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Countryside Strategy
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is their response to the recommendations of the report Working for the Countryside published jointly by the English Tourism Council and the Countryside Agency in August 2000.[HL902]
The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone): The Working for the Countryside strategy for rural tourism in England, 2001–05, was published in May 2001 following the commitment made in the Rural White Paper, Our
Countryside: the future (Cm 4909). The Government considered that the strategy was necessary to improve the experience of tourists and increase income and employment, while at the same time enhancing the quality of the environment and spreading the benefits of tourism throughout rural communities. As identified in the strategy, a range of organisations and enterprises with tourism, conservation and rural development responsibilities will have a role in implementation at a national, regional and local level. The English Tourism Council and the Countryside Agency will have a part to play in taking this forward and will strengthen their working relationship in implementing the recommendations.Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which projects they are funding that are looking into BSE and transmissable spongiform encephalopathy (TSE).[HL968]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): A list of all current, publicly funded research on TSEs in the UK is available on the MRC website at http://www.mrc.ac.uk/tse–2c.htm. This includes details of duration and cost, as well as abstracts explaining the purpose of individual studies.
Public Order Order 1987
Lord Monson asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been in Northern Ireland for provoking fear and hatred on religious grounds in each year since the Public Order Order of 1987 came into force; and what was the maximum sentence imposed in each year.[HL862]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): Between 1987 and 1999 a total of four persons were prosecuted for incitement offences under the Public Order Order 1987. All four offenders were found guilty and the most serious penalty imposed was six months' detention.
As the number of prosecutions under the order is small, I have not answered the Question on a year to year basis.
Provisional IRA and International Terrorist Groups
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What international terrorist groups they believe the Provisional IRA has been in contact with over the last 15 years.[HL876]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: It is long-standing government policy not to comment on intelligence matters.
Northern Ireland: Fireworks
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will consider re-imposing the total ban on the sale and use of fireworks for private use in Northern Ireland.[HL929]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: On 12 October 2001 the Minister of State, Jane Kennedy, announced a review of the problems associated with fireworks. A ban on the sale of fireworks to the general public is one option that will be considered. Consideration will be given to whether the remedy lies in the enhancement of the existing law and its enforcement, with strengthening of police powers as appropriate.
Contingency Planning
Baroness Thornton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What sub-committees he has constituted to support the Civil Contingencies Committee in its review of the country's contingency planning arrangements.[HL1154]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Prime Minister has directed that three new sub-committees be constituted to make recommendations within the remit of the Civil Contingencies Committee.
The Civil Contingencies Committee is a long-standing committee. Its composition and terms of reference are set out below together with those of three new sub-committees. Civil Contingencies Committee Composition: Secretary of State for the Home Department (chairman). Others, including HM Treasury and the devolved administrations, will be invited to attend, depending on the contingency. Terms of Reference: "To co-ordinate the preparation of plans for ensuring in an emergency the supplies and services essential to the life of the community; to keep these plans under regular review; and to supervise their prompt and effective implementation in specific emergencies". Sub-committee on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Consequence Management––CCC (CBRN) Composition: Minister of State for Crime Reduction, Policing and Community Safety (Chairman) Officials from:
- HM Treasury
- Home Office
- Foreign and Commonwealth Office
- Ministry of Defence
- Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Department of Health
- Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Northern Ireland Office
- Scotland Office
- Wales Office.
- The devolved administrations are invited to attend, as are others in accordance with their expertise, experience and responsibilities.
Terms of reference:
"To review contingency and other arrangements to protect the UK against the effects of a terrorist attack using chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear means, particularly in the light of the terrorist attacks of 11 September".
Sub-committee on London Resilience––CCC (LR)
Composition:
Minister of State for Local Government and the Regions (Chairman)
Officials from:
- HM Treasury
- Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.
- Home Office
- Government Office for London.
- Others, including the Mayor of London, are invited to attend in accordance with their
- experience and expertise and in order to engage all responsible organisations in London.
Terms of reference:
"To review contingency arrangements for London, particularly in the light of the terrorist attacks of 11 September".
Sub-Committee on UK Resilience––CCC (UKR)
Composition:
Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Chairman)
Officials from:
- HM Treasury
- Home Office
- Ministry of Defence
- Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Department of Health
- Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Northern Ireland Office
- Scotland Office
- Wales Office.
- Others, including the devolved administrations, are invited to attend in accordance with their expertise, experience and responsibilities.
Terms of reference:
"To review contingency arrangements for key suppliers, services and other systems which support the life of the community, particularly in the light of the terrorist attacks of 11 September".
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