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Written Answers
Thursday, 23rd March 2000.
Sudan
Lord Ahmed asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have any evidence that oil revenues are being used by the Government of Sudan for the purchase of arms.[HL1376]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): We have no such evidence.
We have pressed for revenues to be used for development projects and for transparency in the oil account. The Government of Sudan have made public assurances that this will happen. We shall look to them to honour those assurances and shall remain focused on this issue as evidence becomes available.
Austria and the EU
Lord Willoughby de Broke asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 8th March (WA 137-38), whether any law or laws have been broken by Austria which would justify the imposition of sanctions by the other 14 member states of the European Union, including the United Kingdom.[HL1493]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We are not aware that Austria has breached any European Community law or any of its international commitments. However, the measures introduced by the 14 member states of the EU were intended to send a signal of concern over the inclusion of a far-Right party in the new Austrian Government. Along with our EU partners we are committed to act against xenophobia and discrimination and have the obligation to express concern where we see the danger of this arising.
Asylum Seekers: Voucher Scheme
Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When an asylum seeker supported under the voucher scheme tenders a voucher whose face value exceeds that of the goods he is purchasing, whether the change will be returned to the asylum seeker; and, if not, by what legal authority it will be detained.[HL1540]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bassam of Brighton): As a matter of policy the Government have determined that change should not be given where the face value of a voucher exceeds that of goods purchased. It is therefore a condition of the legal agreements between retailers and
Sodexho Pass, the contractor running the voucher scheme, that the retailer shall not give change. This condition is also specified in the contract between Sodexho Pass and the Home Office and the collateral agreements between national retailers and the Home Office. The condition is enforeable in law.IT Regulation
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they agree with the assessment of the Better Regulation Task Force that the 60 initiatives on information technology regulation currently being conducted by government could result in 4,000 pieces of legislation.[HL1271]
The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): There is no such assessment by the Better Regulation Taskforce.
Lords Ministers: Special Advisers
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether any special advisers are currently employed by Government Ministers in the House of Lords; if so, how many; and by which Ministers.[HL1390]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Lord Privy Seal, Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women has appointed two special advisers and the Lord Chancellor and the Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords have each appointed one.
Prime Minister's Chief Press Secretary and Chief of Staff
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What mechanisms exist, if any, for Parliament to hold to account and scrutinise the executive functions and actions of the Prime Minister's Chief Press Secretary and Chief of Staff.[HL1392]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: As with all civil servants, special advisers are accountable to Ministers. Ministers are accountable to Parliament.
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- To what extent the Prime Minister's Chief Press Secretary has responsibility for the Strategic Communications Unit.[HL1394]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Prime Minister's Chief Press Secretary is responsible for the Strategic Communications Unit.
Strategic Communications Unit
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether, in the light of their assessment of recent press coverage of health and other issues, they are satisfied with the performance of the Strategic Communications Unit; whether they consider that the Unit's projected cost of £839,440 for the current year represents value for money; and whether they intend to review its activities.[HL1437]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government are fully satisfied with the performance of the Strategic Communications Unit. No review is planned.
"Envoy" and "Czar": Definitions
Lord Patten asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is their definition of the role and responsibilities of an "envoy" in the civil service; and[HL1352]
What is their definition of the word "Czar" when used in official announcements.[HL1494]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The expression "envoy" and "Czar" are used to reflect the status and level of responsibility of certain individuals.
"Czars": Terms and Conditions of Appointment
Lord Patten asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether those appointed "Czars" become civil servants by virtue of the appointment.[HL1495]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: No. Individuals are governed by the terms and conditions of their appointment.
Millennium Dome Site Development
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which companies or groups are on the shortlist of bidders who have expressed an interest in developing the site of the Millennium Dome.[HL1552]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The proposals and shortlist of bidders who have expressed an interest in developing the site of the Millennium Dome are:
- Dome Europe, a high technology leisure, business and retail destination, proposed by the principal finance group of Nomura International plc.
- Greenwich Media World, a high profile mixed use leisure and business destination focused on media and communications, proposed by a consortium comprising Pell Frischmann, London Merchant Securities, Sir Robert McAlpine, WestLB Panmure Ltd and the Tussauds Group.
- International Merchandise and Cultural Centre, a global one-stop shop for exchanging goods, services and tourism promotions, proposed by a consortium comprising Country Heights Holdings Berhad, Sunrise Berhad and Maccon Investment Holdings (Proprietary) Ltd.
- Legacy plc, a high technology industrial campus of workspace leisure and retail uses, proposed by Robert Bourne.
- Sports Dome 2001, an advanced multiple sports facility, proposed by a consortium comprising John Taylor International Ltd, Chelsfield Plc, Collard Grosvenor and Price Nicholson.
Merrywood School, Bristol
Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What representations they have received from elected representatives regarding the proposed closure of Merrywood school, Bristol; when these were made; and by whom.[HL1563]
The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone): The Member of Parliament for Bristol South, Dawn Primarolo, led a delegation opposed to the closure proposals to discuss the case with the Secretary of State and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for School Standards in November 1999 and has further discussed the case with Ministers at other times. Adrian Becker, the Chair of Bristol City Council Education Committee, wrote to the Secretary of State supporting the closure and the development of an education park in Knowle in January this year.
Edinburgh University: Grant of Patent to Alter Cells
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they were consulted before the European Patent Office issued a patent on altering cells and human embryos to researchers at Edinburgh University; whether the European Patent Office has made it clear to the patent holders that the patent may not be used in the context of human beings; and whether, in the light of the admission by the European Patent Office that a mistake was made in issuing the patent, the Government have registered a formal protest and asked for the patent to be withdrawn.[HL1482]
The Minister for Science, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): The granting of patents by the European Patent Office (EPO) is carried out under the direction of its president who is responsible for its activities and is accountable to the Administrative Council of the European Patent Organisation. Member states of the organisation, including the United Kingdom, are not consulted before the office decides to grant patents. The EPO has issued a press statement which makes clear that a mistake was made in issuing patent No. EP0695351 and that the scope of protection of this patent does not extend to human cloning. The office regrets that the error has occurred and states that it will take every care to prevent such errors recurring in the future. The president reported his office's error to the administrative council, on which the United Kingdom is represented. The council expressed its strong concern that the error had occurred and requested the office to ensure that measures would be taken to avoid repetition of such errors. We understand that the patent has been challenged by Greenpeace Deutschland, which initiated opposition proceedings on 24 February.
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