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Written Answers
Tuesday, 12th March 2002.
Magistrates' Courts: Dorset
Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the number of magistrates' courts in the County of Dorset; what was the equivalent figure in 1992; what is the projected figure for 2012; and whether they will express these figures as a ratio of courts to square miles.[HL2972]
The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg): There are nine courthouses comprising 23 courtrooms in Dorset, representing one courthouse per 113.78 square miles or one courtroom per 44.52 square miles; in 1992 there were 12 courthouses comprising 29 courtrooms, representing one courthouse per 85.33 square miles or one courtroom per 35.31 square miles.
The provision of courthouses and courtrooms is the responsibility of the local Magistrates' Courts Committee, which has informed me that it is not currently in the process of consultation over the closure of any courthouses, although an operational decision may be taken in 2002–03 to reduce the number of hired rooms at County Hall in Dorchester or to suspend the hiring of those rooms pending a consultation exercise.
Defendants' Court Attendance Costs: Dorset
Earl Russell asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they have done any research on the proportion of defendants in Dorset whose costs in attending court exceed the fine imposed if they are found guilty.HL2975]
The Lord Chancellor: My department has undertaken no such research. Janice
Bereavement Damages
Lord Grabiner asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they intend to change to the level of bereavement damages awarded under Section 1A of the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 and Article 3A(5) of the Fatal Accidents (Northern Ireland) Order 1977.[HL 3280]
The Lord Chancellor: I laid before Parliament yesterday orders increasing the level of bereavement damages from £7,500 to £10,000 to reflect the increase in inflation since the figure was last revised in 1991. The orders will take effect from 1 April 2002.
Northern Ireland: Policing
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- In what ways they are helping the Northern Ireland Policing Board, the Oversight Commissioner and the Police Ombudsman to work together in harmony and mutual support.[HL2852]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): Through the legislative framework created by the Government the three bodies named, whilst independent in their own right, are encouraged by the Secretary of State to work towards the common goal of an effective and acceptable police service in Northern Ireland.
Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service: Life Peers
Lord Patten asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether it is a constitutional convention that a retiring holder of the posts of Cabinet Secretary and head of the Home Civil Service should receive a life peerage.[HL2929]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: There is no constitutional convention. However, as my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said in another place on 25 June 2001, a limited number of holders of very high office may be recommended for a peerage direct to the Queen by him.
IRA Ceasefire
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- In view of recent incidents, what they consider to be the status of the IRA ceasefire.[HL2945]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Secretary of State continues to keep the status of all ceasefires under review. He will not hesitate to take appropriate action if necessary.
Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 13 February (WA 153-4) concerning the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman, whether they will supply in more detail a breakdown of the work carried out by consultants listed in that reply, and name the accounting officer for the Office of the Ombudsman's office.[HL2947]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The accounting officer for the ombudsman's office is Mr Sam Pollock. A further breakdown of the work carried out by consultants listed in my reply of 13 February is a matter for the ombudsman's office. The Police Ombudsman has
been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.Sex Discrimination Act 1975: Extension to Public Authorities
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will introduce amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 to extend its application to public authorities, similar to the amendments to the Race Relations Act 1976 made by Section 1 of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.[HL2969]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: We are committed to extending the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 to cover public authorities when parliamentary time allows.
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Morgan of Huyton on 4 October 2001 (WA 62), whether they intend to amend the Sex Discrimination Act of 1975 to provide for the imposition of a positive duty on specified public authorities to promote sex equality, similar to the duty provided for in Section 71(1) of the Race Relations Act 1976; and, if so, when.[HL2970]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The position remains as in October. We are committed to introducing a duty on public bodies to promote sex equality when parliamentary time allows. Lynne
Northern Ireland: Weston Park Discussions
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether there was an agreement made at Weston Park last summer concerning Northern Ireland; and, if so, who was involved and what was agreed.[HL3000]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Weston Park discussions did not result in immediate agreement on political advance. Following intensive discussions there, the British and Irish Governments put a package of measures, covering all outstanding issues, to the Northern Ireland parties on 1 August.
IRA Decommissioning
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they consider that there will be another act of IRA decommissioning.[HL3001]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning reported on 23 October 2001 that it had witnessed an event, which it regarded as significant, in which the
IRA had put a quantity of arms completely beyond use.We now want to see further decommissioning by the IRA, and decommissioning by all other terrorist groups. The timing of any future decommissioning events is a matter for the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning.
Northern Ireland: Prisoners' Early Release Scheme
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many prisoners released in Northern Ireland under the early release scheme have been recalled due to further criminal activity.[HL3216]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: Five individuals who were released from prison early under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 have been recalled to prison due to further criminal behaviour.
Register of Lords' Interests
Earl Attlee asked the Leader of the House:
- Whether it is necessary to declare any significant indebtedness, other than a mortgage with a financial institution, in the new Register of Lords' Interests.[HL3255]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: Questions about the entries in the new Register of Lords' Interests should, in the first instance, be directed to the Registrar of Lords' Interests. The registrar consults whenever necessary the Sub-Committee on Lords' Interests, and Members should accept his advice in determining whether any particular interest is relevant or significant for the purposes of the register. A Member who acts on the advice of the registrar in determining what is a relevant interest satisfies fully the requirements of the code of conduct. Janice
Personal Injury Cases
Lord Grabiner asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they intend to publish a consultation paper on periodical payments for future loss and care costs in personal injury cases.[HL3279]
The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): My noble and learned friend the Lord Chancellor has today published the consultation paper Damages for Future Loss: Giving the Courts the Power to Order Periodical Payments for Future Loss and Care Costs in Personal Injury Cases. The consultation paper proposes that the courts should have the power to award damages for future loss and care costs in the form of periodical payments. Responses to the consultation are sought by 7 June 2002. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Commonwealth Ministers' Discussions: Capital Punishment and Prison Conditions
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When Commonwealth Ministers last discussed capital punishment; what was the outcome; what plans exist for further discussions; and whether prison conditions in the Caribbean Islands are on the agenda.[HL2912]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): Commonwealth Ministers, including law Ministers, have not discussed capital punishment at their meetings over the past 15 years. There are no plans to discuss capital punishment or prison conditions at future meetings.
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