NOTICES AND ORDERS OF THE DAY
Items marked † are new or have been altered.
Items marked ‡ are expected to be taken during the dinner adjournment.
TUESDAY 21ST JANUARY
At half-past two o’clock
*The Lord Ackner—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the year 2002, in relation to those offences for which life imprisonment is the maximum sentence, how many applications were made by Her Majesty’s Attorney General to the Court of Appeal to review the sentences as being unduly lenient, and with what results, particularising the offences and the length of the sentence imposed by the trial judge.
*The Lord Willoughby de Broke—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect the findings of the Penrose Inquiry into the conduct of the Equitable Life Assurance Society to be completed and whether they intend to make those findings public.
*The Lord Quirk—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to encourage continued foreign language learning beyond the age of 14.
*The Lord Janner of Braunstone—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will introduce legislation to ban or to restrict smoking in public places in the United Kingdom, in line with such legislation in the United States.
†*The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the definition of a “bed” in the National Health Service has been modified.
The Lord Howe of Aberavon—To move, That this House takes note of the First Report of the Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform. (HL Paper 17)
WEDNESDAY 22ND JANUARY
*The Lord Roberts of Conwy—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans for the ending of a possible war with Iraq.
*The Lord Beaumont of Whitley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they propose to take to preserve Britain’s artistic heritage, in light of the conclusion of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art that “through a lack of funding the system has failed totally to achieve its objective”.
*The Lord Lloyd of Berwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are satisfied with the working of the Reinsurance (Acts of Terrorism) Act 1993.
†*The Lord Dixon-Smith—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultation is taking place with local communities before country houses and hotels receive asylum seekers.
†*The Lord Forsyth of Drumlean—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the maximum level of debt they consider reasonable for a British undergraduate to be expected to accumulate in the course of obtaining a degree from a United Kingdom university.
†London Development Agency Bill—Third Reading
[It is expected that the debate on the Report of the Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform will continue]
THURSDAY 23RD JANUARY
[At eleven o’clock]
National Minimum Wage (Enforcement Notices) Bill [HL]—Report [The Lord Sainsbury of Turville]
Police (Northern Ireland) Bill [HL]—Report [The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)]
At three o’clock
*The Lord Marlesford—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will abolish game licences.
*The Lord Bradshaw—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they propose to take following the publication by Direct Line of evidence of the dangers of using mobile phones whilst driving.
*The Lord Dormand of Easington—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have to improve the economy of North-east England.
[It is expected that the Report stage of the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill will continue]
Arms Control and Disarmament (Inspections) Bill [HL]—Report [The Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean]
In Committee Rooms 3A and 4B
At 3.45 pm
Crime (International Co-operation) Bill [HL]—Further consideration in Grand Committee [The Lord Filkin] [2nd Report from the Delegated Powers Committee]
MONDAY 27TH JANUARY
*The Lord Dubs—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the most recent tax year for which figures are available, what has been the income generated by the Inland Revenue through interest charges for late payment and what has been the corresponding repayment to taxpayers for overpayment.
*The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action the Attorney General is taking on the evidence presented to him by the chair of INDICT, Ann Clwyd MP, of criminal offences committed by Iraqi leaders under the Taking of Hostages Act 1982.
*The Lord Barnett—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to scrap the Barnett formula with respect to the allocation of public expenditure.
†*The Lord Berkeley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in cutting rail freight grants from over £50 million this year to zero for 2003-04, the Strategic Rail Authority is complying with its Purposes under sections 205 and 207(2)(f) of the Transport Act 2000 to promote rail freight and “to enable persons providing railway services to plan the future of their businesses with a reasonable degree of assurance”.
Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) Bill—Second Reading [The Lord Hunt of Kings Heath]
†The Lord Clement-Jones—To move, as an amendment to the motion that this bill be now read a second time, at end to insert “but this House regrets that the Bill fails to tackle the causes of delayed discharges of patients from hospitals, creates perverse incentives which will undermine joint working between local authorities and the National Health Service, and will distort priorities for care of elderly people by placing the requirement to meet discharge targets ahead of measures to avoid hospital admission”.
†The Earl Howe—To move, as an amendment to the motion that this bill be now read a second time, at end to insert “but this House deplores the policy underlying the Bill which risks damaging health and social service provision for older people and urges the Government to reconsider its approach”.
In the event of the bill being read a second time, the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath to move, That the bill be committed to a Committee of the Whole House.
Education Act 2002 (Modification of Provisions) (No. 2) (England) Regulations 2002—The Baroness Blatch to move, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Regulations, laid before the House on 2nd December 2002, be annulled (S.I. 2002/2953).
Education (Determination of Admission Arrangements) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2002—The Baroness Blatch to move, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Regulations, laid before the House on 2nd December 2002, be annulled (S.I. 2002/2996).
Education (School Information) (England) Regulations 2002—The Baroness Blatch to move, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Regulations, laid before the House on 2nd December 2002, be annulled (S.I. 2002/2897).
Education (Variation of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2002—The Baroness Blatch to move, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Regulations, laid before the House on 2nd December 2002, be annulled (S.I. 2002/2898).
Education (Admissions Appeals Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2002—The Baroness Blatch to move, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Regulations, laid before the House on 2nd December 2002, be annulled (S.I. 2002/2899).
Education (Admission Forums) (England) Regulations 2002—The Baroness Blatch to move, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Regulations, laid before the House on 2nd December 2002, be annulled (S.I. 2002/2900).
Education (Objection to Admission Arrangements) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2002—The Baroness Blatch to move, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Regulations, laid before the House on 2nd December 2002, be annulled (S.I. 2002/2901).
Education (Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (Primary Schools) (England) Regulations 2002—The Baroness Blatch to move, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Regulations, laid before the House on 2nd December 2002, be annulled (S.I. 2002/2903).
Education (Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (Secondary Schools) (England) Regulations 2002—The Baroness Blatch to move, That an Humble Address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the Regulations, laid before the House on 2nd December 2002, be annulled (S.I. 2002/2904).
[It is expected that the Grand Committee on the Crime (International Co-operation) Bill will continue at 3.30 pm in Committee Rooms 3A and 4B]
TUESDAY 28TH JANUARY
*The Lord Livsey of Talgarth—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when section 17 (Annual review of import controls) of the Animal Health Act 2002 will come into force.
*The Lord Waddington—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether in the light of new evidence published in the British Medical Journal dated 23rd November 2002 they believe that the use of cannabis increases the risk of schizophrenia.
*The Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what priority is given to child protection by the police.
*The Viscount Falkland—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that large retailers are aware of the medical procedures in the event of customers or staff collapsing due for instance to epilepsy or diabetes.
†Courts Bill [HL]—House to be again in Committee [The Lord Chancellor] [2nd Report from the Delegated Powers Committee]
‡The Lord Hoyle—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made on the review of the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997 (COTES).
WEDNESDAY 29TH JANUARY
*The Lord Chalfont—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidance is given to universities on the criteria to be applied in selecting candidates for admission.
*The Lord Skelmersdale—To ask the Leader of the House what progress is being made on the establishment of a Select Committee of the House to report on the policy considerations of statutory instruments.
*The Lord Renton of Mount Harry—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements they have in mind to improve methods for setting the pay of British firefighters.
The Lord Freyberg—To call attention to the role of design in improving public services; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Warnock—To call attention to the case for rethinking the provision of special education; and to move for papers.
The Lord Pearson of Rannoch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the comparative significance of the euro and the United States dollar to the United Kingdom economy.
[It is expected that the Grand Committee on the Crime (International Co-operation) Bill will continue at 3.30 pm in Committee Rooms 3A and 4B]
THURSDAY 30TH JANUARY
[At eleven o’clock]
[Public business will be tabled]
At three o’clock
*The Lord Astor of Hever—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have to address the increasing number of elderly patients who are re-admitted to hospital within a month of being discharged.
*The Lord Blaker—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they expect to make any change in policy towards Israel in light of the result of the election there.
†*The Lord Ezra—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are being taken to reduce losses in the transmission of electricity, estimated at £600 million a year.
The Lord Grenfell—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on the Review of EC Merger Regulation (32nd Report, HL Paper 165, Session 2001-02).
MONDAY 3RD FEBRUARY
*The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government why, in the aftermath of the International Transport Roth case, they are treating those who paid their civil penalties for carrying clandestine entrants differently from those who did not.
*The Lord Peyton of Yeovil—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the functions of the Government Office for London within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; what are its relations with the Mayor of London; and what involvement it has in Transport for London’s Underground operation.
†*The Lord Clinton-Davis—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many firms of solicitors withdrew from the legal aid scheme in 2002.
Waste and Emissions Trading Bill [HL]—Report [The Lord Whitty]
‡The Baroness Massey of Darwen—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they will respond to the needs of families with disabled children as highlighted in the Barnado’s report Still missing out?
[It is expected that the Grand Committee on the Crime (International Co-operation) Bill will continue at 3.30 pm in Committee Rooms 3A and 4B]
TUESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY
*The Lord Rotherwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to train any more sniffer dogs at a reported cost of £30,000 each for the detection of illegal meats in light of reports that the existing dogs have been inoperative.
*The Lord Lea of Crondall—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the course of drawing up their report on the five economic tests, there are any contacts taking place with the European Union institutions, assisting common working assumptions about any path for United Kingdom entry into the eurozone.
