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Planning: Shops
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to introduce legislation to enforce the impact assessment procedure under PPS 6 planning guidelines to assist local planning authorities in preserving small shops in high street shopping zones. [HL2884]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): We intend to publish the consultation on revisions to planning policy statement 6 in the summer.
Plastic Bags
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The Government believe that further action needs to be taken to curb the wasteful distribution of the 13 billion carrier bags that are given out free each year. Therefore, as part of this year's Budget, it was announced that the Government would be introducing legislation to require retailers to impose a charge on single-use carrier bags from 2009 if we have not seen sufficient progress on a voluntary basis.
Police: Stop and Search
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
What guidance they have given to the Metropolitan Police and other forces concerning meeting target proportions of ethnic groups under stop-and-search rules. [HL2920]
28 Apr 2008 : Column WA10
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): No guidance has been issued to the Metropolitan Police Service or other police forces concerning meeting target proportions of ethnic groups under stop-and-search rules. In order to reduce the trend in disproportionality of stops within ethnic groups, the National Policing Improvement Agency, in conjunction with the Association of Chief Police Officers, has produced practice advice on stop and search. This includes advice on stop-and-search procedures as well as a bespoke piece of guidance issued this year relating to stops and searches carried out under Section 44 of Terrorism Act 2000.
Questions for Written Answer
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many House of Lords Questions for Written Answer were received by each department in the last parliamentary Session; and [HL3085]
How many House of Lords Questions for Written Answer were received by each department in the 1996-97 parliamentary Session; and [HL3086]
How many House of Lords Questions for Written Answer were not answered within 14 days in each of the last five parliamentary Sessions; and [HL3088]
How many House of Lords Questions for Written Answer remained unanswered at the end of the last parliamentary Session; and [HL3089]
How many House of Lords Questions for Written Answer in the last parliamentary Session were answered at greater cost than the disproportionate cost threshold, and what were those Questions. [HL3090]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): A total of 5,702 Questions for Written Answer were tabled to Her Majesty's Government in the last parliamentary Session. Of these, 4,107 were answered within the 14-day deadline. The total number of Questions for Written Answer that remained unanswered at the end of the Session was 25.
The total number of Questions for Written Answer in the 1996-97 parliamentary Session was 1,247.
Information concerning Questions for Written Answer in earlier parliamentary Sessions is not available in the form requested. Departments do not maintain records on whether Questions were answered at greater cost than the disproportionate cost threshold.
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Drayson on 29 March 2006 (WA 112), how they define “disproportionate effort”; and how this differs from their definition of “disproportionate cost”. [HL3087]
28 Apr 2008 : Column WA11
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): The definition of disproportionate effort is the same as disproportionate cost; to answer the Question would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold. This was £600 when this Question was answered in 2006 and is currently £700.
Questions for Written Answer: Costs
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
What grade of civil servant salary they use to calculate the marginal cost of answering Questions for Written Answer; and what is the cost per hour of civil servants' time when spent answering these Questions. [HL3093]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The marginal cost of civil servants' time used to calculate the disproportionate threshold (DCT) for answering Written Parliamentary Questions (PQs) is based on a one-month sample of all Written Questions answered by those departments with the highest volume of Questions. The detailed calculations, which are carried out quinquennially, are based on actual staff time and actual average staff costs for the Civil Service grades answering the Questions in the sampled departments. The DCT is, therefore, based on an aggregate of the sample results, not on a predetermined grade or salary, and so it is not possible to provide a cost per hour.
Security Forces: Lurgan, County Armagh
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many members of the security forces have been murdered in Lurgan, County Armagh, since 1969; on what dates; how many of the culprits have been convicted; and what are the names of those culprits. [HL2678]
Lord Rooker: The following table shows that 28 members of the security forces have been murdered in the Lurgan station area since 1969. Details regarding convictions for such convictions are not recorded.
St Andrews Agreement
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 22 April (WA 291), whether it was their intention that the electorate should endorse the St Andrews Agreement in an election to the Northern Ireland Assembly in March. [HL3232]
Lord Rooker: Yes, this was the Government's intention.
Transport: Exceptional Loads
Earl Attlee asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any person has been accredited with powers under paragraph 12 of Schedule 4 or paragraph 9 of Schedule 5 (Powers to control traffic for purposes of escorting a load of exceptional dimensions) to the Police Reform Act 2002; and, if not, why not. [HL3027]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The Home Office audit of police community support officer (PCSO) powers, conducted in May 2007, confirmed that PCSOs in 26 police force areas in England and Wales were designated with the power under paragraph 12 of Schedule 4 to the Police Reform Act 2002. Information on the accreditation of all powers under Schedule 5 to the Police Reform Act 2002, including paragraph 9, is currently being collated by the Home Office, along with the 2008 PCSO powers audit, and will be published later this year.
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