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VFM is defined as the optimum combination of whole-life costs and quality to meet the user requirement. Accounting officers have a responsibility to deliver VFM for the Exchequer as a whole. In areas of common spend such as commodity goods and services, including mobile phone services, collaborative procurements, carried out on behalf of a range of public bodies, are likely to result in improved value for the Exchequer and often for individual authorities, compared with individual, department-specific procurements. There are a number of pan-government framework agreements already established, including the OGCbuying.solutions frameworks for mobile telephony, which departments should always consider before an independent procurement is originated as they usually lead to better VFM. OGC's new online policy and standards framework guides departments through the key principles and processes of public procurement.
Olympic Games: Torch
Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ask the International Olympic Committee to redirect the route of the Olympic torch away from the areas inhabited by Tibetans, out of respect for the Tibetans who have been killed or injured this year.[HL3841]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): We understand the Olympic torch relay is scheduled to take place in Tibet from 19 to 21 June before moving on to other provinces with significant Tibetan populations, including Qinghai and Gansu, on its way to Beijing. Passage of the torch relay through any country is a matter for the authorities of the country concerned. We and EU partners do, however, continue to make clear our concerns for Tibetans involved in the recent unrest, including that they have access to the medical and legal assistance of their choice. The EU raised these concerns at the most recent round of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which took place in Slovenia on 15 May.
Public Appointments: Parliamentary Scrutiny
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay asked the Leader of the House:
Further to her Written Answer on 12 May (WA 110—11), why the Government are working only with the House of Commons Liaison
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The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): The Government's response to the Liaison Committee's First Report of Session 2007-08 on pre-appointment hearings by Select Committees, published on 2 June 2008, sets out details of posts suitable for pre-appointment scrutiny. The question of which committee scrutinises which appointment is entirely a matter for Parliament—not Government.
Questions for Written Answer: Government Agencies
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the rules concerning the referral of Written Answers to a government agency; whether such referred answers may be included in the Answer to be published in the Official Report; and if not, why. [HL3737]
The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): Questions for Written Answer on matters within the areas delegated to agencies are customarily answered by the agencies themselves by way of a letter to the Peer concerned. These letters are usually published in the Official Report accompanied by a Minister's response explaining that the agency has been asked to reply. The Companion to Standing Orders makes clear that:
“When a Minister Answers a Question, orally or in writing, by reference to a letter from the chief executive of an agency, the Minister remains accountable for the Answer” (2007 edition, page 69).
Questions for Written Answer: Guidance to Civil Servants
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the most recent guidance that has been issued to civil servants by the Ministry of Defence on the drafting of Answers to Questions for Written Answer in the House of Lords. [HL3545]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): Cabinet Office guidance for civil servants on drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions was published in February 2005. A copy of the guidance is in the Library of the House. It can also be found on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/civil_service/pq_guidance.aspx.
Internal guidance on the drafting of Answers is issued at regular intervals and is also available on the staff intranet.
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Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the most recent guidance that has been issued to civil servants by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the drafting of Answers to Questions for Written Answer in the House of Lords. [HL3547]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): Cabinet Office guidance for civil servants, on drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions, was published in February 2005. A copy of the guidance has been deposited in the Library of the House. It can also be found on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/civil_service/pq_guidance.aspx.
I also attach a link to the website of the Library of the House, setting out guidance the Foreign and Commonwealth Office gives to its officers on how to answer Questions for Written Answer. This guidance was deposited in the Library of the House in October 2007: www.parliament.uk./deposits/depositedpapers/2007/DEP2007-0014.doc.
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the most recent guidance that has been issued to civil servants by the Wales Office on the drafting of Answers to Questions for Written Answer in the House of Lords. [HL3648]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Baroness Morgan of Drefelin): Due to the size of the Wales Office, personal briefing from Parliamentary Branch is provided to new civil servants in the policy briefing unit on how to answer Written Questions in the House of Lords. Further on-the-job training is provided as necessary.
In addition Cabinet Office guidance for civil servants on drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions was published in February 2005. A copy of the guidance is in the Library of the House. It can also be found on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/civil_service/pq_quidance.aspx.