*The Baroness Trumpington—To ask the Chairman of Committees whether the medical cover provided for Members and staff of the House of Lords and visitors to the House satisfies health and safety regulations.
[It is expected that the Committee stage of the Courts Bill will continue]
WEDNESDAY 5TH FEBRUARY
The Lord Bishop of Newcastle
*The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have taken sufficient action to protect both consumer and supplier interests, given the further likely consolidation of the supermarket sector.
*The Baroness Gardener of Parkes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what career protection they will provide for general medical practitioners, hospital doctors and consultants called up as reservists for the Defence Medical Services and how they will provide medical cover for the resulting National Health Service vacancies.
The Lord Lamont of Lerwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their intentions for the levels of pay of university teachers.
THURSDAY 6TH FEBRUARY
[At eleven o’clock]
Health (Wales) Bill—Second Reading [The Lord Evans of Temple Guiting]
In the event of the bill being read a second time, the Lord Evans of Temple Guiting to move, That the bill be committed to a Grand Committee.
At three o’clock
†*The Lord Hurd of Westwell—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what progress has been made on the referral of government disputes to mediation or arbitration since the report of the Lord Chancellor’s Department in July 2002.
Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003—The Baroness Scotland of Asthal to move, That the draft Order laid before the House on 19th December 2002 be approved.
The Lord Plant of Highfield—To call attention to the role of the voluntary and community sector in service delivery in the light of the report of the Strategy Unit Private Action, Public Benefit and the Treasury’s Cross Cutting Review; and to move for papers.
FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY
[At eleven o’clock]
High Hedges Bill [HL]—Report [The Baroness Gardner of Parkes]
Equality Bill [HL]—Second Reading [The Lord Lester of Herne Hill]
NO DAY NAMED
PART I
The Lord Blaker—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals they have for the future ownership and control of postal addressing.
The Lord Blaker—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their policies when faced with overwhelming humanitarian crises and massive violations of human rights in other countries.
The Lord Moynihan—To call attention to the state of the United Kingdom’s relations with Cuba; and to move for papers.
The Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are satisfied with the performance of the Civil Aviation Authority in regulating low-cost airlines.
The Lord Palmer—To call attention to the situation in the British countryside; and to move for papers.
The Lord Bradshaw—To call attention to the trends in the number of road deaths and casualties; and to move for papers.
The Lord Berkeley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the quality and effectiveness of the United Kingdom’s railways are satisfactory.
The Baroness Scott of Needham Market—To call attention to the state of the bus industry; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Finlay of Llandaff—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to tackle the threat that obesity poses to the health and well-being of the nation.
The Earl of Sandwich—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they still expect to meet the international development targets in southern Africa.
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the services available to patients with Motor Neurone Disease are adequate.
The Lord Northbourne—To call attention to the role of parents in providing for the needs of the nation’s children in the 21st century and to the case for making available more encouragement and support for parents; and to move for papers.
The Lord Freeman—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether progress to date with the efficient use of resources in East Africa arising from debt relief and increased direct overseas aid is satisfactory.
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To call attention to the case for the abolition of the judicial functions of the House of Lords and the creation of separate Supreme and Constitutional Courts; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Hooper—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to review the implications of taxation on the preservation and conservation of the cultural heritage of the United Kingdom.
The Lord Hardy of Wath—To call attention to the coal industry, the development of clean coal technology and the maintenance of a mining engineering industry within the United Kingdom; and to move for papers.
The Earl of Onslow—To call attention to the use of hydrogen-powered vehicles; and to move for papers.
The Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts—To call attention to the impact of Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, and Hypoglycaemia on academic performance and social behaviour; and to move for papers.
The Lord Lipsey—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to fulfil their manifesto commitment to review the experience of new electoral systems and the Jenkins Report, with a view to assessing whether changes might be made to the electoral system for the House of Commons.
The Baroness Hooper—To call attention to recent developments in Latin America; and to move for papers.
The Lord Clement-Jones—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what arrangements are being put in place for commissioning of specialised health services from April 2003.
The Baroness Maddock—To call attention to the effects of poor housing on the health and well-being of the nation; and to move for papers.
The Lord Thomas of Gresford—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will review the law, practice and procedure of Public Interest Immunity in criminal cases.
The Viscount Waverley—To call attention to the causes of terrorism; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Greengross—To call attention to corporate social responsibility; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Greengross—To call attention to women’s health and the case for a lifecourse approach; and to move for papers.
The Lord Fowler—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to combat HIV/AIDS.
The Lord Alton of Liverpool—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on the threat posed by North Korea to international security and to the human rights of its citizens.
The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the Forum for the Future report Government’s Business—Enabling Corporate Sustainability.
The Lord Avebury—To call attention to homelessness and social deprivation of Gypsies and travellers; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Cox—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the staffing situation of the Defence Medical Services is satisfactory; and what is their view of the future of the Services.
The Baroness Rawlings—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what humanitarian assistance they have provided to people living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the last four years of civil war in that country.
The Lord Norton of Louth—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the security of the ballot in elections held by postal voting.
The Lord Ashley of Stoke—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to preserve sufficient special schools for children with special needs to meet the demand.
The Baroness Masham of Ilton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is being done to combat the spread of tuberculosis; and what facilities for treatment and after-care are available in the United Kingdom.
The Baroness Whitaker—To call attention to the developing countries in poverty which lack strong funding relationships with donor countries or international institutions; and to move for papers.
The Lord Norton of Louth—To call attention to the case for improving contact and understanding between the two Chambers of Parliament; and to move for papers.
The Lord Addington—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures are being taken to remove all barriers to literature for those who have difficulties accessing books in traditional print formats.
The Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde—To move, That this House takes note of the Pensions Green Paper Simplicity, Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement.
The Lord Stoddart of Swindon—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much money (a) they and (b) the European Union spend each year in the United Kingdom on information about the European Union, and how these sums of money are split between (i) schools, (ii) universities and other further educational establishments, and (iii) elsewhere.
PART II
MOTIONS FOR BALLOTED DEBATE
†[Ballot on 29th January for debate on 19th February]
The Lord Campbell of Croy—To call attention to the functioning and effects of the Data Protection Act 1998; and to move for papers.
The Lord Alton of Liverpool—To call attention to Her Majesty’s Government’s policy on the policing of illegal drugs; and to move for papers.
The Lord Bishop of Oxford—To call attention to the religious element in global terrorism and appropriate interfaith responses; and to move for papers.
The Lord Dubs—To call attention to the contribution that renewable sources of energy should make to the United Kingdom’s long term energy supply; and to move for papers.
The Baroness Rendell of Babergh—To call attention to racism in the performing arts in the United Kingdom; and to move for papers.
The Lord Strabolgi—To call attention to the Forty-eighth Report of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art 2001-2002 (Cm 5662); and to move for papers.
The Earl of Onslow—To call attention to the method, existing since the beginning of this session of Parliament, for the replacement of hereditary peers; and to move for papers.
