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Essex Police Constabulary
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the estimated cost of the merger of the Essex police constabulary into (a) one eastern force; (b) a combined force of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex constabularies; and (c) a combined force of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex constabularies. [HL2608]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): As part of developing options for change, forces and authorities have been asked to undertake a cost benefit analysis of options they have decided to develop further. This should include estimates on set up costs. Forces and authorities in the eastern region have indicated they will include their cost benefit analysis of options in their final report to be submitted to the Home Office by the 23 December.
EU Presidency: Competitiveness Council
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the conclusions reached on 29 November by the European Union Council of Ministers, dealing with European Union competitiveness; and whether they feel that sufficient progress has been made. [HL2706]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville): I chaired research items at the Competitiveness Council on 28 November. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry chaired the internal market and industry items, which were taken on 29 November. My honourable friend Barry Gardiner, the Parliamentary
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Under-Secretary of State for competitiveness, took the UK seat on both days.
The Council recorded a number of important achievements in pursuit of EU competitiveness including: a partial general approach on the seventh framework programme for research and development (providing the basis for adopting a common position once agreement has been reached on the financial perspectives); Council conclusions on better regulation that mark a real step change at EU level; agreement that we should conclude negotiations regarding the REACH chemicals regulation which was subsequently agreed at the Competitiveness Council meeting on 13 December; and recognition that significant technical progress has been made on the Services Directive during the UK presidency ahead of the European Parliament's opinion next year.
For further detail on the Council, I refer the noble Lord to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry's Statement to Parliament, which was tabled on Monday 5 December.
EU: Combating Recruitment to Terrorism
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ensure that the documents relevant to the proposed action plan to tackle radicalisation and the recruitment to terrorism are published before decisions are taken by the Council of Ministers. [HL2613]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): Information about the European Union strategy for combating radicalisation and recruitment to terrorism is contained in the Explanatory Memorandum on Justice and Home Affairs matters laid before the House on 29 November. The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council approved the strategy and action plan at its meeting in Brussels on 1 December 2005. The EU has published a copy of the strategy which can be found at www.ue.eu.int/ueDocs/cms–Data/docs/pressData/en/jha/87258.pdf.
Extraordinary Rendition Flights
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish the reply of the United States Secretary of State to the letter from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs requesting details of extraordinary rendition flights by United States aircraft containing terrorist suspects detained without due process by United States enforcement agencies. [HL2754]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): As EU presidency, my right honourable friend the
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Foreign Secretary, wrote to the US Secretary of State on 29 November concerning the media reports suggesting violations of international law in the alleged US detention or transportation of terrorist suspects in or through EU member states. The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, sent him by way of reply on 6 December a copy of the statement she had issued publicly the previous day. Her reply to the letter is therefore already public.
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will send an official notification to the United States Government and their enforcement agencies on the legality of extraordinary rendition flights across United Kingdom airspace under European Union and international law. [HL2755]
Lord Triesman: Such notification is unnecessary. The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, made clear in her statement of 5 December that,
"with respect to detainees, the United States Government complies with its Constitution, its laws and its treaty obligations"
The United States does not transport, and has not transported, detainees from one country to another for the purpose of interrogation using torture.
The United States does not use the airspace or the airports of any country for the purpose of transporting a detainee to a country where he or she will be tortured.
The United States has not transported anyone, and will not transport anyone, to a country when we believe he will be tortured. Where appropriate, the United States seeks assurances that transferred persons will not be tortured.
Food Products: Endorsements from Healthcare Professionals
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
What guidance they have issued to healthcare professionals with regard to endorsement of particular food products; and whether that guidance varies for those in receipt of salaries from public funds. [HL2926]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): It is the responsibility of the manufacturer, packer or seller of the food to comply with the relevant legislation, including where claims, including endorsement by healthcare professionals, could mislead consumers buying food. While general guidelines on compliance with labelling legislation are available from the Food Standards Agency and published on its website, there is no specific guidance on endorsements of food products by healthcare professionals.
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Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they agree with the position adopted by the European Commission that endorsements from healthcare professionals should be banned from appearing on food products. [HL2925]
Lord Warner: The proposed European Community regulation on nutrition and health claims made on foods would, as currently drafted, prohibit claims made in the labelling, presentation or advertising of foods, which refer to recommendations of individual doctors or health professionals. The European Council adopted its common position on the proposed regulation on 8 December, with member states having signified unanimous political agreement to the proposal on 3 June.
Foreign Nationals: Entry to UK
Lord Chan asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 6 December (WA 91) concerning the registration of Chinese nationals, on what basis relevant foreign nationals, who are given visas, are selected to enter the United Kingdom. [HL2921]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): Like anyone else who is subject to immigration control, a person who is a "relevant foreign national" will be given an entry clearance if he or she meets the relevant criteria as set out in the Immigration Rules, and there are no overriding reasons for refusing entry. By "overriding reasons", I mean the general grounds for refusing leave to enter which are set out in Part 9 of the rules.
Foreign Nationals: Registration
Lord Chan asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 6 December (WA 91) concerning the registration of Chinese nationals, which other relevant foreign nationals are required to register with the police upon arrival in the United Kingdom. [HL2920]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): Anyone who is a "relevant foreign national" as defined in Part 10 of the Immigration Rules should normally be required to register with the police. The term "relevant foreign national" applies to anyone who is aged 16 or over and is the national or citizen of a country or territory listed in Appendix 2 to the rules, or is stateless, or holds a non-national travel document. The Immigration Rules can be found on
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the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website (www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk) in the "Law and Policy" section.
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