| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
29 Mar 2007 : Column WS167
Written Statements
Thursday 29 March 2007
Anti-Semitism
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): My honourable friend the Minister for Local Government and Community Cohesion has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
I am pleased to announce that I am today laying before Parliament a Command Paper setting out the Government’s response to the all-party inquiry into anti-Semitism.
The Government welcome the all-party parliamentary inquiry’s constructive and comprehensive report into anti-Semitism and are grateful to the committee for the detailed work that it has undertaken in this area.
The Government share the committee’s commitment to the eradication of racism and intolerance wherever they exist. We acknowledge that there is no room for complacency and recognise and commit ourselves to the practical nature of many of the committee’s recommendations.
The Government strongly condemn anti-Semitic incidents and understand the fears and concerns of the Jewish community. Anti-Semitism is not just a problem or concern for the Jewish community but impacts on society as a whole. The Government have a shared responsibility to tackle anti-Semitism and all other forms of racism and prejudice—not only with those communities directly affected, but with all members of society.
We believe that the best way to do this is through effective implementation of strong legislation against racial and religious discrimination and racially and religiously motivated crime, underpinned by policies and strategies to increase racial equality and to build community cohesion, particularly through education.
The document that I am publishing today sets out in full the Government's response to each of the committee's recommendations.
Armed Forces: Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Drayson): My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Derek Twigg) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) has been formed from a merger between the former Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA) and the Veterans Agency (VA). The formal launch of the SPVA on 1 April 2007 is marked by the placing in Parliament of the 2007 framework document.
The framework document sets out the roles, responsibilities and required outputs for the agency. Its primary objectives will provide customers with an assurance that the SPVA will focus on providing essential services such as pay and pensions to the Armed Forces and veterans communities, and that the SPVA will be committed to provide excellent customer service and increased efficiency.
Civil Service: Fast-stream Recruitment
Lord Davies of Oldham: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Cabinet Office has published the 2006 fast-stream recruitment report online at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk today. It summarises the results of the Civil Service fast-stream recruitment competitions completed in the year ending November 2006. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library for the reference of Members.
Key facts and figures from the report are as follows:
all vacancies in the graduate fast-stream scheme, and 93 per cent of fast-stream vacancies overall, were filled;the proportion of successful female candidates rose to 50.4 per cent, from 43.7 per cent in 2005;the proportion of successful candidates from ethnic minority backgrounds rose to 11.1 per cent, from 7.1 per cent in 2005; andthe proportion of successful candidates with a declared disability rose to 7.4 per cent, from 6.7 per cent in 2005.The fast-stream selection process itself is subject to continuous review, and the results are monitored in detail to ensure that there is no adverse impact on any particular groups of applicants. We shall continue to work to improve fast-stream recruitment from the point of view of both applicants and employing departments.
The fast-stream development programme remains a popular career choice and has featured continuously in the Times Top 10 Graduate Employers since the survey’s inception. Over the last five years, it has attracted an average of 14,000 applications a year.
Coins
Lord Davies of Oldham: My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Gordon Brown) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to approve my recommendation that the following coins should be issued in 2008:
a crown piece to celebrate the 60th birthday of the Prince of Wales;a crown piece to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the accession of Elizabeth I; anda two-pound coin to mark the 100th anniversary of the London Olympic Games of 1908.Collector versions of these coins will be released at a premium above face value and, during 2008, the coins will also become available at face value from banks and post offices.
Compact: Annual Review
Lord Davies of Oldham: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Cabinet Office is today placing in the Libraries of the Houses of Parliament copies of the report of the annual meeting held on 22 November 2006 to review the compact.
The coming years present an opportunity to make significant steps forward in the implementation of the compact, building on what has been achieved. This year has seen a record 28 compact annual meeting commendations for excellence, showing that the compact is increasingly being used as a tool to improve partnership working and increase sector involvement. The publication of the Partnership in Public Services action plan, the local government White Paper and the review of the future role of the third sector in social and economic regeneration, as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, will all contribute to the creation of an environment in which compact principles can flourish.