PART III
SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS
[The date in brackets is that on which the Report was published]
The Lord Smith of Clifton—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures (HL Paper 150, Session 2001-02). [24th July 2002]
The Baroness Harris of Richmond—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on A Common Policy on Illegal Immigration (37th Report, HL Paper 187, Session 2001-02). [28th November 2002]
The Earl of Selborne—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on Environmental Regulation and Agriculture (36th Report, HL Paper 186, Session 2001-02). [5th December 2002]
The Lord Wade of Chorlton—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the Science and Technology Committee on Chips for Everything: Britain’s opportunities in a key global market (2nd Report, HL Paper 13). [12th December 2002]
The Lord Grenfell—To move, That this House takes note of the Report of the European Union Committee on the Review of Scrutiny of European Legislation (First Report, HL Paper 15). [18th December 2002]
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
[Tabled on 20th January, or unanswered after 21 days]
[The Government department responsible for
answering each Question is shown in brackets]
10th December
The Lord Tebbit—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether unpublished information concerning United Kingdom nationals and foreigners resident in the United Kingdom collected by or on behalf of the Criminal Records Bureau remains at all times within the legal jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. [HO] (HL584)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in light of the Performance and Innovation Unit’s Report Privacy and data-sharing: The way forward for public services (April 2002), they will publish the “Ram” doctrine. [LCD] (HL595)
12th December
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 10th December (WA 24) concerning the Irish Human Rights Commission and its lack of representation from Ulster protestants, Ulster Scots and Ulster Unionist communities—
(a) what information was sought from applicants that informed the answer that no one from the groups mentioned applied;
(b) what was the recruitment process;
(c) whether any special activity aimed at these groups was undertaken during the process;
(d) whether the lack of appointments from these groups was drawn to the appropriate Minister’s attention; and, if so, by whom and when; and why no action was taken. [NIO] (HL704)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 10th December (WA 24), whether the composition of the Irish Human Rights Commission was referred to the Equality Commission in the Irish Republic; and, if so, by whom, when and what action resulted. [NIO] (HL705)
16th December
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9th December (WA 1) concerning the Food Safety Promotion Board, how the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 can be monitored if the religious breakdown of the board’s employees is not recorded; and what information about each employee is recorded. [NIO] (HL750)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 12th December (WA 48) about security vetting, how many posts in the Northern Ireland civil service are classified as sensitive posts or higher; how many of those post holders possess valid security clearance; whether any civil servants whose security clearances have expired were still in post on 12th December; and, if so, why. [NIO] (HL751)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the Belfast Agreement of 1998 the following issues have been considered by the Irish Human Rights Commission—
(a) the requirement for Irish language for a range of state posts;
(b) the special position of the Irish language in the Constitution; and
(c) the playing of the Angelus daily by the state television and radio networks;
if so, what was the result; and, if not, why not. [NIO] (HL754)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to halt the rise in the prison population, particularly in the numbers of women and young persons. [HO] (HL757)
17th December
The Lord Morris of Manchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the correspondence sent to the Ministry of Defence by Dr Brian Iddon MP relating to the Report of the United States Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the response to the Report from the Hon. Leo S Mackay, the Deputy Secretary, on 28th October; whether they will place a copy of the correspondence in the Library of the House; and whether they propose to take any action. [MoD] (HL790)
[As amended on 18th December]
18th December
The Lord Faulkner of Worcester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to involve regional directors of public health in the implementation of the recommendations in the report “Preventing Accidental Injury—Priorities for Action” from the Accidental Injury Task Force. [DoH] (HL834)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 in which the Government of the Republic of Ireland promised to introduce human rights protection to at least the equivalent level as that in Northern Ireland, whether that Government has informed them of any proposals to create a police ombudsman similar to the one in Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL862)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 in which total parity of esteem and equality was promised to all on the island of Ireland, what is the percentage of Protestant civil servants in County Donegal; and, if it is less than 11 per cent of the population, why this is the case. [NIO] (HL863)
19th December
The Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, under paragraphs 5(4)(a) and (b) of the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002, how long a period will be allowed to elapse in each case before the enforcement authority may take the measures referred to in paragraph 5(1). [DTI] (HL875)
The Baroness Anelay of St Johns—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research they have undertaken to determine how many homeless persons living on the streets have at some stage been discharged from, or have chosen to leave, the armed forces. [ODPM] (HL879)
The Baroness Anelay of St Johns—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they give to armed forces personnel who are homeless after leaving their period in service. [MoD] (HL880)
The Baroness Anelay of St Johns—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held in the past six months with voluntary agencies to determine how further assistance might be given to ex-forces personnel to ensure that they are not homeless; and what are those agencies. [MoD] (HL881)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many late night licences have been withdrawn on evidence presented by the Metropolitan Police. [DCMS] (HL898)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many parking attendants were assaulted in the West End during 2001; and how many of those who committed these offences were charged with a racially aggravated offence within the meaning of section 39 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. [HO] (HL899)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998, what criteria were used in the appointment of commissioners to the Irish Human Rights Commission established by the Belfast Agreement; whether at any stage extra commissioners were appointed to reflect Irish society better; and, if so, why this facility was not accorded to the Ulster Scots, Protestants and British communities. [NIO] (HL904)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the action of Galway County Council in restricting planning permission to only those who speak Irish fluently will be considered by the Irish Human Rights Commission established by the Belfast Agreement; and, if not, why. [NIO] (HL907)
The Lord Patten—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the holder of the title and role of Queen’s Counsel may have that removed; and, if so, under what circumstances. [LCD] (HL920)
20th January
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 13th January (WA 35), what they estimate to be the costs of the independent regulator during 2003-04 and 2004-05 based on the powers and duties set out in A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts and on the basis that the number of successful applicants for National Health Service Trust status in October 2003 is (a) 5; (b) 10 and (c) 20. (HL1175)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it would be possible under existing legislation for (a) the Secretary of State, (b) strategic health authorities, (c) primary care trusts or (d) other bodies within the National Health Service to guarantee the borrowings of National Health Service foundation trusts or whether specific legislative powers would need to be taken in the legislation enabling the creation of National Health Service foundation trusts. (HL1176)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in respect of clinical services delivered to National Health Service patients covered by standard tariffs, a National Health Service foundation trust will be obliged to charge primary care trusts the standard tariff price in all circumstances for every item of service; and, if not, in what circumstances the standard tariff could be varied. (HL1177)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what sources of capital in the public sector will be available to National Health Service foundation trusts as referred to in paragraph 5.13 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts; and who will determine whether and on what terms public sector capital will be made available to a National Health Service foundation trust. (HL1178)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether a National Health Service foundation trust will be able to use the financial surpluses made by achieving efficiency gains which reduce its cost of delivery below the standard tariff which it must charge to primary care trusts for (a) reducing the tariffs for the same or other regulated services provided to primary care trusts, (b) cross-subsidising the prices charged to primary care trusts for regulated services not covered by the standard tariffs, or (c) cross-subsidising the prices of non-regulated services. (HL1179)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have received any preliminary applications from National Health Service trusts to become National Health Service foundation trusts. (HL1180)
The Lord Holme of Cheltenham—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are proposing any action to avert the closure of the King Edward VII hospital in Midhurst. (HL1181)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 171), upon which projects or conferences the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has co-operated with the Placenames Project of Northern Ireland which would increase awareness of Ulster-Scots heritage and language. (HL1182)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure was notified about the proposed appointments of four-and-a-half staff for the Ulster Scots Agency; and whether there has been any delay to these appointments. (HL1183)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 15th January (WA 48) concerning the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, whether the answer means that the press release of 3rd July was correct or incorrect; and, if the latter, why. (HL1184)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to redesign manhole covers in Kerr Street in Portrush, County Antrim, in such a way that noise can be reduced for residents and provide a smoother passage for motorists; and whether any new arrangements can be extended to all of Northern Ireland. (HL1185)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 173), what were the capital projects recently completed by Waterways Ireland at Limerick harbour, Boyle harbour, Ballinasloe harbour, Ballyleague in County Roscommon, Shannonbridge in County Offaly and at Scarrif in County Clare; in each case who were the contractors; and how much each is estimated to cost. (HL1186)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 170), whether paragraph 4(1)(f) of the Schedule to the Northern Ireland Act 2000 allows the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to consider legal opinions of the now suspended government of Northern Ireland. (HL1187)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the visiting hours at each of the detention centres at which asylum applicants are detained. (HL1188)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the full cost of splitting the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory and Qinetic. (HL1189)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the expenditure on information technology systems relating to the splitting of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory and Qinetic. (HL1190)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the expenditure on information technology systems for each of the last six years for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory and Qinetic. (HL1191)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the expenditure on consultants involved in, or advising on, the splitting of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory and Qinetic. (HL1192)
QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER AWAITING ANSWER
20th JANUARY 2003
[Tabled on the dates shown]
[The Government department responsible for
answering each Question is shown in brackets]
10th December
The Lord Tebbit—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether unpublished information concerning United Kingdom nationals and foreigners resident in the United Kingdom collected by or on behalf of the Criminal Records Bureau remains at all times within the legal jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. [HO] (HL584)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in light of the Performance and Innovation Unit’s Report Privacy and data-sharing: The way forward for public services (April 2002), they will publish the “Ram” doctrine. [LCD] (HL595)
