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Written Answers
Friday, 6th November 1998.
Duty-free Sales in the EU: Policy
Lord Brabazon of Tara asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they support the recent European directive on the sale of duty-paid goods on board aircraft and ships on intra-European Union journeys; and how they intend to enforce it.[HL3654]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: There has been no recent European directive on the sale of duty paid goods. However the Commission has come forward with a revised suggestion concerning the sale of duty paid goods on board ships and aircraft on intra-EU journeys after 30 June 1999.
The new arrangements are based on the existing provisions of Council Directive 92/12/EEC. At the EU Excise Committee meeting on 1 October, the UK reserved its position to allow time for a full appraisal of the Commission's revised position. The question of how such a system may be enforced, should it be adopted, is being addressed as part of these deliberations.
Deaths Caused by Lightning
Lord Selkirk of Douglas asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many people have been killed by lightning strikes in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years and in what circumstances; and what guidance they provide with a view to prevention.[HL3652]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
Letter to Lord Selkirk of Douglas from the Director of the Office for National Statistics, Dr. T. Holt, dated 6 November 1998.
As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary Question on how many people have been killed by lightning strikes in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years and in what circumstances; and what guidance is provided with a view to prevention.
The information requested is shown in the table.
| Year | Deaths by lightning |
| 1988 | 3 |
| 1989 | 3 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1997* | 1 |
* 1997 data are provisional.
The circumstances under which people are killed by lightning are not routinely recorded at death registration. No guidance is provided with a view to prevention.
Deaths Caused by Animals
Lord Selkirk of Douglas asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many people have been killed by animals in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years and in what circumstances, specifying in each case the numbers of animals and the species involved.[HL3653]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
Letter to Lord Selkirk of Douglas from the Director of the Office for National Statistics, Dr. T. Holt, dated 6 November 1998.
As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary Question on how many people have been killed by animals in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years.
The information requested is shown in the table below.
| Year | Deaths caused by animals |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1989 | 12 |
| 1990 | 26 |
| 1991 | 22 |
| 1992 | 22 |
| 1993 | 20 |
| 1994 | 18 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1996 | 22 |
| 1997* | 21 |
* 1997 data are provisional.
The circumstances under which people are killed by animals, and the numbers and species involved, are not routinely collected at death registration.
Anti-discrimination Bodies: Powers
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will introduce measures to give equivalent powers of monitoring and enforcement to the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Disability Rights Council to those now enjoyed by the Fair Employment Commission for Northern Ireland.[HL3657]
The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone): The Government have recently received from the Commission for Racial Equality and from the Equal Opportunities Commission wide-ranging proposals for changes to the law including monitoring and enforcement arrangements. They will consider these carefully, as they will questions on the role and functions of a Disability Rights Commission in the light of the recent consultation on the latter.
Haemophiliacs with Hepatitis C: Financial Help
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Jay of Paddington on 28 July (WA 188), whether they will place a copy of Baroness Hayman's reply to the Haemophilia Society's letter of 24 June in the Library of the House.[HL3728]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman): The answer given previously referred to a letter to the Haemophilia Society from my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health which dealt with issues relevant, but not in direct response, to the Society's letter of 24 June.
A reply to that letter was sent to the Society on 21 August. My response dealt with the specific issues raised in their 24 June letter and we have received the Society's permission for a copy to be placed in the Library.
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