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Lord Williams of Mostyn: My Lords, the quality of those who have applied has been gratifyingly high. They have to pass nine competency tests as opposed to six on the mainland. I do not know the details of particular individuals. It would probably be invidious to comment on them since those are essentially operational matters for the Chief Constable.
On the question of discrimination, the Patten report suggested—I am paraphrasing fairly I think—that in order to have a generally accepted police service one should look for a significantly higher number of recruits from the Roman Catholic community. That figure has risen quite slowly over the past years, from about 7.3 per cent to 8.4 per cent. I think that the majority of opinion would be looking for a significantly higher contribution from the Roman Catholic community.
Lord Campbell of Alloway: My Lords, what progress has been made on the restoration of the rule of law with regard to punishment beatings and so forth in Northern Ireland?
Lord Williams of Mostyn: My Lords, that is undoubtedly a continuing struggle. Everyone who has had any contact with the police service in Northern Ireland knows how dedicated it has been. But no police service can operate without the full-hearted support of
all sections of the community. That is part of the reason why we want the reforms to go forward as quickly and as fruitfully as possible.
Lord Smith of Clifton: My Lords, does the Minister agree that, while there will undoubtedly be one or two hiccups, the figures that he has just announced actually demonstrate a remarkably smooth transition and a working of the new recruitment policy? Does he further agree that it is particularly welcome to have the support of the SDLP and of the Roman Catholic hierarchy in encouraging members of the Catholic community to apply in such numbers?
Lord Williams of Mostyn: My Lords, I absolutely agree with the noble Lord's question. With regard to his second point, it is an extremely significant step forward. I do not think that one can begin to underestimate the fact that the Roman Catholic Church and its hierarchy and the SDLP have had the courage to take this very important public step. I pay particular tribute to the courage of those from the Roman Catholic community who will be in a very public front line. They know the dangers; they are willing to offer themselves for public service; and we should support them.
Lord Dubs: My Lords, does my noble and learned friend agree that not only should we be delighted that the Irish Government, the American Government, the Catholic Church and the SDLP have all given their support to these new proposals but also that the Chief Constable of Northern Ireland has led the way in getting the police to co-operate with the new system of policing? That is in the interest of all the people of Northern Ireland.
Lord Williams of Mostyn: My Lords, Sir Ronnie Flanagan is another very remarkable public servant. He has had to demonstrate the force of the argument to a large number of his colleagues who have had colleagues murdered and who still work alongside those whose relatives have been murdered. These are all very significant steps. I repeat that we should welcome them with a full heart.
Lord Hylton: My Lords, can the noble and learned Lord tell us how many requests to transfer into the Northern Ireland police service have been received from other police services in the English-speaking world in the past year? Would not such transfers be very helpful in balancing the police in Northern Ireland?
Lord Williams of Mostyn: My Lords, I made inquiries about the figures, thinking that that question might be asked. In fact, I am not able to give specific figures because, until the final vetting stage, no inquiry is made about previous employment. That is appropriate. But I can say as a matter of fact that there have been applicants not only from the rest of the United Kingdom but from other Commonwealth countries. I agree with the noble Lord that that is extremely gratifying.
Lord Laird: My Lords, will the Minister give us an undertaking that all successful candidates in the first recruitment campaign for the police service have been able to fulfil all the minimum qualifications?
Lord Williams of Mostyn: Yes, my Lords.
Baroness Nicol: My Lords, is my noble and learned friend aware that certain leading members of the new force feel that they are under-resourced in some areas? For example, they suggest that their information technology system is fragmented and needs updating. I do not expect my noble and learned friend to have the answer to my question now, but will he undertake to look into the matter?
Lord Williams of Mostyn: My Lords, certainly. I do not know of any police force in the United Kingdom that does not have some complaint about under-resourcing, as I am sure Mr Blunkett would be the first to testify.
New Partnership for Africa's Development
2.51 p.m.
Lord Blaker asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What steps they are taking to carry forward the proposal made by the Prime Minister in his speech to the Labour Party Conference in October for a partnership for Africa between the developed and the developing world based on the New Africa Initiative.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): My Lords, the Government have warmly welcomed the political will demonstrated by the New Partnership for Africa's Development. At the G8 summit in Genoa in July, leaders agreed to forge a new partnership to address issues crucial to African development. The G8 agreed to develop a concrete action to be approved at its summit in Canada next year. As the Prime Minister's personal representative, last month I participated in the first of a series of meetings to develop the plan.
Lord Blaker: My Lords, does the Minister recall that in a speech the Prime Minister held out a vision of a partnership to create an Africa that was democratic, and in which there was to be no excuse for abuses of human rights? He said that that could be achieved,
- Xif we find the will."
Baroness Amos: My Lords, we are committed to working with African partners on a new vision. The important thing about the New Partnership for Africa's Development is the commitment by African leaders themselves to tackle such issues and to demonstrate political will and leadership.
With respect to Zimbabwe, the noble Lord well knows, because I said this the last time that I was asked about Zimbabwe, that we have worked tirelessly to bring together an international consensus on Zimbabwe involving the Commonwealth, the Southern African Development Community, the European Union, the United States and other partners. The Government of Zimbabwe want to make the problem a bilateral one between Britain and Zimbabwe. It is not so. International concern has been expressed. We continue to press the Government of Zimbabwe to ensure that election observers are allowed into the country. If Zimbabwe does not do so, it appears that it will be breaking SADC rules and southern African heads of government will also have to deal with the problem.
Baroness Rawlings: My Lords, can the noble Baroness confirm whether or not the New Africa Initiative will mean that a larger percentage of UK bilateral aid to Africa will be directed to African governments and away from non-governmental organisations and charities that work in Africa?
Baroness Amos: My Lords, the noble Baroness may be aware that since 1997, we have increased our bilateral development spending in Africa from #450 million per year to #778 million in 2000-01. That is linked to our strong commitment to work towards the eradication of world poverty. With respect to the ways in which we deliver that spending, the noble Baroness will be aware that our commitment is to work with governments who are themselves committed to spending money on sectors such as health and education. We take a sector-wide approach, because we want to build capacity and ensure sustainability.
Baroness Williams of Crosby: My Lords, we on these Benches congratulate the Minister on the New Africa Initiative. Will she tell us about controls over the movement of diamonds from Botswana, Sierra Leone and elsewhere within Africa, to ensure that they are now passing through proper, legal channels and benefiting the African producers?
Baroness Amos: My Lords, the noble Baroness will be aware that the Kimberley process has been in hand considering the exploitation of diamonds in the African context. We have an integrated approach, especially in considering conflict in Africa. We will continue that approach. The noble Baroness will be pleased to know that African countries have themselves identified as a priority dealing with conflict and the exploitation of resources in conflict situations.
Lord Hunt of Chesterton: My Lords, does my noble friend agree that there are some encouraging signs in
Africa, especially in the development of the environment? Does she agree that Nigeria has played an important role, as have NGOs and the United Nations Environmental Programme?
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