---

9 Jun 1999 : Column WA157

Written Answers

Wednesday, 9th June 1999.

Claims Assessors: Legal Advice

Lord Bragg asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they intend to take to investigate the activities of non-legally qualified claims assessors.[HL2819]

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg): I intend to establish a small committee to investigate the provision of legal advice by non-legally qualified persons who act as claims assessors, whose business is to process claims on behalf of clients arising as a result of death or personal injury. In particular, the committee will examine the sector's cost, standard, appropriateness and customer satisfaction. The committee will report its findings and make recommendations on whether further control of this sector is needed in the public interest.

House of Lords Reform

Lord Coleraine asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Lord Chancellor's remarks on 25 May (H.L. Deb., col. 818), how many Liberal Democrats will be offered nomination for life peerages in accordance with the arrangements for "proportional creations" of life peers outlined in paragraph 6.7 of the White Paper on House of Lords reform, on the assumption that the House of Lords Bill is enacted with the present Clause 2.[HL2722]

The Lord Chancellor: The Government's commitment to proportionate creations for the Liberal Democrats and other political parties in the House of Lords reform White Paper was a commitment for the lifetime of the transitional House. It should be read in the context of the manifesto commitment to move, over time, towards more accurately reflecting the proportion of votes cast in the previous general election. Numbers cannot presently be specified.

Employment Tribunals

Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will increase access to justice by extending legal aid to proceedings in employment tribunals.[HL2699]

The Lord Chancellor: It would be premature to make any decisions about extending publicly-funded representation in tribunal proceedings before the Government have completed their review of the extent to which current procedures and other arrangements, including representation, comply with our ECHR and EU obligations and until we have identified options for ensuring compliance in the future. If legal aid were to be

9 Jun 1999 : Column WA158

extended to provide some representation in employment tribunal proceedings, it could not realistically be made available beyond a limited range of cases, given other priority calls on the budget. Factors to be considered would include the complexity of the case, factually or legally, the public importance of the issues at stake and the availability to the applicant of other sources of representation.

Libya: Aircraft Export Controls

Lord Warner asked Her Majesty's Government:

Following the suspension of UN sanctions, whether the Government have any plans to lift the national controls on the export of aircraft parts and flight simulators to Libya; and whether they will make a statement.[HL2847]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): The Government have decided to lift the controls on the export of aircraft, aircraft parts and flight simulators to Libya under the provisions of Dual-Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulations 1996, as amended. Legislation will be laid before the House shortly. This decision follows the suspension on 5 April of UN sanctions, which included a prohibition on the supply of any aircraft or aircraft components to Libya.

The Foreign Office will issue a press release later today. The Summary of Government Commitments regarding the Application of Strategic Export Controls will be amended and updated versions placed in the Libraries of the House and on the FCO website. The Department of Trade and Industry will issue a notice to exporters before the amending legislation takes effect.

Iran: Arms Embargo

Lord Warner asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their policy on the export of arms to Iran.[HL2845]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: There has been no change to current policy, as set out in the Answer I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove, on 28 January 1998.

Further to the Answer I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede, on 25 March 1999, my department and the Ministry of Defence have approved the issue of a licence by the Department of Trade and Industry, as an exception to our embargo on Iran, for the export of 1,020 bullet proof vests to the United Nations Drug Control Programme to equip Iranian frontier personnel. The bullet proof vests will enhance the capacity of Iran's frontier personnel to combat drug trafficking and reduce the sad toll of casualties which they have borne in the past 20 years.

9 Jun 1999 : Column WA159

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia: Fuel Embargo

Lord Warner asked Her Majesty's Government:

What legislative steps have been taken to provide for a visit and search regime in respect of ships suspected of carrying fuel to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in breach of the EU-led embargo; and whether they will make a statement.[HL2846]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The North Atlantic Council agreed a visit and search regime for ships suspected of carrying fuel to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 25 May. The regime is based on the consent of participating states. To enable the United Kingdom to participate fully in this regime legislation allowing Royal Navy vessels to visit and search British ships outside UK waters came into force on 3 June.

The necessary enforcement powers in respect of United Kingdom ships are contained in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Supply, Sale and Export of Petroleum and Petroleum Products) (No. 2) Regulations 1999 which revoke the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Supply, Sale and Export of Petroleum and Petroleum Products) Regulations 1999.

The Dependent Territories (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) (Supply, Sale and Export of Petroleum and Petroleum Products) Order 1999 imposes, by way of the prerogative, an oil embargo against the FRY in the overseas territories, except for Bermuda and Gibraltar, with similar enforcement powers in respect of ships registered in the territories concerned to those in the regulations. The UK does not have powers under the prerogative to legislate for Bermuda, which has been asked to legislate in similar terms. The EC regulation is directly applicable in Gibraltar which will be legislating locally.

The EC regulation is not directly applicable to the Crown dependencies. The Channel Islands have already legislated locally and the Isle of Man will do so shortly.

Diplomatic Missions: Outstanding Minor Traffic Violation Fines

Lord Morris of Castle Morris asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many outstanding parking and other minor traffic violation fines were incurred by diplomatic missions and international organisations in London during 1998.[HL2849]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: At the end of 1998 there were 4,259 unpaid fines in respect of parking and other minor traffic violations incurred by members of diplomatic missions and international organisations in London. In April this year the Foreign and Commonwealth Office wrote to all diplomatic missions and international organisations in London offering them an opportunity either to pay their outstanding fines or to appeal against them if they considered that they had been incorrectly issued. As a result payments totalling £66,200.00 were received and a number of fines were

9 Jun 1999 : Column WA160

cancelled, leaving a total of 2,667 unpaid fines for 1998. The attached table details diplomatic missions and international organisations which have more than 10 fines outstanding.

Unpaid Parking and Minor Traffic Violation Fines--1998--Diplomatic Vehicles

Position	Diplomatic Mission/International Organisation	Number of Fines Outstanding
1	Ghana	153
2	Nigeria	130
3	Turkey	117
4	Oman	105
5	Angola	102
6	United Arab Emirates	101
7	Egypt	87
8	Jordan	84
9	Morocco	82
10	Cyprus	75
11	Greece	73
12	Cuba	68
13	Sudan	67
14	Russia	59
15	Zimbabwe	58
16	Jamaica	55
17	Hungary	50
18	Algeria	47
18	Iran	47
18	Poland	47
21	Liberia	45
22	Georgia	44
23	Mongolia	37
24	Japan	36
25	Thailand	34
26	USA	33
27	Cameroon	32
27	Ethiopia	32
27	Uganda	32
30	Bangladesh	28
31	Afghanistan	26
31	India	26
33	France	25
34	Pakistan	24
34	Ukraine	24
36	Yemen	23
37	Brazil	21
37	Lithuania	21
37	Uzbekistan	21
40	Belarus	20
41	Bulgaria	19
41	Tunisia	19
43	Albania	18
43	Malaysia	18
45	Barbados	15
45	China	15
45	Philippines	15
45	International Maritime Organisation	15
49	Qatar	14
50	Kyrgyzstan	13
50	Zambia	13
52	Gabon	12
52	Kenya	12
52	Malawi	12
52	Peru	12
56	Canada	11
56	Eastern Caribbean States	11
		2,435

9 Jun 1999 : Column WA161

---