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Written Answers
Monday, 20th May 2002.
Camp X-Ray: UK Detainees
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs:
- Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 9 May (WA 189), what is the position as regards the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (as distinct from the Geneva Convention). [HL4287]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): The applicability of a particular provision of either the ICCPR, or alternatively of international humanitarian law, will depend on the status of the individual concerned and the circumstances of his detention.
The Government have raised the conditions of the British detainees at Guantanamo Bay on a number of occasions and officials have visited them twice. We are satisfied that conditions at the camp are satisfactory. We continue to monitor the welfare of the British detainees closely and are in regular contact with the US authorities about them.
Poor Countries: Debt Relief
Baroness Williams of Crosby asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What proportion of the recently announced increase in United Kingdom foreign aid is accounted for by debt relief to poor countries (a) in money terms and (b) as a percentage of the total.[HL3964]
Lord Grocott: In 2001 bilateral debt relief accounted for 0.024 of the UK oda:GNI ratio of 0.32; forecasts suggest that in the years 2002–06 the equivalent figure will rise to an average of 0.036 due mainly to the increased impact of HIPC.
DfID also helps finance multilateral debt relief through contributions to trust funds administered by the World Bank; provisional figures show that this cost £23 million in 2001–02. This is less than 1 per cent of our spending in 2001–02. Also in 2001–02 we offered relief to Pakistan on £20 million of debt originally owed to the CDC but subsequently transferred to DfID; this will show up as a provision in our 2001–02 accounts, though the relief is conditional on performance over the next two years.
Immigration Removal Centres Insurance
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What changes in cover have been sought by insurers at each of the privately operated detention centres including Oakington, following the fire at Yarl's Wood. [HL4289]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker): With effect from 1 April, the insurance cover for the Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre includes property damage and business interruption.
The terms of the insurance for the other removal centres, including Oakington, will be the subject of negotiations as and when they are up for renewal.
Northern Ireland: Illegal Importation of Fuel
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many convictions for the illegal importation of fuel there have been in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. [HL4235]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The numbers of successful prosecutions in Northern Ireland for the illegal importation of fuels are as follows:
| Year | Number |
| 1995–96 | 1 |
| 1996–97 | Nil |
| 1997–98 | 1 |
| 1998–99 | 3 |
| 1999–2000 | 3 |
| 2000–01 | 1 |
Customs has no record of prosecutions for fuel smuggling prior to the financial year 1995–96.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: Customs investigations have led to three people being convicted over the past 10 years of operating an illicit still in Northern Ireland. The convictions were in 1993 (one), 1994 (one) and 1996 (one).
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): In our recent consultation document Towards Equality and Diversity, we made specific proposals as regards the burden of proof in discrimination cases under
It is already a significant undertaking to implement the directives, and we are committed to their full implementation.
Regarding sex discrimination, we may be giving the matter further consideration, for instance in the light of forthcoming proposals for a gender directive from the European Commission.
John B
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): At the EC/Turkey Association Council on 16 April, the European Community raised concerns about cultural rights for all in Turkey, including a reference to the case of those who have asked for education in the Kurdish language.
The UK with EU partners will continue to encourage Turkey to fulfil the requirements in its accession partnership in order that it progresses towards meeting the Copenhagen political criteria, the prerequisite for opening negotiations for EU membership. There will be a full assessment of Turkey's progress in the Commission's 2002 regular report published in October.
Lord Hughes of Woodside asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary met the Spanish Foreign Minister yesterday to continue our discussions on Gibraltar. There was a friendly and constructive atmosphere. They noted that they have made good progress since July 2001 and remain committed to reaching agreement by the summer. At the same time they both acknowledged that there are real difficulties which remain to be resolved. They agreed to convene a further formal Brussels Process meeting in late June or early July.
Lord Hughes of Woodside asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Following consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Trade and Industry recently approved a licence to export laboratory equipment to UNESCO for use by higher education institutions in northern Iraq. The export included bacterial growth media and potassium cyanide subject to the UN import/export (IMPEX) regime. Potassium cyanide is also subject to the Dual-Use Items (Export Control) Regulations 2000 as amended. The conclusion that this export does not represent a proliferation threat has been reached after careful assessment.
The UN Iraq Sanctions Committee approved this export to Iraq under the Oil for Food programme (OFF). Under OFF Iraq is allowed to export unlimited quantities of oil to fund the purchase of humanitarian goods. The export is consistent with the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria.
Lord Acton asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): WTO disputes inevitably involve complex and detailed issues which take time to resolve. The dispute settlement understanding (DSU)—which sets out the procedures to be followed in resolving WTO disputes—has in-built a number of stages which allow for review of panel findings and appeal by the parties involved. Those stages are important in ensuring the decisions of the panel are fair and based on all the evidence available. However, not all disputes take so long to resolve. Many are resolved at an early stage without the need to resort to a dispute panel.
That said, a review of the DSU is part of the new round of trade negotiation launched at Doha last year. The European Commission—supported by the UK Government—has put forward its suggestions on improving the process. That includes suggestions on streamlining it. The UK Government's aim for those negotiations is to ensure disputes are resolved in as efficient a manner as possible, while retaining the rigour of the current system.
John B
How many convictions for the illegal distilling of liquor there have been in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years. [HL4236]
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 30 April (WA 91), whether they consider that as a matter of principle it would be desirable for legislation to provide for the same burden of proof in employment and non-employment cases of alleged unlawful discrimination whether on grounds of sex or otherwise; and, if not, why not. [HL4159]
What actions they and the European Union propose for the guaranteeing of cultural rights for all citizens of Turkey, given that the period for implementing the European Union short-term criteria expired in March and that petitions for operational Kurdish lessons in universities were rejected shortly before. [HL4222]
What was the outcome of the discussions between the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Spanish Foreign Minister held on 15 May. [HL4378]
Whether any goods subject to strategic controls have recently been approved for export to Iraq. [HL4379]
Further to the answers by Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 18 March (HL Deb, cols. 1099–1100) that they expect the World Trade Organisation to take 15 months to settle the European Union's dispute with the United States over steel tariffs, whether they are taking any steps to try to reduce the time taken by the World Trade Organisation to settle similar disputes in future. [HL4210]
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