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Criminal Justice Inspectorates
Baroness Stern asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the tour of the United States by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, and the invitation she received to carry out prison inspections in Canada, has altered their view on the proposed amalgamation of the criminal justice inspectorates. [HL816]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government's view on the proposed amalgamation of the criminal justice inspectorates has been subject to consultation. In March we published the consultation document Inspection Reform: Establishing an Inspectorate for Justice and Community Safety. We are now considering the responses to that consultation. We are well aware of, and take pride in, the strong international reputation of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons and will be taking that into account. We intend to publish a policy statement by the end of the year.
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Ethiopia
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they will take, during their presidency of the European Union, to help ensure that the will of the Ethiopian people is observed, following the widespread allegations of irregularities in the recent elections. [HL787]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): We have made our concerns clear to the government of Ethiopia and will continue to do so bilaterally and in co-operation with our EU partners during our presidency. The Ethiopian National Elections Board is currently investigating allegations of irregularities in a number of constituencies. The European Union observer mission is continuing to monitor this process and will issue its final verdict on the quality of the election when all the results are known. As president, we will co-ordinate the response of our EU partners and the Commission in the light of the mission's conclusions.
EU: China Arms Embargo
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, during their presidency of the European Union, they will resist attempts to weaken the European Union's arms embargo against China; and whether they will seek to commission a European Union investigation of the alleged Chinese sale of jet fighters and military vehicles to Zimbabwe. [HL785]
Lord Triesman: The review of the EU arms embargo on China is ongoing. The UK, as president of the EU, will continue to work with EU partners to take forward work on the review, subject to satisfaction of the criteria laid out in the conclusions of the European Council in December 2004.
The UK has, in our bilateral discussions with China on strategic export controls and as part of EU-China discussions, stressed the importance of refusing exports where there is a clear risk that they might be used for internal repression. While we cannot prevent third countries selling arms to Zimbabwe, we try to monitor such sales, and lobby against them, at national or EU level, where possible. The Chinese authorities are well aware of our views on the supply of military equipment to Zimbabwe and other regimes subject to EU arms embargoes. We will continue to uphold the EU's arms embargo on Zimbabwe.
Europe: Regulations
Lord Stoddart of Swindon asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many regulations have been made by the European Economic Community, the European Community and the European Union respectively,
- applicable to the United Kingdom without further enactment; and in which English-language publication they are most conveniently listed for the public. [HL660]
Lord Triesman: Regulations are made by the European Community (formerly the EEC) and by the Euratom Community, but not by the European Union. Under the EC and Euratom Treaties, "Regulations have general application: they are binding in their entirety and directly applicable in all Member States".
For the numbers of regulations adopted each year since 1980, I refer the noble Lord to the Answer which my honourable friend the then Minister for Europe (Denis MacShane) gave in another place to the honourable Member for Glasgow Pollok (Ian Davidson) on 22 March 2005 (Official Report, Commons, Col. 795W).
Regulations are published in the Official Journal of the European Communities, which is widely available in all the official languages of the EU in legal and other public libraries, and on the Internet at www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/en/index.htm.
Extradition Act 2003: Babar Ahmad
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in considering extradition to the United States in the case of Mr Babar Ahmad they will give full weight to (a) the conclusion of the Bow Street magistrate that his alleged offences could have been
- tried here, if the evidence were provided; (b) the possibility that he might be subjected to military custody and jurisdiction, or to transfer to a third country; and (c) the absence at present of reciprocity in extradition. [HL838]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The case of Babar Ahmad is currently before my right honourable friend the Home Secretary for a decision as to extradition. This decision will be taken in accordance with Section 93 of the Extradition Act 2003.
Food and Drink Imports
Lord Christopher asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the annual tonnage of food imported into the United Kingdom from countries outside the European Union; what types or groups of food form this total; where the food comes from; and what proportions of United Kingdom consumption of each type or group of food these imports represent. [HL532]
Lord Bach: The attached table shows the annual tonnage of food, feed and drink imported into the UK in 2004 from countries outside the European Union.
Estimates of the proportions these imports represent of United Kingdom consumption are not readily available for each of the individual food groups. However, in total it is estimated that approximately 15 per cent. of food consumed in the United Kingdom is imported from outside the European Union.
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Crown Copyright
Source: H M Customs and Excise
Data prepared by Trade Statistics, Food Chain Analysis 3, Defra
2004 data is subject to amendments until 30/06/05
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