We will continue to work to ensure that compact principles become fully embedded in the culture of central and local government bodies and voluntary and community organisations. The appointment of the Commissioner for the Compact, John Stoker, will help us with this process, overseeing partnership working and the operation of the compact. He will report to future annual reviews on the state of the relationship. The next annual review will look at progress against the compact action plan.
Together we need to achieve consistent good practice, building on the compact and improving public services, and supporting the sector’s role in advocating for and empowering people and communities.
Council Tax
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): My honourable friend the Minister for Local Government and Community Cohesion has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
Figures published by my department on 27 March show that the average council tax increase in England in 2007-08 is 4.2 per cent.
We had made it clear to authorities that we expected to see an average council tax increase of less than 5 per cent and I am pleased that, overall, local government has responded in a positive manner in keeping down the average council tax increase.
We have therefore decided not to exercise our reserve capping powers in 2007-08. However, keeping council tax under control remains a priority for the Government. We will have no hesitation in using our capping powers in future, if the circumstances require it.
Courts Service: Key Performance Indicators
The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): The following key performance indicators have been set for Her Majesty's Courts Service for 2007-08:*
improve the percentage of defendants’ cases that commence within a specific time in the Crown Court, so that (a) 78 per cent committed for trial commence within 16 weeks of committal; and (b) 78 per cent sent for trial commence within 26 weeks of sending;simplify and speed up criminal cases in the magistrates’ courts so that by the end of 2008 most guilty plea cases are dealt with at the first hearing; most contested cases have no more than two hearings; and the majority of simple charged cases take from a day to six weeks (on average) from charge to disposal;ensure that 95 per cent of court registers in the magistrates’ court are produced and dispatched within three days and all cases cleared within six days;reduce the proportion of disputed civil claims in the courts that are ultimately resolved by a hearing to 38.5 per cent; ensure that 81.5 per cent of small claims cases are heard within 15 weeks; andensure that 48 per cent of public law care cases in the county court and 56 per cent in the magistrates’ court are completed within 40 weeks.Copies of the HM Courts Service business plan for 2007-08 have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
- * More information on these and other key supporting targets are published in the strategic and business plans, which include how HMCS helps to deliver PSA1 and 2 (joint criminal justice system targets).
East Midlands Development Agency
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Truscott): My right honourable friend the Minster of State for Industry and the Regions (Margaret Hodge) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
I have decided to appoint the new board members listed at Annexe A for a period of two years and eight months.
The appointments will begin on 2 April 2007 and will expire on 13 December 2009. These appointments were made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
I attach biographical details of the new appointees at Annexe B.
| New Appointments—appointment will commence on 2 April 2007. | |
| RDA | Name |
Currently chief executive of George Bateman & Son Ltd, a position held since 1994. The previous eight years were spent at Scottish & Newcastle Breweries plc, where he became managing director of Newcastle Breweries Ltd. Previous employment was with Proctor & Gamble Ltd, where he became associate advertising manager.
He is currently pro-chancellor and deputy chair of the University of Northumbria, deputy chair of Lincolnshire and Rutland Learning and Skills Council, and chair of the Prince’s Trust, Lincolnshire. He also holds non-executive directorships with JD Wetherspoon, Bullman Pub Company Ltd, Boston, Investors in Lincoln, the Newcastle Initiative, Newcastle Enterprise Trust and St Mary's Training and Enterprise Centre, Newcastle.
Founded (in 2004) and is managing director of Strategic Spur Ltd, Marketing Consultancy. For the previous 10 years, she worked for Boots plc, where she became head of global market research for Boots Healthcare International. Previous to this, she spent seven years with Smith & Nephew Consumer Products as group national account manager.
She is currently an East Midlands Business Champion, an active member of Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE), Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce and the County Land and Business Association.
Financial Reporting Council: Governance
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Truscott): My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs (Ian McCartney) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
Sir Christopher Hogg, the chairman of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), is today publishing proposals for consultation on measures to improve the FRC’s internal governance. The Government welcome this consultation
The FRC is the independent UK regulator and standard-setter for accounting, auditing and the actuarial profession. The FRC’s remit was significantly expanded in 2004 as a result of the Government’s review of audit and accounting regulation, following the corporate scandals in the United States and elsewhere earlier in the decade. Its responsibilities were further expanded in 2006 to include actuarial standards and regulation, as recommended by the Morris review.
