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Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2006: Designation of Land
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether (a) road blocks, and (b) warning signs qualify as obstacles for the protection of a site for the purposes of defining an outer perimeter for sites designated or protected under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. [HL570]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): Sections 128 to 131 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 do not specify how the outer perimeter of protected sites should be defined. In the majority of cases, it is likely that the perimeter would be based on the existing physical boundary of the site which could be comprised of security fencing, walls, hedgerows or buildings. In all cases, a key consideration would be to ensure, through appropriate means, that the boundary of the protected site was permanent, continuous and clear to members of the public.
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is an offence to trespass on sites designated under Sections 128 to 138 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 when the site is (a) under construction; (b) inactive; or (c) being decommissioned. [HL571]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Under Sections 128 and 138 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 it is a criminal offence to trespass on any protected site. A protected site is either a licensed nuclear site or a site designated in an order by a Secretary of State under Sections 128(3) or 129(3). It is not an offence to trespass in the area around Parliament designated under Section 138, but it is an offence to demonstrate in this area without authorisation from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
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Single/Double Summer Time
Lord Tanlaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there is police evidence showing a reduction in street crime at dusk involving elderly and vulnerable pedestrians during the winter months if the current use of Greenwich mean time and British Summer Time was replaced by lighter afternoons and evenings with single/double summer time. [HL975]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): We are not aware of any research which provides such evidence or any evaluations of interventions that have included reverting to single double summer time.
The available research indicates that the majority of robbery victims are young people and there are peak robbery times during the day. We are actively encouraging the police and crime and disorder reduction partnerships to adopt a problem solving approach, to identify potential victims and problem times, to determine the appropriate tactics to deploy in preventing robberies and deterring offenders.
Solicitors
Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they plan to prohibit the trafficking of personal injury and industrial disease claims between solicitors and third parties. [HL839]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): The Government do not wish to see the trafficking of any personal injury claims. The Compensation Act 2006 provides a robust statutory framework for the regulation of claims management services, including claims made for personal injury handled by previously unregulated third-party claims companies. Such companies will now need to be authorised and required to follow strict rules of conduct including how claims are obtained and referred to solicitors. Effective regulation of all aspects of claims handling is vital to ensure proper safeguards for consumers and the department is working closely with the Law Society, Financial Services Authority and other regulators to achieve this.
Taiwan: WHO Membership
Lord Steel of Aikwood asked Her Majesty's Government:
What response they have made to the 7th Report of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (HC 860, Session 2005—06) which recommended that they should support full membership of the World Health Organisation for Taiwan. [HL831]
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Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Government's response was published in document HC 860-II Session 2005-06, October 2006, which can be found in the Library of the House. The response reads in full:
“The Government strongly supports the principle enshrined in the WHO constitution that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being. However, there are difficulties over Taiwan's involvement in a United Nations forum where statehood is a prerequisite for full membership. Additionally, observer status, of and by itself does not automatically confer any rights or benefits on the holder.
Consequently, the Government's approach has been to press for practical solutions. The Government, both bilaterally and through the EU, has sought to strengthen and deepen the relationship between the WHO and Taiwan. The EU has urged the WHO Secretariat to find mechanisms to allow medical and public health officials from Taiwan to participate in relevant activities of the WHO. Through the Secretariat's efforts, Taiwan is more involved now than before. We continue to monitor the situation closely”.
Recently, at the request of member states including the UK, the European Commission and presidency have agreed to approach the new WHO director-general regarding Taiwan's further participation.
Turkey: Non-Muslim Religious Bodies
Lord Patten asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made to the Government of Turkey concerning the law passed by the Turkish Parliament on 9 November that would have made it easier for non-Muslim religious bodies to reclaim property confiscated by the state, including orphanages, schools, hospitals and churches, which was blocked by the Turkish president. [HL756]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Our embassy in Ankara consistently urges the Turkish Government to increase the rights of religious foundations in Turkey, and the current Bill which covers both religious and non-religious foundations would do so. We will closely monitor the progress of the Bill now that it has been returned to Parliament and, together with our EU partners, will continue to press for progress in addressing the concerns of non-Muslim religious communities in Turkey.
Uzbekistan: Sanctions
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consider with their European Union partners the proposal to reinforce sanctions against Uzbekistan. [HL681]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): The UK will be closely involved when the EU next reviews the sanctions against Uzbekistan in February 2007. This review, established by the Conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations Council in November 2006, will include an assessment on whether the expert-level dialogue on Andizhan (December 2006) and a structured dialogue on human rights have led to substantive progress on the ground in Uzbekistan. We shall continue to encourage the EU to ensure that its response towards Uzbekistan remains proportionate to the actions taken by the Uzbek authorities.
Visas
Baroness Tonge asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Israeli citizens are classed as non-visa nationals and must comply with the Immigration Rules to enter the UK. Details of the
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http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename =OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=10 34241195847.
Young Offender Institutions: Physical Restraint
Lord Carlile of Berriew asked Her Majesty's Government:
On how many occasions strip searching involving physical restraint occurred at Ashfield young offender institution in relation to, respectively, male and female clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November. [HL938]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 11 December (WA 174).
Lord Carlile of Berriew asked Her Majesty's Government:
On how many occasions physical restraint occurred at Hindley young offender institution in relation to, respectively, male and female black and ethnic minority clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November; and [HL732]
On how many occasions physical restraint occurred at Huntercombe young offender institution in relation to, respectively, male and female black and ethnic minority clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November; and [HL733]
On how many occasions physical restraint occurred at Lancaster Farms young offender institution in relation to, respectively, male and female black and ethnic minority clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November; and [HL734]
On how many occasions physical restraint occurred at Stoke Heath young offender institution in relation to, respectively, male and female black and ethnic minority clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November; and [HL735]
On how many occasions physical restraint occurred at Thorn Cross young offender institution in relation to, respectively, male and female black and ethnic minority clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November; and [HL736]
On how many occasions physical restraint occurred at Warren Hill young offender institution in relation to, respectively, male and female black and ethnic minority clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November; and [HL737]
On how many occasions physical restraint occurred at Werrington young offender institution in relation to, respectively, male and female black
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On how many occasions physical restraint occurred at Wetherby young offender institution in relation to, respectively, male and female black and ethnic minority clients during each of the 12 months prior to 1 November. [HL794]
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