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26 Mar 2008 : Column WA89
26 Mar 2008 : Column WA89
26 Mar 2008 : Column WA89
Wednesday 26 March 2008
Airports: Heathrow
Lord Jopling asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 17 March (WA 1), whether the 18-week delay in providing an Answer was due to issues concerning the Official Secrets Acts; whether they will place the contents of the letter to Baroness Valentine in the Library of the House and publish it in the Official Report; and whether they have offered an explanation for the delay or an apology to Baroness Valentine. [HL2700]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The delay to answering the noble Baroness’s Question was not down to issues concerning the Official Secrets Acts. The contents of the letter have been placed in the Library. I apologised to Baroness Valentine for the delay in answering her Question by correspondence on 30 January 2008 and offered a further apology in my letter of 14 March where the substantive reply was provided.
Bosnia-Herzegovina: Financial Assistance
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they provide financial or technical support to any political parties in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and, if so, how much is provided to which parties. [HL2381]
Lord Bach: The Government do not currently provide financial or technical support to any individual political party in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through the Global Conflict Prevention Pool and the Global Opportunities Fund we support a variety of projects which aim to assist the transformation of the political culture and to enhance the effectiveness of the state.
Cyprus
Lord Kilclooney asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their assessment of the prospects for a settlement in Cyprus; and whether they support inter-communal negotiations (a) on the basis of the United Nations Annan Plan, or (b) without any specific plan. [HL2536]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The new Greek Cypriot president has made a negotiated solution a priority and there is a renewed sense of optimism in Cyprus that a settlement can be achieved. We share that sense of optimism. We welcome the meeting which will take place on 21 March between President Christofias and Mr Talat in advance of the UN assessment mission's
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It is not for the UK to be prescriptive about the terms of a settlement, nor on the process for reaching a settlement. However, both leaders have expressed their commitment to the unification of Cyprus based on long-standing principles contained in the 8 July 2006 agreement: bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as laid out in relevant UN Security Council resolutions. As a P5 and EU member, and a guarantor power, the UK will continue to strongly support the UN's efforts to reach a just and lasting settlement of benefit to all Cypriots.
Fluoridation
Earl Baldwin of Bewdley asked Her Majesty's Government:
With regard to the statement by the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson, in the Financial Times on 23 February that “there is absolutely no clinical evidence whatsoever that links fluoridation with anything other than fluorosis. Fluorosis is a discolouration of the teeth, and there are perfectly simple ways to deal with it”, (a) what is their assessment of the several potential harms of fluoridation referred to in the report of 2000 of the systematic scientific review which they funded at the University of York (the “York review”), and in the report by the United States National Academy of Sciences in 2006, and of the recommendations by both bodies for research into these potential harms; (b) how they reconcile the statement with the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 30 January (WA 124) which confirmed that a proposal is being considered for a “comprehensive examination of the risks” of fluoridation in addition to its benefits and costs; (c) whether the cosmetic dentistry required to deal with cases of dental fluorosis of aesthetic concern which the York review assessed as affecting one person in eight in artificially fluoridated areas is readily available on the National Health Service. [HL2537]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The York report, which was published in September 2000, found no evidence of any risk to overall health from the fluoridation of water, but did call for more good quality research.
No subsequent research, including the study published by the United States Academy of Sciences, has identified any effects from water fluoridation at one part per million, other than the protection from tooth decay and dental fluorosis. However, we are not complacent and the department continues both to monitor the outcome of research into theoretical risks from fluoridation and fund studies into its effects.
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Information is not currently available on the number of patients who undergo dental treatment because they are concerned about the aesthetic effect of dental fluorosis, but we are funding a research study on the measurement of fluorosis, which should enable estimates to be made.
Food
Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope asked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements they are making to mitigate the effect on low-income households in the United Kingdom of anticipated rises in the cost of essential foodstuffs. [HL2657]
Lord Davies of Oldham: In 2008-09, low-income households will benefit from a range of direct tax and benefit measures announced in recent Budgets including increases in the child element of child tax credit and the tax credit income threshold. Low-income pensioner households will benefit from increases in aged personal allowances, pension credit and a one-off payment of £50 to over-60s and £100 to over-80s.
As a result of all direct tax and benefit measures coming into effect in 2008-09, households in the poorest fifth of the population will be £160 better off on average compared with 2007-08. Households with children in the poorest fifth of the population will be £400 better off on average. Pensioner households will be £145 better off on average.
Under the Government's monetary policy framework, inflation has remained close to target and the economy has now experienced 62 consecutive quarters of growth. This stability, alongside record levels of employment, has allowed average real incomes to increase for all income groups since 1997 and aggregate real household disposable income to rise by 25 per cent.
