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Written Answers
Tuesday, 12th May 1998.
UN Dues: United States Arrears
Lord Rotherwick asked Her Majesty's Government:
- By how much the United States is currently in arrears in respect of their annual contributions to the United Nations; and whether it is their policy to encourage the United States Government to reduce that sum.[HL1744]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): At 15 April 1998, the US owed $619 million to the UN Regular Budget and $958 million to UN peacekeeping budgets in respect of prior year arrears and unpaid 1998 dues. We continue to urge the US to pay their arrears and future contributions promptly and in full.
Turkey: Trade Union Federation and ILO
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they are supporting the application of the Turkish Trade Union Federation (KESK) to join the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which has been outstanding since 1992.[HL1705]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have not received any representations from the Turkish Trade Union Federation concerning its application to participate in the Turkish delegation to the International Labour Organisation.
Turkey: Human Rights Abuses
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will urge the Government of Turkey:
(a) to prosecute those responsible for torturing 16 grammar school pupils over a 12-day period from 25 December 1995 at Manisa;
(b) to complete the proceedings against 17 policemen charged with killing seven persons in Gazi (Istanbul) in 1995; and to explain why the proceedings are being held in Trabizon, several hundred miles away; (c) to release 68 journalists currently imprisoned and to lift the ban imposed on Emek, a daily newspaper.[HL1707]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Our Embassy in Ankara are closely monitoring the progress of the trials of those police officers accused of torturing the students in Manisa and of the killings in the Gazi Osman Pasha district of Istanbul in 1995. We hope that these proceedings will be quickly concluded. We understand that the trial of the police officers in the Gazi Osman Pasha case has been moved to Trabzon for security reasons.
We deplore the prosecution of journalists by the Turkish authorities for the non-violent expression of their views. We urge the Turkish Government to implement the necessary reforms to strengthen the right of freedom of expression to which they are publicly committed.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have studied the resolutions adopted on 11 April by the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting at Windhoek concerning Turkey (Annexes 38 and 39); whether they will continue to press for the release of imprisoned members of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and the lifting of bans on those now in exile; and whether they will make representations about the case of Mr. Hasan Mezarci, a parliamentarian sentenced on 29 February 1996 by Bandirma Penal court.[HL1708]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We are aware of the Inter-Parliamentary Union resolutions raised by the noble Lord.
We will continue to urge the Turkish Government to fulfil its publicly stated commitment to meet its international obligations in the field of human rights. We believe it is inconsistent with those obligations to prosecute elected politicians for the peaceful expression of their views.
Mr. Pius Njawe
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will make further representations to the Government of Cameroon about the prison sentence, reduced to one year by the court of appeal in Yaounde, passed on Mr. Pius Njawe, editor of
Le Messager, for publishing a report on the health of President Paul Biya on 13 January.[HL1684]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We have made representations about Pius Njawe to the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Director of Commonwealth Affairs of Cameroon and with the Cameroonian High Commissioner in London. We will continue to take every suitable opportunity to raise his case with the Cameroonian authorities, making it clear that we regard even a one-year prison sentence as unacceptable. Our High Commissioner plans to visit Pius Njawe again shortly.
Ocean Charter
Lord Kennet asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which department is examining the Ocean Charter being promulgated by UNESCO.[HL1613]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Baroness Hayman): My right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions is currently considering this document.
Parliamentary Constituencies in National Parks
Viscount Addison asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which parliamentary constituencies are located in whole or in part in National Parks.[HL1709]
Baroness Hayman: The parliamentary constituencies that are located in whole or in part in the National Parks in England and Wales are set out in the table below.
