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Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they sent an observer to the latest session of the trial of 48 police officers charged with the murder of Mr. Metin Goktepe, journalist, held on 6 February 1997 at Afyon, Turkey; and whether they will send an observer to the next session on 11 April at Afyon.
Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: No British official was able to attend the Goktepe trial on 6 February. But we continue to follow this case closely, and we hope to be able to send an observer to attend the next session of the trial on 11 April.
International Fund for Agricultural Development: Replenishment
Lord Lyell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What was the final outcome of the negotiations to replenish the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and what will be the UK contribution.
Baroness Chalker of Wallasey: I am pleased to report that agreement was reached last week on the Fourth Replenishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). With pledges of around $360 million from the developed countries; some $100 million from the oil producers and developing countries together, the release by the developed countries of some $16 million from the Third Replenishment; and anticipated reflows and investment income, IFAD should be able to maintain a very satisfactory level of annual lending commitments over the next three years.
The UK's contribution to the Fourth Replenishment will be $22.01 million (£13.6 million), for which parliamentary approval will be sought in due course. In addition, we will release our share--rather less than $1 million--of the funds previously blocked under the Third Replenishment: this is not a new financial commitment, promissory notes for the amount having already been lodged.
I am pleased to say that the UK, as Convenor of the OECD Group, the largest of the donor groups, played an influential role in securing agreement on the Fourth Replenishment.
Scottish Law Reform Projects
Lord Daresbury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What proposals the Scottish Law Commission has for future law reform projects.
The Lord Advocate (Lord Mackay of Drumadoon): I have recently agreed with the Scottish Law Commission a Fifth Programme of Law Reform. This was presented to Parliament yesterday and is published today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The new programme, which supersedes the existing four programmes, describes the short, medium and long-term projects on which the Commission will be working between now and the end of 1999. Timetables are set for the short and medium term projects.
The centrepiece of the projects in the Fifth Programme is the Commission's work on property, including feudal tenure reform and reform of the law of the tenement. Recommendations on the law of the tenement are expected before the end of 1997 and on feudal tenure reform before the end of 1999. Other matters on which recommendations are expected before the end of 1997 include diligence on the dependence and admiralty arrestments and unjustified enrichment.
The Government welcome this programme, which concentrates on a number of important and timely law reform projects. The fixing of priorities and timetables is particularly welcome and will help all of those with an interest in law reform to keep track of and prepare for changes in the law which the Commission might recommend.
Paedophiles: ACPO Representations
Lord Harris of Greenwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will place in the Library a copy of the representations made by the Association of Chief Police Officers concerning the proposal that in certain circumstances the names and addresses of those convicted of sexual offences against children should be made publicly available.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch): My right honourable friend, with the consent of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), placed copies of the response from ACPO in the Library on 25 February.
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