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Details of the bodies funded can be found in chapter 1 of the Northern Ireland Office departmental report for 2008, which is available at:

http://www.nio.gov.uk/northern_ireland_office_ departmental_report_2008.pdf.

Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 14 July (WA 117—18) concerning business cases submitted to the Northern Ireland Office, what are the other agreed processes that may be used for the allocation of funding.[HL5296]

Lord Rooker: The other agreed processes that the Northern Ireland Office may use for the allocation of funding include applications, action plans, submission of estimates and management statements. Other processes may be considered if they fully meet the requirements of the department.

These procedures are in accordance with the principles of accountability and value for money, and consistent with HM Treasury accounting rules (managing public money).

29 Sep 2008 : Column WA428

Supreme Court

Lord Carlile of Berriew asked Her Majesty's Government:

In view of the contribution the British legal system makes to the United Kingdom economy, what steps they have taken to ensure that when the new Supreme Court comes into existence it retains the same status worldwide as the present Law Lords enjoy.[HL5227]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): The UK Supreme Court will continue the work of the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords but have an identity of its own, separate from both Government and Parliament. Its new structure, refined procedures, prestigious location and improved working environment will reflect its position at the apex of the UK judicial system. These changes offer an opportunity to reiterate the importance of the court and its role to those both at home and abroad.

Weeds

Lord Tebbit asked Her Majesty's Government:

What statutory obligations apply to public authorities in respect of the control of noxious weeds, particularly ragwort, Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam.[HL5306]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The control of common ragwort (senecio jacobaea) and four other injurious weeds is covered by the Weeds Act 1959 which allows the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to take statutory action to control their spread. While it is not illegal to have the weeds growing on land, the occupier of land where they are growing may be served with an enforcement notice under the Act requiring them to take such action as may be necessary to prevent the weeds from spreading.

There are no statutory obligations on either public authorities or individual landowners and occupiers to control Japanese knotweed or Himalayan balsam. However, Japanese knotweed is listed on Schedule 9 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and Defra is considering whether to add Himalayan balsam and other species to the schedule. Listing a plant on this Schedule 9 makes it an offence to plant it, or otherwise cause it to grow, in the wild. Both the police and local authorities have enforcement functions for the 1981 Act.

Control of invasive species is primarily a matter for landowners and other parties affected by them. Local authorities have a discretionary power to require landowners to clean up “land adversely affecting the amenity of the neighbourhood” under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, and this is potentially applicable to the control of Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam. Local authorities also have the power to undertake clean-up works under Section 215 and to recover costs from the landowner.

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