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Written Answers
Wednesday, 11th December 1996.
General Affairs Council, 6th December
The Viscount of Oxfuird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What was the outcome of the General Affairs Council on 6th December in Brussels.
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey): All but three of the 25 A points in document 12425/96, which will be placed in the House as soon as it is available, were approved. The Dutch placed parliamentary scrutiny reserves on three items; stepping up the fight against organised crime, achievements in the field of justice and home affairs and a draft report to the European Council on drugs. They expect to be able to lift all three of the reserves, enabling them to be adopted before the European Council in Dublin on 13th and 14th December.
The Council noted the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament listed in Document 11428/96. A copy of the document will be placed in the House as soon as it is available. The Presidency drew attention to a resolution changing the European Parliament's Rules of Procedure requiring the Council to express an opinion on the Commission's annual work programme and the Parliament's subsequent resolution on priorities for the year ahead. The Council agreed that this encroached on the Council's competence and that the Presidency should write to the European Parliament to restate the Council's position that it did not feel itself duty bound by an obligation imposed unilaterally by the Parliament.
The Presidency informed the Council about the timing and agenda at the European Council in Dublin on 13th-14th December.
The Council discussed a Presidency proposal on an approach for the future trade regime for the mid-term review of the Council decision on the Association of Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT). Ministers were unable to reach agreement. The Council concluded that OCT should be discussed further by the Committee of Permanent Representatives with a view to reaching agreement before the end of the year.
The Council noted the approach outlined by the Commission in a short presentation given by Sir L. Brittan on the upcoming EU-US summit, which is being held in Washington on 16th December.
After hearing a report from the Commission, the Council agreed conclusions on EU relations with Switzerland. They confirmed that considerable progress had been made in various sectors and in particular in regard to the free movement of persons. While recognising that a number of technical issues remain to be resolved at expert level, the Council expressed the view that it should now be possible to proceed to the finalisation of these negotiations. The Council also expressed the hope that a rapid conclusion of the land transport agreement based on a set of common
principles could be achieved. The Council also underlined the importance of the global nature of the negotiations and the need for a balance between the different sectors and parallel shouldering of commitments in accordance with the directives approved in 1994.The 6th EEA Council took place at the end of the morning and over lunch.
The Commission outlined its humanitarian plan for the Great Lakes region in Zaire. The Council encouraged the Commission to present the plan as soon as possible. There was some discussion of the need for military intervention in the support of humanitarian activities. My right honourable and learned friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs commented that the British Government remains committed to the humanitarian effort in the region but, until there is clear evidence to suggest that military intervention would help the humanitarian effort, the British Government remain unconvinced of the need for deployment of a full multinational force.
The Council had an exchange of views on Belarus, in the light of the Troika's meeting with President Lukashenko in Lisbon on 3rd December. The Council reiterated its deep concern about the democratic legitimacy and constitutionality of the Belarus referendum and new constitution. It decided to propose to the Belarusian authorities the sending of a European Union fact-finding mission.
Financial assistance to Turkey, under the MEDA regulation was discussed over coffee.
My right honourable and learned friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs debriefed the Council, at the request of the Presidency, on the London Peace Implementation Conference. He noted that, while good progress had been made, the conference had realistically identified the huge amount still to be done. The Council welcomed the successful conclusion of the London Peace Implementation Conference. It recognized the symbolic significance of the presence of all the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the conference. The Council reaffirmed the European Union's commitment to, and support for, the consolidation of peace, reconstruction and the return of refugees, notably through its regional approach. The Council expressed its deep concern at the current developments in the former Republic of Yugoslavia and called for adherence to democracy and the rule of law, respect for human rights and democratic principles. The Council underlined that this would be a factor in the development of closer relations between the European Union and the former Republic of Yugoslavia in the context of the application of the Regional Approach.
The Council welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations with the Palestinians on a new interim association agreement as an important step in strengthening their relations with the European Union. It looked forward to the early signature following the planned initialling by the Commission on 10th December.
The Commission proposed 20 Mecu assistance for Bulgaria through the PHARE programme as part of a concerted international effort. Detailed proposals would be put to the PHARE Management Committee.
Foreign Ministers held a conclave to discuss the Intergovernmental Conference. The Irish Presidency presented its draft revised treaty outline, which the Florence European Council had requested and which was placed in the House Libraries on 5th December. Ministers were able to give their first reactions to the document in preparation for the Dublin European Council discussion on 13th-14th December. The Foreign Ministers' meeting was preceded by the normal briefing session with the European Parliament.
The Conference of the Representatives for the Governments of the Member states agreed that the seat of the Community Plant Variety Office will be in Angers, France.
Prison Escapes
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What steps they propose to take to reassure the public that the circumstances surrounding the escape of six category A prisoners (one of whom remains at large) and 18 category B prisoners (four of whom remain at large) since January 1995 have been properly investigated and whether they will report to Parliament on the lessons learnt from these escapes.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch): Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter to Lord Marlesford from the Director of Security and Programmes, the Prison Service, Mr. A. J. Pearson.
Lady Blatch has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question asking what steps are proposed to reassure the public that the circumstances surrounding the escape of six category A prisoners and eighteen category B prisoners since January 1995 have been properly investigated and whether they will report to Parliament on the lessons learnt from these escapes.
None of the 18 category B prisoners who have escaped since January 1995 remains at large.
The Prison Service investigates all escapes, the level of the investigation corresponding to the seriousness of the incident. The investigation of escapes at category B level will be undertaken by at least a senior governor. Escapes at category A level have been investigated by assistant directors or by public inquiry set up by the Home Secretary, as in the case of the escape from Parkhurst prison on 3rd January 1995, when Sir John Learmont conducted the inquiry.
It is Prison Service policy not to publish internal investigations, as making the findings public could damage security and make prisoners aware of security weaknesses and methods of escape. Findings
resulting from inquiries are circulated to all prison establishments.On 24th July 1996, Ann Widdecombe published an interim progress report which gave details of the Prison Service response to 100 of Sir John Learmont's 127 recommendations. Since then the implementation of a further 11 recommendations has been taken forward. The measures taken in response to the Learmont Report form part of the wide-ranging programme of action initiated by the service to build on its improved performance in security.
The remaining Learmont recommendations will be considered in the light of their operational impact, effectiveness and value for money.
Overall escapes have been reduced by the Prison Service's policies from 347 in 1992-93, the last year prior to agency status, to 122 in 1995-96.
In the current financial year there have been no category A escapes. The six category B prisoners who escaped from an escort from Blundeston prison on
5th November have now been recaptured.
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