12th December
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 10th December (WA 24) concerning the Irish Human Rights Commission and its lack of representation from Ulster protestants, Ulster Scots and Ulster Unionist communities—
(a) what information was sought from applicants that informed the answer that no one from the groups mentioned applied;
(b) what was the recruitment process;
(c) whether any special activity aimed at these groups was undertaken during the process;
(d) whether the lack of appointments from these groups was drawn to the appropriate Minister’s attention; and, if so, by whom and when; and why no action was taken. [NIO] (HL704)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 10th December (WA 24), whether the composition of the Irish Human Rights Commission was referred to the Equality Commission in the Irish Republic; and, if so, by whom, when and what action resulted. [NIO] (HL705)
16th December
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9th December (WA 1) concerning the Food Safety Promotion Board, how the Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 can be monitored if the religious breakdown of the board’s employees is not recorded; and what information about each employee is recorded. [NIO] (HL750)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 12th December (WA 48) about security vetting, how many posts in the Northern Ireland civil service are classified as sensitive posts or higher; how many of those post holders possess valid security clearance; whether any civil servants whose security clearances have expired were still in post on 12th December; and, if so, why. [NIO] (HL751)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the Belfast Agreement of 1998 the following issues have been considered by the Irish Human Rights Commission—
(a) the requirement for Irish language for a range of state posts;
(b) the special position of the Irish language in the Constitution; and
(c) the playing of the Angelus daily by the state television and radio networks;
if so, what was the result; and, if not, why not. [NIO] (HL754)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to halt the rise in the prison population, particularly in the numbers of women and young persons. [HO] (HL757)
17th December
The Lord Morris of Manchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the correspondence sent to the Ministry of Defence by Dr Brian Iddon MP relating to the Report of the United States Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans Illnesses to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the response to the Report from the Hon. Leo S Mackay, the Deputy Secretary, on 28th October; whether they will place a copy of the correspondence in the Library of the House; and whether they propose to take any action. [MoD] (HL790)
[As amended on 18th December]
18th December
The Lord Faulkner of Worcester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to involve regional directors of public health in the implementation of the recommendations in the report “Preventing Accidental Injury—Priorities for Action” from the Accidental Injury Task Force. [DoH] (HL834)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 in which the Government of the Republic of Ireland promised to introduce human rights protection to at least the equivalent level as that in Northern Ireland, whether that Government has informed them of any proposals to create a police ombudsman similar to the one in Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL862)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998 in which total parity of esteem and equality was promised to all on the island of Ireland, what is the percentage of Protestant civil servants in County Donegal; and, if it is less than 11 per cent of the population, why this is the case. [NIO] (HL863)
19th December
The Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, under paragraphs 5(4)(a) and (b) of the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002, how long a period will be allowed to elapse in each case before the enforcement authority may take the measures referred to in paragraph 5(1). [DTI] (HL875)
The Baroness Anelay of St Johns—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research they have undertaken to determine how many homeless persons living on the streets have at some stage been discharged from, or have chosen to leave, the armed forces. [ODPM] (HL879)
The Baroness Anelay of St Johns—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance they give to armed forces personnel who are homeless after leaving their period in service. [MoD] (HL880)
The Baroness Anelay of St Johns—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held in the past six months with voluntary agencies to determine how further assistance might be given to ex-forces personnel to ensure that they are not homeless; and what are those agencies. [MoD] (HL881)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many late night licences have been withdrawn on evidence presented by the Metropolitan Police. [DCMS] (HL898)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many parking attendants were assaulted in the West End during 2001; and how many of those who committed these offences were charged with a racially aggravated offence within the meaning of section 39 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001. [HO] (HL899)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of the Belfast Agreement of 1998, what criteria were used in the appointment of commissioners to the Irish Human Rights Commission established by the Belfast Agreement; whether at any stage extra commissioners were appointed to reflect Irish society better; and, if so, why this facility was not accorded to the Ulster Scots, Protestants and British communities. [NIO] (HL904)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the action of Galway County Council in restricting planning permission to only those who speak Irish fluently will be considered by the Irish Human Rights Commission established by the Belfast Agreement; and, if not, why. [NIO] (HL907)
The Lord Patten—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the holder of the title and role of Queen’s Counsel may have that removed; and, if so, under what circumstances. [LCD] (HL920)
7th January
The Lord Fyfe of Fairfield—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action has been taken by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in the light of comments made by Lord Justice Schiemann, in refusing an application by the Midlands Co-operative Society for permission to appeal against a decision of the High Court not to quash a decision of the Deputy Prime Minister to allow the construction of a superstore directly opposite that of the Society at Thurmaston, that the Society’s real complaint was of maladministration. [ODPM] (HL931)
The Lord Morris of Manchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they are giving, or propose to give, to compensating the Midlands Co-operative Society for losses incurred as a result of the construction of a superstore directly opposite that of the Society at Thurmaston, permitted by the Deputy Prime Minister against the recommendation of his Inspector, in the light of comments made by Lord Justice Schiemann, in refusing an application by the Society for permission to appeal against a decision of the High Court not to quash the decision of the Deputy Prime Minister, that the Society’s real complaint was of maladministration. [ODPM] (HL932)
The Lord Morris of Manchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 19th December 2002 (WA 156), whether any patient living in England or Northern Ireland could be affected by the case of the blood donor in Scotland found recently to have vCJD and from whom plasma had been used to manufacture haemophilia treatment by the National Health Service; whether any patient living in Wales could be affected; and what contact there has been between the Department of Health and both the Scottish and Welsh Executives about the case. [DoH] (HL933)
The Lord Wallace of Saltaire—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are accountable to Parliament for their oversight of the Crown Dependencies; and, if so, how that accountability is assured. [FCO] (HL938)
The Lord Wallace of Saltaire—To ask Her Majesty’s Government which facilities are shared by United Kingdom diplomatic missions abroad; and with which other missions. [FCO] (HL941)
The Earl Russell—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any plans to increase the social fund allocation to areas which have lost their insurance cover as a result of flooding. [DWP] (HL943)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider it to be in the public interest for British political parties and Parliamentary elections to be funded by business interests; and, if not, what are their reasons for this view. [LCD] (HL944)
The Lord Campbell of Croy—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many offenders have been sent to prison for persistent burglary, under the automatic three-year sentence, since the relevant legislation entered into effect in December 1999. [HO] (HL946)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to deal with the unsightly nature of, and any health risk posed by, the section of the Connswater River between the Newtownards Road and Belfast Lough in East Belfast. [NIO] (HL949)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider that the Provisional IRA are still involved in recruiting, re-arming, training, targeting and punishment beatings; and, if so, in what activities. [NIO] (HL950)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the purpose of a document concerning political and security issues which caused some parties to leave the Northern Ireland multi-party talks on 19th December 2002; who was responsible for preparing it; whether it indicated that the IRA was still re-arming, recruiting and targeting; and what were the circumstances surrounding its supply to a member of the media. [NIO] (HL951)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the valuation process to assess market value for a residence in Cultra in North Down which they sold to a former senior civil servant in the Anglo Irish Secretariat who is now involved with the Boundary Commission; and whether the full normal procedures were adhered to. [NIO] (HL952)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many researchers and messengers are required by the legal teams which they are funding and who are attending the Bloody Sunday Inquiry; what are their qualifications; and how much they have cost to date. [NIO] (HL953)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Northern Ireland Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure has given advice to local authorities on the use of minority languages; and, if so, whether the advice treated Irish and Ulster Scots equally. [NIO] (HL954)
The Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what total sum would be required, if the Lord Chancellor were to retire today, to provide the tax free lump sum and purchase on the open market the index-linked pension to which he is entitled. [CO] (HL958)
The Lord Kilclooney—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the dates of the closure of (a) O’Neill Memorial School, Castlereagh and (b) Castle Gardens Schools, Newtownards; and what proposals there are for the future use of these buildings or their disposal. [NIO] (HL960)
The Lord Kilclooney—To ask Her Majesty’s Government—
(a) what is the population of Downpatrick and of Newtownards;
(b) at which locations in each of these towns the new Down/Ards Area Plan is on display; and
(c) whether the display complies with the requirement of equal opportunity for the residents of both towns to be consulted and comment upon this Area Plan. [NIO] (HL961)
The Lord Kilclooney—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what restrictions there are on enrolment at the Royal School, Armagh; how the number of boarders at this school impacts upon total enrolment; and whether an increase in the number of boarders at the school means that there must be a restriction on the number of day pupils at the school. [NIO] (HL962)
The Lord Rogan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many applications were received from (a) Roman Catholics and (b) non-Roman Catholics for each recruitment competition to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL964)
The Lord Rogan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many successful applications were accepted from (a) Roman Catholics and (b) non-Roman Catholics for each recruitment competition to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL965)
The Lord Rogan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many (a) Roman Catholic and (b) non-Roman Catholic recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland have successfully completed all elements of the training course. [NIO] (HL966)
The Lord Rogan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the original physical fitness requirements for all recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL967)
The Lord Rogan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the current physical fitness requirements for all recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL968)
8th January
The Lord Greaves—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether intending candidates in an election are each entitled to a copy of the relevant electoral register before submitting their nomination papers, in order that they may seek nominations from bona fide electors and fill in a nomination paper correctly. [LCD] (HL974)
The Lord Goodhart—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 7th January (WA167) concerning the system of appointment of Queen’s Counsel, what are the benefits which the system allegedly confers on consumers in relation to the provision of services by the legal profession. [LCD] (HL975)
The Lord Kilclooney—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the present enrolment at Abbey Primary School, Newtownards; how many applicants for enrolment for the academic year beginning September 2002 were refused; and what proposals there are to replace the temporary classrooms at this new school. [NIO] (HL976)
The Lord Kilclooney—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what proposals there are to make full use of the buildings and sites at Ards Hospital, Newtownards. [NIO] (HL977)
The Lord Kilclooney—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many additional homes can have their foul sewage connected to Loughries sewage works before it has reached full capacity. [NIO] (HL978)
The Lord Kilclooney—To ask Her Majesty’s Government—
(a) when they plan to construct the link road between Portaferry Road and Comber Road in Newtownards; and
(b) what progress has been made to determine the planning application for the Castlebawn Development in Newtownards. [NIO] (HL979)
The Lord Kilclooney—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Down/Ards Area Plan went online on the web; how many days were allocated for a consultation period; when the consultation period was due to end; and whether an extension for the consultation period can be made. [NIO] (HL980)
The Lord Kilclooney—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the present system for the treatment of foul sewage from homes at Whiterock, Killinchy; and how many additional homes can be connected to this system before it reaches full capacity. [NIO] (HL981)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether recruits to the civil service of the Republic of Ireland who work in Northern Ireland and elsewhere are required to take an oath of allegiance on appointment, and, if so, why; and whether this has been referred to the Irish Human Rights Commission. [NIO] (HL988)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 168), whether they will list all the feature films which the Northern Ireland Film Commission has assisted since its creation. [NIO] (HL989)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 172), on what date the job description for the chief executive of the Ulster Scots Agency was forwarded to the appropriate departments. [NIO] (HL990)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Waterways Ireland has any plans to restore and re-open the Ulster Canal as a tourist attraction. [NIO] (HL991)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government why the police service of the Republic of Ireland regularly patrol the two miles in Fermanagh between the Border and Teemore Cross; and what other parts of the United Kingdom are patrolled by the same police service. [NIO] (HL992)
The Lord Fearn—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many local heritage initiatives have been grant-aided in (a) 2000, (b) 2001, and (c) 2002; and at what cost. [DCMS] (HL995)
9th January
The Lord Kilclooney—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the role of the Armagh Protestant Board of Education at the Royal School, Armagh; when this Board came into existence; and what is its statutory basis. [NIO] (HL1001)
The Lord Greaves—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the policy statement by the Secretary of State for Defence in July 2000, which committed the Ministry of Defence to follow the planning system as closely as possible, will apply to any upgrading of RAF Fylingdales as proposed in the Department’s discussion paper on missile defence (or otherwise); whether and in what ways the North York Moors National Park Authority will have a role in this process; and whether and in what ways there will be public consultation over any such proposals. [MoD] (HL1002)
The Lord Greaves—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any proposals for the upgrading of RAF Fylingdales as proposed in the Ministry of Defence consultation paper on missile defence (or otherwise) will be the subject of a full environmental impact assessment; and to the major development test set out in paragraph 4.5 of Planning Policy Guidance PPG7. [MoD] (HL1003)
The Lord Stoddart of Swindon—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have had, or intend to have, consultations with any professional sport representative body in the United Kingdom, about the effect of any current, or likely, European Union legislation concerned with collective non-competitive agreements within such bodies, and their freedom to conduct negotiations on matters of transmission and finance with (a) national or (b) European television broadcasting organisations. [DCMS] (HL1008)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what dates the Council of the Isles has met since its creation; what areas were represented; what decisions were taken; and when the Council is proposing to meet again. [NIO] (HL1009)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many meetings there have been of the Joint Committee of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Irish Human Rights Commission; on what dates; and what was discussed. [NIO] (HL1010)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the role of the Language Implementation Body, set up under the Belfast Agreement of 1998, in the appointment of chief executives of the Irish Agency and the Ulster Scots Agency; how it exercises this role; whether legal opinion has been sought on these issues; if not, why; and whether it will now do so. [NIO] (HL1011)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government under what terms Gosford Castle in County Armagh was disposed of by the Department of Agriculture; whether those terms required certain remedial works to be undertaken within a given timescale; and whether any such works have been completed. [NIO] (HL1012)
[As amended on 13th January]
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the terms of disposal of Gosford Castle in County Armagh included a provision which would allow for new building works to take place outwith the current footprint of the Castle, subject to planning permission and listed building consent. [NIO] (HL1013)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 173) concerning Waterway Ireland, what is meant by the wording “equality scheme is set out below”. [NIO] (HL1014)
The Lord Hoyle—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will appoint a co-ordinator whose responsibility would be to promote children’s interests across Government Departments. [DoH] (HL1018)
The Lord Norton of Louth—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to introduce legislation to reduce the qualifying age for election to public office from twenty-one to eighteen years. [LCD] (HL1020)
The Lord Norton of Louth—To ask Her Majesty’s Government (a) what publicity was given to the right of electors to opt out of the electoral register made available to commercial purchasers and (b) how many electors have exercised that right. [LCD] (HL1021)
13th January
The Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether each child will by its sixteenth week of life have received, as part of the standard diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTwP) immunisation programme, 150 micrograms of thimerosal which, in turn, contain 75 micrograms of mercury; and, if not, how much each child will receive. [DoH] (HL1023)
The Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what research has taken place into allergic reactions to thimerosal/mercury based vaccines, especially amongst infant children. [DoH] (HL1024)
The Baroness Park of Monmouth—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in view of the recent revision of Zimbabwe legislation on the exchange rate, whether the British High Commission in Harare will continue to require persons applying for United Kingdom passports or visas to pay at the parallel, rather than the official, rate. [FCO] (HL1025)
The Baroness Park of Monmouth—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what time must elapse before (a) the holder of a valid British passport arriving in this country without means, and (b) an asylum seeker arriving in this country destitute, becomes entitled to accommodation and social security benefits. [DWP] (HL1026)
The Duke of Montrose—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether extra finance has had to be supplied to local authorities in England and Wales since the introduction of regulations requiring the licensing and recording of sheep movements to cover the administration costs; if so, how much; whether extra staff have been employed as a result; and, if so, how many. [DEFRA] (HL1027)
The Duke of Montrose—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all local authorities have been able to comply with the regulations regarding the time by which the submission of data on sheep movements is required by the central animal movement licensing system database; and, if not, what percentage of the times of submission are found to be in arrears. [DEFRA] (HL1028)
The Baroness Howe of Idlicote—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will undertake an economic analysis of the investment required to ensure that Government programmes aimed at lifting children out of poverty reach disabled children. [DWP] (HL1030)
The Lord Naseby—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is their policy to ensure that the Defence Procurement Agency provide a compliant shelter for the Temporary Deployable Accommodation needs for Urgent Operational Requirements. [MoD] (HL1031)
The Lord Naseby—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is their policy to maximise United Kingdom content in the purchase of Temporary Deployable Accommodation for Urgent Operational Requirements. [MoD] (HL1032)
The Lord Naseby—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any cost savings arising from commonality between the Defence Logistic Organisation and the Temporary Deployable Accommodation have been assessed. [MoD] (HL1033)
The Lord Naseby—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Ministry of Defence’s own specialists and experts, having assessed external submissions, have recommendations for both Urgent Operational Requirements and Temporary Deployable Accommodation. [MoD] (HL1034)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they required the United States to pay for support, help and use of facilities as a result of the Gulf war in the 1990s. [MoD] (HL1037)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9th January (WA 237) concerning the retirement of the interim chief executive of the Ulster Scots Agency appointed in 1999, what is the nature of the outstanding staffing matter; and when it will be resolved. [NIO] (HL1038)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9th January (WA 230) concerning respect for traditions, whether the list can be recorded in the Official Report as requested; when the website address quoted in the answer will carry the list; and what equality proofing was used for the allocation. [NIO] (HL1039)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9th January (WA 230) concerning the site of the Battle of the Boyne, which members of the Unionist tradition in Ireland are on the appropriate committee; and what are the grounds for considering that its progress has been good, as was suggested in an answer on 7th November 2002 (WA 174-175). [NIO] (HL1040)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether those on the Sex Offenders Register are subject to travel restrictions which allow them to leave the United Kingdom or to move internally or externally in the United Kingdom; if so, what are the restrictions; and how they are monitored. [HO] (HL1041)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 7th January (WA 167), why direct and personal answerability by the Lord Chancellor to Parliament is considered appropriate and necessary for decisions regarding the appointment of Queen’s Counsel. [LCD] (HL1042)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 7th January (WA 167), what are perceived to be the benefits and the costs to consumers resulting from the current system of appointment of Queen’s Counsel. [LCD] (HL1043)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 7th January (WA 167), which Minister of the Crown is at present directly and personally answerable to Parliament for the appointment of Queen’s Counsel in Northern Ireland. [LCD] (HL1044)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will amend the guidance given to Government Departments by the Cabinet Office on the Human Rights Act 1998 in February 2000 to include and be consistent with the guidance subsequently given by the Lord Chancellor to Departments about Explanatory Notes on Bills, indicating that they should identify the main ways in which Convention rights are thought to be engaged and explaining why the Department considers the measures in a bill to be compatible with the Convention rights. [LCD] (HL1045)
14th January
The Lord Hughes of Woodside—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy on the issuing of visas on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe. [FCO] (HL1050)
The Lord Dubs—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are their targets for the growth of integrated education in Northern Ireland; and what resources have been allocated to them. [NIO] (HL1051)
The Lord Dubs—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many prescribing centres there are for multiple sclerosis modifying drugs in the North West London Strategic Health Authority; and what plans there are to expand the number of such centres. [DoH] (HL1052)
