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Written Answers
Tuesday, 8th October 2002.
Silverstone Bypass
Baroness Scott of Needham Market asked Her Majesty's Government:
- On what date, and to whom in the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, the Prime Minister gave a commitment to accelerate completion of the Silverstone bypass; and[HL5746]
What advice the Prime Minister or other Ministers received, and from whom, that the wider national interest would be served by the acceleration of the Silverstone bypass; and whether the Government will place such advice in the Library of the House; and[HL5747]
Whether the Prime Minister or his office contacted the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to encourage the then Secretary of State to issue the relevant ministerial direction concerning the Silverstone bypass; and[HL5748]
Whether the Prime Minister will place in the Library of the House any correspondence about the Silverstone bypass between his office and (a) the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions; (b) the Highways Agency and (c) the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile.[HL5749]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): The British Grand Prix is an important global showcase for the UK motorsport industry which is estimated to contribute approximately £5 billion annually to the national economy. In addition it brings about £30 million to the local economy over the Grand Prix weekend. In light of these factors, the Government felt that the wider national interest would be best served by speeding up road improvements and thereby providing the best available road access for this year's event.
The Secretary of State has already placed a copy of Stephen Byers's direction to the Highways Agency of 28 February 2002 in the Library (Hansard No. 70237, col. 1253W). I am today placing in the Library a copy of the submission from David York, Highways Agency Operations Director, referred to in the direction. This provides more detail on the decision to accelerate the work on the Silverstone Bypass.
Information relating to internal discussion and advice is not being disclosed under Exemption 2, Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
Claudy Bombing, 1972
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will undertake a full investigation into the IRA bombing of Claudy, County Londonderry in 1972, following recent disclosures about the make-up of the terrorist gang.[HL5806]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: The PSNI is investigating recent disclosures that came into the public domain with regard to the Claudy bombing in 1972. The Government believe this is the appropriate response and encourage anyone with information to come forward and co-operate fully with the PSNI in its investigation.
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What is the policy of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission concerning the length of time taken for commission minutes to appear on their website following meetings.[HL5807]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
Russia: Roman Catholic Clergy
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they are supporting the efforts of the Vatican State to secure by diplomatic means fair and reasonable conditions for access to Russia by Roman Catholic clergy working in that country.[HL5791]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): There have been a number of cases this year in which Roman Catholic clergy have been refused entry to Russia or have had their visas cancelled. After Bishop Jerzy Mazur and Father Stefano Caprio had their visas refused in April, the European Union with our support sought explanations from the Russian authorities. We also regularly raise our concerns about religious freedom in Russia bilaterally with the Russian authorities. We did so most recently during annual human rights talks on 27 September. We shall continue to press for improved access to Russia for Catholic priests in future.
Indonesia
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they are discussing with the Government of Indonesia recent violent incidents in the Molucca
- Islands and difficulties in implementing the Malino Agreements.[HL5793]
Baroness Amos: We are keen to see the successful implementation of the Malino Agreements in both Maluku and Sulawesi. We are concerned about recent reports of violent incidents in both provinces and hope that this will not hinder the Malino process. We will continue to stay in close touch with the Indonesian authorities on these issues.
The issue was raised during the visit of a mixed-faith delegation of UK parliamentarians, who were in Indonesia from 28 July to 3 August 2002. They met a number of ministers and discussed the difficulties involved in implementing the Malino Agreements and ways they could be resolved. The Indonesian Government have since held a series of consultative discussions with signatories of the agreements
involved in the Malino process to try to find a solution to the recent difficulties.School Lunches
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will make school lunches a universal free entitlement, given that recent research suggests that this would combat nutritional deficiency in school children and result in savings to the costs of social security and the National Health Service.[HL5804]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): The Government have no plans to extend the free school lunch entitlement to all pupils.
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