Forced Marriage
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the guidance given under Section 63Q of the Family Law Act 1996 (as inserted by the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007) will be more robust than that currently issued by the Forced Marriage Unit, especially in relation to education authorities ensuring that publicity is given in schools to the help available for pupils at risk of being forced into a marriage. [HL2432]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The existing guidance for education professionals, issued by the Forced Marriage Unit and the Department for Education and Skills in 2005, says that educational establishments should aim to create an environment where forced marriage is discussed openly. The guidance suggests ways this can be done. We will revise the existing guidance issued by the Forced Marriage Unit in light
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Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consult about the guidance to be given under Section 63Q of the Family Law Act 1996 (as inserted by the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007) on (a) the effect of the relevant provisions of the Act; and (b) other matters relating to forced marriages. [HL2433]
Lord Malloch-Brown: Some or all of the revised guidance will be subject to a period of public consultation before being issued. The exact details have yet to be decided.
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to increase the financial and other resources available to the Forced Marriage Unit to give effective protection to the victims or potential victims of forced marriages. [HL2434]
Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government are fully committed to tackling forced marriage. The Forced Marriage Unit leads this work, and other government departments are also playing a key role in helping develop policy, raising awareness and providing support and advice to victims. The work of the Forced Marriage Unit is continually evolving, hence the resources needed by the unit are kept under review.
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will review the extent to which the guidance given by the Forced Marriage Unit to healthcare professionals and education authorities is followed in practice. [HL2435]
Lord Malloch-Brown: The Forced Marriage Unit, jointly with the relevant government departments, has issued guidance for education professionals, health professionals, social workers and police officers. This guidance is being revised and will be reissued on a statutory footing. The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 makes it clear that a person exercising public functions to whom guidance is given under the Act must have regard to it in the exercise of those functions. We would expect bodies that inspect and/or regulate healthcare professionals and education authorities to check that such responsibilities are being met. In the case of education, the Office for Standards in Education
26 Mar 2008 : Column WA93
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
What financial and staff resources are provided to the Forced Marriage Unit for its work in tackling problems related to forced marriages (a) in the United Kingdom, and (b) overseas; and what resources will be available when the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 comes fully into force. [HL2436]
Lord Malloch-Brown: The Government are fully committed to tackling forced marriage. The Forced Marriage Unit leads this work, but the response should not be seen just in terms of the work it does. Other government departments play a key role in helping develop policy, raising awareness and providing support and advice to victims. Staff based in our embassies overseas also make a vital contribution to our response. The Forced Marriage Unit has six members of staff, drawn from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office and UKvisas. For the 2007-08 financial year, the unit's non-casework project budget was £167,000. All staff in the unit work on domestic and international aspects of forced marriage. Resource needs are kept under review, but we do not anticipate needing a significant increase in resources as a result of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007.
Guantanamo Bay
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether Mr Shaker Al-dur-Raheem is still being held in Guantanamo Bay; and if so, whether they will make representations to free him. [HL2499]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): Former UK resident Mr Shaker Aamer is still being held in Guantanamo Bay. The Government requested in August 2007 that he be released from Guantanamo Bay and returned to the UK. The US has so far declined this request on the basis of significant security concerns that it has about Mr Aamer, and we are no longer in active discussions regarding his transfer to the UK. However, we continue to discuss his welfare with the US. Should the US position change, our request for his release and return stands.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
What responses they have had from the United States authorities regarding Mr Binyam Mohamed, a former British resident detained in Guantanamo Bay. [HL2500]
26 Mar 2008 : Column WA94
Lord Malloch-Brown: The US is not presently inclined to agree to our request for Mr Binyam Mohamed to be returned to the UK, due to significant security concerns that it has expressed in relation to his case. We continue to discuss Mr Mohamed's case with the US, including his health and welfare, and have recently received a formal update on his medical condition which we have passed on to his legal representatives.
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will intervene on behalf of Mr Ahmed Belbacha, a former British resident detained in Guantanamo Bay, to prevent his being returned to Algeria, where he may be in personal danger. [HL2501]
Lord Malloch-Brown: My right honourable friends the Foreign Secretary and the Home Secretary decided in August 2007 to request the release from Guantanamo Bay and return to the UK of five men who, whilst not UK nationals, were legally resident here prior to their detention. This decision was limited to those with links to the UK as evidenced by their past lawful residence here. This does not include Ahmed Belbacha because, although he was present in the UK for a time, he was not here lawfully.
Health: Alzheimer's
Lord Taylor of Warwick asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The most recent information available is in respect of research into dementia and is shown in the table.
| Expenditure on dementia research (£ millions) | |||
| Year | Department of Health | Medical Research Council | Total |
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