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Justice: Cross-border Cases

The Attorney-General (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): Today I am publishing a consultation paper on new rules to clarify citizens’ rights when faced with judgments reached in another EU member state in their absence.

The UK is sponsoring this initiative of the Slovenian presidency because we believe that reform is needed to improve the delivery of justice in these cross-border cases.

The purpose of the proposal is to tighten up the regime applicable in cases of trials in absence in the main EU mutual recognition instruments, enhancing the procedural rights of defendants. Trials in absence will not increase as a result of the proposal.

The Slovenian presidency hopes to reach agreement on the proposal very quickly. We are therefore asking for responses to our consultation within six weeks.

Copies of the consultation paper will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and are also available on the internet at: www.cjsonline.gov.uk/downloads/application/pdf/2008-02-28_TIA_consultation_ paper.pdf

Science: Nanotechnologies

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Baroness Morgan of Drefelin): Today my honourable friend the Minister of State for Science and Innovation, Universities and Skills (Ian Pearson) has made the following Statement.

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I am today placing in the Libraries of both Houses copies of a Statement by the UK Government about nanotechnologies.

Nanotechnologies offer potentially huge benefits to society, industry, health and the environment. They can help us to improve our quality of life and respond to some of the key issues of the day, such as climate change.

The Government’s aim is for the UK to derive maximum benefit from these new technologies and their products. However, this must be done in a way that safeguards health, safety and the environment.

The Statement describes what the Government are doing to deliver these objectives, in collaboration with a range of others, including academia, industry, civil society groups and international organisations. It explains the steps that are being taken to:

develop the UK’s research community and understand the potential benefits and risks of nanotechnologies; encourage UK businesses to “pull through” the ideas generated by the research base; andensure proportionate control of risks to health, safety or the environment.

From the start the Government have wanted to understand and address public aspirations and concerns about nanotechnologies. They have funded a series of in-depth discussions between members of the public, scientists and others who are involved in developing and exploiting nanotechnologies.

One of the messages that emerged was a desire for a clear statement about the way in which new and emerging areas of science and technology, such as nanotechnologies, are funded and regulated. This Statement provides that information for organisations across the public sector. It also sets out how the Government and others are responding to other aspirations and concerns aired through public dialogue.

I have established a ministerial group on nanotechnologies to review the situation regularly and to make sure that the UK continues to play a leading role in the understanding, development and regulation of nanotechnologies.

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