The Lord Greaves—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 10th December 2002 (WA 19), when the discussions with the Electoral Commission have taken or will take place; and whether they are in a position to report on the outcome. [LCD] (HL1053)
The Lord Greaves—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the report in The Sunday Express of 22nd December 2002 that agents of the United States Central Intelligence Agency are operating in the United Kingdom with orders to “track, hunt and eliminate” Al Qua’ida suspects and with written authority from the United States President to “shoot to kill” is true; and, if so, whether this is taking place with the approval or agreement of the British Government. [HO] (HL1054)
The Baroness Greengross—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what negotiations have been held since 1947 with countries with which the United Kingdom still does not have a reciprocal social security agreement; what plans they have to conduct any such negotiations; and whether the governments of any of the affected countries have expressed a wish to conduct negotiations. [DWP] (HL1055)
The Baroness Greengross—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the estimated annual cost of paying the winter fuel payment to British pensioners who do not live in the United Kingdom; and how many will benefit in 2003-04. [DWP] (HL1056)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they and the states providing troops to UNMEE have made to Ethiopia and Eritrea concerning access restrictions and other kinds of non-cooperation; and whether they will ask for the extension of the mandate for ceasefire verification, frontier demarcation and demining. [FCO] (HL1057)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures are being taken to reduce the rising number of incidents of attempted suicide and self-harm in H M prisons. [HO] (HL1058)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 6th March 2001 (WA 26), whether they have made progress in reducing the number of prisoners held over 100 miles away from their home addresses. [HO] (HL1059)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the restorative justice principles are now applied to all offenders aged under 18 in England and Wales; and, if not, when they expect that this will be so. [HO] (HL1061)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 8th November 2001 (WA 1078), what conclusions the Youth Justice Board has reached about providing independent lay representation to detained offenders aged under 18, on lines similar to those applying in Northern Ireland. [HO] (HL1062)
The Lord Morris of Manchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the immunisation programme for troops now deploying to the Gulf is consistent with the findings so far of the study now being undertaken at Porton Down of interactions in relation to the multiple immunisation programme adopted for troops involved in the Gulf war. [MoD] (HL1063)
The Lord Morris of Manchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they expect, as troops now deploy to the Gulf, an interim report from the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research at Porton Down on its study of the safety or otherwise of the multiple immunisation programme adopted for troops involved in the Gulf war. [MoD] (HL1064)
The Lord Waddington—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, following the consultation paper Changes to the Rules for London Mayoral and Assembly Elections and the Greater London Authority Elections (Amendment) Rules 2003, no instructions to voters will say that in the mayoral election a voter must ensure both a first and a second choice. [ODPM] (HL1065)
The Lord Swinfen—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following Greenland’s departure from the European Economic Community because of the Common Fisheries Policy, how Greenland’s fish stocks now compare to those of the United Kingdom and the European Union. [DEFRA] (HL1066)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the recent total re-lay of the railway track between Belfast and Dublin, how many speed restrictions apply; and why they are appropriate on a re-laid track. [NIO] (HL1067)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9th January (WA 237-238) concerning Waterways Ireland, why the annual report for 1999-2000 indicated that it was set up by legislation on 2nd December 1999 when that is incorrect. [NIO] (HL1068)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9th January (WA 237-238) concerning Waterways Ireland, how many of the 70 employees at the headquarters in Enniskillen are from the Northern Ireland civil service and how many from that of the Irish Republic; and how many required Irish language to obtain employment. [NIO] (HL1069)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9th January (WA 231) concerning human rights in the Irish republic, what is the measurement which indicates that the Republic’s Government has strengthened the protection of human rights to at least the equivalent level of protection in Northern Ireland. [NIO] (HL1070)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9th January (WA 233) concerning Weston Park, which parties accepted the proposals of 1st August 2001 and which did not. [NIO] (HL1071)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 9th January (WA 232) concerning the North South Ministerial Council, whether the answer means that the equality scheme only applies to Northern Ireland; and, if so, why. [NIO] (HL1072)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 13th January (WA 24), what are their priorities for the allocation of public funds as between funding of initial teacher training primary places in (a) French, (b) Spanish, (c) German and (d) each of the other European Union languages, respectively. [DfES] (HL1073)
The Lord Lester of Herne Hill—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Ashton of Upholland on 13th January (WA 24), what are their priorities for the allocation of public funds for each element of the National Languages Strategy for England. [DfES] (HL1074)
The Baroness Masham of Ilton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many cases of (a) syphilis, (b) gonorrhoea, and (c) chlamydia were recorded in the Greater Manchester area in the last year for which figures are available; and what are these figures expressed as a percentage increase or decrease in the previous year. [DoH] (HL1075)
The Baroness Masham of Ilton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many cases of (a) syphilis, (b) gonorrhoea, and (c) chlamydia were recorded in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available; and what are these figures expressed as a percentage increase or decrease in the previous year. [DoH] (HL1076)
The Baroness Masham of Ilton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many cases of (a) syphilis, (b) gonorrhoea, and (c) chlamydia were recorded in Ayrshire and Arran in the last year for which figures are available; and what are these figures expressed as a percentage increase or decrease in the previous year. [SO] (HL1077)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what were the cause and circumstances of a Challenger main battle tank falling off the Oshkosh Heavy Equipment Transporter the day before it was to be demonstrated to the public. [MoD] (HL1078)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government who will pay for the cost of inspecting and repairing any damage to the main battle tank which fell of the Oshkosh Heavy Equipment Transporter; and what is the replacement value of the tank. [MoD] (HL1079)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assurances they can give that heavy armoured vehicles will not fall off Oshkosh Heavy Equipment Transporters or cause them to roll over when on the public roads when in general service. [MoD] (HL1080)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the overall height limit in the Staff Requirement for the new Heavy Equipment Transporter; and whether the Oshkosh vehicle meets it without the driver having to make any adjustments en route. [MoD] (HL1081)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how the in-cab noise level of the Oshkosh Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) compares to—
(a) MAN contender for the HET project;
(c) in-service Scammell Commander; and
(d) relevant European Union directives. [MoD] (HL1082)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government which manufacturer has been selected as a preferred bidder for the Army’s wheeled tanker fleet. [MoD] (HL1083)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will now publish the report by Stephen Moore on the fire at the Yarl’s Wood detention centre on 14th February 2001, together with the reports on the fire by the Bedfordshire Police and the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service; and what decision they have made about bringing the undamaged part of the detention centre into operation. [HO] (HL1084)
The Lord Moynihan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy towards North Korea. [FCO] (HL1085)
The Lord Moynihan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they would support peace-keeping operations in the Ivory Coast under the control of the United Nations; and what is their policy towards the Ivory Coast, in the light of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development and the G8 Action Plan agreed in 2002. [FCO] (HL1086)
The Lord Moynihan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what practical support they are offering to help bring about a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem by 28th February on the basis of the United Nations Secretary-General’s proposals. [FCO] (HL1087)
The Lord Moynihan—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the statement by the Lord Bach on 17th December 2002 (WA 101) that “Security in Afghanistan is primarily the responsibility of the Afghans themselves”, whether they consider the Afghan administration to be capable of meeting that responsibility effectively at present; and, if not, when they envisage that it will be able to do so. [FCO] (HL1088)
The Lord Hoyle—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what reply they received to the letter, dated 16th November 2002, by the Minister of Europe to Commissioner de Palacio; and whether they will place a copy in the Library of the House. [FCO] (HL1089)
15th January
The Lord Ashley of Stoke—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many children are currently identified as having special educational needs. [DfES] (HL1092)
The Lord Ashley of Stoke—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many special schools catered for children with special educational needs ten years ago; how many there are today; and how many face closure. [DfES] (HL1093)
The Lord Ashley of Stoke—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with local authorities about the adequacy of provision of special schools in relation to parents’ demand for places for children with special educational needs. [DfES] (HL1094)
The Lord Ashley of Stoke—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many old or disabled people have been deregistered by general practitioners in each of the last three years. [DoH] (HL1095)
The Lord Ashley of Stoke—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether there is any right of appeal for old or disabled people who are deregistered against their will by a general practitioner. [DoH] (HL1096)
The Lord Campbell of Croy—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have discovered reasons for the present scarcity of birds in the London area, in particular house sparrows and starlings. [DEFRA] (HL1097)
The Lord Fearn—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many American visitors arrived in the United Kingdom during the six months ending 31st December 2002; and how many arrived during the six months ending 31st December 2001. [DCMS] (HL1098)
The Lord Fearn—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what roles (a) regional tourist boards and (b) regional development agencies play in tourism in their areas. [DCMS] (HL1099)
The Lord Fearn—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many hostels for the homeless receive Government funding (a) in London and (b) in Liverpool. [ODPM] (HL1100)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to receive the report of Judge Peter Cory, who has examined six unresolved crimes in Northern Ireland; and whether they will place copies in the Libraries of Parliament. [NIO] (HL1101)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will ask the Turkish government to respond to the Council of Europe’s Committee on the Prevention of Torture concerning conditions in Imrali Island prison and any other relevant outstanding issues raised by the committee. [FCO] (HL1102)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are discussing issues of child protection with the government of Honduras; and, if not, whether they will raise the killing of many young people in the last five years. [FCO] (HL1103)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have received evidence that the new Rules under the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 are leading some new arrivals into rough sleeping and destitution, although they had claimed asylum as quickly as practically possible; and what remedial measures they have in mind. [HO] (HL1104)
The Lord Rotherwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether a specialist school has ever had its status revoked; and, if so, for what reason. [DfES] (HL1105)
The Lord Rotherwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they plan to improve teaching standards in specialist schools, which are reported to be similar to the national profile, despite the extra funding such schools receive. [DfES] (HL1106)