| National Park | Constituency |
| Brecon Beacons | Brecon & Radnorshire |
| Torfaen | |
| Neath | |
| Cynon Valley | |
| Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney | |
| Blaenau Gwent | |
| Monmouth | |
| Carmarthen East & Dinefwr | |
| Dartmoor | Devon West & Torridge |
| Devon South West | |
| Teignbridge | |
| Tiverton & Honiton | |
| Totnes | |
| Exmoor | Bridgewater |
| Devon North | |
| Taunton | |
| Lake District | Copeland |
| Westmorland & Lonsdale | |
| Penrith & The Border | |
| Workington | |
| Northumberland | Berwick upon Tweed |
| Hexham | |
| North York Moors | Middlesbrough South & Cleveland East |
| Scarborough & Whitby | |
| Ryedale | |
| Peak District | Oldham East & Saddleworth |
| Colne Valley | |
| Barnsley West & Penistone | |
| Sheffield Hallam | |
| Sheffield Hillsborough | |
| Derbyshire North East | |
| Derbyshire West | |
| High Peak | |
| Staffordshire Moorlands | |
| Macclesfield | |
| Pembrokeshire Coast | Preseli Pembrokeshire |
| Carmarthen West & Pembrokeshire South | |
| Snowdonia | Meirionnydd Nant Conwy |
| Caernarfon | |
| Conwy | |
| Yorkshire Dales | Richmond |
| Skipton & Ripon | |
| Westmorland & Lonsdale |
Environmental Impact Assessment Directive: Consultation Responses
Lord Acton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What representations they have received on proposals for implementing the requirements of the amended Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (97/11/EC).[HL1876]
Baroness Hayman: Following an initial consultation last summer, a second consultation paper on the implementation of the amended EIA Directive was issued on 19 December 1997. It set out our detailed proposals for refining the way in which the need for EIA is determined in the UK. To date, 195 responses have been received from business, government and environmental organisations across the UK, as well as members of the public. In addition, one response was submitted on a confidential basis. A list of responses received has been placed in the Library of the House. Copies of the responses themselves have been placed in the department's library.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency:Key Targets
Lord Acton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What targets have been set for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.[HL1875]
Baroness Hayman: The following key targets have been set for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The targets are set out in MCA's Business Plan, copies of which will be placed in the Library:
- ensure that at least 60 per cent. of operators and crew of UK registered fishing vessels are aware of the safety standards promulgated by MCA;
follow up at least 95 per cent. of significant breaches of safety and environmental aspects of merchant shipping legislation to determine whether prosecution is appropriate;
decide on the search and rescue (SAR) response to accidents and life-threatening situations, and to initiate action, if necessary, within five minutes of being alerted in at least 95 per cent. of cases;
complete at least 90 per cent. of key tasks and also complete at least 95 per cent. of the agreed planned programme of inspections and surveys.
NHS, Scotland: Expenditure Data
Lord Selkirk of Douglas asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What was the expenditure on the NHS in Scotland for each year of the last 20 years at constant prices; and[HL1713]
What was the year on year increase in expenditure on the NHS in Scotland for each year of the last 20 years:
(a) in cash terms; and
(b) in the relevant percentage terms; and [HL1714]
What was the increase in expenditure on the NHS in Scotland in real terms in percentages for each year over the last 20 years.[HL1715]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Scottish Office (Lord Sewel): The information requested is set out in the table below.
Year Expenditure at 1998-99 prices Year on year cash increase Year on year percentage cash increase Year on year percentage real terms increase
£ million £ million
1978-79 outturn 2,833 -- -- --
1979-80 outturn 2,890 166 19.1 2.0
1980-81 outturn 3,082 271 26.2 6.6
1981-82 outturn 3,208 185 14.2 4.1
1982-83 outturn 3,239 122 8.2 1.0
1983-84 outturn 3,299 106 6.6 1.8
1984-85 outturn 3,370 125 7.3 2.1
1985-86 outturn 3,383 109 5.9 0.4
1986-87 outturn 3,481 117 6.0 2.9
1987-88 outturn 3,587 177 8.5 3.1
1988-89 outturn 3,741 253 11.3 4.3
1989-90 outturn 3,804 220 8.8 1.7
1990-91 outturn 3,847 251 9.2 1.1
1991-92 outturn 4,067 371 12.5 5.7
1992-93 outturn 4,284 326 9.7 5.3
1993-94 outturn 4,285 108 2.9 0.0
1994-95 outturn 4,414 171 4.5 3.0
1995-96 outturn 4,452 144 3.7 0.9
1996-97 outturn 4,480 147 3.6 0.6
1997-98 estimated outturn 4,521 154 3.6 0.9
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