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Language Learning: Ministers and Officials
Baroness Ludford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which (a) Ministers and (b) officials took lessons in foreign languages as part of the European Year of Languages in 2001; whether any formal qualifications were obtained as a result; and, if so, by whom. [HL2219]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): We do not hold information centrally on the number of Ministers and officials who have taken lessons in foreign languages. However, from data collected by the Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research we know that 35 cross-party MPs signed up to the Language Challenge as part of the European Year of Languages. The purpose of the Language Challenge was to demonstrate a positive attitude towards language learning and cultural awareness rather than to gain formal qualifications. Each person was free to set his or her own goal, with the emphasis being on participation, rather than assessed results.
Staff within the DfES are encouraged to learn languages, both for their personal development and to support work-related need. A series of themed events were held within the department during the European Year of Languages.
Equality of Treatment: Election Candidates
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 17 December (WA 32), whether they consider that a qualifying registered party, within the meaning of Part II of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, is a body certain of whose functions are of a public nature, within the meaning of Section 6(3) of the Human Rights Act 1998, in selecting and nominating persons to stand for election in the name of that party in that the function is "quasi-governmental in nature" and "seeks to achieve some collective benefit for the public"; and, if not, why not. [HL2215]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): The Government have previously expressed their view that the selection of candidates for election by political parties is not a public function within the meaning of Section 6(3) of the Human Rights Act 1998.
The requirement for political parties to register in order to take part in certain elections by virtue of Part II of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 does not make the function of selecting candidates by those parties a public one.
The Government do not consider the selection of candidates to be a function that is quasi-governmental in nature. A political party no doubt regards itself as
acting in the public interest by selecting a candidate for election. Activities which are motivated by the public interest, however, are not necessarily public functions seeking to achieve some collective benefit for the public. As the Court of Appeal has recently made clear, the fact that an organisation is motivated in performing its activities by what it perceives to be the public interest does not point to the body being a public authority.The Government's view is that the selection of a candidate to stand for election is internal to the party. Even if the party is motivated by the public interest in undertaking this function, this does not alter its character from a function that is political in nature into one that is public in nature.
There is, however, no binding authority from the court on the point. Until there is, the Government must take a view on the matter based on their interpretation of the law, but this does not mean that there is no room for differing views.
Chief Surveillance Commissioner's Report
Lord Orme asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When the annual report of the Chief Surveillance Commissioner appointed under Section 91(1)(a) of the Police Act 1997 will be laid before the House. [HL2384]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: A copy of Sir Andrew Leggatt's report for 2000 is being laid before the House today in accordance with Section 107(3) of the Police Act 1997 (as amended by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000). After consultation with the Chief Surveillance Commissioner, material in an annex to a report has been excluded from that copy under Section 107(4) of the Act because its publication would be prejudicial to the prevention or detection of serious crime.
For the first time the annual report covers Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
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