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Quality Protects Management Action Plans
Baroness Lockwood asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the outcomes of the evaluation of the Quality Protects Management Action Plans submitted to the Department of Health by local authorities.[HL4323]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: All local authorities with social service responsibilities submitted their Quality Protects Management Action Plans (MAPs) to the Department of Health by the end of January. The Social Services Inspectorate has now completed its evaluation of the MAPs and we have considered its findings. The MAPs from all 150 local councils have reached an acceptable standard. Therefore, subject to parliamentary approval of the special grant report, they will receive payment of their allocation of the children's services grant from 2001–02.
Northern Ireland: Linguistic Diversity
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- In view of the equal status afforded in the Belfast agreement of 1998 concerning the languages of Irish and Ulster-Scots, what instructions they are giving to all Northern Ireland Office organisations concerning their use.[HL3816]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): As I indicated in my Answer to the noble Lord of 1 May. (Official Report, 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 in liaison with Northern Ireland departments will issue guidance on handling linguistic diversity in the near future.
Boundary Commission Paliamentary Constituency Changes: Members Resettlement Grants
Lord Swinfen asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether at any time Members of the House of Commons have received compensation when their constituency ceased to exist or as a result of changes made by the Boundary Commission; and whether they have any proposals to give compensation in future. [HL4090]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: Members of the Commons who retire or are not re-elected have been eligible for resettlement grants since 1971. Since 1950, Boundary Commission reviews have either maintained or increased the total number of seats. The reduction in the number of parliamentary seats in Scotland as a result of Secton 86 of the Scotland Act is a new factor. The Government are considering whether additional measures are needed; any proposals will be brought before the House of Commons.
House of Lords Select Committee Reports: Government Responses
Lord Acton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Why they aim to respond to reports of House of Commons Select Committees and the House of Lords European Union Committee within two months but only aim to respond to all other House of Lords Select Committee reports within six months. [HL4185]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The time-scales set out in the Question reflect the agreed position between the Government and the House of Lords, as expressed in paragraph 9.35 of the Companion to the Standing Orders.
In relation to the House of Commons, the majority of committees in that House scrutinise individual departments. This facilitates speedy response since responsibility for the response rests usually with the one department. However, in their response to a
Liaison Committee report in another place the Government noted, "The longer and more complex a report and the more it focuses on cross-cutting issues, the greater the need for time to consider and consult." The Government also drew attention to the fact that, "Departments may not be able, in all circumstances, to meet this [two month] deadline, particularly if a report is complex." (Cm 4737, paragraphs 31 and 32). House of Lords committees are not departmentally linked and so are intrinsically more likely to undertake complex inquiries. Accordingly, it makes sense to retain the option of a longer response time.The Government attempt to respond to reports of the Eurpean Union Committee more quickly because the scrutiny reserve requires them to be dealt with swiftly.
Northern Ireland: Office of the Oversight Commssioner
Lord Kilclooney asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What has been the total cost of the Office of the Oversight Commissioner of the Police Service of Northern Ireland since it came into existence.[HL4194]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The total cost of the Office of the Oversight Commissioner during the period 1 May 2000 to 30 April 2002 was £1,171,841.97.
Palace of Westminster: Restoration
Lord Janner of Braunstone asked the Chairman of Committees:
- What steps are being or will be taken to complete the cleaning and restoration of the exterior of the Palace of Westminster.[HL4314]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Tordoff): The cleaning of the external facades of the Palace of Westminster began in 1981 and was completed in 1993 with the restoration of Victoria Tower. Cleaning and restoration of the stonework in the courtyards of the Palace is in progress and work on Speaker's Court and Royal Court is now finished. The target date for final completion is 2009.
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