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Prevention of Torture Committee Report
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will agree, under Article 11 of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to lift the confidentiality rule in respect of the report by the Committee for the Prevention of Torture of its fourth periodic visit to the United Kingdom in February.[HL118]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): The Committee for the Prevention of Torture has not yet completed its report. Her Majesty's Government support the publication of such reports under Article 11 of the convention.
Prime Minister's Envoy
Baroness Rendell of Babergh asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What role Lord Levy will undertake on their behalf, to whom he will be accountable and what facilities, expenses and remuneration he will receive at public expense.[HL261]
Baroness Amos: From time to time Lord Levy will travel as the Prime Minister's envoy. He will report to the Prime Minister and to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
Lord Levy receives no remuneration and travels at his own expense. The FCO provides him with logistics and administrative support, including use of an office in London and official accommodation overseas, and briefing as necessary.
Postal Voting
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What research they have commissioned or intend to commission into the effect that the new provisions for postal voting had on turnout at the general election.[HL126]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): The Electoral Commission, which was established by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, will publish a report on various aspects of the administration of the general election in accordance with Section 5 of the Act.
Rail Franchises
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have received a recommendation from the Strategic Rail Authority on the allocation of the new trans-Pennine franchise; and when they expect to announce a decision; and[HL128]
Whether they have received a recommendation from the Strategic Rail Authority on the allocation of the East Coast Main Line franchise; and when they expect to make a decision.[HL129]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Secretary of State is currently considering requests from the Strategic Rail Authority for directions under Section 26 of the Railways Act 1993. Such directions would enable the authority to proceed to the next stage of the replacement process for each franchise. Announcements will be made as soon as possible.
Saver Tickets: GNER
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have received or will make representations to Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) over its withdrawal of saver tickets from the through service from Skipton to London (Kings Cross) which had recently been reinstated following the post-Hatfield and "Leeds first" service reductions.[HL130]
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Saver tickets are regulated and restrictions on their use are limited by the SRA. Train operators are able to adjust availability of saver tickets provided they remain within the specified limits. Since Hatfield and Heck, GNER has been running a reduced timetable and has withdrawn the saver ticket from the 0625 Skipton through service to Kings Cross. It was entitled to do this and may decide to reinstate the saver ticket to this service at its own discretion. Saver tickets continue to be available on trains arriving at Kings Cross after the business peak.
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