Questions for Written Answer: Guidance to Civil Servants
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the most recent guidance that has been issued to civil servants by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on the drafting of Answers to Questions for Written Answer in the House of Lords. [HL3512]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (Baroness Vadera): Cabinet Office guidance for civil servants on drafting Answers to Parliamentary
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In addition the department issues internal guidance for officials covering the process for producing draft Answers. The internal guidance is updated on an ongoing basis.
Shopping Centres
Lord Dykes asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): Proposals to improve the effectiveness of our planning policy for town centres were set out in the planning White Paper Planning for a Sustainable Future. We are committed to a town centre first policy, and to an approach that promotes the vitality and viability of town centres. We will be consulting on draft revisions to planning policy statement 6 in the summer. The revisions will need to support current and prospective town centre investment and promote consumer choice and competition, taking account of the Competition Commission's findings in its recent report on the UK grocery market.
Somalia: Displaced People
Baroness Tonge asked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have made regarding the recent fighting in Lower Juba in Somalia and the subsequent displacement of hundreds of Somali Bantu families.[HL3853]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): We are aware of reports of fighting earlier this month in Lower Juba. We have not received information on any displacement of civilians from the area that the fighting may have prompted.
We strongly condemn the use of such force and call on all Somalis to renounce violence and commit to a peaceful political process of dialogue, reconciliation and nation-building.
South Africa
Baroness Prashar asked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they will take to support the Government of South Africa to reduce the violence against Zimbabweans, Mozambicans and other non-South Africans in townships and informal settlements. [HL3807]
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The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): We, like the South African Government, condemn the appalling xenophobic violence occurring in the townships of South Africa. We have been in touch with South African Ministers over this issue. Our high commission in Pretoria and the Department for International Development (DfID) have visited the affected areas and are working with local non-governmental organisations to provide food and shelter for the victims of the violence. Our high commissioner made a donation on behalf of the Government to the Central Methodist Church for immediate humanitarian assistance. With DfID, we are currently exploring options for additional assistance. This may include the possibility of hosting an event in partnership with the Human Sciences and Research Council. The aim of this project is to identify options for further action to counter xenophobic behaviour, while promoting dialogue between key civil society groups, community leaders, local government and faith groups.
Sudan: Abyei
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their political and diplomatic response to the growing crisis on the border of southern Sudan at Abyei; what are the prospects for a ceasefire; and which organisations are currently assisting the people displaced mainly in the area of Agok.[HL3842]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): We are urging the Government of Sudan and the Government of Southern Sudan to work with the Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) to find a resolution to the disputed area of Abyei. The AEC is the international body mandated to monitor implementation of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
The Ceasefire Joint Monitoring Commission brokered a ceasefire in Abyei on 18 May. We continue to urge the Government of Sudan and the Government of Southern Sudan to ensure that the armed groups in the area adhere to the terms of the ceasefire.
The Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs-South Sudan is co-ordinating the response for South Sudan and the Agok area. The UN Children's Fund-South Sudan, Medécins Sans Frontières-Switzerland, World Vision, Concern and the International Organisation for Migration have all committed to the relief effort.
The Earl of Sandwich asked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the international guarantors of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan, including the United Kingdom, doing to ensure the implementation of the Abyei Protocol.[HL3843]
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Lord Malloch-Brown: The Assessment and Evaluation Commission (AEC) was mandated under the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to monitor implementation of the CPA, including the Abyei Protocol. We are pressing the Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan to engage with the AEC to resolve the issues around Abyei and implement the Abyei Protocol.
The Permanent Secretaries of the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office visited Sudan from 18 to 21 May and pressed senior representatives of both the Government of National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan to resolve the Abyei dispute.
Taxation: Income Bands
Lord Christopher asked Her Majesty's Government:
What would be the tax yields during the current financial year from (a) a 1 per cent increase in the 40 per cent rate income tax band; (b) a 45 per cent band on taxable income above (1) £250,000, and (2) £500,000; (c) a 60 per cent band on taxable income above £500,000; (d) a 50 per cent rate band on taxable income above £250,000 with a 60 per cent band on such income above £500,000; and (e) a 50 per cent tax band on income above £500,000 with a 60 per cent band on such income above £750,000. [HL3748]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The estimated figures are included below but exclude any behavioural response which could be significant given the scale of the changes.
- 3. Estimates represent the modelled increase in tax liability for the 2008-09 tax year and not the increase in revenue which would be received in-year.
Estimates are based on the 2005-06 Survey of Personal Incomes projected in line with Budget 2008 assumptions.
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