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Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they are confident that the Millennium Dome can be operated by the New Millennium Experience Company until 31 December without any further moneys being available to it from the Millennium Commission after 5 October 2000.[HL4081]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The board of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC), led by Executive Chairman David James, is confident that the company will operate the Dome to 31 December within the level of lottery grant already confirmed by the Millennium Commission. That grant is released to the Company by the Commission on an "as needed basis". Some will have been drawn from the Commission prior to 5 October, and some will be drawn after 5 October.
Lord Luke asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 27 July (WA 84) whether any Minister informed M Gerbeau the Millennium Dome project was on budget at the time when he was engaged as Chief Executive to the Millennium Experience Company; and, if so, on what basis.[HL3886]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: M Gerbeau was employed by the Board of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC). Neither I nor any other Minister had discussions with M Gerbeau about the company's financial position before his appointment.
Belfast Agreement: "Parity of Esteem"
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will define the meanings of "parity of esteem" and "equality for all traditions", as specified in the Belfast Agreement 1998.[HL4136]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The term "equality for all traditions" does not appear in the Belfast Agreement. "Parity of esteem" is not defined in the agreement and therefore has its natural meaning in the contexts in which it is used.
Northern Ireland: "Royal" Organisations
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which organisations operating in Northern Ireland have the word "Royal" in their title; and which of these organisations have received representations from the Government of the Irish Republic asking for the word "Royal" to be removed.[HL4140]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Northern Ireland Office does not hold a list of organisations in Northern Ireland with the word "Royal" in their titles.
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the method of selection and the criteria used in the appointment of members to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; which members represent the Ulster Scots Community; whether any of the commission members have links to the Committee for the Administration of Justice; and, if so, what is the nature of those links.[HL4239]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission were appointed following an open and well publicised appointment process. Applications were shortlisted against the published criteria and selection was made following interviews. The criteria against which candidates were assessed were:
- teamwork;
- planning and organisation of work;
- managing and supporting the development of policy;
- managing financial and physical resources;
- drive and motivation;
- effective communication; and
- organisational awareness and skills (including having a firm grasp of human rights related issues).
- leadership;
- developing and maintaining networks; and
- judgment and decision taking.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What criteria and procedures were used by the Human Rights Commission in the selection of the members of the range of committees involved in consulting on the Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; what are the committees' compositions; and what section of society does each member represent.[HL4240]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The appointment of committees to assist in consultation on the scope for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. I have asked the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- In what investigations the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has been involved; and who initiated such involvement.[HL4241]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Section 69(8) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 provides the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission with the power to conduct,
- "such investigations as it considers necessary or expedient",
for the purpose of exercising its functions. The commission's programme of investigations is a matter for the commission itself. I have asked the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
- What practical assistance the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has given to the victims of paramilitary violence.[HL4242]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. I have asked the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the remit of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission as defined in the Belfast Agreement of 1998 is to consult and to advise on the scope for defining in legislation human rights and not to draft a Bill.[HL4243]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Belfast Agreement stated that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission would be:
- "invited to consult and to advise on the scope for defining in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights, to reflect the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland, drawing as appropriate on international instruments and experiences".
EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
Lord Pearson of Rannoch asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the text of the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights, as unanimously approved by the 15 European Union Heads of State and
- governments at the informal European Council in Biarritz, will be similarly and separately submitted for approval to the British Parliament; and, if so, when. [HL4250]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The Minister for Europe gave oral evidence on the charter to the Lords Scrutiny Committee on the European Union on 5 April and, most recently, on 10 October. In June, I participated in a debate on Sub-Committee E's report on the charter. The draft text was placed in the Library earlier this month. As the charter will be proclaimed as a political declaration at Nice, there will be no need for parliamentary ratification.
UN Rapid Deployment Civil Police Force
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What action they are taking together with other governments to promote the creation by the United Nations of a rapid deployment civil police force, together with the resources for a judicial capability to reconstitute a system of justice in post-conflict societies. [HL4164]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: At the European Council in Santa Maria de Feira in June, EU heads of government agreed a concrete target for EU member states, co-operating voluntarily together, to be able to make 5,000 police officers available for international policing by 2003, 1,000 of whom will be able to deploy at 30 days' notice. These officers should be available for deployment on UN and other international missions. The UK is currently working to ensure we are able to contribute to meeting this target. Together with our EU partners, we are also considering similar arrangements for the deployment of other civilian experts, including those in the judicial field.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the criteria by which they believe the appointment of the next High Commissioner for Refugees should be made; and what representations they have made in this respect. [HL4194]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We believe the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees should be a forceful advocate on behalf of refugees and other displaced persons; have the leadership and managerial skills to accelerate work on improving UNHCR's performance and reinvigorating the organisation; and be receptive to the concerns of receiving countries about misuse of the asylum system.
We have informed the UN Secretary-General of our views.
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