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Generic Medicines: Maximum Price Scheme
Baroness Gould of Potternewton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What plans they have for the current statutory maximum price scheme covering generic medicines supplied for use in the National Health Service in primary care.[HL5966]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): We are today announcing a review of the maximum price scheme. A copy of the consultation letter setting out the Government's proposals and timetable to roll the scheme forward, unchanged, has been placed in the Library.
Coastal and Inland Yacht Harbours
Lord Corbett of Castle Vale asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the code of practice for the design, construction and operation of coastal and inland yacht harbours issued by the Yacht Harbours Association.[HL5738]
The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston): The code of practice is not available through the Department for Transport, nor any other government department, so I am unable to place a copy in the Library of the House. However, I understand that the Library should be able to obtain a copy of the code from the Yacht Harbours Association for my noble friend and he may therefore wish to contact the Library.
Guide Dogs on Ferries
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will consult with other European Union states on legislation to make it obligatory for ferry companies to allow guide dogs to accompany their owners anywhere on their vessels.[HL5898]
Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The UK Government will be consulting shortly on removing the transport exemption in Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 which would have the effect of requiring ferry operators to take reasonable steps to change policies, procedures and practices which discriminated against disabled people. Policies on the treatment of guide and other assistance dogs are likely to be within the scope of the issues which operators would need to address. This proposal would require amendment to the primary legislation.
Marco Polo Programme
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they support the aims and objectives of the European Commission's proposed Marco Polo programme, designed to encourage the transfer of freight from road to rail or water transport.[HL5904]
Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The UK is committed to achieving an efficient and environmentally sustainable transport system, which is also the broad objective of the Marco Polo programme.
The UK has succeeded in ensuring that the draft regulation makes an explicit link between the granting of aid and the attainment of measurable environmental objectives, that aid is subject to strict competitive safeguards and is finite in amount and duration. On this basis, the UK supports the programme.
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they support the budget proposed by the European Commission for the Marco Polo programme of Euro 115 million for the period 2003–07 for the whole European Union; whether they consider this sufficient to achieve a meaningful modal shift; and, if not, what budget figure is supported by the United Kingdom Government.[HL5905]
Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The majority of member states were unable to accept either the European Commission's proposal for a E115 million budget for the first five years or a previous Presidency compromise of E85 million. At the Transport Council earlier this month, the current Presidency proposed a further compromise of E65 million. All member states accepted this final effort, but the Commission could not. Marco Polo has been returned to COREPER.
The Government believe the latest Presidency compromise figure to be sufficient to achieve meaningful and measurable modal shift, subject to strict competitive safeguards.
National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy
Baroness Gould of Potternewton asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they intend to publish the Government's consultation document on a national alcohol harm reduction strategy.[HL5993]
Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: It has always been the Government's intention to undertake an extensive process of consultation with stakeholders and relevant groups as part of the development of a national alcohol harm reduction strategy. Yesterday, jointly with my honourable friend Hazel Blears, we published a consultation document National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy: Consultation Document setting
out the areas on which the Govenment would welcome views. Copies of this have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The consultation period will run until 15 January and responses are sought directly to the Strategy Unit and Department of Health. We will also be holding a series of joint consultation events to seek the views of a range of stakeholders, including local authorities, police, crime and disorder reduction partnershps (CDRPs), NHS/ medical services (eg PCTs), education (schools sector), academics (university sector), voluntary sector, non-government organisations, the alcohol industry, users of treatment services and employers. Once the consultation period has closed the Strategy Unit will produce an interim analysis taking account of responses received.Brixham Marina
Lord Corbett of Castle Vale asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What modifications were undertaken by Marina Developments Ltd to the wave screen at Brixham marina, following the development of Prince William Quay and the replacement of a beach with a vertical wall, to ensure that the screen would achieve a suitable level of wave attenuation; and[HL5559]
On what dates since it acquired the lease of Brixham marina has Marina Developments Ltd carried out (a) inspections and (b) maintenance of the wave screen; and[HL5560]
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 12 July (WA 114), who was commissioned by Torbay Council to undertake a detailed technical analysis of the wave screen at Brixham marina prior to its installation; and[HL5739]
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Macdonald of Tradeston on 12 July (WA 114), whether the provisions of the leases issued between the council of the borough of Torbay and Marina Developments Ltd, title no. DN 340649, in respect of Brixham marina; and the council of the borough of Torbay and Marina Developments Ltd, title no. DN 233714, in respect of Torquay harbour, are compatible with the objectives of their competition policy; and[HL5740]
What action has been taken to date by the Health and Safety Executive in respect of inspection and reporting on the integrity of Brixham marina wave screen managed and maintained by Marina Developments Ltd; and[HL5795]
Whether they will investigate and report whether the manager of Brixham marina wave screen and the commercial director of Marina Developments Ltd have taken any action to improve public safety at Brixham marina, specifically to prepare and secure the broken wave screen pile, since January 2002.[HL5797]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham): The Health and Safety Executive is not the enforcing authority for Brixham marina, this is the responsibility of Torbay Council.
Sir Desmond Morton
Lord Campbell-Savours asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether an official biography of Sir Desmond Morton is being commissioned.[HL 5994]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): The Prime Minister has appointed Mrs Gill Bennett, who is a visiting Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, as the official historian to write the official biography of Sir Desmond Morton.
Car Parking Spaces for Peers
Lord Berkeley asked the Chairman of Committees:
- How many car park spaces are provided in Old Palace Yard now compared with in July 2002; and how many spaces for Members are available elsewhere in the Palace of Westminster and adjacent car parks. [HL5938]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Tordoff): The number of car parking spaces available to Peers is given in the following table:
| Location | July 2002 | October 2002 |
| Old Palace Yard | 61 | 64 |
| Palace of Westminster: Royal Court | 26 | 26 |
| Palace of Westminster: Peers Court | 6 | 6 |
| Palace of Westminster: Black Rod's Garden | 15 | *11 |
| Abingdon Green underground car park | 59 | 59 |
| Total | 167 | 166 |
*Note: The number of spaces available in Black Rod's Garden has been temporarily reduced to accommodate equipment connected with the project to replace the main Palace boilers and air conditioning chillers.
Lord Gordon of Strathblane asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The Court Service annual report and accounts for 2001–02 has been published today and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
When they intend to publish the Court Service annual report and accounts for 2001–02. [HL5967]
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