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Written Answers
Thursday, 16th May 2002.
Firearm Certificate Register
Lord Marlesford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 22 January (WA 195), whether they still expect the design and development of the central register of persons who have applied for or have been granted a shotgun or firearm certificate on the Police National Computer, as required by Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, which came into force on
1 October 1997, to be completed by the end of May 2002 and for all work to be completed in November 2002; and, if not, whether they will set a new timetable for the implementation of this legislative requirement.[HL4179]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker): I understand from the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) that development of the central register has been re-scheduled to take into account the work which was needed to implement the DNA database and other external factors. The transition from development to pilot operation will now start in September. The pilot operation will run from November to February 2003, with roll-out to all forces completing in May 2003. PITO continues to plan the delivery of a number of new applications on the Police National Computer in parallel to make the most effective use of skilled and technical resources. But it is possible that other work needed in relation to other urgent PNC projects on persistent offenders and on sex and violent offenders could have a further impact on these re-planned dates. The full impact cannot yet be assessed but could lead to a further delay of two to four months. maria
TV Investigation into Firearms
The Earl of Shrewsbury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether personnel from Meridian TV and BBC TV Kent were authorised by the Home Secretary to possess and use weapons prohibited by Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 which were lent to them by Kent County Constabulary as part of the production process of a TV investigation into firearms transmitted on 21 March; and, if so, whether they will place a copy of the Home Secretary's authority in the Library of the House.[HL4220]
Lord Rooker: No such authorisation was applied for or granted.
Privy Council Silver
Baroness Anelay of St Johns asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Which Minister or Ministers made the decision that the lots of Privy Council silver withdrawn from auction on 29 October 2001 should not be classified as heritage assets; and why this decision was made; and[HL4174]
Whether in light of the decision to withdraw the Privy Council silver from auction, the Treasury will re-assess its decision not to classify any of the antique assets it holds as heritage assets; and[HL4175]
Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 11 April (WA 114), whether the Treasury sought expert independent advice before taking the decision that the lots of Privy Council silver should be classified as antiques rather than heritage assets; and, if so, whose advice did they take.[HL4176]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Under guidance drawn up following advice from the independent Financial Reporting Advisory Board, in certain circumstances departments can classify as "heritage" assets items held primarily for their cultural and heritage significance. Such assets need not be capitalised or valued. Examples include Stonehenge and the government art collection.
The Treasury does not hold any items it believes could be classified as heritage assets within the definitions set out in the Resource Accounting Manual. The appropriate independent verification of this classification decision was provided by external audit of the Treasury's 2000–01 accounts. However, in respect of the proposed auction of the items, as I told your Lordships on 29 October, "It is fair to say that we did not consult as widely as we should have done" (Official Report, col 1175).
Treasury Silver
Lord Luke asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 29 April (WA 65), what are the full descriptions and individual valuations for the 16 items of silverware held by the Treasury and valued at £1.2 million.[HL4205]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The items are twelve candlesticks valued at a total of £600,000; a set of three inkstands valued at £450,000; a further inkstand valued at £600; a pair of candle-snuffers valued at £4,000; and a further pair of candle-snuffers and four trays valued at £125,000.
Lord Luke asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 29 April (WA 66), why, in light of the fact that the sale will be "confined to institutions willing to display the items to the United Kingdom
- public" (12 February, WA 139), and that "No more detailed criteria as to suitability have yet been applied to the list" (WA 66), the Treasury has sought the help of Bonhams auction house in compiling the list, rather than the Department for Culture, Media and Sport or a museums consultant.[HL4206]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Treasury will continue to discuss with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport decisions relating to the future of these items, as well as seeking Bonhams' professional advice.
Lord Luke asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 29 April (WA 66), whether the Treasury is proposing a private auction of the Privy Council silver, with Bonhams as its adviser.[HL4207]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: I refer the noble Lord to my Answer of 18 March (Official Report, col. WA 123-24).
Tax Returns: Penalty Notices
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- In respect of the tax year 2000–01, how many penalty notices for late tax returns were issued by the Inland Revenue in error; and what procedures have been put in place (a) to apologise for the inconvenience and distress to taxpayers so affected and (b) to prevent a recurrence in the future.[HL4257]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: First fixed late filing penalty notices for tax returns for 2000–01 were issued on 26 April 2002. No details are held of how many of these were issued in error.
Penalty notices tell people to telephone their tax office if they have any concerns or queries about the notice. Where a penalty notice has been issued in error, the Inland Revenue will put matters right by cancelling the penalty and apologise to the taxpayer affected. The Inland Revenue works continuously to prevent errors occurring and improve the system. This year it will be working particularly on improving the accuracy of logging returns and the quality of information on its database.
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How much money has been received by the Inland Revenue in respect of penalty notices for late tax returns for the 2000–01 tax year issued in error.[HL4258]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: No details are held of the payments made against incorrect penalty notices.
Ministry of Defence Police
Lord MacKenzie of Culkein asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will list: (a) the countries outside the United Kingdom where officers of the Ministry of Defence police are currently serving; (b) the number of Ministry of Defence officers serving in each of these countries; (c) the capacity in which Ministry of Defence officers serve in each of these countries; whether there are any proposals to send Ministry of Defence police officers to any other country; and, if so, where.[HL3961]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach): There are currently 68 Ministry of Defence police officers serving in Kosovo, employed in an executive policing role as part of the UK Government's commitment to the United Nations International Civil Policing Mission as part of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo; one MDP officer serving in Bosnia as a United Nations Police Monitor (UK Police Contingent); and two MDP officers are deployed to the Pitcairn Islands at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. There are no current plans to deploy MDP officers to any other overseas locations. maria
Intellectual Property Rights
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What plans they have to make the findings of the committee of intellectual property rights available for public debate when it reports later this year.[HL3593]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): The report of the Independent Commission on Intellectual Property Rights will be published in due course by the commission.
Waste Electrical Equipment
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What assessment they have made of the extra costs which will be incurred by local authorities when the waste electrical equipment directive is implemented.[HL4171]
Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The draft directive does not directly place costs on local authorities.
A partial regulatory impact assessment to assess the financial and other impacts of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive on all stakeholders was completed in March 2002. A further assessment will be carried out once the directive has been adopted. Any indirect costs which local authorities might face as a result of the UK's approach to implementation of the directive would be an important factor in agreeing the best legislative framework.
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