| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
Three-quarters of the cases reported between 1994 and 2004 involved individuals aged 50 years and above. This suggests that a majority of the cases are attributable to re-activation of latent infection, possibly acquired prior to implementation of controls such as milk pasteurisation and tuberculin screening of cattle. Information on non-UK sources of infection is not available. For the majority of cases, information on the outcome of treatment is not held centrally.
British Citizenship
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will place in the Library of the House any documents, dated between 5 July 2002 and 9 October 2002, pertaining to making provision for certain British nationals without other citizenship to register as British citizens under Section 4B of the British Nationality Act 1981.[HL6795]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): No. To do so would be contrary to the public interest in ensuring that officials are candid in the policy advice they submit to Ministers.
7 Nov 2006 : Column WA106
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 23 October (WA 206), why, given that no ordinary residence test applies to otherwise stateless British overseas citizens, British protected persons and British subjects wishing to register as British citizens, otherwise stateless British nationals overseas should continue to be required to satisfy an ordinary residence test.[HL7933]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Provision for otherwise stateless British nationals overseas was made by the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997, which was confined to individuals meeting specific criteria and who were resident in Hong Kong. Provision for otherwise stateless British overseas citizens, British protected persons and British subjects was made in Section 12 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. They were chosen on the basis that their right to remain in their countries of current residence lacked certainty. There was and is no similar basis relating to British nationals overseas.
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Triesman on 24 October (WA 223-24), whether they will place in the Library of the House the list of matters concerning Nepalese nationality law on which they intend to obtain clarification; and whether the interpretations of the law by the Government of Nepal which they are seeking will be treated as legally determinative for the purposes of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997.[HL8011]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The issues to be discussed with the Nepalese authorities were outlined in the digest of information placed in the Library of the House pursuant to the Written Answer given by Lord Triesman on 24 October. Only the British courts can determine conclusively the extent of the entitlement conferred by the 1997 Act. We shall in practice be guided in our administration of the Act (and in particular of the requirement that, immediately before the relevant date, the applicant would have been stateless but for his holding a qualifying form of British nationality) by the advice received from the Nepalese and other Governments as to the effect of their citizenship laws.
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the British consul-general to Hong Kong raised matters pertaining to the processing of citizenship applications from the solely British ethnic minorities in Hong Kong on his current trip to the United Kingdom; and, if so, what was the result of the discussions.[HL8066]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): The British consul-general in Hong Kong did not raise any matters pertaining to the processing of citizenship applications from applicants applying under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 during his current trip to the United Kingdom.
7 Nov 2006 : Column WA107
Cancer: Breast Screening Programme
Baroness Morgan of Drefelin asked Her Majesty's Government:
What discussions the Department of Health has had with HM Treasury regarding provisions in the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review to ensure that the National Health Service breast screening programme is adequately resourced to meet the demographic challenge posed by an ageing population and the expected increase in women aged 50 to 70.[HL8012]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): We are discussing with HM Treasury the impact on costs of pay, prices and other underlying pressures on all aspects of health and social care. Decisions on resource allocation for particular programmes will be made after the Chancellor announces the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Climate Change: Stern Report
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why printed copies of the Stern review report on the Economics of Climate Change are not available four days after publication; when they will be made available; and who was responsible for the decision not to make printed copies available.[HL8133]
Lord McKenzie of Luton: The report was published on the review website at www.sternreview.org.uk. Copies were deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on the day of publication, as were CD versions. Printed copies were subsequently delivered to the Printed Paper Office in the House of Lords and the Vote Office in the House of Commons.
Commission for Equality and Human Rights
Lord Ouseley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will seek to appoint commissioners for the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) who reflect specific experiences and backgrounds of the equality strands covered by the CEHR; and when such appointments will be announced.[HL8121]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): The Secretary of State will appoint commissioners to the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) who as a group have a wide range of knowledge and experience of discrimination and human rights issues and concerns. The announcement of the appointments is likely to be made shortly.
7 Nov 2006 : Column WA108
Lord Ouseley asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many complaints have been received to date from rejected candidates for appointment as Commission for Equality and Human Rights commissioners; and whether these complaints have been responded to. [HL8122]
Baroness Andrews: By the end of October five candidates whose applications were unsuccessful had made a complaint. Her Majesty's Government have responded to all five candidates.
