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Written Answers
Wednesday, 10th April 2002.
House of Lords Reform
Lord Northbrook asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 8 January (WA 100) whether, in order to foster public debate, they will now publish those submissions made in response to The House of Lords: Completing the Reform (CM 5291) for which confidentiality has not been requested.[HL3619]
The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg): As I undertook in my Written Answer of 8 January (WA 100), the Government will make all these responses available. I expect that we shall be in a position to do so shortly.
Safer Communities Initiative
Baroness Billingham asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What progress has been made in implementing that Safer Communities Initiative, and what the amount is that each crime and disorder reduction partnership will receive.[HL3688]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker): The Safer Communities Initiative is conceived as a framework for providing crime and disorder reduction partnerships with funding to tackle crime and disorder in their area to meet national crime reduction targets and other local priorities.
All 376 partnerships have been allocated a share of the £20 million available funding in 2002–03. The funding is allocated using a formula consisting of recorded crime (80 per cent) and an even share (20 per cent). Each partnership will receive at least the same amount of funding in 2003–04.
My right honourable friend the Minister of State for the Home Department (Mr Denham) has today placed a paper showing the detailed allocations to each partnership, and more information regarding the initiative, in the Library. Guidance for the initiative will be placed on the crime reduction website (www.crimereduction.gov.uk) shortly.
Pakistan
Lord Vivian asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether an ams embargo is still imposed on Pakistan. [HL2592]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): The UK has not imposed an arms embargo on Pakistan.
All licence applications are considered on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria and in light of the Government's statement on nuclear export control policies towards Pakistan as set out by my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ben Bradshaw, on 15 March 2002 (Official Report, col. 1296W).
Arms Exports
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 23 January (WA 206), what restrictions are now in force on exports of arms from the United Kingdom to:
(a) the republics of central Asia; and
(b) Indonesia. [HL2535]
The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): I refer the noble Lord to my Written Answer of 23 January (WA 206). There have been no changes in restrictions on strategic exports to these countries since 23 January.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The strike committee of the employees of the state company Teleradio-Moldova lodged an application on 25 March at the European Court of Human Rights complaining of censorship under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The Council of Europe is engaged in a dialogue with Moldova on the fulfilment of its accession obligations, including freedom of expression. On 4 February the Secretary General acted under Article 52 of the ECHR to request an explanation from Moldova on how its domestic laws ensure effective implementation of the convention, particularly with regard to Articles 9, 10 and 11 on freedom of thought, expression and association. Moldova's reply, delivered on 25 February, is currently under consideration.
In addition, under the Committee of Ministers' thematic monitoring procedure, the subject of freedom of expression and information in Moldova and all other member states will be discussed in camera during April. The Secretary General also intends to send a secretariat mission to Moldova in mid-April.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Amos: The Government of Moldova did not issue an official response to the European Parliament's resolution on the human rights situation in Moldova.
Lord Fearn asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We understand that the Gibraltar House of Assembly Select Committe on Constitutional Reform has produced proposals. The Government of Gibraltar have not yet passed these to Her Majesty's Government. We will consider carefully any proposals we receive.
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: In preparation for the reconvening of the 5th Review Conference on the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) on 11 November 2002, the Government will shortly present a government paper setting out their views on ways to counter the threat from biological weapons. It is proposed that the government paper be laid in the House later this month.
Baroness Williams of Crosby asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Board of Auditors, which reports directly to the Secretary-General, carries out regular annual audits of UNMIK finances. These audits include an examination of management procedures, as necessary. The independent Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the UN's Fifth (Finance) Committee will address the most recent audit report in May. The UN's Office of Internal
The UN Secretary-General reports quarterly to the UN Security Council on the situation in Kosovo, including on the activities and achievements of the mission. In addition, the head of mission (the Secretary-General's Special Representative) makes regular appearances before the council. The Security Council discusses developments in Kosovo approximately once per month.
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): The European Art Market Foundation report, based on the sector in a EU-wide context, was produced as a tool for industry and we have no plans at present to respond.
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The code of practice came into force on 17 March 2002.
The Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the operation of Fair Trade Act orders and undertakings and will keep the operation of the code under continuous review.
His office has been in contact with relevant trade associations with a view to their assisting in the monitoring process. The code also provides for the independent dispute mediator to supply the director general with an annual return of his work.
Whether either the Council of Europe or the European Court of Human Rights have formally registered complaints by journalists and others against restrictions on freedom of expression by the Government of Moldova; and what consideration or procedures are pending. [HL3520]
What has been the response of the Government of Moldova to the recent resolution of the European Parliament calling on Moldova to respect human rights and democratic processes. [HL3521]
What response they have made to the Gibraltar Government of the new constitution document recently approved by that government. [HL3529]
When they expect to publish the paper prepared by the Foreign Secretary in his speech at King's College, London, on 6 February detailing suggestions on how to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention. [HL3554]
What machinery exists to audit the UNMIK (United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo) operations in Kosovo. [HL3618]
What is their response to the key findings of the European Fine Art Foundation survey The European Art Market in 2002 that the European Union as a whole has lost 7.2 per cent global share of market since 1998, that Europe's loss of global market share can largely be attributed to taxation and regulations and that the British share of the international art market has dropped from 30 per cent in 1999 to 25 per cent in 2001. [HL3347]
In the light of the Competition Commission's finding that practices between the four major banks were adversely affecting small and medium-sized enterprises, whether they intend to review the workings of the code of practice on supermarkets' dealing with suppliers.[HL3475]
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