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23 Feb 2005 : Column WA199
Written Answers
Wednesday, 23 February 2005.
Racist Incident Monitoring
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the collection of information for the Racist Incident Monitoring Annual Report, they will ask the police authorities and the Crown Prosecution Service to identify the racial or religious origin of both perpetrator and victim; and whether they will extend the tables in the annual report to show this information for each offence category. [HL1208]
The Attorney-General (Lord Goldsmith): Her Majesty's Government have no immediate plans to ask the police authorities and the Crown Prosecution Service to identify the racial or religious origin of the perpetrator and victim, in order that such information may be included in the Racist Incident Monitoring Annual Report.
Some information on the ethnicity of defendants is currently recorded by the police and Crown Prosecution Service, based on self-classification.
We recognise this is an issue that needs to be addressed and this will be the subject of further review and consultation.
Any possible extension to the tables in the annual report will be considered as part of an overall review.
Sudan: Darfur
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will support the recommendations contained in the report by the United Nations International Commission of Inquiry on Darfur, Sudan, headed by Judge Antonio Cassese as regards the International Criminal Court. [HL1164]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean): Our preference is for the situation in Darfur to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC), as recommended by the International Commission of Inquiry. Since Sudan is not a state party to the ICC statute, and is unlikely to refer the situation to the court, a decision by the Security Council will be required.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they support the referral to the International Criminal Court of those responsible for the deaths of an estimated 218,000 people in Darfur, Sudan. [HL1173]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave the noble Lord, the Lord Lester of Herne Hill today [HL1164].
Afghanistan: Opium Cultivation
Lord Acton asked Her Majesty's Government:
According to the United Nations annual poppy crop survey in Afghanistan, what was the level of opium poppy cultivation and production in hectares and tonnes in Afghanistan in each year from 2000 to 2004. [HL1282]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation and production in Afghanistan. It has reported levels of cultivation and production since 1999 as follows:
| Hectares | Tonnes | |
| 1999 | 91,000 | 4,600 |
| 2000 | 82,000 | 3,300 |
| 2001 | 8,000 | 185 |
| 2002 | 74,000 | 3,400 |
| 2003 | 80,000 | 3,600 |
| 2004 | 131,000 | 4,200 |
The UNODC figures for 1999, 2000 and 2001 were recorded under the Taliban regime. The low level of cultivation and low production figure in 2001 reflect the Taliban ban on opium cultivation; the ban did not however address the underlying causes of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, which was enforced with a mix of threat and bribery and drove up the price of opium, benefiting those with opium stockpiles.
UN Security Council and WHO: Infectious Disease
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they are taking to ensure that there are procedures in place to require the United Nations Security Council and the World Health Organisation to work together without delay in the event of a serious outbreak of infectious disease. [HL1333]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: This question was raised in the recent report of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General's High Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change.
The UN Secretary-General will be reporting in March on the way ahead for implementing recommendations of the high level panel. The UK will discuss these issues with the UN Secretariat and other stakeholders, including member states, in preparation for the UN Millennium Review Summit at New York in September. We welcome this recommendation and will work to ensure an effective and co-ordinated UN response to an outbreak of infectious disease.
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Iraq: Oil for Food Programme Inquiry
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations the United Kingdom permanent representative to the United Nations has made in respect of the report by Paul Volcker on the abuse of the Oil for Food programme in Iraq and the activities of Mr Benon V Sevan; and whether they intend to press for the removal of Mr Sevan from office within the United Nations. [HL1347]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: There have been no formal representations by the United Kingdom permanent representative to the United Nations following the publication on 3 February 2005 of the independent inquiry committee's report. However, the Government have consistently made clear, including in their contacts with UN officials, that they take seriously any allegations of corruption regarding the Iraq Oil for Food programme. The Government note that this is an interim report and that other reports are planned for later in the year.
On the independent inquiry committee's findings relating to Mr Benon Sevan, the Government believe that this is a matter for the United Nations Secretariat and note that disciplinary proceedings have been started. The Government are refraining from making any comment on those findings as they would not want, in any circumstances, to prejudice the proceedings.
Zimbabwe
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are making representations to the government of Zimbabwe concerning:
(a) the major increase in the cost of registering as a candidate in the forthcoming Zimbabwean general election;
(b) the alleged addition of large numbers of names to the electoral rolls, including duplicate names; and
(c) the reported official refusal to admit independent election observers from outside countries; and
whether they expect other Commonwealth Governments to make similar representations. [HL1358]
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We continue to be concerned about the government of Zimbabwe's failure to ensure conditions for a free and fair election. Obstacles to candidate registration, the government of Zimbabwe's unwillingness to admit election observers from a broad range of countries and the errors in the electoral roll add to our concerns. Together with our European Union and other partners, we continue to lobby the government of Zimbabwe and regional neighbours on the need for Zimbabwe to adhere to the electoral guidelines which all South African Development Community members have signed up to.
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Ministerial Privileges: Mr David Blunkett
Lord Trefgarne asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the former Home Secretary, Mr David Blunkett, retained the use of his official car and official residence following his resignation; and, if so, for how long. [HL760]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): There are a number of former Ministers and Prime Ministers who continue to receive special security requirements after leaving office. We therefore take into account the assessment of the threat to them. On this basis, the Prime Minister has agreed that David Blunkett can continue to have use of the official residence (and his car) whilst his security arrangements are being reviewed, and appropriate measures can be put in place.
Prisons: Suicide Prevention
Lord Ouseley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Prison Service's suicide prevention strategy applies to immigration detention centres. [HL1075]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) have separate procedures that contain elements taken from the Prison Service. Immigration Service removal centres operate under the terms of the Detention Centre Rules 2001. All detainees entering immigration detention are subject to a risk assessment that includes the risks of suicide and self-harm. Anyone who is identified at any point as presenting a risk of suicide will be treated in line with the centre's suicide and self-harm procedures, which are supported by the IND operating standard on the prevention of suicide and self-harm.
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