Compensation: Department for Work and Pensions
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much the Department for Work and Pensions has paid out in compensation to former employees in each of the past 10 years.[HL7791]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): The Department for Work and Pensions does not hold the requested information centrally and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, as a physical search of individual archived cases both for the DWP and its precursor organisations would be required.
Compensation: Department of Health
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much the Department of Health has paid out in compensation to former employees in each of the past 10 years.[HL7792]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): The figures have been extracted from the department's losses and special payments register, and all were categorised as ex-gratia payments. Information is available only from 2001-02.
| Period | Value |
Construction Industry: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 27 October (WA 265) concerning the Social Security (Contributions) (Northern Ireland) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/597), they will answer the Question asked by the Lord Laird in Question for Written Answer (HL 7831).[HL8046]
7 Nov 2006 : Column WA109
Lord McKenzie of Luton: As I explained in my earlier Answer, HMRC continually monitors and reviews the operation of exemptions from the payment of national insurance contributions. I cannot enlarge upon what I said.
Consultation: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Regarding Section 75 groups recognised by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, whether the groups consulted by the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland responded to any consultation; to what extent and in what form they addressed equality of opportunity issues, and whether any suggestions were made leading to a change in proposed policies.[HL7559]
Lord Rooker: For every equality-related consultation issued, policy makers record to whom consultations were issued, who responded and what was stated. This information is included in final policy documents, which are then published on the department's website.
It is difficult to identify specific changes to a policy as a result of consultation alone, as equality is mainstreamed effectively into decision-making throughout the policy development cycle.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 25 October (HL 7589), why Northern Ireland Members of the House of Lords are not included in the list of those people who are consulted under equality legislation.[HL7964]
Lord Rooker: The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister maintains guidance on the distribution of departmental publications which includes a list of individuals, groups and organisations that should be sent all government consultations on policy proposals and proposals for draft Orders in Council and statutory rules. All political parties in Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Members of the House of Lords are included on this list.
In addition to this core list, each government department holds a supplemental Section 75 consultation list, as required by their equality schemes. This list contains all those individuals, groups and organisations that have requested to be consulted specifically on equality issues.
Northern Ireland Members of the House of Lords are not included on the supplemental Section 75 consultation list because they are already on the core list of those who are always consulted. Both lists are used simultaneously when sending out consultations under equality legislation.
7 Nov 2006 : Column WA110
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
What issues necessitated the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety embarking on its Consultation on a Strategy and Action Plan to Promote Equality, Good Relations and Human Rights in Health and Social Services exercise.[HL8080]
Lord Rooker: The purpose of the consultation is to further the understanding of the department and the health and personal social services (HPSS) of a range of issues affecting people’s access to health and social services and their experience of these services.
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the total budget for the consultative exercise at the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Consultation on a Strategy and Action Plan to Promote Equality, Good Relations and Human Rights in Health and Social Services; how many staff are working on this exercise; and at what management level and by whom such a study was authorised.[HL8081]
Lord Rooker: The strategy document has been published on the department's website rather than by print-run. A small number of hard copies have been sent to voluntary-sector bodies with a particular interest in equality issues. The non-salary costs of the consultation are therefore limited to postage and stationery and amount to under £200. Four DHSSPS staff have worked on the strategy and action plan, none of whom has worked exclusively or primarily on this project. The development of the strategy and action plan was authorised by the departmental board.
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000: Access Land
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
What procedures are in place for making reasoned decisions on applications for exclusions and restrictions to the rights of access over land mapped as access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; and in particular whether there is a requirement for a site visit in each case; what steps are taken to check that Section 26(3) of the Act is followed with respect to each application; and what are the procedures for considering any objections. [HL8099]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The Countryside Agency (now Natural England) issued guidance under Section 33 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to the relevant authorities. This sets out criteria for determining applications to exclude or restrict access under the CROW Act. The guidance was approved by the Secretary of State and the relevant authorities are required to have regard to it in making their decisions.
7 Nov 2006 : Column WA111
While it is not a statutory requirement to carry out site visits, they have so far been undertaken for the majority of applications received by the relevant authorities.
Restrictions under Section 26 of the CROW Act are for nature conservation and heritage purposes and are not available on application. However, Natural England gives consideration to representations from external organisations and members of the public on these grounds. The relevant authorities consider whether restrictions are required in the light of any advice from the relevant advisory bodies (Natural England for nature conservation and English Heritage for heritage preservation purposes).
Where a long-term restriction is proposed, it is subject to statutory consultation procedures and the relevant authority considers any objections that are received before making its decision.
| Next Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |