offender institution’s alpha wing was 72 up until 1 October when an incident temporarily put it out of use. Seventy-two people were being held on the wing, all of whom were juveniles.
Six tornado teams were deployed from other establishments: two from Birmingham and one each from Stoke Heath, Shrewsbury, Brinsford and Featherstone. Negotiators successfully brought the incident to an end with only six young trainees needing to be restrained.
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