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Written Answers
Monday, 22nd February 1999.
Electronic Delivery of Government Services
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will appoint consultants to advise on the development of Internet services in government, with particular reference to the needs of users both in government and the public; the possibility of establishing central web page design services; the provision of appropriate hotlinks to emphasise the concept of co-ordinated government; the use of graphics; and whether or not to use pdf files.[HL1060]
The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): We appointed Cyberia, Internet consultants, in September 1998 to look at these issues. The findings were publicised in November 1998 during a conference organised by the Central Information Technology Unit (CITU), Cabinet Office, on the Prime Minister's target that 25 per cent. of government services should be able to be delivered electronically by 2002. This presentation can be downloaded from www.citu.gov.uk. I have placed copies of the full report in the Libraries of the House. We are currently considering these issues and will make known our conclusions in due course.
General Anaesthesia in General Dental Practice
Lord Colwyn asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What contribution to the increase in the number of patients on hospital waiting lists has arisen as a result of patients being unable to obtain general anaesthesia in general dental practice.[HL1107]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Hayman): The total number of patients on National Health Service hospital waiting lists in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland actually fell between the end of September 1998 and the end of December 1998 (the latest period for which United Kingdom figures are available). Recent guidance from the General Dental Council (published in early November 1998), on the administration of general anaesthesia in general dental practice is not expected materially to affect the number of patients on NHS hospital waiting lists.
Lord Colwyn asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether, in view of the ban on the use of general anaesthesia in general dental practice and the number of patients who require anaesthesia and
- sedation for dental treatment, they will make funds available for the postgraduate training of dentists in sedation skills.[HL1108]
Baroness Hayman: The delivery of general anaesthesia with dental treatment in general dental practice has not been prohibited. Money to enable postgraduate training of dentists in sedation skills, however, is already available through courses run under Section 63 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, as amended, and also within vocational training programmes.
Northern Ireland: Prisoner Releases
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will list by name, date of conviction, nature of offence, length of original sentence and date of release all those prisoners who have been granted early release under the terms of the April 1998 Belfast Agreement (Cm 3883).[HL768]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Dubs): No. Details of individual prisoners are not given for sensitivity and safety considerations.
Immigration Act Detainee Numbers
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many Immigration Act detainees were held in each of the prisons or detention centres in use for this purpose on 31 January.[HL941]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn): This information is not available at present but I hope to receive it shortly. I will then write to the noble Lord.
Quantum Project: Costs
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What was the cost of the review of the Quantum project, and of the project itself up to the date of its suspension; and what changes in the Prison Service information technology budget are being made in the light of the review.[HL1014]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The total cost of the Quantum project team, including external consultants, was £8.3 million before the project's suspension. The project review has cost a total of £0.26 million from 1 October (when costs began to be separately identified) to the end of December 1998. Future funding arrangements for the project have yet to be finalised and will depend upon the outcome of negotiations with suppliers.
Civil and Political Rights: Review
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Williams of Mostyn on 1 February (WA 186), whether they will announce the results of their review of the United Kingdom's obligations under various human rights treaties before the end of February 1999.[HL1105]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: We expect to announce the results of this review very shortly.
Country Strategy Papers
Baroness Rawlings asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they expect to publish the country strategy papers for (a) India; (b) Uganda; and (c) Bulgaria.[HL1110]
Baroness Amos: The Country Strategy Paper (CSP) for Uganda was published earlier this month. Planned publication dates for others are as follows:
- Bulgaria: late February 1999
- India: mid-1999.
- With which countries the United Kingdom has established a "Development partnership" on the basis set out in the White Paper Eliminating World Poverty (Panel 14, page 39).[HL1111]
Baroness Amos: In drawing up country strategy papers for our significant programmes, we analyse the prospects for working in partnership with countries committed to poverty reduction, as set out in the White Paper. The completed country strategy papers, which are publicly available, provide a detailed analysis of progress to date and prospects for development and partnership. The nature of such partnerships is variable: it is not possible to draw up a list of countries with which partnerships have been established without being simplistic.
Kosovo: Aid Disbursements
Baroness Rawlings asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What grants they have awarded to each international agency and non-governmental organisation involved in the relief effort in Kosovo.[HL1113]
Baroness Amos: We have committed £3 million towards humanitarian assistance in Kosovo. We have so far made grants of £2,507,000 to the following:
- £1 million to the UNHCR.
- £750,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross for medical care and protection.
- £240,000 to Oxfam for winter shelter for displaced persons and refugees.
- £201,000 to CARE International for winter clothing and stoves.
- £240,000 to Medecins sans Frontieres for essential medical care.
- £76,000 to International Medical Corps for the operation of mobile clinics.
Bilateral Aid Allocations
Baroness Rawlings asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the cash plans allocations for 1998-99 bilateral aid for East Africa, India and Eastern Europe.[HL1114]
Baroness Amos: The budget allocations agreed at the outset of 1998-99 were: East Africa £118 million; India £99 million; and Central and Eastern Europe £79 million. These are planning figures. In order to meet policy commitments and changes in external circumstances, actual spending will vary from the planning figures, sometimes significantly. The 1999 departmental report (due to be published in March 1999) will provide estimates of outturn in 1998-1999.
Baroness Rawlings asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the cash plans allocations for 1998-99 bilateral aid for Uganda and Bulgaria.[HL1115]
Baroness Amos: Planned allocations for 1998-99 were: Uganda £47 million; and Bulgaria £2.5 million.
These are planning figures. In order to meet policy commitments and changes in external circumstances, actual spending will vary from the planning figures, sometimes significantly. The 1999 departmental report (due to be published in March 1999) will provide estimates of outturn in 1998-1999.
Management Information System: Evaluation
Baroness Rawlings asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the results of the evaluation of the Performance Reporting Information System for Management (PRISM) pilot phase.[HL1122]
Baroness Amos: The evaluation report is due to be delivered to the Department for International Development in the next few days. Its recommendations will then be considered by an internal senior
management steering committee which has overall responsibility for PRISM. A copy of the report will be placed in both Libraries of the House.Digital Battlefield Initiative
Lord Birdwood asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What contribution they are making towards the development of the digital battlefield concept.[HL1022]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert): The Ministry of Defence has embarked on a Joint Battlespace Digitisation initiative that aims to achieve integration of information across the battlespace in order to enhance our military capability. The initiative unifies a number of previously discrete programmes which collect, distribute and utilise information in digital form across all elements of our armed forces. The early phases are driven by the requirement to support the Joint Rapid Reaction Force. A future key requirement will be the ability to share information with allies. We therefore maintain a close dialogue with NATO partners on the issue.
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