| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
Written Answers
Wednesday, 18th June 1997.
General Affairs Council, 2-3 June
Lord Gregson asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will report on the outcome of the
2-3 June General Affairs Council.
Lord Whitty: The 23 A Points listed in document 8568/97, the text of which will be placed in the House Library, were approved.
The Council noted the resolutions adopted by the European Parliament, listed in Documents 7145/97 and 8018/97. A copy of these documents will also be placed in the House Library as soon as they are available.
The Presidency gave a brief presentation on the themes for the European Council in Amsterdam on 16-17 June, emphasising that the priority would be bringing the Intergovernmental Conference to a successful conclusion.
Conclusions were adopted on improving trade access for the Least Developed Countries. HMG hopes that other WTO members will respond positively to the Council's call that they make similar commitments.
The Commission reported on the outcome of negotiations with Canada and Russia on a Framework Agreement on Humane Trapping Standards. The Council Conclusions welcomed progress made, noted the Commission's intention to issue proposals for concluding an Agreement and urged the Commission to report on progress in similar negotiations with the USA. A final decision will be taken at the 19/20 June Environment Council.
The Council adopted the Regulation creating a Monitoring Centre for Racism and Xenophobia. The Council also adopted the directives for negotiation between the Community and the Council of Europe concerning co-operation between the Monitoring Centre and the Council of Europe. It was decided that the Monitoring Centre will be based in Vienna.
The Council welcomed the results of the 28 May EU/US summit in The Hague, and noted preparations for the EU/Canada summit at Denver on 20 June. The EU/US summit was a success: key agreements were reached including on customs co-operation; there were detailed discussions also on drugs and crime as well as democracy and human rights. The EU/Canada summit will provide an opportunity to assess the implementation of the EU/Canada Joint Declaration and Joint Action Plan.
The Council noted the forthcoming EU/Japan sixth annual summit in The Hague on 25 June. Political dialogue will focus on the Korean peninsula and Hong Kong. The Commission will raise Japan's deregulation programme.
The Council agreed Conclusions setting out the EU's future policy towards Hong Kong after the transfer of sovereignty on 30 June. The Council welcomed the recent Commission Communication on future relations with Hong Kong and said that future policy should be based on a number of key guidelines, including Hong Kong's continuing high degree of political and economic autonomy under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration.
The Presidency announced its intention to present a compromise solution to the Mid Term Review of the Agreement with Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs).
The Council welcomed the outcome of the Ministerial Steering Board in Sintra on 30 May 1997, which had sent a clear message to the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina that further obstruction to peace implementation would not be tolerated. The Council paid tribute to Carl Bildt for his efforts in consolidating peace in Bosnia and promoting lasting stability in the region. It offered its full support to Carlos Westendorp as his appointed successor.
The Council welcomed the decision by the Albanian authorities to hold elections on 29 June and emphasised that responsibility for the future of the country lay with the Albanian people. The Council adopted a Common Position which provides that the EU will help Albania, within the co-ordinating framework of the OSCE, to promote the democratic process, a return to political stability and internal security and the holding of free and fair elections. The EU will continue to support economic reforms and to provide humanitarian aid as needed in accordance with the conditions developed in its regional approach.
Having reviewed the recent EU mission to Kinshasa, the Council reiterated the EU's support for democratisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and for the holding of elections, due in two years' time. The Head of the EU's electoral unit will visit DRC shortly. The Council urged the DRC to give full and unhindered access to refugees by the UN and humanitarian agencies. A ministerial troika will visit DRC at an appropriate time to discuss democratisation, humanitarian assistance and the future relationship.
The Council discussed relations with Iran and concluded that the conditions were not yet suitable for the return of the EU Ambassadors to Tehran.
The UK supported the Presidency's proposal for an EU declaration responding to the recent announcement by ASEAN to admit Cambodia, Burma and Laos as full ASEAN members in July. The declaration reaffirms the EU's commitment to the EU-ASEAN dialogue process but reiterates member states' concern about the situation in Burma.
The Council recalled the close ties between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean. It welcomed the proposal to organise a summit of Heads of State. A recommendation on possible dates, participation and follow up was requested.
The Council adopted a Common Position on conflict prevention and resolution in Africa. In many parts of
Africa, progress towards sustainable development had been undermined by conflicts. African countries must take the lead in conflict prevention and resolution in Africa. The EU in turn had a responsibility to support African efforts. An effective policy necessitated a coherent mix of political, economic, development, social and environment instruments.The Council welcomed the proposal that an EU/Africa summit should take place not later than the year 2000.
The Council recognised the lack of progress towards respect for human rights and the restoration of accountable, democratic government in Nigeria, and secured agreement to roll over the EU Common Position intact for a further six months. The Council also agreed a more consistent approach to the implementation of the EU visa restrictions.
A ministerial session of the Intergovernmental Conference took place on 2 and 3 June. It was preceded by an exchange of views with the President and representatives of the European Parliament. Discussion then progressed on the basis of the revised Presidency texts of 31 May (copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House). Subjects covered included Justice and Home Affairs; Flexibility; Common Foreign and Security Policy; Defence; Institutions; Employment.
Ottawa: Deputy High Commissioner's House
Lord Lucas asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the former deputy high commissioner's house in Ottawa has yet been sold; and, if not, how much it is hoped to realise from the sale and how much the house cost.
Lord Whitty: The house has not yet been sold. New agents have recently been appointed to take over the marketing of the house. The current asking price is C$1,800,000 (approximately £800,000 at current exchange rates). It was acquired by Her Majesty's Government in 1960 for C$105,000 (approximately £38,500 at 1960 exchange rate).
War Pensions Applications
Lord Skelmersdale asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When the last application for (a) a new and (b) an increased war pension resulting from injuries sustained during the Second World War was lodged with the War Pensions Agency.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham): These are matters for Kevin Caldwell, Chief Executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to the noble Lord.
Letter to Lord Skelmersdale from the Chief Executive of the War Pensions Agency, Mr. K. C. Caldwell, dated 17 June 1997.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security, Baroness Hollis of Heigham, has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary Question about claims for War Pensions.
The War Pensions Agency continues to receive new claims daily in respect of injuries sustained during the Second World War and also claims for an increase in current pensions due to the worsening of injuries sustained in the Second World War.
I hope you find my reply helpful.
Assisted Places Scheme
Baroness Carnegy of Lour asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How much will be saved each year by bringing to an end the Assisted Places Scheme in Scotland.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sewel): Published expenditure plans for the years 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 include expenditure on the Assisted Places Scheme of £14.0 million, £15.8 million and £15.7 million. The Government's spending plans for 1998-99 onwards will be announced in due course and will take account of the savings progressively released from phasing out the scheme in Scotland.
Primary School Class Numbers: Reduction Costs
Baroness Carnegy of Lour asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many primary school classes for 5, 6 and
7 year-olds in Scotland number more than 30 children, and what it will cost per annum to reduce them to that number.
Lord Sewel: Statistics on class size are collected biennially as part of the School Census. The census is completed for a typical week in late September and the information collected is therefore a point in time estimate. Statistics are collected by the school stage, rather than the age of the pupil. The latest information is for September 1995. At that time, 30,754 pupils in
P1 to P3 were in classes of 31 or more. There were 960 such classes. The annual cost of reducing maximum class size to 30 cannot be reliably estimated from the information held centrally at present.
Next Section
Back to Table of Contents
Lords Hansard Home Page