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Baroness Hanham asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is still their view that the delay in the implementation of the Firelink programme will affect the setting up of regional fire centres. [HL471]
Baroness Andrews: Overall timescales for both projects will depend on the outcome of both projects' procurements and will reflect the successful suppliers' proposals. The FiReControl and Firelink project teams are working closely together as part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's resilience program to ensure that we achieve an integrated delivery. We expect to make an announcement on FiReControl shortly.
Legal Aid: Asylum and Immigration
Lord Judd asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to each example of the adverse impact of the changes introduced in the public funding regime in April 2004, as stated in the report Justice Denied: Asylum and Immigration Legal Aid—A System in Crisis, published by the two charities Bail for Immigration Detainees and Asylum Aid. [HL459]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): The reforms introduced in April 2004 addressed serious concerns about increasing costs and poor quality work. They were designed to target resources on cases with merit and to drive up the quality of publicly funded legal services in the field of asylum and immigration. Since the changes were introduced the number of firms and organisations undertaking this work has fallen but during 2004–05 the net reduction was less than 10 per cent. This is in the context of a significant fall in asylum numbers from a peak of 84,000 to 32,000 in 2004–05.
In most areas of the country there is an adequate number of suppliers and the Legal Services Commission (LSC) acts to ensure that any local gaps in supply are addressed as quickly as possible. The measures introduced last year are essential to achieve and maintain control of costs and the LSC has worked closely with suppliers to ensure that the procedures are as effective as possible. In 2004–05 89 per cent of applications from suppliers were dealt with by the LSC within one day and 97 per cent within two days. The merits test used by the LSC in determining applications is contained in the
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Funding Code approved by Parliament in 2000. Good quality law firms and advice agencies with a proven record of success are entitled to work to higher thresholds under devolved powers. The LSC is committed to ensuring the majority of suppliers obtain devolved powers status.
Armed Forces: Voting Arrangements
Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements were made in 1975 to ensure that servicemen and women could vote in the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Economic Community. [HL483]
Baroness Ashton of Upholland: For the 1975 referendum there were special arrangements to allow service personnel and their spouses to vote. This was irrespective of whether they were registered to vote under the Representation of the People Act or not. Service personnel and spouses were able to vote at a polling station or by post, and earlier than was the case for other electors.
Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Regarding the new Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission, under what law the Northern Ireland Court Service identified, in a news release dated 14 June, the community background of the Commission's members as eight Protestants, five Catholics and one neither; who are the individuals; and whether a person who is born in Northern Ireland can be perceived as belonging to neither of the two dominant communities unless he or she belongs to a minority community. [HL550]
Baroness Ashton of Upholland: There are 13 members of the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission. The members of the commission were invited to indicate their community background. The Court Service press release dated 14 June 2005 was based on the information provided by the members of the commission.
Bank of Scotland
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are responding to the request by Lord Laird on 24 May (Official Report, col. 410) for an official investigation of loans made by the Bank of Scotland, whether in Belfast or elsewhere. [HL241]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The Government have not initiated an investigation of loans made by the Bank of Scotland. The direction of operations and investigations when criminal activity is suspected is a matter for the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
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Belfast: Funding of Festivals
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What funding has been offered to the annual West Belfast Festival in August; from what source; and for what purposes. [HL345]
Lord Rooker: A total of £115,000 (including lottery funding of £25,000) has been offered to date to Féile an Phobail in 2005 as set out below:
Arts Council funding supports the activities of Féile an Phobail throughout the year: it is not possible to detail the exact sum provided for the August Féile (also known as the West Belfast Festival).
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What funding has been offered to the annual Twelfth Celebrations in July; from what source; and for what purposes. [HL346]
Lord Rooker: Funding of £33,657 is being provided for the annual Twelfth celebrations in July as set out below:
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much funding was provided during 2004 to the annual West Belfast Festival and to the annual Belfast Twelfth Celebrations; from what source; and for what purpose. [HL392]
Lord Rooker: A total of £254,024 (including National Lottery funding of £23,304) was provided during 2004 for Féile an Phobail as set out below:
Much of the funding provided was to assist with the year-round programme and running costs of Féile an Phobail: it is not possible to provide a figure for the August Féile (also known as the West Belfast Festival) in isolation.
As Foras na Gaeilge is funded 25 per cent by DCAL and 75 per cent by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in the Republic of Ireland, only 25 per cent of its £12,000 grant has been recorded in the table above.
No funding was provided for the annual Twelfth celebrations during 2004.
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