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InterTradeIreland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether InterTradeIreland's recruitment advertisements have at all times met the statutory requirements in Northern Ireland. [HL396]
Lord Rooker: InterTradeIreland, the trade and business development body, has placed recruitment advertisements both for posts within the body and for external employment and training opportunities on its operational programmes. In placing these advertisements it has at all times met the statutory requirements in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland: Recruitment
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
What claims have been made against each council in Northern Ireland by unsuccessful applicants for advertised posts in the years from 1997–98 to 2004–05; how many of these claims were settled out of court; how many succeeded in court; what were the respective total awards against each council in each of these years; and what were the related legal costs; and [HL430]
What claims have been made against each statutory body in Northern Ireland by unsuccessful applicants for advertised posts in the years from 1997–98 to 2004–05; how many of these claims were settled out of court; how many succeeded in court; what were the respective total awards against each statutory body in each of these years; and what were the related legal costs. [HL431]
Lord Rooker: The information requested is not held centrally and, because of the period of time covered and the number of separate bodies involved, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Northern Ireland: Child Protection
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Northern Ireland Commission for Children and Young People is aware of any sexual or other exploitation of children in care by persons outside the control of the social services in the Armagh and Dungannon, the Sperrin Lakeland and the Foyle health trusts; and, if so, what action it has taken. [HL450]
Lord Rooker: The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland is a non-departmental public body and the commissioner (Nigel Williams) has written to the noble Lord in the following terms:
Letter from Mr Williams to Lord Maginnis:
I have been asked to provide you with information requested in the above Parliamentary Question.
Two general concerns were raised with the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People regarding possible child prostitution involving children's homes in the Sperrin Lakeland and Foyle Trust. The commissioner took steps to ensure that these concerns were raised with the trust, the Health and Social Services Board and the PSNI.
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The commissioner wrote to every children's home in Northern Ireland to identify that the Sexual Offences Act "Risk of Sexual Harm Order" was a new legal resource to tackle this problem and to offer help and support if there was a problem with child prostitution. The commissioner has also proposed multi-agency training about the use of Risk of Sexual Harm Orders.
In the Armagh and Dungannon area we were told about the possible prostitution of an individual young person who is being looked after by the local Trust. Although it was alleged that there was evidence of child prostitution that evidence was not passed to us, the trust or the PSNI. To address the specific concerns raised about the individual, the commissioner appointed an independent social worker to investigate the young person's care by the Trust. There has been no suggestion that the young person is currently being abused in this way and the report concluded that the care plans were both adequate and effective.
The Commissioner has written to all the Area Child Protection Committees drawing their attention to the issue and suggesting multi-agency training to raise awareness and develop ways to tackle the problem. There has been a positive response to this which is currently being following up.
The abuse of young people in care by those who target them for sexual exploitation is an issue the commissioner takes very seriously. The commissioner has raised the profile of this issue in the media and continues to work in partnership with the trusts, the PSNI and other voluntary children's bodies to find ways to promote this serious issue.
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Northern Ireland Commission for Children and Young People has inquired into the sexual or other exploitation of children in care by paramilitary groups in the Greater Belfast area; and, if so, what action it has taken. [HL451]
Lord Rooker: The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland is a non-departmental public body, and the commissioner (Nigel Williams) has written to the noble Lord in the following terms:
Letter from Mr Williams to Lord Maginnis:
I have been asked to provide you with information requested in the above Parliamentary Question.
The Commissioner for Children & Young People in Northern Ireland is aware that the PSNI continue to keep this issue under active review. The Commissioner's Office has not had inquiries into the involvement of paramilitary groups in child prostitution or other exploitation of children in the Greater Belfast Area. The Office will, in accordance with the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 investigate any specific allegation made in respect of this issue.
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EU Food Supplements Directive
Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they raised at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council on 2 and 3 June (a) the forthcoming ruling of the European Court of Justice in relation to the Food Supplements directive, and (b) the need for amendments to this Directive to prevent safe and popular products from being lost from the United Kingdom market. [HL542]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): Health Ministers did not raise the forthcoming ruling of the European Court of Justice in relation to the Food Supplements Directive at the Health Council of 2 and 3 June, and did not discuss the food supplements directive at any stage. The Food Supplements Directive was not on the agenda for the Health Council.
The ECJ ruling is now due on 12 July 2005. We have already made clear that this Government's aim has always been to ensure the safety of food supplements on sale and maintaining consumer choice, without imposing unnecessary burdens on business. If the directive needs to be revised, we would look forward to actively participating in that process.
Lord Clement-Jones asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to meet again with food supplement manufacturers and consumers in advance of the final ruling in July of the European Court of Justice in relation to the Food Supplements Directive; and [HL568]
Why the Food Standards Agency has adopted a policy of reaction, rather than proactive lobbying, in relation to the options for action on the part of the European Commission following the ruling of the European Court of Justice on the Food Supplements Directive; and [HL569]
Whether the recent statement by the Prime Minister to the Institute for Public Policy Research that the Food Supplements Directive is "wholly disproportionate" represents their policy; and, if so, what steps they are taking to influence the actions of the European Commission subsequent to the final ruling of the European Court of Justice on the directive. [HL570]
Lord Warner: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has developed a range of options as part of its strategy in anticipation of the outcome of the ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The objectives of the United Kingdom for future regulation of food supplements are dependent on the ruling from the ECJ and this is why the FSA has adopted a policy of reaction rather than proactive lobbying.
The ECJ ruling is now due on 12 July 2005. We have already made clear that this Government's aim has always been to ensure the safety of food supplements on sale and maintaining consumer choice, without imposing unnecessary burdens on business.
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Officials have spoken with the Commission and highlighted the views of stakeholders on the Food Supplements Directive and impending ruling from the ECJ. When we have the ruling, the Government will consider what further discussions with the European Commission are required.
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