The Lord Rotherwick—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether all sports specialist schools are required to own adequate playing fields and equipment. [DfES] (HL1107)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will list all contracts that have been awarded to the Capita Group by each Government Department. [HMT] (HL1108)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government which personnel for whom a “criminal record” check should have been secured remain exempt due to the backlog of checks by the Criminal Records Bureau. [HO] (HL1109)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the relaxation of the rules for criminal record checks will be lifted. [HO] (HL1110)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many people are awaiting criminal record checks, including those who received temporary exemption. [HO] (HL1111)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the cost of giving all teachers one day per fortnight release from teaching. [DfES] (HL1112)
The Baroness Blatch—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the anticipated cost of training advanced teacher assistants to qualify for supervising whole classes in school. [DfES] (HL1113)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will investigate the emergence of round-up resistant (glyphosate tolerant) weeds in the states of Delaware, Maryland, Western Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana and California before taking further decisions about genetically modified crops in Britain. [DEFRA] (HL1114)
The Lord Janner of Braunstone—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the Austrian government to seek restitution of Egon Schiele’s “Die Haüser am Meer”, currently in the Leopold Foundation in Vienna, to the British heirs of Jenny Steiner. [DCMS] (HL1115)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any new appointees to the civil service in any part of the United Kingdom are required to take an oath of allegiance; if so, which parts of the civil service require this; who they require to take this; and to whom it is made. [CO] (HL1116)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to move the railway artefacts currently sited at the Foyle Valley Railway Museum to a secure vandal proof location. [NIO] (HL1117)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 13th January (WA 1) concerning the funding of the North/South Implementation Body, whether no funding was paid to the Ulster Scots Agency in the period 1st January to 31st March 2002. [NIO] (HL1118)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 171) concerning the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), on what projects or conferences DCAL has co-operated with the European Centre for Minority issues which would increase awareness of the Irish language. [NIO] (HL1119)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 171) concerning the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), on what projects or conferences DCAL has co-operated with the University of Ulster which would increase awareness of the Irish language. [NIO] (HL1120)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 171) concerning the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), on what projects or conferences DCAL has co-operated with Queen’s University, Belfast which would increase awareness of Ulster-Scots heritage and language. [NIO] (HL1121)
16th January
The Baroness Cox—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether direct payment to couples for consenting to their IVF embryos being used for fertility treatment is prohibited—
(b) by regulations of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. [DoH] (HL1126)
The Baroness Cox—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether direct payment to couples for consenting to their IVF embryos being used for research is prohibited—
(b) by regulations of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. [DoH] (HL1127)
The Baroness Cox—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether discount IVF treatment in return for gametes or embryos is permissible; and, if so, whether this is occurring. [DoH] (HL1128)
The Baroness Cox—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether discount IVF treatment in return for consent to the use of gametes or embryos is permissible; and, if so, whether this is occurring. [DoH] (HL1129)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what London weighting allowances are paid to employees of H M Treasury. [HMT] (HL1130)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the United Kingdom-China human rights dialogues, they have used the Report of the Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance of 22nd December 1994 as a benchmark; and, if so, what progress they consider has been made towards compliance with the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations. [FCO] (HL1131)
The Lord Morris of Manchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consultation has taken place between them and the Scottish Executive about the findings of the Expert Group chaired by Lord Ross on financial and other practical support for patients contaminated with National Health Service blood, blood products or tissue; whether they have made any suggestion that the Group’s findings should not be implemented; and whether decisions on implementation of the Group’s findings are solely for the Scottish Executive to take. [DoH] (HL1132)
The Lord Morris of Manchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Chief Medical Officer’s report on clinical negligence claims will be published; why it has taken so long to produce; and whether it will provide a fair resolution of the claims of haemophilia patients infected with hepatitis and HIV through contaminated National Health Service blood products. [DoH] (HL1133)
The Lord Morris of Manchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will confirm the National Audit Office’s figure of $4.4 billion of outstanding claims against the National Health Service for negligence; and what estimate they have made of the cost per year over ten years of the Haemophilia Society’s proposals for compensating people infected with hepatitis by contaminated National Health Service blood products. [DoH] (HL1134)
The Lord Morris of Manchester—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they agree with the figures published by the Legal Services Commission which show that successful claims in publicly funded clinical negligence cases have fallen to 24 per cent; and how this will impact on the claims for compensation from people with haemophilia who have been infected with hepatitis C by contaminated National Health Service blood products. [DoH] (HL1135)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will discuss with the government of Russia an extension for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s mandate to monitor human rights abuses by all parties in and arising from Chechnya. [FCO] (HL1136)
The Lord Hylton—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have discovered, or will seek to discover, the number of prisoners of war now held in Afghanistan by General Dostum and other military commanders; in particular what number is held in the fortress of Sheberghan; and whether the reputation of the United States and United Kingdom governments will suffer unless all surviving prisoners are brought to trial or released. [FCO] (HL1137)
The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the response of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to the recent Department of Trade and Industry consultation Liberalising Trade in Services; and what representations the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received on the matter. [ODPM] (HL1138)
The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they think any of the British regulatory regimes may be regarded as “more burdensome than necessary” for the purposes of the General Agreement on Trade in Services. [DTI] (HL1139)
The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they believe that local government services which a local authority currently provides in partnership with a private or not-for-profit sector body would fall outwith the General Agreement on Trade in Services regime. [ODPM] (HL1140)
The Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they believe that they have issued procurement best practice guidelines to local authorities that have clarified the implications of Article 1.3 of the General Agreement on Trade in Services Agreement; and, if so, what wording they used. [ODPM] (HL1141)
The Lord Skelmersdale—To ask Her Majesty’s Government which, if any, part of Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act (Information) Order 2002 has yet been brought into effect. [HO] (HL1142)
The Earl of Mar and Kellie—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the role and complement of the Royal Air Force regiment is expanding or contracting. [MoD] (HL1143)
The Earl Peel—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it is the duty of the Environment Agency to maintain and clean the arterial drains that were formerly the responsibility of the National Rivers Authority; and, if so, whether this task is being carried out in a satisfactory manner. [DEFRA] (HL1144)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 19th December 2002 (WA 157), whether they will break down the retained deficit of each of the National Health Service Trusts listed in the answer into the retained deficit as at 31st March 2001 and the retained deficit for the year ended 31st March 2002. [DoH] (HL1145)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 19th December 2002 (WA 157), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the audited accounts for the year 2001-02 of each of the National Health Service trusts listed in the answer. [DoH] (HL1146)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 19th December 2002 (WA 157), whether they will provide all the information they have about the retained deficit expected or forecast to arise during 2002-03 of each of the National Health Service trusts listed in the answer. [DoH] (HL1147)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 19th December 2002 (WA 157), by what date they expect each of the National Health Service trusts listed in the answer to comply with its statutory duty to break even. [DoH] (HL1148)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will (a) name the nine National Health Service trusts which had been granted an extension to their recovery periods as shown on table 6 of chapter 4 of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Report on the National Health Service Summarised Accounts 2000-01 (HC 766); and (b) state for each of those National Health Service trusts the recovery period which has been granted. [DoH] (HL1149)
The Lord Mancroft—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had any prior knowledge about a letter to Labour Members of Parliament from veterinary adviser Bill Swann urging them to support the Hunting Bill. [DEFRA] (HL1150)
The Lord Mancroft—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether their current concerns over the use of firearms alters the answer given by the Lord Whitty to Lord Geddes on 10th May 2002 (WA 205). [DEFRA] (HL1151)
The Lord Mancroft—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has taken into account concerns expressed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in relation to the use of firearms to kill wild animals, as highlighted in their comments on BBC Coventry on 13th March 2002. [DEFRA] (HL1152)
The Lord Mancroft—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the registrar proposed in the Hunting Bill will be able to take into account pre-emptive control of pests as opposed to reactive control. [DEFRA] (HL1153)
The Baroness Golding—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the evidence submitted to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on Hunting will be made available on computer disk. [DEFRA] (HL1154)
The Baroness Golding—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether bodies in Scotland have been consulted with regard to the effectiveness of trapping and shooting mink in the Western Isles. [DEFRA] (HL1155)
The Baroness Golding—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support the eradication of the American mink. [DEFRA] (HL1156)
The Lord Henley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have considered any evidence that reveals that a significant number of farmers would resort to the use of shotguns or snares in the event of a hunting ban; and whether they have assessed the relative suffering that might occur as a result of these methods of control. [DEFRA] (HL1157)
The Lord Henley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has a definition of upland or lowland Britain. [DEFRA] (HL1158)
The Lord Henley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they support the conclusions of the 1951 Scott Henderson Inquiry with particular regard to cruelty and suffering. [DEFRA] (HL1159)
