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Written Answers
Tuesday, 2nd March 1999.
Spain: Resident British Nationals
Lord Wallace of Saltaire asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many British citizens are currently resident in Spain.[HL1019]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): We estimate that approximately 400,000 British Nationals are resident in Spain.
UN Resolution 53/55: Preparation of Report
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will ask the United Nations Secretary-General to ensure that experts appointed to provide material for the comprehensive report called for by the General Assembly in paragraph 18 of its Resolution 53/55 of 13 January 1999 are persons who are recognisably independent of the United Nations and of any of the member states which contributed troops at the material times to the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR).[HL1087]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: It is for the UN Secretary-General to decide whom to consult in preparing the report requested under paragraph 18 of General Assembly Resolution 53/55. However, we understand the UN will consult widely and will seek input from national and international NGOs and the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as UN agencies and member states.
Luxembourg Compromise
Lord Shore of Stepney asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 11 February (WA 36-37), on what issues the United Kingdom sought to invoke the Luxembourg Compromise in July 1978 and May 1982; whether the United Kingdom Government were successful; and, if not, what were the grounds on which the United Kingdom's application was refused.[HL1134]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: In July 1978 the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said that he could not accept a majority decision on fisheries agreements with Sweden and the Faroes because our fundamental national interest was affected. The German Presidency therefore did not push the issue to a vote.
At the May 1982 Agriculture Council the United Kingdom attempted to prevent a vote on that year's
price package because of its effect on our net contribution to the Community budget. Some member states argued that the Compromise could only be invoked if it related to the subject directly under discussion. The Belgian Presidency then proceeded to a vote.Burma
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What further measures they intend to take to increase international pressure on Burma to end internal armed conflict and, in particular, the repression of the Karen who are forced to seek refuge in Thailand.[HL1177]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We will continue to take every opportunity to make clear to the Burmese regime our deep concern at the situation there, particularly over human rights violations against the ethnic minorities. We are actively supporting the efforts of the UN to bring about an improvement in the situation in Burma. With EU partners, we will be working towards a tough resolution at the forthcoming session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. We also expect Burma to be on the agenda of the forthcoming ILO session.
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they are satisfied with the European Common Position on Burma; and, if not, whether they intend to recommend further measures in accordance with World Trade Organisation obligations.[HL1178]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: EU member states have taken strong action to bring pressure to bear on the Burmese regime in the form of a Common Position first adopted in 1996. Last year saw further human rights abuses by the regime. In October, we successfully argued for the Common Position to be strengthened. The Common Position is due for renewal again in April; we will be working with partners to ensure that the measures in it continue to provide an appropriate response to the regime's record on human rights and democracy.
North Korea
Lord Moynihan asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What discussions they have had with the United States Government on current relations with North Korea and on European Union contributions to the World Food Programme appeals for humanitarian assistance in North Korea.[HL1155]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We regularly discuss Korean issues with the United States Government in London, Washington and Seoul. We have reported on the European Union's political dialogue with North Korea and UK-North Korea
bilateral talks; the United States has kept us informed of developments in the four party talks and in its bilateral discussions with North Korea. We recently participated in a meeting on the World Food Programme's assistance to North Korea with other donors, including the United States.European Community Law: Breaches
Lord Moynihan asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether it is their policy to condemn breaches of European law.[HL1187]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: It is government policy that Community law should be respected by all member states.
Gibraltar
Lord Moynihan asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have reason to believe that the views of the 30,000 inhabitants of Gibraltar have altered materially on the subject of Spanish sovereignty since 1 May 1997.[HL1189]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We do not have evidence to suggest any material shift in public opinion in Gibraltar on the subject of Spanish sovereignty during the period in question.
North Atlantic Assembly: UK Delegation
Baroness Lockwood asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What changes there have been in the composition of the United Kingdom parliamentary delegation to the North Atlantic Assembly.[HL1291]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The right honourable Member for South Shields (Dr. Clark) has replaced the honourable Member for the City of York (Mr. Bayley) as a member of the delegation.
Government Bills: Number Started in Lords and Commons
Lord Robertson of Oakridge asked The Leader of the House:
- How many government Bills in each of the Sessions from 1988-89 to 1998-99 started in the House of Lords and how many in the House of Commons.[HL1102]
The Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Jay of Paddington):
| HC | Of which Money & Supply Bills* | HL | |
| 1988-89 | 21 | 4 | 12 |
| 1989-90 | 22 | 4 | 8 |
| 1990-91 | 32 | 5 | 10 |
| 1991-92 | 22 | 6 | 5 |
| 1992-93 | 29 | 8 | 12 |
| 1993-94 | 16 | 4 | 6 |
| 1994-95 | 19 | 5 | 11 |
| 1995-96 | 25 | 5 | 13 |
| 1996-97 | 22 | 4 | 7 |
| 1997-98 | 35 | 8 | 15 |
| 1998-99 (to 1 March) | 14 | 1 | 9 |
* The second column indicates how many of the Commons starters were money or supply Bills as these by definition start in that House.
Voting Records: Peers Not Taking Party Whips
Lord Coleraine asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will specify the peers taking no party whips who, according to paragraph 7 of chapter 5 of the White Paper on reform of the House of Lords, "have a significant voting record of consistently supporting one political party, in spite of their nominal independence".[HL1181]
Baroness Jay of Paddington: No, because it would be invidious to name individual peers.
Further Education In Scotland: Statistics
Lord Selkirk of Douglas asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What was the number and percentage of young people aged 15 to 25 attending a further education course in Scotland for each year since 1992.[HL1086]
The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston): The number of young people aged greater than or equal to 15 but under 25 1 on further education courses 2 in Scotland from 1991-92 until 1996-97 (the last academic year for which full figures are available) was as follows:
| Academic Year | Number ('000s) | Percentage(3) |
| 1991-92 | 75.8 | 11 |
| 1992-93 | 66.4 | 10 |
| 1993-94 | 62.1 | 9 |
| 1994-95 | 55.5 | 8 |
| 1995-96 | 70.4 | 11 |
| 1996-97 | 79.1 | 12 |
(1) Age as at 31 December of the relevant academic year. Information on the numbers of people aged 25 is not readily available.
(2) Excludes students on non-vocational courses in further education colleges and those on non-credit bearing courses at higher education institutions.
(3) As a percentage of an estimated population of people aged greater than or equal to 15 but under 25 at 31 December. Derived from mid-year population estimates provided by GRO(S).
Lord Selkirk of Douglas asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The number of young people aged greater than or equal to 15 but under 25 1 in full-time education 2 in Scotland from 1991-92 until 1996-97 (the last academic year for which full figures are available) was as follows:
(4) Age as at 31 December of the relevant academic year. Information on the numbers of people aged 25 is not readily available.
(5) Includes students attending school, FE college or a higher education institution. Excludes students on non-vocational courses in further education colleges and those on non-credit bearing courses at higher education institutions.
(6) As a percentage of an estimated population of people aged greater than or equal to 15 but under 25 at 31 December. Derived from mid-year population estimates provided by GRO(S).
What was the number and percentage of young people aged 15 to 25 in full-time education in Scotland for each year since 1992.[HL1085]
Academic Year Number ('000s) Percentage(6)
1991-92 226.9 32
1992-93 236.0 34
1993-94 248.7 37
1994-95 258.6 39
1995-96 265.9 41
1996-97 279.3 44
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