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Written Answers
Tuesday, 29th January 2002.
Anti-social Behaviour Orders
Lord Dholakia asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Since the introduction of anti-social behaviour orders, how many have been issued by the courts; and what are the ethnic origins of those subject to such orders.[HL2388]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker): Information collected centrally in England and Wales does not currently identify the ethnic appearance of the persons concerned.
Women Offenders
Lord Acton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Answer by Lord Rooker on 29th November 2001 (HL Deb, cols. 456–57), whether they have decided to establish a board responsible for women in the criminal justice system as recommended by the Lord Chief Justice.[HL2421]
Lord Rooker: The Government are examining current commissioning and delivery structures across all correctional services. It is likely that changes will be made to enable an improvement in the current focus on 18 to 20 year-olds in the first instance, with a view to expanding this focus to other groups. Women offenders, for example, would be a group that could benefit from such a restructure.
We have recently received the first preliminary report on the operation of the new youth justice system which provides a welcome steer on the benefits or otherwise of distinct treatment for groups of offenders with distinct needs. We are fortunate to have this model and the findings of this first review will need to be considered in the context of current deliberations about how best to deliver, manage and monitor correctional services.
Raves
Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they now consider that legislation will be needed to regulate social gatherings held indoors, commonly known as raves.[HL2463]
Lord Rooker: We have not changed our view on this matter since I responded to the noble Lord's similar Question on 16 January (Official Report, col. WA154), explaining that we had no present plans to introduce new legislation.
Seasonal Agricultural Work: Student Permits
Lord Burlison asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What plans they have to increase the number of student work permits allowed for seasonal agricultural work. [HL2547]
Lord Rooker: Representations in support of an increase in the present quota of non-European Economic Area students participating in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Scheme have been made by a number of interested parties, including the National Farmers Union.
The Government have listened to these representations and have agreed to increase the number of work cards available for use under this scheme. As agreed with the industry, the student quota will increase from the present 15,200 to 20,200, spread over the next two years. Within that, a higher proportionate increase of 3,500 work cards will be made available to the scheme's operators this year, pro rata to the additional needs they have identified, for allocation to participants in the scheme.
Azerbaijan: OSCE Embargo
Lord Eatwell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the United Kingdom will continue to uphold the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe embargo on the export of weapons and military equipment to Azerbaijan. [HL2533]
The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): The UK remains committed to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) arms embargo against both Azerbaijan and Armenia, which the UK interprets as covering all goods and technology controlled under entries in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 (commonly known as the military list).
In March 2000 the Government approved a similar request for protective jackets for demining operations to Azerbaijan, a continuing problem.
While the grant of this licence constitutes an exception to the UK's interpretation of the scope of the embargo, it is in no way inconsistent with the purpose of the embargo and our continuing commitment to uphold it.
Colliery Productivity
Lord Hardy of Wath asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How current levels of productivity in United Kingdom collieries compare with those achieved in 1991 and 1981.[HL2128]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): In the 12 months to March 2001, it is estimated that productivity in United Kingdom collieries was 2,000 tonnes per person (including
contractors) employed per year. Published data for 1981 and 1991 show that productivity was 640 and 1,930 tonnes per underground employee per year respectively, but these are only for deep mines operated by the former British Coal. Information on a comparable basis to the most recent figures for 2000–01 is not available.Mines Rescue Service
Lord Hardy of Wath asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many non-mining companies have made use of the miners rescue service during the last year for which figures are available; and what financial contribution such companies have made to this service.[HL2131]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Mines Rescue Services Ltd, which provides a service to UK deep-mine coal operators, is a private company and my department does not hold information on its activities. Such information would best be obtained through the company itself. It can be contacted at the following address:
- Mines Rescue Service
- Leeming Lane South
- Mansfield Woodhouse
- Mansfield
- Notts. NG19 9AQ.
Employment Tribunal Forms
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they consider, in the light of Article 6(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights, that the imposition of requirements in relation to forms for use in proceedings in the employment tribunals should be the responsibility of the judiciary and not of the executive; and, if not, why not.[HL2435]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: No. The imposition in legislation of reasonable procedural requirements on those embarking on litigation does not constitute a barrier to access to justice, nor does it interfere with the independence and impartiality of the tribunal.
Under existing powers (Section 7(2) of the Employment Tribunals Act 1996), the employment tribunal procedure regulations may already prescribe forms for entering originating applications and notices of appearance, and in fact some of the content of the current forms is laid down there. Clause 25 of the Employment Bill, when implemented, will enable the Secretary of State to impose the requirements outside of the regulations. This will provide greater flexibility to make changes to the requirements where necessary. In particular it will be quicker: the procedure regulations have to lie for 21 days before taking effect.
The content of any new forms will be discussed with the judiciary and interested parties.
As now, the judiciary will decide whether applications and notices of appearance are validly made, and will thus be able to ensure that those who have difficulty completing forms will not be denied access to tribunals.
Income Support Adjustments: Cost to Department
Baroness Barker asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the estimated average cost to the Department for Work and Pensions each time an adjustment is made to a person's income support following a change to that person's circumstances.[HL2390]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham): The estimated average cost is £26.66. This figure is for the staff costs involved and excludes information technology costs.
Electronic Patient Records
Baroness Noakes asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they agree with the assessment of the Audit Commission in its report A Spoonful of Sugar that less than 10 per cent of National Health Service trusts will meet the 2005 deadline for the implementation of electronic patient records.[HL2431]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): Level 3 electronic patient records involves the implementation of four specific elements––results reporting, order communications, electronic prescribing and integrated care pathways. The Department of Health has recently collected data from National Health Service trusts about their implementation status and plans. This shows that good progress is being made on the implementation of results reporting and order communications. We are considering how NHS trusts can be supported to tackle the challenges posed by the implementation of electronic prescribing and the phasing of integrated care pathways across prioritised specialities.
Nursing Homes
Lord Carlile of Berriew asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many persons over the age of 70 years were estimated to be full-time residents in privately owned nursing homes in each of the years 1998 to 2002.[HL2450]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Information on the number of full-time residents in privately owned nursing homes who are aged over 70 is not collected. The table provides information on residents aged 65 to 74 and aged 75 and over in nursing homes. These figures may include some temporary residents. Information for the year 2000–01 will be published in the spring.
| Year(2) | Residents aged 65–74 | Residents aged 75 and over |
| 1998–1999 | 20,100 | 117,900 |
| 1999–2000 | 19,600 | 108,200 |
Source:
Department of Health's returns.
(1) Includes private hospitals and clinics.
(2) Information refers to the date of inspection between the dates of 1 April and 31 March.
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