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Export of Works of Art Report
Lord Peston asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they will publish the 2000–01 annual report of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art. [HL3014]
Baroness Blackstone: The reviewing committee's annual report for 2000–01 has been published today and copies have been laid before Parliament.
Northern Ireland: Children of Different Faiths
The Earl of Listowel asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How they are endeavouring to bring Northern Irish children of different faiths into mutual respect for one another. [HL2419]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): Her Majesty's Government support, through funding, victims' and survivors' groups whose work includes bringing together children of different faiths. The Government are also a principal funder of the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund, which among other things organises cross-community events for children. Otherwise, responsibility for this subject is largely devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Northern Ireland: Bill of Rights
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has carried out in recent months a survey into public awareness of a possible Bill of Rights and, if so, whether they will publish the result. [HL2728]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: I understand that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission undertook a public awareness survey entitled the Northern Ireland Social Omnibus Survey of October 2001. Research and evaluation services were commissioned to draw up and carry out the survey, which focused in particular on the Bill of Rights consultation but also on the role of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. This survey was the second such exercise undertaken by the commission. The first was carried out in July 1999.
A copy of the report has been placed in the Library of the House.
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission: Staffing
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 4 February (WA 75), whether they had any part in devising the terms and conditions of the appointment of Mr Peter Hosking to undertake a review of the commission. [HL2770]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on Thursday 10 January 2002 (Official Report, col. WA 124). The Government had no involvement in devising the terms and conditions for the appointment of Mr Peter Hosking.
Senior Salaries Review Body Report
Baroness Thornton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When the 2002 report and recommendations of the Review Body on Senior Salaries will be published. [HL3052]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The 2002 report of the Review Body on Senior Salaries, which makes recommendations about the pay of the senior Civil Service, senior military personnel and the judiciary, together with the annual uprating of parliamentary salaries, is being published today. Copies are in the Printed Paper Office and the Library of the House.
The main recommendations of the review body are:
- Senior Civil Service (SCS): an increase from 1 April 2002 of 2.5 per cent to the Government's final indicative rates for the minima, target rates and maxima for each pay band and a new band for Permanent Secretaries; a minimum bonus payment of 3 per cent or £2,000, whichever is the higher, for those making the greatest contribution; and a sum equivalent to 0.4 per cent of the total SCS pay bill to be made available for use by departments to address anomalies.
- Senior military: an increase from 1 April 2002 of 2.5 per cent in the value of all points on the new incremental pay scales.
- Judiciary: an increase from 1 April 2002 of 8 per cent.
The cost of all the awards will be met within existing departmental expenditure limits.
Pay increases for Members of Parliament and Ministers are linked automatically to the increase in pay bands for the senior Civil Service. Their pay entitlement will therefore increase from 1 April 2002 by 2.5 per cent. In addition they will receive the second and final instalment of £2,000 recommended by the Review Body on Senior Salaries in its 48th report of March 2001.
Proposals for Change: Public Consultation
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the normal period of public consultation about government proposals for changes in the law or in administrative practices and procedures. [HL2857]
The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston): The Government do not keep central statistics on the average length of consultation periods across government. The recommended period for central government national public consultations, including about proposals for changes in the law or in administrative practices and procedures, is 12 weeks. The period recommended for consultations is set out in the Code of Practice on Written Consultation published in November 2000. There will be circumstances that unavoidably require a consultation period of more or less than 12 weeks. Among these are timetables set out in statute; those dictated by EU or other international processes; and those tied to the Budget or other annual financial cycles.
Ministers: Travel Arrangements
Lord Willoughby de Broke asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether Ministers are required or encouraged to use public transport when travelling on government business. [HL2876]
Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Paragraph 84 of the Ministerial Code makes it clear that Ministers must always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Detailed guidance to Ministers on travel is set out in Travel by Ministers, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.
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