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Commission for Equality and Human Rights

Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government are continuing to give careful consideration to the suite of investigative and law enforcement powers to be available to the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, in the light of responses to the consultation launched by the White Paper, Fairness For All. Our aim is to provide the CEHR with effective powers to enable it fully to discharge its remit.

Asylum Seekers: Iraqi Nationals

Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Each asylum claim from an Iraqi national, as with any other national, is considered on its own merits taking account of relevant country information; case law and factors specific to the individual claim. The country information is derived from many sources, including from UNHCR.

We do not agree with UNHCR's advice as set out in its Return Advisory Regarding Iraqi Asylum Seekers and Refugees and in previous position papers that some form of complementary protection should be granted to failed asylum seekers from Iraq and that there should be be neither enforced returns nor encouraged voluntary returns. Where a decision has been taken that an individual would not be at risk if returned to Iraq and that decision has been upheld by the appellate authorities we consider that it is safe for that individual to return to Iraq.

The appellate authorities have upheld over 90 per cent of decisions since decision making and appeals on Iraqi claims resumed last summer.

Asylum Seekers: Accommodation

Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:

11 Nov 2004 : Column WA93
 

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Dispersal to individual cluster areas may be suspended for a variety of reasons but generally speaking dispersal will be resumed within a short period. As at 21 October 2004 dispersal was suspended in the following areas:

Cluster areaAll or part of areaReason
DoncasterPart Dispersal of single middle eastern males suspended at the request of the police
NottinghamPart (Two properties only) Dispersal suspended at the request of the police
DerbyAll Dispersal suspended at the request of the police
BurnleyAll Dispersal suspended at the request of the police
NelsonAll Dispersal suspended at the request of the police
BootleAll Dispersal suspended at the request of the police
ManchesterPart Dispersal suspended at the request of the local authority/police

The National Asylum Support Service maintains close dialogue with the police and local authorities in suspended dispersal areas with a view to resuming dispersal as soon as practicable.

Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The information is not available in the precise format requested. The latest management information available is as follows:

A Number of occupied bed spaces in all dispersal areas B Number of unoccupied bed spaces in all dispersal areas
Private Sector17,7951,542
Public Sector22,1855,024
Other3,0581,003
Total43,0387,569


Precise information on the number of bed spaces which are unoccupied as a result of the suspension of dispersal is not readily available at present.




Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect construction of the Bicester accommodation centre for asylum seekers to begin; and what payments they will make to Global Solutions Ltd under the 10-year contract to design, build and operate the centre.[HL4653]Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The construction programme for the accommodation centre near Bicester is dependent on the final resolution of the local authority's legal challenge of the planning process.
The terms of the contract with Global Solutions (GSL UK) Ltd are commercial in confidence.

OECD: Financial Action Task Force and Bribery Working Group

Baroness Williams of Crosby asked Her Majesty's Government:

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Home Office has not replied to any such questionnaire. The HM Treasury leads for the UK on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Financial Action Task Force. The Department for Trade and Industry leads for the UK on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Bribery Working Group.

Asylum Claims Made Before 2 October 2000

Baroness Cox asked Her Majesty's Government:

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: An announcement detailing the results of the exercise including the available statistical information will be made when the exercise is completed and all those potentially qualifying applicants have had an opportunity to respond to our queries.

Trespass

Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:

11 Nov 2004 : Column WA95
 

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: A variety of trespass-related provisions already exist for a number of different reasons. It is an offence to trespass on aerodromes or railways, and there are public order offences of trespass with the intention of obstructing lawful activity. However, most acts of trespass are not serious enough to warrant criminal sanctions.

Her Majesty's Goverment are currently considering whether it is necessary to create a separate offence of trespass for certain sensitive sites, including some royal and government sites, for reasons of national security. This was a recommendation in the report by Commander Frank Armstrong of 14 August 2003 following the breach of security at Windsor Castle on 21 June 2003. This recommendation was reinforced by the Report of the Security Commission of May 2004, following Ryan Parry's activities at Buckingham Palace.

Merseyside: Waterfront and Beaches Development

Lord Fearn asked Her Majesty's Government:

The Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Lord Rooker): A number of local authorities and agencies in the north-west are closely involved in taking forward programmes and plans to enhance or develop the waterfront and beaches of Merseyside. These include particularly the Mersey Basin Campaign, which is sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which is a very successful water quality and waterside regeneration initiative, and the Mersey Waterfront Regional Park Programme, which is supported by the Government Office for the North West and the North West Regional Development Agency.


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