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Baroness Wilcox asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 11 April (WA 125), whether they will, in addition to monitoring the way in which airlines make use of the Government's November 2001 advice on deep vein thrombosis and travel, also study the extent to which the advice is understood by passengers at booking (in time to enable intending passengers to consider taking medical advice or other action before travel), at check-in, on take-off and in-flight.[HL3984]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The advice published by the Department of Health in November 2001 clearly identifies those groups within the general population that should consider taking medical advice before undertaking a flight. At present the Government do not regard it as a priority to investigate the extent to which this advice, and the information provided by airlines, is understood by passengers.

Baroness Wilcox asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 11 April (WA 126), whether they propose any action to reduce to zero the number of airline passengers travelling on United Kingdom-registered aircraft which employ re-circulatory ventilation systems with less than HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) standard filtration.[HL3985]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: No. On short-haul routes, some aircraft types do not re-circulate air and therefore do not require filters. In addition there are a number of aircraft types used on short-haul routes that cannot be fitted with HEPA filters, although some of these employ filtration equipment equivalent to HEPA standard.

Freedom of Information Act 2000: Section 75

Lord Dubs asked Her Majesty's Government:

For an update on the amendment or repeal under Section 75 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 of legislation prohibiting the disclosure of information.[HL4050]

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg): We have identified 155 items of primary legislation and 83 items of secondary legislation that contain provisions prohibiting the disclosure of information. We have also identified a further 62 items of primary legislation and 18 items of secondary legislation which contain provisions providing discretion to disclose information.

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We have identified 36 items of legislation to be repealed or amended under the provisions in Section 75 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Fifty-seven items of legislation have been identified which fulfil our international obligations. It will be necessary to retain these.

A list of all the legislation identified will be placed in the Library of the House.

Decisions on the repeal or amendment of legislation governing the disclosure of information relating to devolved matters in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Executive. The repeal or amendment of legislation within the devolved authority of the Northern Ireland Assembly will be a matter for consultation with the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of the Northern Ireland Executive.

Each item of legislation not already identified as a candidate for repeal or amendment and not fulfilling an international obligation is now being reviewed to determine whether it may be so repealed or amended in light of the provisions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000. A further update will be given in the annual report in November on implementation of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Death Penalty

Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the UK intends to sign and ratify Protocol 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights, banning the death penalty in all circumstances including in times of war and imminent threat of war, when it is opened for signature on 3 May 2002.[HL4074]

The Lord Chancellor: Yes. The Government will sign Protocol 13 with a view to ratification when it is opened for signature at the next Council of Ministers meeting at Vilnius on 2 and 3 May. We will seek Parliament's approval under the Human Rights Act to add this protocol to the convention rights set out in that Act.

Northern Ireland: Victim Support

Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the recommendation of the Victims Commissioner (Sir Kenneth Bloomfield) about the creation of a fund to assist in particular children and young people affected by the death or injury of a parent has been considered; and if so, what progress there has been.[HL3709]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): The Government have funded various projects aimed at meeting the needs of children and young people affected by the Troubles. These include:

£700,000 for the establishment of the Family Trauma Centre which provides a specialist service for the psychological assessment and treatment of children and their families suffering from trauma;

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£300,000 for an education bursary pilot scheme which was launched to provide educational bursaries to children and young people whose education has been adversely affected by the Troubles;

Establishment of the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund. The fund is an independent charity which provides practical help and support to individuals and families that have suffered as a result of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The Government have committed £5 million to the fund at the rate of £1 million per year from 1998–2003. The fund has put in place a number of schemes. Those of a particular benefit to children and young people are:

The Respite Break Scheme. This provides individuals and families with short breaks away from their usual surroundings, responsibilities and commitments.

The Education and Training Scheme. This provides grant assistance to children and adults whose education or vocation has been affected by their experiences. It enables them access to education and training opportunities to help them to realise their ambitions and improve their employment prospects. Rebo

Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the recommendation of the Victims Commissioner (Sir Kenneth Bloomfield) about the possibility of supporting efforts towards peace and reconciliation originating in Great Britain has been considered; and if so, what progress there has been.[HL3710]

Lord Williams of Mostyn: In July 2001 the Victims Minister, Des Browne, announced the allocation of £500,000 for initiatives aimed at supporting victims of the Northern Ireland Troubles who live in Great Britain.

£250,00 of this funding has been allocated to the Legacy Project, an initiative of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust. The project, which is based in Warrington, will develop a programme of work to identify and meet the needs of these victims who include those affected by Troubles-related terrorist attacks on the mainland; military personnel who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles and their families; and, people from Northern Ireland who have been exiled to GB by paramilitary groups. Initially the project will seek to identify best methods for accessing victims and to carry out a needs analysis and, as work progresses, will develop networks and links with voluntary and statutory agencies in Northern Ireland.

No decision has yet been made on the allocation of the remaining £250,000, but as the work of the Legacy Project develops, further areas where funding is needed may be identified.

30 Apr 2002 : Column WA88

Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the recommendation of the Victims Commissioner (Sir Kenneth Bloomfield) about the designation of "Memorial and Reconciliation Day", if and when the churches consider it appropriate, has been considered; and if so, what progress there has been.[HL3711]

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Following publication of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's report We Will Remember Them, the Victims Liaison Unit consulted with the leaders of the Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches in Northern Ireland on the report's recommendations.

It was concluded that the time was not yet appropriate to take forward the recommendation of a memorial and reconciliation day. Rebo

Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the recommendation of the Victims Commissioner (Sir Kenneth Bloomfield) about a Northern Ireland memorial in the form of a beautiful and useful building within a peaceful and harmonious garden has been considered; and if so, what progress there has been.[HL3712]

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Following publication of Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's report We Will Remember Them, the Victims Liaison Unit, set up to take forward the report's recommendations, engaged in a wide consultation exercise with victims and victims' groups throughout Northern Ireland. The findings of the consultation were that there are mixed views in the community regarding a memorial. Some victims have deep feelings about sharing memorials with other members of the victims' community. It was concluded that the time was not yet appropriate for the establishment of such a memorial.

Omagh Bomb Victims

Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will make a declaration that on 15 August 1998 in Omagh 29 people plus two unborn babies had their right to life abused by those claiming to be the Real IRA, as requested by the Omagh Support and Self Help Group.[HL3755]

Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the Lord Laird. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

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