Since his appointment as chair in January 2006, Sir Christopher has been reviewing the FRC's internal governance arrangements. While these arrangements have operated well, Sir Christopher has concluded there is now a strong case for changes to enhance the FRC's transparency, efficiency and independence. The Government agree with Sir Christopher's view and welcome the consultation document he is publishing.
The changes Sir Christopher is proposing include merging the FRC council, which at around 30 members is a large group, and its management board to form a single governing body of directors. The new governing body would be larger than the existing six-strong board, to enhance its balance, composition and effectiveness. The majority of the governing body will be non-executive directors, including the chair and deputy chair. In addition, the chairs of the FRC’s operating bodies would become directors for the first time.
Sir Christopher is also recommending changes to the process for appointing directors to support the new arrangements and ensure the new governing body reflects the range of skills and experience required. At present, the Secretary of State makes all appointments to the board of directors, with the exception of the chief executive, who is appointed by the FRC. Under the new arrangements, the Secretary of State would appoint only the chair and deputy chair of the FRC. The other directors would be appointed by a nominations committee chaired by the FRC chair, through an open and transparent process, following the same principles as set out for public appointments by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The committee, guided by a template of the range of skills and experience the board should include, will establish clear, objective criteria for individual appointments.
The Government believe the FRC has adapted well to its new responsibilities, and that it continues to receive strong support from companies, investors, the accountancy profession and other stakeholders. The Government are therefore confident that the FRC under the new governance arrangements will continue to make an essential contribution to ensuring open, efficient and competitive markets and a strong, enterprising corporate sector. Corporate reporting and governance in the UK are widely recognised domestically and internationally as being of a very high standard generally. The FRC’s integrated and market-led approach to regulation effectively underpins these standards.
Freedom of Information
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): The Government are today publishing a supplementary paper to the consultation paper on the draft Freedom of Information and Data Protection (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2007, which would give effect to the changes that the Government announced that they were minded to make on 16 October 2006.
Following the recent consultation of 14 December 2006, the Government are issuing this supplementary paper to consult on the principle of amending the 2004 regulations, specifically whether the 2004 regulations should be amended to deal with the identified problem of requests that are disproportionately burdensome on public authority resources. Further comments on the draft regulations contained in the consultation paper of 14 December 2006 are also welcome.
The draft regulations would extend the existing provisions by allowing public authorities to:
include reading time, consideration time and consultation time in the calculation of the appropriate limit above which requests could be refused on cost grounds; andaggregate all requests made by a person (or persons apparently acting in concert or pursuance of a campaign) to each public authority within a period of 60 working days for the purposes of calculating the appropriate limit.An independent economic review of the operation of the Freedom of Information Act commissioned by my department and published on 16 October 2006 found that a small percentage of requests and requestors were placing disproportionately large burdens on public authorities in terms of the costs of officials’ time.
While the Government believe that it is entirely right that a reasonable amount of resource is spent dealing with requests for information, it is also necessary to consider, in light of experience, whether the existing provisions need to be amended in order to provide the right balance between access to information for all and the delivery of other public services.
The supplementary paper is published today, with responses being invited by 21 June 2007. The paper will be sent to key stakeholders and all responders to the consultation published on 14 December 2006. Both papers are available on my department’s website at www.dca.gov.uk and will be available in the Libraries of both Houses.
Guantanamo Bay: Bisher Al-Rawi
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mrs Margaret Beckett) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
The House will be aware that in March 2006 my right honourable friend the then Foreign Secretary (Mr Jack Straw) agreed to make representations to seek the return from Guantanamo Bay of an Iraqi national formerly resident in the UK, Mr Bisher Al-Rawi, based on the particular circumstances in his case. Detailed discussions between the UK and US Governments have been continuing since then.
I would like to inform the House that we have now agreed with the US authorities that Mr Al-Rawi will be returned to the UK shortly, as soon as the practical arrangements have been made. His family and legal representatives have been informed of the decision, as has his family’s constituency MP.
This decision follows extensive discussions to address the security implications of Mr Al-Rawi’s return. The UK will continue to take the necessary measures to maintain national and international security.
| Next Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |