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Pensions: Emigrants Returning from Canada
Lord Higgins asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether an individual who has emigrated to Canada and has not had his national insurance pension uprated receives the full uprating if he returns to the United Kingdom; and whether he continues to receive the uprating if he later decides to emigrate again. [HL4963]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham): Following a pensioner's return to the United Kingdom from Canada, whether on a temporary or pemanent basis, his state retirement pension is payable at the unfrozen rate for the duration of his stay—that is, at the rate that is payable had he resided in the United Kingdom since retirement,
Whether he keeps the uprated pension if he later decides to emigrate again will depend on whether his stay in the United Kingdom is treated as permanent or temporary and also where he emigrates to.
The pensioner will take with him the amount payable at the date of departure either if (i) the stay is treated as permanent or (ii) it is treated as temporary but he emigrates to a country with which the United Kingdom has a reciprocal agreement which allows for upratings, or which is a member of the European economic area.
If his stay was only temporary and he emigrates to a country with which the United Kingdom does not have a reciprocal agreement which allows for upratings or which is not a member of the European economic area then the pension rate would revert to the rate which was in payment prior to him coming to this country.
Sterile Seed Technology
Baroness Byford asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the so-called "terminator" development in genetically modified seeds has been discontinued worldwide; and whether it will not be recommended for use in the foreseeable future; and[HL3613]
When they will answer the Question for Written Answer on terminator seeds tabled by Baroness Byford on 27 March. [HL5008]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): Development of sterile seed technology (known colloquially as terminator technology) is continuing in the USA. It is highly unlikely that any applications to release such genetically modified plants in Europe will be submitted within the next few years. The UK would take a very cautious position should such an application involving this technology ever be submitted, in line with our strict, case-by-case, precautionary approach.
Apprenticeships
Lord Jones asked Her Majesty's Government:
What measures they have taken to make available more apprenticeships within the United Kingdom's manufacturing base.[HL4741]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): The Government are firmly committed to their Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme across all sectors, including manufacturing in England. We have demonstrated that by first commissioning and then, jointly with the Learning and Skills Council, accepting the recommendations of the Modern Apprenticeship Advisory Committee chaired by Sir John Cassels, which reported last September. In doing so we will be able to both raise quality and expand the number of opportunities available.
In particular, we have agreed a target of having over a quarter of 16-21 year olds following the MA route by 2004. In addition, that year we will fulfil our manifesto commitment to an entitlement to an MA place for 16-17 year olds with certain minimum qualifications. To ensure that we have sufficient places available to meet the expected demand we have also announced a major three year marketing campaign aimed at young people, employers and others. The next phase of the campaign begins on 5 August. In order to fulfill our commitments both to expand MA and improve quality we have allocated an additional £180 million over the three financial years from 2001–04.
The Learning and Skills Council in England determines the allocation of MA places for each sector based on local labour market needs. Manufacturing MAs continue to be one of the most popular options for young people. Indeed in terms of the numbers of young people pursuing them, the three largest Advanced Modern Apprenticeship programmes are in manufacturing.
Greater London: School Playing Fields
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which independent schools with charitable status situated in Greater London share, or have offered to share, playing fields or other sports facilities with on or more non-independent schools.[HL5040]
Barroness Ashton of Upholland : The information requested is not collected by DfES.
Sale of Illegal Meat
Lord Rotherwick asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they intend to prosecute retailers for the selling of illegal meat such as "bushmeat".[HL4033]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): It is for local authorities to investigate and make decisions about food safety prosecutions based on the facts/ evidence before them and in line with their enforcement policy.
Animal Feed Imports
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many tonnes of animal feed were (i) imported into the United Kingom; and (ii) found to be contaminated; and by what for each of the last five years. [HL4660]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Imports of animal feed for the years in question were as follows:
| Year | (000) Tonnes |
| 1997 | 4,053 |
| 1998 | 3,915 |
| 1999 | 4,517 |
| 2000 | 4,358 |
| 2001 | 4,543 |
| 2002(1) | 1,090 |
(1) January to March.
Source: HM Customs and Excise.
Data prepared by Accounts and Trade, Statistics Division, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
2001 and 2002 data are provisional and subject to amendment.
We are advised by the Food Standards Agency that enforcement of animal feed controls is the responsibility of local authorities. It has not been a requirement previously for local authorities to provide information on all checks carried out. However, under a recent Food Standards Agency initiative to strengthen feed enforcement, local authorities are being funded to carry out additional checks, including checks for contaminants in imported material and to make returns to the agency. The results obtained will be published.
We are also advised by the Pesticide Safety Directorate of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that it carries out testing of products, including imported feed, for pesticide residues. Pesticide residues found have been predominantly stored grain treatments. All residues were within permitted statutory maximum residue levels (MRLs). Presence of these residues would not be regarded as contamination. It is not possible to relate the samples collected to the proportion of imports, since the size of the consignment to which the test result relates is not recorded.
Baroness Greengross asked Her Majesty's Government:
What comparative costings on medical negligence claims have been completed between the National
10 Jul 2002 : Column WA94
- Health Service Litigation Authority and other schemes offering dispute resolution for medical negligence. [HL4922]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health has commissioned research from the University of Nottingham on the potential costs of alternative systems for compensating patients. In addition, we are awaiting a comparative costing report from Professor Posnett of York Health Consortium on a pilot resolution scheme for small value claims. We expect this to be available in the autumn.
Local Authorities; Comprehensive Performance Assessment Framework
Lord Smith of Leigh asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether, in view of the rationalisation of inspection of health agencies and the comprehensive performance assessment process for local authorities, there should be a similar rationalisation of those agencies inspecting local authority services. [HL4968]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The proposed new commission for social care inspection recently announced by the Secretary of State for Health will bring together the current inspection functions of the National Care Standards Commission and the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) under one organisation.
Co-ordinated and proportionate inspection activity will be delivered through the comprehensive performance assessment framework being developed by the Audit Commission. SSI, and the other inspectorates in the Local Government Inspectorate Forum, provide data and ensure that the inspections are proportionate.
Lord Smith of Leigh asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Why the Social Services Inspectorate has not played a part in the corporate assessment of local authorities currently taking place. [HL4970]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The social sevices star ratings, prepared by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI), will be incorporated within the overall comprehensive performance assessment judgments. In support of the corporate assessments, SSI has provided information on all councils and contributed to the majority of round table discussions which have so far taken place and are taking part in the fieldwork on some inspections.
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