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Written Answers
Monday, 13th July 1998.
Women Prisoners: Cancer Screening
Lord Acton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have implemented in women's prisons in England and Wales the recommendations of the Chief Inspector of Prisons in Women in Prison: A Thematic Review (paragraph 9.31) about screening for breast and cervical cancers.[HL2578]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn): The Prison Service is committed to ensuring that women in prison have access to the same standards of breast and cervical cancer screening as are available to women in the community. Almost all establishments holding women prisoners provide a cervical cancer screening service, and a number also have arrangements in place with the NHS for breast screening. Progress is being made to achieve full coverage and equivalent standard of screening to the NHS, and to maintain continuity with NHS screening programmes in the community. A new health care standard, planned to be published by March 1999, will set out the arrangements for achieving this.
Asylum and Immigration Appeals: Review
Lord Monkswell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will publish the results of the review of asylum and immigration appeals.[HL2759]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: I will publish a consultation paper on the review of asylum and immigration appeals at 10 a.m. today. A copy of the consultation paper will be placed in the Library.
Prison Conditions
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they agree with the Chief Inspector of Prisons that there is erosion of standards endorsed by Parliament, leading to treatment of prisoners that is contrary to the Mission Statement of the Prison Service; and whether they agree with his opinion that conditions "can only get worse as more cuts are imposed".[HL2502]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government are aware of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons' concern to see continued improvements to prison regimes, and of the pressures facing the Prison Service. Already, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary has provided an additional £112 million in 1998-99 to increase capacity and support regime activities.
The Government's manifesto specifically commits us to the delivery of more constructive regimes for prisoners. The Prison Service have already appointed a new Director
of Regimes to provide the necessary and distinct focus to develop regimes for women, young offenders and adult males. Additionally, the Government have introduced the Welfare to Work programme to prisons through a 12-month pilot in 11 prison establishments, and have announced a £3 million programme to provide pilot specialised regimes for women, young offenders and juveniles in six establishments. It is in recognition of the Chief Inspector's concerns that the Prison Service is also working to provide clearer and more consistent regime standards for all prisoner groups.Prison Administration by Private Companies
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will comply with the International Labour Organisation's recommendations over the use of private companies in the administration of prisons in the United Kingdom; and, if not, why not.[HL2476]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: Her Majesty's Government are fully committed to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on Forced and Compulsory Labour. We do not consider that we are in contravention of the Convention because there are sufficient safeguards governing prisoners working in contracted out establishments to ensure compliance with the convention.
Furthermore, we believe that the ILO's recommendations could have the perverse effect of reducing prison workshop activity. This would have an adverse effect on the Government's and Prison Service's commitment to the provision of constructive regimes and the rehabilitation of prisoners.
Criminal Cases Review Commission
Lord Dholakia asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many cases are currently being considered by the Criminal Cases Review Commission; what is the average time taken in reaching a decision; and how long it would take to clear the backlog.[HL2517]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: I understand that, at the end of June, 997 cases were awaiting detailed review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, and 281 cases were subject to detailed review and investigation. Between April 1997 and March 1998, the average length of time taken to reach a decision on cases (other than those which the commission determined did not meet the eligibility criteria laid down by the Criminal Appeal Act 1995) was 122 days. As with any caseworking operation, there are likely always to be some cases which, following initial consideration, will be awaiting detailed review.
Coalfields: Response to Task Force Report
Lord Monkswell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they expect to publish the response to the Coalfields Task Force report, Making the Difference.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Baroness Hayman): Today my right honourable friend the Deputy Prime Minister will be announcing the Government's initial response to the Coalfields Task Force Report at the Coalfields Conference at Ollerton Miners' Welfare in North Nottinghamshire.
We will launch a detailed programme of action for the coalfields at a second conference to be held in the autumn.
Hammersmith Bridge Closure: Accidents
Lord Brabazon of Tara asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether personal injury accidents have risen on the roads immediately to the south of Putney Bridge in the 12 months following the closure of Hammersmith Bridge compared with the 12 months prior to the closure; and if so, by how much.[HL2544]
Baroness Hayman: Information on personal injury accidents is available for eight named roads, seven of which are "A" roads, in the area concerned. This is contained in the following table.
| Location | February 1996 to January 1997 | March 1997 to February 1998 |
| Kingston Road | 14 | 19 |
| Lower Richmond Road | 18 | 25 |
| Putney Bridge | 3 | 6 |
| Putney Bridge Road | 14 | 22 |
| Putney High Street | 22 | 28 |
| Putney Hill | 29 | 31 |
| Roehampton Lane | 30 | 22 |
| Upper Richmond Road (west) | 13 | 16 |
| Totals | 143 | 169 |
"Pescado" Sinking: Inquiry Report
Viscount Exmouth asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they intend to publish the Marine Accident Investigation Report into the sinking of the "Pescado", a Plymouth registered scalloper, which sank off the Cornish coast in 1991.[HL2644]
Baroness Hayman: Following the lengthy delays caused by the protracted criminal prosecutions brought in connection with this tragic accident, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch report into the loss of "Pescado" is now being prepared for publication within four to six weeks.
World Heritage Objects Proposal
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will consider proposing to UNESCO that a system be developed for works of art and books of world importance to be designated as World Heritage objects, qualifying for special protection, analogous to World Heritage Sites.[HL2467]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Government have no plans to propose to UNESCO that a system should be developed to designate World Heritage objects. The United Kingdom already has export controls to ensure that objects of national importance can be saved for the nation, while taking account of the rights of owners. We also have in place a system which permits pre-eminent objects to be offered to the Government in lieu of inheritance tax thus ensuring that such objects remain in this country. Other countries are free to introduce such measures to protect their national heritage and many already have.
Child Support
Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How they propose to address the interaction between a new system of child support and the mediation system under the Family Law Act; and what interdepartmental consultations are in progress on this subject.[HL2491]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham): The Government want to develop an active family policy which links children's rights and parents' responsibilities. An active family policy requires that child support works effectively with other legislation which affects the family--in particular the Children Acts and the Family Law Acts.
This department has been working with the Lord Chancellor's Department to ensure that information about child support is given to separating couples during the information meeting pilots required under the Family Law Act. We also want to make sure that child support contributes to mediation and negotiations on care for the children between parents who are separated. At its best the child support service should allow separating parents to sort out their financial arrangements quickly and efficiently. This is why we propose a radically simpler assessment process and focus on a first-class service for all parents. This simplicity and transparency will contribute to an active family policy and will sit well with the mediation system under the Family Law Act.
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