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Written Answers
Wednesday, 16th January 2002.
Development Aid: Sierra Leone
Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will increase their aid, and ask the European Union to do likewise, to countries such as Sierra Leone, which could become models for their region.[HL2143]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): We already fund a substantial development programme in Sierra Leone, running at well over £30 million a year, and plan to expand it still further over the next few years. The EC should have up to 220 million euros of European Development Fund money available for Sierra Leone over the next five years, on top of funding for humanitarian and human rights work there. We are in regular touch with the Commission to encourage it to speed up the rate at which it disburses its funds in Sierra Leone.
We fully recognise the demonstration effect that well performing countries can have for others in their region. In the case of Sierra Leone, we would hope that this impact could extend beyond West Africa, and serve as a model for other countries coming out of conflict throughout the whole of Africa.
SADC Meeting 17 December 2001
The Earl of Caithness asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What decisions were taken at the Southern African Development Community meeting on 17 December.[HL2180]
Baroness Amos: The Committee of Ministers responsible for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation met in Luanda, Angola on 17 and 18 December. All 14 SADC member states were represented. Discussions centred on terrorism in Angola and the situations prevailing in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with particular reference to the Inter-Congolese Dialogue, and Zimbabwe. Preparations for elections in Lesotho and Zambia were also discussed. Ministers also strongly condemned the acts of terrorism of 11 September in the United States. Ministers approved a mechanism for funding Organ activities and a strategy for co-operation with regional and international donors.
"Raves"
Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will introduce legislation to reform the present arrangements for the holding of large social gatherings, commonly known as "raves", indoors in the open.[HL2198]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker): The current powers in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 relating to unlawful "raves" concern events organised in the open air and do not cover events in an enclosed barn or other building. However, the local authority does have certain powers in relation to noise and can serve orders requiring the organisers to reduce noise if complaints are made.
The Government have no present plans to introduce new legislation but routinely keep such legislation under review.
Sexual Offences: Reviews of Convictions
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will initiate reviews of convictions for sexual offences since 1994 which were based on uncorroborated allegations.[HL2239]
Lord Rooker: The Home Secretary's powers to review criminal convictions came to an end on 31 March 1997. These were replaced by new powers vested in an independent body, the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The commission has a main responsibility under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 to review suspected miscarriages of justice, and to refer a conviction, verdict, finding or sentence to the appropriate court of appeal when the commission considers that there is a real possibility that it would not be upheld.
There is no central record of convictions for sexual offences since 1994, which were based on uncorroborated allegations. However, it is open to individuals with such a conviction or anyone acting on their behalf to apply to the commission for a case to be reviewed.
Asylum Seekers: Detention in Prisons
Baroness Goudie asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they will announce their plans for the detention of asylum seekers in prisons.[HL2309]
Lord Rooker: By the end of January immigration detainees held in local prisons will, if their detention is to continue, be transferred to immigration removal centres. This has been made possible by the opening of three new removal centres at Harmondsworth, near Heathrow, Dungavel in Lanarkshire, and at Yarlswood in Bedfordshire.
Additionally, immigration detainees are held in two dedicated prison establishments: a unit in Her Majesty's Prison Lindholme, near Doncaster; and Her Majesty's Prison Haslar. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is taking steps to establish these as immigration removal centres under the control of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office as from February. Detainees in these establishments will be subject to Detention Centre Rules, rather than the Prison Rules as at present. It may take some time before the facilities in the new centres match those of other removal centres, but that is our intention.
Asylum seekers are also detained in two wings of Her Majesty's Prison Rochester. These detainees will be transferred to other immigration removal centres by the end of January. A new removal centre will be established at Her Majesty's Prison Dover in the spring.
It will always remain necessary to hold small numbers of immigration detainees including asylum seekers in prisons for reasons of security, or who are awaiting deportation on conclusion of a prison sentence. Any asylum seeker who is held on suspicion of having committed a criminal offence, or is serving a custodial sentence will also be held in prison.
Northern Ireland: Bill of Rights
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have responded in any way to the draft Bill of Rights submitted by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and whether they will publish any letter or letters sent to the Chief Commissioner. [HL2002]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission published a consultation document on 4 September setting out its preliminary thinking on the scope for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. The Government look forward to receiving the commission's formal recommendations next year and will determine their response thereafter.
In the meantime, Des Browne MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Northern Ireland Office, has written to Brice Dickson, Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on 22 November highlighting some general issues for consideration. A copy of this letter, which does not represent the final position of the Government, has been placed in the Library of the House.
Northern Ireland: Human Rights Commission
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will publish the complaints procedure for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.[HL2085]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which individuals and organisations who believe that their human rights might have been infringed have received financial support from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission since 1999; and, in each case, how much they received.[HL2086]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 11 December (WA198–99), whether the reappointment of the existing members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission means that they consider that the commissioners performed satisfactorily during their current term.[HL2127]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The reappointments of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commissioners were made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice.
The role of the Chief Commissioner was set out in the original advertisement, which appeared in the press on 24 November 1998:
- Providing strategic direction and leadership for the Commission;
Developing and maintaining the Commission's external relationships at the highest level; and
Accounting for the expenditure of the Commission.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has considered whether the Chief Commissioner, Brice Dickson, has fulfilled this role and has concluded that he should be reappointed for a further term.
Performance appraisal of the other commission members is a matter for the Chief Commissioner. In considering whether or not they should be reappointed, the Government sought and received an assessment from the Chief Commissioner of whether or not their performance had been satisfactory. This too was in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. All the existing commissioners received a satisfactory assessment.
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