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NHS: Overseas Visitors
Baroness Tonge asked Her Majesty's Government:
What changes have been made to the charges for overseas visitors, failed asylum seekers, visa over-stayers and others of undocumented residency status, for services from the National Health
- Service, including HIV/AIDS treatment and maternity care. [HL2933]
The Minister of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): The NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations came into force in 1989. Since then they have occasionally been amended, most recently and
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significantly in 2004. The regulations state that anyone who is not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom is classed as being an overseas visitor and will therefore be charged for any National Health Service hospital treatment they receive unless exempted by one of a number of exemption categories listed in the regulations. One amendment in 2004 was to the "12-month residency" exemption in order to ensure that only those who have been lawfully living in the UK for the 12 months preceding treatment can benefit from this exemption. Persons who are not lawfully residing here can no longer rely on this exemption to get free hospital treatment.
No changes have been made in respect of HIV/AIDS treatment or maternity care.
Non-governmental Organisations: Russian Legislation
Baroness Rawlings asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the reply by the Baroness Royall of Blaisdon to the Lord Swinfen (HL Deb, col. 614), which Russian non-governmental organisations are operating in the United Kingdom; and why. [HL2978]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): In the UK, international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are not required to seek accreditation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We therefore do not have a list of Russian NGOs operating here, but we believe that any that may be operating here or may choose to come in the future would find their freedom to conduct business to be in stark contrast to the kinds of restrictions that may result from the NGO law currently in draft in the Russian Duma.
Northern Ireland Events Company
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 30 November (WA 42) on the Northern Ireland Events Company, why no increase in funding for the period 2006–08 is planned. [HL2738]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The financial allocations for 2006–07 and 2007–08 to Northern Ireland departments, and their sponsored bodies, were determined by the Secretary of State and his Northern Ireland ministerial team, having regard to the Government's spending priorities.
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Northern Ireland Office: Cost Benefit Analysis
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
For which types of projects or policies each Northern Ireland department requires a cost benefit analysis to be carried out. [HL2950]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): Cost benefit analysis is a particular type of economic appraisal. Current guidance in relation to economic appraisal was issued by the Department of Finance and Personnel in the form of a Dear Accounting Officer letter (DAO(DFP)32/03) which introduced the Northern Ireland Practical Guide to the Green Book. The principles in this guide must be applied, with appropriate and proportionate effort, to all proposals that involve spending or saving public money, including EU funds, or changes in the use of public resources. They apply equally to policies, programmes and projects. There are no exceptions to this general requirement. The guidance applies to all departments and public bodies for which departments have responsibility.
Northern Ireland Office: Iceberg Watch
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the purpose of the document circulated amongst the Northern Ireland civil service entitled Iceberg Watch; and whether they will place copies in the Library of the House. [HL2622]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): Iceberg watch was an internal Northern Ireland Office paper used as a means of looking forward and planning ahead. Such papers are not placed in the Library.
Northern Ireland Office: Questions for Written Answer
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Amos on 15 November, why the Northern Ireland Office has not answered the following Questions tabled by the Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (a) one Question Awaiting Answer for 36 days; (b) two Questions Awaiting Answer for 29 days; (c) four Questions Awaiting Answer for 28 days; and (d) two Questions Awaiting Answer for 23 days. [HL2942]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The Questions referred to by the noble Lord have now been answered. I am sorry for the delay.
From 1 January 2005 to 19 December 2005, the Northern Ireland Office has received in excess of 4,400 Written Parliamentary Questions.
Unfortunately, due to the sheer volume of Questions, delays in replying can occur. However, I
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acknowledge there have been occasions when noble Lords have received unacceptably late replies. As a result, I have recently raised the issue with my officials, emphasising the importance of answering Questions for Written Answer from noble Lords within the 14-day deadline. I will continue to monitor the situation.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the Northern Ireland Office has not answered the following Questions tabled by the Lord Laird (a) 1 Question Awaiting Answer for 59 days [HL1738]; (b) 2 Questions Awaiting Answer for 56 days [HL1745 and HL1746]; and (c) 1 Question Awaiting Answer for 54 days [HL1812]; and [HL3004]
What steps they have taken to reduce the time taken by the Northern Ireland Office to answer Questions for Written Answer. [HL3100]
Lord Rooker: The Questions referred to by the noble Lord in HL3004 have now been answered.
From 1 January 2005 to 20 December 2005, the Northern Ireland Office has received in excess of 4,400 Written Parliamentary Questions. Of these, 471 were asked by the noble Lord. Unfortunately, due to the sheer volume of Questions, delays in replying can occur. However, I acknowledge there have been occasions when noble Lords have received unacceptably late replies. As a result, I have recently raised the issue with my officials, emphasising the importance of answering Questions for Written Answer from noble Lords within the 14-day deadline. I will continue to monitor the situation.
Northern Ireland Tourist Board: C S Lewis Memorial
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Northern Ireland Tourist Board has been asked to fund a memorial to C S Lewis; and, if so, what the board's response was. [HL2873]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has not been asked to fund a memorial to C S Lewis.
The NITB is aware that "The Searcher" by Ross Wilson, a sculpture in honour of C S Lewis, already exists at the Holywood Arches Library and was erected in 1998 to celebrate the centenary of his birth.
Northern Ireland Tourist Board: West Belfast Festival
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Northern Ireland Tourist Board received an application for funding for marketing from the West Belfast Festival in 2005; if so, when the board received the application; when it was agreed; when the funding was provided; and whether a copy of the supporting information will be placed in the Library of the House. [HL2874]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The NITS did not receive an application for funding for marketing from the West Belfast Festival in 2005.
Northern Ireland: "On the Runs"
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
In relation to the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill, what was the process started at Weston Park in 2001 to which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Peter Hain, referred on 23 November (Official Report, Commons, col. 1535); who agreed to the process; and how that agreement was recorded. [HL2623]
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Rooker): The process to which the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland referred was the process of taking steps to address the issue of terrorist suspects on the run. The British and Irish Governments recognised the need to do this at Weston Park and this was recorded in the letter to party leaders of 1 August 2001. Further detail on the proposals was published in May 2003 and in the Government's response to the IRA statement of 28 July 2005.
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