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Written Answers
Wednesday, 15th December 1999.
Lords of Appeal in Ordinary: Appointment of Women
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether there is any statutory restriction preventing a woman from being appointed a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary.[HL193]
The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg): No.
Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct
Lord Peston asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct intends to publish its eighth and final annual report.[HL381]
The Lord Chancellor: The Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct has today published its eighth and final annual report, and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Lord Chancellor's Department and National Assembly for Wales Concordat
Lord Peston asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they expect to publish the bilateral concordat between the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales.[HL382]
The Lord Chancellor: I am pleased to announce that the First Secretary and I have agreed the text of the concordat between the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales. Copies of the concordat have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses, and the text is available on the Lord Chancellor's Department website (www.open.gov.uk/lcd--see 'What's New?').
I hope that the concordat will mark the beginning of a fruitful and co-operative working relationship between my department and the National Assembly.
Angola
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the latest assessment of the political and security situation in Angola; and what response they are advocating and supporting within the United Nations, the European Union and other appropriate fora.[HL225]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): Although Angolan government forces appear to be in the ascendency, Savimbi undoubtedly retains the capacity to wage a prolonged guerilla war. We do not believe military action will bring about a satisfactory resolution to the conflict. Only a political solution will bring a lasting peace. But Savimbi's word cannot be trusted. We urge UNITA to replace Savimbi as leader. With a different leadership UNITA can be part of a negotiated settlement and be as much part of the solution as it has been part of the problem.
We strongly support UN sanctions against UNITA and the work of the UN Angola Sanctions Committee. We are encouraging UN member states to ensure tighter implementation of all sanctions. We are also keen to make humanitarian assistance available to all Angolans.
Burma
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is their policy on relations with Burma following the findings of the High Court judicial review into their refusal to impose economic sanctions on Burma.[HL275]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There have been no findings in the High Court in relation to the Government's policy on Burma. An application for judicial review to be heard on 2 December was withdrawn. The Government's policy on Burma is that we wholeheartedly condemn the human rights violations and lack of respect for democracy there; the UK continues to play a leading role within the international community in putting pressure on the Burmese regime to improve the political and human rights situation.
James Mawdsley
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What representations they have made to the Burmese Government to ensure that James Mawdsley can send letters to his family, receive a visit from a priest and have access to reading and writing material.[HL276]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Our embassy has been in close touch with the Burmese authorities over James's welfare and will continue to visit him regularly. James has access to books. He is permitted the use of pencil and paper before visits so he can prepare messages to give to visitors. Prison regulations allow prisoners to write one letter a month. The embassy has been in touch with the local bishop and has asked him to seek permission for a priest to visit James.
Republic of Congo: Humanitarian Predicament
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is their estimate of the humanitarian predicament of the Congo Brazzaville; and what action they are supporting to meet their needs.[HL262]
Baroness Amos: The UN estimates that 810,000 people have been displaced in the Republic of Congo since December 1998. Of those, around 580,000 people remain internally displaced, while a further 30,000 remain as refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Gabon. Public services, such as health posts, have stopped functioning in many areas of the country. Many returnees reaching Brazzaville are malnourished, with severe malnutrition up to 30 per cent.
The only long-term solution to the humanitarian predicament of the people of the Republic of Congo lies in a negotiated political settlement leading to peace between the warring parties. We urge a fully inclusive reconciliation process leading to a return to democratic government.
We are currently considering the Year 2000 UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for the Republic of Congo, alongside UN appeals for the other countries in this region and elsewhere.
The UK has not traditionally been a bilateral donor to the Republic of Congo, but we stand ready to respond to requests for humanitarian interventions.
Criminal Justice Act: Summary and Triable Either Way Offences
Lord Windlesham asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which offences triable either way in the magistrates' courts or on indictment in the Crown Court were re-classified as summary only in 1988; and whether there has been any further re-classification since that date; and[HL248]
What has been the estimated effect of reclassifying either-way offences as summary only offences on the number of defendants committed for trial in the Crown Court.[HL249]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bassam of Brighton): The Criminal Justice Act 1988 reclassified, from 12 October 1988, the following offences from triable either way to summary: common assault; unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle; criminal damage below a specified value (set at £2,000, and later increased to £5,000); and driving while disqualified.
It is estimated that the reclassification resulted in a 5 per cent fall (or about 5,500) between 1988 and 1989 in the number of persons tried at the Crown Court. There has been no subsequent reclassification of offences as summary only.
European Union: Action Against Discrimination
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they support the proposal of the European Commission for a directive prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin in employment, education, the provision of goods and services and social protection.[HL253]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: We are keen to ensure that the protection enjoyed by citizens in this country applies throughout the European Union and we will support the Commission in bringing forward effective action to combat discrimination in Europe as a whole.
Kosovo: Use of Depleted Uranium-based Munitions
Lord Jenkins of Putney asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether depleted uranium shells were fired by NATO in the recent attacks in Yugoslavia; and, if so, with what results.[HL189]
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): I can confirm that depleted uranium-based munitions were used by NATO forces during the Kosovo campaign.
General Clark, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), gave his overall battle damage assessment at a NATO press conference on 16 September. A copy of the transcript has been placed in the Library of the House and can also be obtained from the NATO web site at http://nato.int/kosovo/press/p990916a.htm.
START II: US and Russia
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether there are dangers attached to the United States Administration's plans to deploy a national missile defence system, particularly in terms of Russian ratification of START II and future negotiation of START III.[HL237]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The US Administration have not yet decided to deploy a national missile defence system. They have said that when they take a decision this will take account of wider arms control considerations. We welcome US recognition that, if national missile defence is pursued, it will be important to preserve strategic stability. We therefore welcomed President Clinton's and President Yeltsin's agreement at Cologne in June to begin discussions on the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and on further reductions in their nuclear arsenals. We look forward to their outcome. We have consistently called on the Russian Duma to ratify START II.
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