| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
Written Answers
Monday, 13th May 2002.
Tribunals and Courts: Awards of Costs
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether any awards of costs have been made within the past five years in respect of time spent by a party in preparing his or her case:
(c) where the party was legally represented; or
(d) where the party was not so represented, in any of the following:
(iv) planning inquiries;
(v) tribunals; and
(vi) courts;
and, if so, on what principles and authorities these awards were made and what was the range of amounts involved in such awards.[HL2256]
The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg): It is likely that awards of costs have been made in one or more of the circumstances described in the noble Lord's Question but there is no information held centrally on such awards. It is therefore not possible to say on what principles and authorities any such awards were made or what range of amounts were involved.
Lord Rotherwick asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Lord Chancellor: I have replied to Lord Wedderburn today.
Rebo
Lord Jacobs asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Lord Chancellor: As published in its information pack for prospective applicants, the commission applied the following criteria in considering nominations:
Whether they intend to answer the Question tabled by the Lord Wedderburn of Charlton on
9 January (HL2256), about the award of costs in tribunals and courts, before the Committee stage of the Employment Bill is concluded.[HL3781]
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 25 April (WA 45) what qualities or qualifications distinguished the 51 applicants to the House of Lords Appointments Commission who were selected for interview from the 3,115 who were not?[HL4065]
the ability to demonstrate outstanding personal qualities, in particular integrity and independence;
13 May 2002 : Column WA2
- a strong personal commitment to the principles and highest standards of public life;
- a record of significant achievement within their chosen field that demonstrates a range of experience, skills and competencies;
- the ability to make an effective and significant contribution to the work of the House of Lords;
- some understanding of the constitutional framework, including the place of the House of Lords and the skills and qualities needed to be an effective Member of the House;
- the time available to ensure that they can make an effective contribution within the procedures and working practices of the House; and
- independence from any political party.
Castlereagh Police Complex: Security
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether all domestic and support staff employed at the Castlereagh police complex are security cleared; and if so, to what level.[HL3846]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): I have been informed by the Acting Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland that domestic and support staff working at the Castlereagh police complex are vetted to a level equivalent to the counter terrorist check, by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether it would be possible for any paramilitary group involved in the break-in to the Castlereagh police complex on 17 March still to be regarded as on ceasefire. [HL3908]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The criminal investigation into the break in at Castlereagh police station is continuing and the Acting Chief Constable has advised me that the PSNI is actively pursuing lines of inquiry. It would not be right for me to speculate on hypothetical outcomes of the investigation.
Privy Council Office: Heritage Assets
Lord Freyberg asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Williams of Mostyn on 11 April (WA 133), whether they will give full details of the antique furniture and heritage antique silver that is held by the Privy Council Office. [HL3868]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The information requested is as follows:
| Item | Value £ |
| Furniture | |
| William IV figured mahogany cupboard | 1,380 |
| Set of four William IV mahogany chairs | 4,600 |
| Lifesize Victoran white marble bust of Henry Reeve, by John Bell | 633 |
| Table, regency mahogany | 805 |
| Set of 36 carved oak side chairs, circa 1830 | 34,500 |
| Sovereign's chair en-suite to the set of 36 chairs | 2,875 |
| Set of 5 Victorian gothic oak open arm chairs | 3,450 |
| Oak trestle table c1860 | 575 |
| Bookcase, c1875 | 8,625 |
| Bookcase | 10,350 |
| Chair, Victorian rosewood bar back standard on turned legs. Set of 9 | 1,380 |
| Set of ten William IV oak hall chairs | 2,875 |
| Victorian bronze bust of Lord Brougham | 1,725 |
