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Lord Eames asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What level of consultation and co-operation they have sought from the Government of the Republic of Ireland in seeking a solution to the Drumcree issue.[HL2210]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The issue of parades in Northern Ireland is a matter for this Government and the people of Northern Ireland. Any solution to
Drumcree can only be found through genuine dialogue between the parties involved. The Government have, and are, ready to facilitate any genuine attempt to find an agreed solution to this issue.We have not consulted with, or sought formal co-operation from the Government of the Republic of Ireland, but that government have been supportive of initiatives, whether led by this Government or independent of it, in an attempt to resolve the Drumcree issue.
Lord Eames asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they have given sufficient reassurance to those engaged in the commercial and social life of Portadown about their efforts to resolve the Drumcree issue.(HL2211)
Lord Williams of Mostyn: No one should be in any doubt about the Government's commitment to resolve the Drumcree issue. Over the last number of years a number of initiatives have been sponsored by the Government including those led by Frank Blair, Director of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service Scotland, the Prime Minister's chief of staff and the former Minister of State, the right honourable Adam Ingram. The Government also supported and facilitated the recent independent initiative led by Brian Currin to find an agreed solution to the problem.
Northern Ireland: Proposed Bill of Rights
Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will publish the presentations made by the Ulster Unionist Party and Arts for All on a proposed Bill of Rights to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, and listed in a document dated 4 September 2001 called Making a Bill of Rights.(HL2288)
Lord Williams of Mostyn: All submissions were made to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and are, therefore, not held by Her Majesty's Government. We understand, however, that except in those cases where an organisation or individual making a submission asked it to be kept confidential, the commission can arrange, on request and with prior notice, for public access to the written submissions.
Zimbabwe
The Earl of Caithness asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Amos on 21 January, whether the President of the Council of the European Union received the letter from the Zimbabwean Government with regard to Article 96 by 18 January; and whether they will publish it.(HL2433)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): The President of the Council of the European Union has received a letter, dated 18 January, from the Government of Zimbabwe. The letter did not give specific or satisfactory answers to EU concerns on election observers, access by the international media and other questions. The EU has sought urgent further clarification.
The President of the Council has not indicated whether he intends to publish the document.
Convention on the future of Europe:UK Government's Representative
Baroness Billingham asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Who the Government will appoint as the National Government Representative to the Convention on the Future of Europe.[HL2493]
Baroness Amos: The right honourable Peter Hain MP, the Minister for Europe, has been appointed the government representative to the Convention on the Future of Europe.
Commonwealth War Graves: Pilckem Ridge
Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What representations they have made to the Government of Belgium in respect of the proposed road construction at Pilckem Ridge, part of the Ypres Salient in the First World War.[HL2221]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach): I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 21 January (Official Report, col. 1328) to my noble friend Lord Faulkner of Worcester.
Lord Blaker asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What discussions they have had with the Government of Belgium concerning the plans of the Flemish regional government to construct a road system related to the A19 highway between Ypres and Furnes which would affect the environment of the Commonwealth War Cemeteries on or near the Pilckem Ridge instead of making a very small diversion to avoid such a situation.[HL2222]
Lord Bach: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 21 January (Official Report, col. 1328) to my noble friend Lord Faulkner of Worcester.
Royal Air Force Hercules C130K Fleet
Earl Attlee asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the current planned retirement date for the Royal Air Force's Hercules C130K fleet; and
- whether Jane's Defence Weekly of 27 June 2001 is correct in asserting that the RAF's Hercules C130Ks were originally scheduled for retirement in 2004; and[HL2269]
What would be the effect on availability of the Royal Air Force's Hercules C130Ks if they were run beyond their scheduled retirement date; and[HL2271]
What would be the approximate annual cost of running the Royal Air Force's Hercules C130K fleet beyond its scheduled retirement date.[HL2270]
Lord Bach: The original out-of-service date for the RAF's Hercules C130K was 2004 but this date has since been revised.
Current plans for the last element of the rolling programme to replace part of the C130K fleet with C130Js are for two of the C130K aircraft to be retired by 30 April 2002 and one aircraft to be retired towards the end of 2002. There are currently no detailed plans for the decommissioning of the remaining 26 C130Ks which is predicted to occur by around the end of this decade.
The current cost of maintaining the C130K fleet is some £31 million per annum and it is reasonable to assume that the cost of supporting individual aircraft would increase as the fleet ages. Any decision to extend its operational life would therefore take into account the costs of maintaining the aircraft to meet operational demands.
Taliban and Al'Qaeda Militants Captured in Afghanistan
Earl Attlee asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many Taliban and Al'Qaeda militants were captured in Afghanistan with the direct involvement of Her Majesty's Armed Forces and are currently detained by forces of the United States.[HL2362]
Earl Attlee asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether, as at 15 January, they are detaining any Taliban and Al'Qaeda militants captured in Afghanistan.[HL2364]
Lord Birt: Forward Strategy Unit
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the role and responsibility of the Lord Birt in relation to the preparation of a government transport strategy; and how this relates to:
(a) the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions;
(b) the Strategic Rail Authority; and
(c) the Cabinet Office Delivery Unit; and what discussions Lord Birt has had with the above organisations in connection with the preparation of such a strategy. [HL2213]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): The role of the FSU is to provide internal long-term strategic analysis and policy thinking for the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers on a range of issues. Lord Birt, as the Prime Minister's unpaid strategy advisor, works with the FSU on a range of projects. Part of that work involves providing advice about longer-term trends in the transport industry. The unit is keeping in close touch with my department, and holding discussions with other organisations as necessary.
Lord Fearn asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Progress with the West Coast route modernisation is underway and 125mph operation with new, tilting trains is expected from 2003. Repairs and maintenance are ongoing and are carried out as and when appropriate.
Lord Fearn asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Virgin West Coast is committed to securing funding to improve and upgrade all 17 stations for which it is the stations facilities operator.
Lord Fearn asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Falconer of Thoroton: I understand that there are plans by commercial developers and Railtrack to redevelop land around and including Southport Station. If the redevelopment proceeds, there would be improved facilities for passengers using the station and an improved interchange with other modes of transport.
What steps are being taken to finalise work on (a) track and (b) signal repairs on the West Coast Main Line. [HL2326]
How many stations are to be upgraded on the West Coast Main Line. [HL2327]
What plans there are to upgrade Southport rail terminals.[HL2328]
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