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Prime Minister: Holiday in Egypt
Lord Tebbit asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the Prime Minister's spokesman claimed that the Prime Minister had paid for his own holiday and that of his extended family in Egypt while the entry made by the Prime Minister in the Register of Members' Interests makes it clear that he did not.[HL4592]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The position is as the Prime Minister made clear in the Register of Members' Interests.
Castlereagh Police Complex: Security
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton on 30 May (WA 168), what
- steps the Police Service of Northern Ireland is taking to improve security clearance arrangements for staff at Castlereagh police complex.[HL4715]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: I refer to the Answer given by Baroness Farrington on 30 May (WA 168). The Acting Chief Constable has confirmed that security clearance arrangements for staff at Castlereagh will be kept under review.
Special Advisers
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What are the circumstances in which civil servants may be managed, whether directly or indirectly, by special advisers.[HL4442]
The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston): Only two special advisers, Jonathan Powell and Alastair Campbell, have executive powers under Article 3(3) of the Civil Service Order in Council.
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the role of special advisers in representing the views of Ministers to the media, including a political party viewpoint, has been authorised by Parliament; and, if so, how.[HL4443]
Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The duties and responsibilities of special advisers are regulated by the Civil Service Order in Council and the Model Contract for Special Advisers.
Toll Roads
Viscount Astor asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will publish the Report by Lord Birt, the Government's Transport Adviser, into future toll roads.[HL4523]
Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: It is not our policy to publish Forward Strategy Unit reports. These reports will provide the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers with long-term internal strategic analysis and policy thinking. Internal policy advice to Ministers remains confidential.
Bus Lanes
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 27 February (WA 242), whether they are now in a position to say when the consultation on camera enforcement of bus lanes outside London will be completed; and whether the necessary orders will be made in the autumn.[HL4684]
Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Drafting of the regulations for the purpose of consultation is almost complete. Our target continues to be to make the regulations this autumn.
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: UK Delegation
Lord Acton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What changes have been made in the composition of the United Kingdom Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of the Western European Union.[HL4856]
Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: My honourable friend the Member for Reading East (Ms Griffiths) has been appointed as a substitute Member in place of my honourable friend the Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Ms Anderson).
Peers' Expenses
Lord Marlesford asked the Chairman of Committees:
- Whether he will update the information on Peers' expenses which he gave on 23 July 2001 (WA 191–92) to show comparable figures for the year 2001–02.[HL4816]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Tordoff): The total expenditure on Peers' expenses in the financial year 2001–02 was £10,014,470, as against £8,411,551 in 2000–01. This total was made up as follows (2000–01 figures are in brackets):
| Travelling expenses | £1,615,252 (£1,643,744) |
| Night subsistence | £3,223,549 (£2,540,450) |
| Day subsistence and incidental travel | £2,260,992 (£1,821,182) |
| Secretarial costs, postage and certain additional expenses | £2,386,673 (£1,910,335) |
| A further £528,004 (£495,840) was expended as follows: | |
| Allowances for Lords' Ministers and office holders | £168,322 (£165,936) |
| Personal accident and travel insurance | £18,561 (£17,390) |
| Financial assistance to Opposition parties | £341,121 (£312,514) |
| The number of Peers claiming expenses was as follows (2000–01 figures again in brackets): | |
| Under £1,000 | 41 (43) |
| £1,001–£5,000 | 107 (96) |
| £5,001–£10,000 | 85 (97) |
| £10,001–£15,000 | 89 (100) |
| £15,001–£20,000 | 56 (63) |
| £20,001–£25,000 | 63 (68) |
| £25,001–£30,000 | 65 (71) |
| Over £30,000 | 91 (33) |
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