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Written Answers
Monday, 9th July 2001.
Foot and Mouth Disease
Lord Inglewood asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will hold an inquiry similar to the Northumberland Committee to establish the full facts relating to the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in order to be able to draw conclusions and lessons from what took place.[HL10]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): There will be an inquiry, when the disease is finally over. We have always said we are keen to learn the lessons from this outbreak. The precise nature and scope of the inquiry will be announced in due course by the Prime Minister.
Council of Europe
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What priority they accord to the work of the Council of Europe in the wider European context.[HL42]
The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): Her Majesty's Government consider the Council of Europe as a key organisation in the promotion of democracy, the rule of law and human rights throughout Europe. Its role is particularly valuable in the countries of the former Communist bloc, where much remains to be done in establishing the institutions capable of upholding the common European values which are the foundation of the Council of Europe. The Council must continue to co-ordinate closely with other organisations such as the EU and the OSCE which play a key role in securing the rights and prosperity of all European citizens.
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What priority they accord to the work of the Council of Europe given their policy of "zero growth" in the Council's budget; and what is their rationale for continuing to support the principle of voluntary contributions to finance the implementation of initiatives agreed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.[HL43]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government seek to apply "zero real growth"--in some cases zero nominal growth--to the budget of all international organisations to which they belong. This is a necessary discipline which encourages these organisations to keep their working methods and priorities under constant and rigorous review, thus eliminating work which is no longer a priority for most
member states. Her Majesty's Government would naturally prefer initiatives agreed by the Committee of Ministers to be funded, wherever possible, within the existing budget by identifying savings and reprioritising commitments. Where unforseen but important activities have arisen, such as the monitoring of the Kosovo elections, Her Majesty's Government have made voluntary contributions.European Political Parties: Proposed Council Regulation
Lord Rogan asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether there is a legal basis under the Treaty on the European Union for the proposals for a Council regulation on the statute and financing of the European Political Parties (COM (2000) 898-C5-0081/2001).[HL110]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Commission's proposal for a regulation on the Statute for European Political Parties has Article 308 of the Treaty establishing the European Community as its legal base.
Lord Rogan asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the proposal for a Council regulation on the statute and financing of European Political Parties (COM (2000) 898-C5-0081/2001) is compatible with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.[HL111]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Government are committed to ensuring that the Statute will be compatible with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
Personal Pension Contribution Statistics
Baroness Turner of Camden asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will estimate the numbers of personal pension policy holders who do not contribute the full contribution permitted by Inland Revenue rules in each of the following age groups:
Whether they will estimate the number of individuals who do not contribute the maximum pension contribution, paying tax at (i) the basic rate and (ii) the higher rate in each of the following age groups:
(a) up to 35;
(b) 35-45;
(c) 46-50;
(d) 51-55;
(e) 56-60; and
(f) 61-74, and[HL62]
(a) up to 35;
(b) 35-45;
(c) 46-50;
(d) 51-55;
(e) 56-60; and
(f) 61-74.[HL63]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: I regret that the information is not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Baroness Turner of Camden asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The cost of tax relief for additional pension contributions arising from the introduction of stakeholder pensions is estimated at around £200 million for 2001-02. The total cost including also National Insurance rebates to stakeholder pensions is estimated at around £600 million.
Lord Naseby asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: No advisers have been appointed, and there are currently no plans to make any such appointments. Ron Sandler will be supported in his work by a review team and will consult a wide range of interested parties.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Since 22 December, 1999 (when Turkey's economic reform programme began), the IMF has committed SDR 15 billion ($18.8 billion) (for the period to November 2002), of which SDR 6.9 billion ($8.7 billion) has been disbursed. Of this, SDR 221.7 million ($277.1 million) was disbursed prior to 1 January 2000. The World Bank has, to date, committed just under $1.8 billion to support Turkey's reform programme, of which $777 million has been disbursed.
The IMF and the Turkish authorities have together identified a number of deficiencies in the operation of the Turkish banking system, such as subsidised lending by state banks, and unhedged foreign borrowing by private banks. Measures to address these problems have also been agreed, including recapitalising, restructuring and eventually privatising state banks, and either selling or liquidating insolvent private sector banks.
In addition to these banking reforms, the IMF and the Turkish authorities have agreed on a range of other actions on which Turkey's economic programme should focus. These include: fiscal consolidation to improve debt sustainability; privatisation and liberalisation of key elements of the economy; and disinflation via inflation targeting. The full details of the programme were set out in the Turkish authorities' Letter of Intent and Memorandum on Economic Policies of 3 May 2001; which has been posted on the IMF's website.
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker): All asylum caseworkers receive training and instructions in dealing with applicants who are victims of torture. Any evidence of torture is taken very seriously and caseworkers are aware of the need for sensitivity when interviewing victims of torture, as well as the United Kingdom's obligations to protect victims of torture. If there are substantial grounds to believe that there is a real risk that a person will, if returned, be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment, it would be inappropriate to remove them. In such cases, if the applicant does not qualify for asylum, exceptional leave would be granted.
Previous Medical Foundation reports have been referred to, and drawn upon, in the Home Office country assessments used by caseworkers. We are carefully considering the information provided in the latest Medical Foundation report, and will continue to engage in constructive discussions with all parties who have information on conditions in Pakistan.
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
What increase in the level of tax relief they expect in 2001-02 arising from the introduction of the stakeholder pension. [HL64]
Whether the advisers to the Ron Sandler Review on the life assurance industry have been appointed; and whether their names will be made public. [HL74]
How much financial help has been provided to Turkey by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and related agencies since 1 January 2000; whether the IMF believes that the current practices of private and state-controlled public banks in Turkey are acceptable; and what further actions by the state are considered necessary by the IMF.[HL90]
What is their response to the recommendations made by the Medical Foundation in its report on Pakistani asylum applicants who claimed to be victims of torture.[HL107]
Whether they will estimate the number of persons who claimed asylum before 1 July 1995 and 1 July 1998 respectively and who have not yet had decisions on their claims; and whether they will now take steps to see that these applications are considered without further delay.[HL108]
9 Jul 2001 : Column WA63
Lord Rooker: The information is not readily available, and could only be obtained by examination of individual case records and is, therefore, only available at disproportionate cost.
With the number of asylum applications awaiting initial decision at the lowest level for 10 years, we are seeking to identify and resolve older cases as quickly as possible.
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