The Lord Henley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether and how the welfare implications of dogs and horses currently involved in hunting have been considered should a ban be enacted; and whether they have considered evidence from the National Canine Defence League, the Kennel Club and the International League for the Protection of Horses. [DEFRA] (HL1160)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 171) concerning the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), on what projects or conferences DCAL has co-operated with the University of Ulster which would increase awareness of Ulster-Scots heritage and language. [NIO] (HL1161)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 171) concerning the Linguistic Diversity Branch of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL), on what projects or conferences DCAL has co-operated with Queen’s University, Belfast, which would increase awareness of the Irish language. [NIO] (HL1162)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government why they have no plans to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of the unions of the crowns of Scotland and England this year. [CO] (HL1163)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether employees of the United Nations or any of the subsidiary organisations who are employed mainly or wholly in the United Kingdom are subject to employment law; and, if so, to which parts and why. [DWP] (HL1164)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any civil servants of the Irish Republic who work mainly or wholly in Northern Ireland have diplomatic immunity; if so, why; and where they are based. [FCO] (HL1165)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 15th January (WA 47) concerning teacher training qualifications, what are the qualifications that are sometimes additionally required in order that teachers trained in the United Kingdom can teach in the Irish Republic. [NIO] (HL1166)
The Earl of Sandwich—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect the report from the Israeli defence forces into the circumstances of the death of Iain Hook, of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, on 22nd November 2002 in Jenin camp; and whether they have seen the related statement by Caoimhe Butterly made on the same day in Jenin Hospital. [FCO] (HL1167)
The Earl of Sandwich—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they accept that the 95 to 98 per cent offer by Prime Minister Barak during the Taba talks excluded strategic ring roads and settlement access routes which would have made a Palestinian state unsustainable; and what consequences this will have for the road map being drawn up by the Quartet. [FCO] (HL1168)
The Earl of Sandwich—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what support they have given to education in Southern Sudan during each of the last five years; and what form this took. [DfID] (HL1169)
The Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts—To ask Her Majesty’s Government by what date explanatory booklets and guidance on the Flexible Working Regulation will be available. [DTI] (HL1170)
The Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the estimate of the cost to industry of complying with future legislation arising from (a) the European Union Chemicals Strategy and (b) the new Detergent Regulations. [DEFRA] (HL1171)
The Lord Berkeley—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, for each board meeting of the Strategic Rail Authority during 2002—
(a) what was the date of the meeting;
(b) where the meeting was held; and
(c) how many board members attended in person. [DfT] (HL1172)
20th January
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 13th January (WA 35), what they estimate to be the costs of the independent regulator during 2003-04 and 2004-05 based on the powers and duties set out in A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts and on the basis that the number of successful applicants for National Health Service Trust status in October 2003 is (a) 5; (b) 10 and (c) 20. (HL1175)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether it would be possible under existing legislation for (a) the Secretary of State, (b) strategic health authorities, (c) primary care trusts or (d) other bodies within the National Health Service to guarantee the borrowings of National Health Service foundation trusts or whether specific legislative powers would need to be taken in the legislation enabling the creation of National Health Service foundation trusts. (HL1176)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in respect of clinical services delivered to National Health Service patients covered by standard tariffs, a National Health Service foundation trust will be obliged to charge primary care trusts the standard tariff price in all circumstances for every item of service; and, if not, in what circumstances the standard tariff could be varied. (HL1177)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what sources of capital in the public sector will be available to National Health Service foundation trusts as referred to in paragraph 5.13 of A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts; and who will determine whether and on what terms public sector capital will be made available to a National Health Service foundation trust. (HL1178)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether a National Health Service foundation trust will be able to use the financial surpluses made by achieving efficiency gains which reduce its cost of delivery below the standard tariff which it must charge to primary care trusts for (a) reducing the tariffs for the same or other regulated services provided to primary care trusts, (b) cross-subsidising the prices charged to primary care trusts for regulated services not covered by the standard tariffs, or (c) cross-subsidising the prices of non-regulated services. (HL1179)
The Baroness Noakes—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have received any preliminary applications from National Health Service trusts to become National Health Service foundation trusts. (HL1180)
The Lord Holme of Cheltenham—To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are proposing any action to avert the closure of the King Edward VII hospital in Midhurst. (HL1181)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 171), upon which projects or conferences the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has co-operated with the Placenames Project of Northern Ireland which would increase awareness of Ulster-Scots heritage and language. (HL1182)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure was notified about the proposed appointments of four-and-a-half staff for the Ulster Scots Agency; and whether there has been any delay to these appointments. (HL1183)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 15th January (WA 48) concerning the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, whether the answer means that the press release of 3rd July was correct or incorrect; and, if the latter, why. (HL1184)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to redesign manhole covers in Kerr Street in Portrush, County Antrim, in such a way that noise can be reduced for residents and provide a smoother passage for motorists; and whether any new arrangements can be extended to all of Northern Ireland. (HL1185)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 173), what were the capital projects recently completed by Waterways Ireland at Limerick harbour, Boyle harbour, Ballinasloe harbour, Ballyleague in County Roscommon, Shannonbridge in County Offaly and at Scarrif in County Clare; in each case who were the contractors; and how much each is estimated to cost. (HL1186)
The Lord Laird—To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7th January (WA 170), whether paragraph 4(1)(f) of the Schedule to the Northern Ireland Act 2000 allows the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to consider legal opinions of the now suspended government of Northern Ireland. (HL1187)
The Lord Avebury—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the visiting hours at each of the detention centres at which asylum applicants are detained. (HL1188)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the full cost of splitting the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory and Qinetic. (HL1189)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the expenditure on information technology systems relating to the splitting of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory and Qinetic. (HL1190)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what has been the expenditure on information technology systems for each of the last six years for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory and Qinetic. (HL1191)
The Earl Attlee—To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the expenditure on consultants involved in, or advising on, the splitting of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency into the Defence Scientific and Technical Laboratory and Qinetic. (HL1192)
BILLS IN PROGRESS
[The date in square brackets is the date for which the bill is set down]
Waiting for Second Reading
European Union (Implications of Withdrawal) [HL]
Patients’ Protection [HL]
Wild Mammals (Protection) (Amendment) (No. 2) [HL]
Road Traffic (Amendment) [HL]
Greater London Authority Act 1999 (Repeal) [HL]
Health (Wales) [6th February]
Equality [HL] [28th February]
Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc.) [27th January]
Committed to an Unopposed Bill Committee
London Local Authorities and Transport for London [HL]
London Local Authorities [HL]
Committed to a Grand Committee
Crime (International Co-operation) [HL] [23rd January]
Committed to a Committee of the Whole House
Courts [HL] [28th January]
Voting Age (Reduction to 16) [HL]
Public Services (Disruption) [HL]
Waiting for Report
Waste and Emissions Trading [HL] [3rd February]
Arms Control and Disarmament (Inspections) [HL] [23rd January]
National Minimum Wage (Enforcement Notices) [HL] [23rd January]
High Hedges [HL] [28th February]
Police (Northern Ireland) [HL] [23rd January]
Waiting for Third Reading
London Development Agency [22nd January]
MEASURES IN PROGRESS
Waiting for Royal Assent
Synodical Government (Amendment)
Church of England (Pensions)
AFFIRMATIVE INSTRUMENTS IN PROGRESS
Waiting for consideration by the Joint Committee
Draft Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Cattle
Draft Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Pigs
Draft Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2003
Draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Investigations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Code of Practice) Order 2003
Draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Disclosure of Information) Order 2003
Draft Proceeds Crime Act 2002 (Exemptions from Civil Recovery) Order 2003
Draft Industrial Training Levy (Construction Board) Order 2003
Draft Industrial Training Levy (Engineering Construction Board) Order 2003
Waiting for Affirmative Resolution
Draft Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
Draft Commissioner for Children and Young People (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
Draft Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
Draft Audit and Accountability (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
Draft Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
Draft Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
Draft Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
Draft Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2003
Draft Child Support (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2003
Draft Strategic Investment and Regeneration of Sites (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
Draft Planning (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
Draft Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 2003
Draft Northern Ireland Arms Decommissioning Act 1997 (Amnesty Period) Order 2003
NORTHERN IRELAND ORDER IN COUNCIL IN PROGRESS[The date in brackets is that when the statutory procedures are completed]
Waiting for completion of statutory procedures under section 85(4)(a) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998
Proposal for a draft Order in Council: Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 [6th March]
REGULATORY REFORM ORDERS IN PROGRESS
Orders referred to the Regulatory Reform Committee for first-stage scrutiny
Draft Regulatory Reform (Schemes under Section 129 of the Housing Act 1988) (England) Order 2003
Draft Regulatory Reform (British Waterways Board) Order 2003
Orders reported following first-stage scrutiny by the Regulatory Reform Committee
Draft Regulatory Reform (Sugar Beet Research and Education) Order 2003 [27th Report, Session 2001-02]
Draft Regulatory Reform (Business Tenancies) (England and Wales) Order 2003 [2nd Report]
Draft Regulatory Reform (Housing Management Agreements) Order 2003 [8th Report]
Waiting for Affirmative Resolution
Draft Regulatory Reform (Credit Unions) Order 2003 [6th Report]
Draft Regulatory Reform (Assured Periodic Tenancies) (Rent Increases) Order 2003 [8th Report]
COMMITTEES
[Unless otherwise indicated, Committees meet in the Lords’ rooms
in the Committee Corridor as indicated in the daily broadsheets]
TUESDAY 21ST JANUARY
| Science and Technology (Sub-Committee I) | in the United States |
| European Union (Sub-Committee A) | 10.30 am |
| European Union (Select Committee) | 3.15 pm |
| Economic Affairs (Select Committee) | 4.00 pm |
| Administration and Works (Select Committee) | 4.15 pm |
| Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee) | 4.15 pm |
WEDNESDAY 22ND JANUARY
| European Union (Sub-Committee D) | 10.30 am |
| Refreshment (Select Committee) | 4.15 pm |
THURSDAY 23RD JANUARY
| European Union (Sub-Committee C) | 10.30 am |
MONDAY 27TH JANUARY
| European Union (Sub-Committee B) | 4.15 pm |
| Human Rights (Joint Committee) | 4.30 pm |
WEDNESDAY 29TH JANUARY
| European Union (Sub-Committee F) | 10.30 am |
| Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform | 10.30 am |
| (Select Committee) |
| Science and Technology (Sub-Committee II) | at West Midlands |
| Regional Development Agency |
| Commons Standing Committee on the | 2.30 pm |
| Convention on the Future of Europe | in a Commons Committee Room |
| Constitution (Select Committee) | 4.00 pm |
| European Union (Sub-Committee E) | 4.15 pm |
THURSDAY 30TH JANUARY
| Religious Offences (Select Committee) | 12 noon |
TUESDAY 11TH FEBRUARY
| Works of Art Committee | 4.15 pm |
| House Committee | 4.15 pm |
| in the Moses Room |
WEDNESDAY 12TH FEBRUARY
| Ecclesiastical Committee | 2.30 pm |
| 