| William IV mahogany panelled kneehole desk | 1,380 |
| Victorian mahogany 4 door bookcase | 1,438 |
| William IV figured mahogany cupboad | 920 |
| Cupboard | 920 |
| William IV figures mahogany cupboard | 1,265 |
| Victorian mahogany buffet | 633 |
| 12 William IV mahogany side chairs | 2,875 |
| Regency style mahogany table | 1,725 |
| Regency rosewood writing table | 748 |
| Victorian mahogany semi-partners desk | 2,300 |
| Set of George IV mahogany side chairs | 1,150 |
| Figured mahogany bracket clock | 920 |
| Georgian style mahogany partners desk | 863 |
| William IV mahogany tambour fronted writing desk | 920 |
| William IV mahogany cupboard | 920 |
| Georgian mahogany bookcase | 5,750 |
| Victorian open bookcase | 5,520 |
| Late Victorian mahogany partners desk | 1,380 |
| William IV mahogany two drawer writing table | 633 |
| Regency mahogany circular table | 863 |
| Early Victorian mahogany cupboard | 575 |
| William IV mahogany desk | 1,035 |
| Victorian mahogany framed gentleman's easy chair | 690 |
| George III style mahogany breakfront bookcase | 2,013 |
| William IV mahogany cupboard | 1,380 |
| Wiliam IV mahogany kneehole desk | 1,208 |
| Silver | |
| 7 James II candlesticks | 125,000 |
| 5 Queen Anne candlesticks | 25,000 |
| 6 James II inkstands | 800,000 |
| 3 similar inkstands | 250,000 |
| 6 Queen Anne inkstands | 700,000 |
| James II snuffer tray | 30,000 |
| 6 similar snuffer trays | 85,000 |
| James II casket | 150,000 |
| Queen Anne casket | 125,000 |
| Victorian water jug | 125 |
| Pair of candlesticks | 125 |
| Oval meat dish | 60 |
| 2 inkpots | 40 |
| Salver | 400 |
Provisional IRA
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether their policy changed in any way following the conviction for gun-running to Northern Ireland of Provisional IRA men in Florida; and, if so, how. [HL4109]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The then Secretary of State reviewed the status of the Provisional IRA ceasefire in August 1999. Her overall judgment, on advice from her security advisers, was that, taking all the available information into account, the Provisional IRA was maintaining its ceasefire. The courts subsequently upheld that decision.
The Government's consistent position has been that there must be trust and confidence in order to sustain political progress. If there is to be confidence that there is a wholehearted commitment to exclusively peaceful means, there needs to be an end to all paramilitary activity, including preparations for terrorism.
Northern Ireland: Linguistic Diversity
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Given the promise of total equality and parity of esteem outlined in the Belfast agreement of 1998, what is the policy of the Northern Ireland Office towards the languages of (a) Ulster Scots and (b) Irish. [HL4186]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: As I indicated in my Answer to the noble Lord of 1 May, Official Report col. WA 133, the Belfast agreement affirmed the parties recognition of the "importance of respect, understanding and tolerance in relation to linguistic diversity, including in Northern Ireland, the Irish language, Ulster-Scots and the languages of the various ethnic communities, all of which are part of the cultural wealth of the island of Ireland".
The Northern Ireland Office fully supports all aspects of the Belfast agreement and works to ensure that there is equality and respect for the diverse languages, including Irish and Ulster-Scots, which form part of the cultural wealth of Northern Ireland. Rebo
Peers' Expenses Scheme: Motor Mileage and Bicycle Allowances
Lord Jenkin of Roding asked the Chairman of Committees:
- Whether the motor mileage and bicycle allowances within the Peers' expenses scheme have been uprated.[HL4212]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Tordoff): The Resolution of the House of 20 July 1994 provided for the rate of the motor mileage allowance to be uprated annually on 1 April in line with the increase in the retail prices index over the previous 12 months to March.
Accordingly, with effect from 1 April 2002, the rate of the motor mileage allowance was increased to 54.4 pence for the first 20,000 miles for the period to 31 March 2003. Further mileage in this period is payable at the rate pf 25.1 pence per mile.
The Resolution of the House of 20 May 1998 provided for the rate of the bicycle allowance to be uprated annually on 1 April in line with the increase in the retail prices index over the previous 12 months to March.
Accordingly, with effect from 1 April 2002, the rate of the bicycle allowance was increased to 7.0 pence per mile.
Next Section
Back to Table of Contents
Lords Hansard Home Page