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15 Jan 2003 : Column WA43

Written Answers

Wednesday, 15th January 2003.

Iran: Arms Embargo

Lord Burlison asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether any goods subject to national arms embargo have recently been approved for export to Iran.[HL1022]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Amos): The Government have recently issued a licence for the export of goods to be used as part of the process of drilling oil and gas wells. These goods include HMX pellets which could be suitable for use in anti-personnel landmines. However, the Government are satisfied that these HMX pellets, specifically designed for cutting collars and perforating tubes, are intended only for the legitimate end-use stated. The risk of these goods being diverted for use by the Iranian military is minimal.

National Criminal Intelligence Service

Baroness Gould of Potternewton asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Who will succeed the current director general of the National Criminal Intelligence Service.[HL1090]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Filkin): My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Hampson, currently Chief Constable of West Mercia Constabulary, as director general of the National Criminal Intelligence Service.

Peter Hampson will take over from the current director general, John Abbott, who retires on 21 March this year.

Exmoor: Deer Conservation

Lord Mancroft asked Her Majesty's Government:

    What direct consultations they have held with farmers and land managers on Exmoor about the implications of a ban on deer hunting for the future of the deer herds.[HL884]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Whitty): We are aware of local concerns about the implications for the Exmoor deer herds of any ban on hunting deer with dogs. My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs (Alun Michael) has engaged in direct consultation with a number of representatives of relevant organisations during visits to Exmoor and at meetings held in London. A further meeting is to be arranged soon.

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Lord Rea asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether they have held any discussions with individuals or organisations about an alternative deer management scheme on Exmoor in light of the proposed ban on deer hunting. [HL915]

Lord Whitty : My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs (Alun Michael) is engaging in discussions with representatives of the organisations concerned about the future of deer management on Exmoor in the event of a ban on hunting. Meetings have taken place during visits to Exmoor and in London, and a further meeting is to be arranged soon. The Government's view is that appropriate control of deer populations can best be considered through local deer management groups. These groups operate both in areas where there is deer hunting and in other areas where there are healthy wild deer herds. Advice on setting up deer management groups is provided by the Deer Initiative, a partnership sponsored by the Forestry Commission. Partners in the initiative include Defra and English Nature, as well as forestry and agricultural interests.

DfES: Staffing

Lord Stoddart of Swindon asked Her Majesty's Government:

    How many men and how many women are employed in the Department for Education and Skills.[HL823]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): The department employs 1,914 men and 2,638 women, a total of 4,552 staff. This figure covers staff employed in the following locations: London, Sheffield, Runcorn and Darlington. This also includes 120 staff in the Schools Directorate working on Sure Start and the Children and Young People's Unit who are based in government offices.

NHS Foundation Trusts

Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether they propose that the Secretary of State for Health will have a power of direction over the Independent Regulator for National Health Service Foundation Trusts.[HL675]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath) : No. The Secretary of State for Health will not have a power of direction over the Independent Regulator for NHS Foundation Trusts.

Baroness Noakes asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether they have consulted the Office of National Statistics about the classification of National Health Service foundation trusts in the national accounts; and, if so, what advice they have received.[HL680]

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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath : No. We have not consulted the Office for National Statistics about the classification of NHS foundation trusts in the national accounts.

Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether the amounts due under private finance initiative contracts will be treated as borrowing for the purpose of the borrowing limits to be set for National Health Service foundation trusts.[HL689]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath : No. The contract with a private finance initiative project company is for a service and as such does not constitute borrowing.

Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Who will carry out the independent financial review of National Health Service foundation trust applicants referred to in paragraph 7.9 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts.[HL826]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We will shortly be tendering for the contract to carry out the independent financial review.

Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:

    What level of financial support will be given to National Health Service foundation trust applicants during the second-stage application process referred to in paragraph 7.13 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts.[HL827]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath : We will discuss the level of support with the shortlisted applicants. It will be tailored to their needs.

Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether financial support will be given to National Health Service foundation trust applicants prior to the passing of legislation allowing the creation of National Health Service foundation trusts.[HL828]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath : Yes. Financial support will be given to NHS foundation trust applicants prior to the passing of legislation.

Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether National Health Service foundation trusts will be obliged to comply with all national standards and service priorities set for the National Health Service generally.[HL829]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Yes. The position is set out in paragraph 3.20 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts.

Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:

    What will be the relationship between strategic health authorities and National Health Service foundation trusts.[HL830]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: NHS foundation trusts will not be subject to performance management by

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strategic health authorities but will be expected to co-operate with them under their duty of partnership (see paragraph 3.21 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts).

Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether National Health Service foundation trusts will have to provide the same data for central purposes as National Health Service trusts; and, if not, what will be the differences.[HL831]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The position is set out in paragraph 3.23 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts.

Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether it is intended that National Health Service foundation trusts will be able to use the proceeds from disposal of non-regulated assets to acquire further non-regulated assets.[HL837]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The position is set out in paragraph 5.24 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts. Details will be included in forthcoming legislation.

Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Who will determine whether proceeds of non-regulated assets are used to further a National Health Service foundation trust's public interest objectives as referred to in paragraph 3.19 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts; and what activities will be regarded as within that concept.[HL838]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: It will be for the independent regulator to determine whether there is any breach of the requirement in paragraph 3.19 in line with provisions to be set out in forthcoming legislation.

Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:

    Whether the board of governors of a National Health Service foundation trust will be free to appoint an auditor other than the Audit Commission or the National Audit Office.[HL839]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Provisions will be set out in forthcoming legislation.


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