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Modernising Scientific Careers
Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they plan to hold a formal 12-week consultation on the proposals for Modernising Scientific Careers, as set out in the government Code of Practice on Consultation; and, if so, when that consultation is likely to take place. [HL5772]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): We expect to publish a next-steps document later this year. Consultation plans will be announced in due course.
Muslims
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
What procedures were followed in deciding the membership of the Young Muslim Advisory Group; what opportunities organisations had to nominate members; what opportunities young Muslims had to apply; and who chose the members. [HL5853]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): The Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Children, Schools and Families worked in partnership with the Muslim Youthwork Foundation and the National Youth Agency to establish the Young Muslims Advisory Group. The National Youth Agency placed a recruitment advert on their website, which was also sent to government offices, youth work organisations, and national and
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These initial application forms were assessed by officials from the Department for Communities and Local Government and DCSF and staff from the Muslim Youthwork Foundation against previously agreed criteria, and the 40 strongest applicants were invited to attend a three-day residential assessment centre. At this they were assessed on skills such as listening, teamwork and leadership. Officials from Communities and Local Government and DCSF and staff from the Muslim Youthwork Foundation again assessed the applicants against previously agreed criteria, using these scores as a basis from which to choose the members of the group. These decisions were then put to Ministers in both Communities and Local Government and DCSF.
NHS: Discrimination
Lord Ouseley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether National Health Service human resources policies require a member of staff responsible for acts of race discrimination or harassment of other staff to be subject to disciplinary proceedings. [HL5839]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): Disciplinary and grievance issues are dealt with at a local level in line with local policies and procedures. The department would expect National Health Service organisations to adhere to best practice in human resources and to comply with legal requirements.
NHS Employers represents trusts in England on workforce issues and provides advice and guidance on a variety of employment matters.
The following link to their website refers to model policy guidance on bullying and harassment and includes reference to racial harassment: www.nhsemployers.org/practice/practice-906.cfm.
Northern Ireland: Human Rights Commission
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the membership of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission reflects the community in Northern Ireland; and, if so, by what measurement. [HL5700]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: All appointments to the commission are made under Section 68(3) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which states:
“In making appointments under this section, the Secretary of State shall as far as practicable secure that the Commissioners, as a group, are representative of the community in Northern Ireland”.
The Secretary of State has complied with this obligation.
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Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
In view of the reduction in funding for the Irish Human Rights Commission announced last week and the obligation in the Belfast agreement of 1998 that the Irish and Northern Ireland Human Rights Commissions should have the same level of scope and activity, what reduction in the funding of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission they propose. [HL5755]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The section of the Belfast agreement referred to by the noble Lord provides that, “the Irish Government will establish a Human Rights Commission with a mandate and remit equivalent to that within Northern Ireland”. There is no obligation in the Belfast agreement to effect a reduction in funding for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission as a result of any changes to the funding levels of the Irish Human Rights Commission. No reduction to the budget of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is planned.
Passports
Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much each of the passport personal interview offices cost from 31 July 2007 to 31 July 2008. [HL5450]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The total operating costs for the interview office network of 68 offices during the period from 1 August 2007 to 31 July 2008 was £24.7 million, which excludes the cost of depreciation of relevant set-up capital expenditure.
There are a number of central costs within the £24.7 million such as call centre appointments and IT maintenance which makes it impossible to give meaningful comprehensive monthly costs for each individual office.
This gives a notional overall unit cost of £114.05 over the period. However, many of the offices were still coming up to full capacity during the period in question and were not fully operational until later in the 2007 calendar year. The unit cost per interview for the network in July 2008 was £76.43.
Planning: Stansted Airport
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Statement by Lord Adonis on 9 October (WS 20—22) about the increase in the number of flights from Stansted, what plans they have to provide improved surface access to the airport. [HL5814]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): The issue of surface access to Stansted Airport was addressed in some detail in the planning inquiry which informed the Government's decision to grant permission for an increase in the number of flights and passengers there. The planning inspector considered matters such as the ability of the road network to accommodate the increased traffic that
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As Lord Bassam of Brighton informed the House in a Written Ministerial Statement on 3 March 2008 (col. WS 92), the department is currently undertaking further work on the long-term road and rail capacity improvements that might be needed to take account of forecast population and employment growth in the East of England region as well as the potential expansion of Stansted Airport. We aim to report progress on this matter shortly.
Prisons: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the average cost of keeping a person in prison in England for one week in the last year for which figures are available. [HL5847]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Bach): The latest year for which figures are available is 2007-08. I refer the noble Lord to my Answer of 15 October (Official Report, col. WA55). The overall average cost per prisoner per week in England and Wales in 2007-08 was £750. This excludes prisoners held in police and court cells under Operation Safeguard. The figure includes some estimation and is given to the nearest £50. Figures are not calculated separately for England and Wales. Expenditure met by other government departments (eg for health and education) is not included. The prisoner escort service is included.
Railways: Noise
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the effect of the European Commission's proposals on rail noise, in particular the difference between composite braking systems and cast iron brakes in reducing noise levels and the fitting of spark guards on wagons fitted with composite brakes. [HL5766]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): The European Commission estimates that fitting composite brake systems can reduce noise from freight wagons by up to eight decibels. A substantial number of UK freight wagons are already fitted with such systems.
European Union rules governing the construction of freight wagons, provided for in the Freight Wagon Technical Specifications for Interoperability, require the fitment of spark guards to all wagons including those fitted with composite brake systems where the
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Railways: Northern Rail
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to conclude their discussions with Northern Rail about additional carriages. [HL5770]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): Discussions with Northern Rail are at a very early stage. Our current view is that they should conclude during 2010, although this is clearly subject to the progress of the commercial negotiations between the parties.
Railways: Rolling Stock
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Bassam of Brighton on 29 September (WA 419), whether the words “still to deliver” in the Minister's Answer imply that 1,300 new railway vehicles are to be delivered in control period 4. [HL5646]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): It is the intention that 1,300 additional new rail vehicles will be delivered by the end of control period 4.
Roads: A55
Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many accidents were reported to North Wales Police on the A55 in Wales in (a) 1990, (b) 1995, (c) 2000, (d) 2005, and (e) 2007. [HL5652]
Lord Davies of Oldham: Personal injury accidents reported to North Wales police on the A55 in the years requested are as follows:
| Year | Number of Accidents |
Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many fatalities on the A55 there were in Wales in (a) 1990, (b) 1995, (c) 2000, (d) 2005, and (e) 2007. [HL5653]
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Lord Davies of Oldham: Fatalities reported to North Wales Police on the A55 in the years requested are as follows:
| Year | Number of Fatalities |
Roads: Fatal Accidents
Lord Bradshaw asked Her Majesty's Government:
How they intend to improve the record of United Kingdom road accident fatalities; and what assessment they have made of their rate of improvement over the past 10 years compared with other countries in the European Union. [HL5686]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): Figures from 2007 show a decrease in road accident fatalities in the UK of 18 per cent from the 1994-98 average. While the UK remains among the very best performing EU countries for road death rates, our rate of improvement in reducing numbers of fatalities over the past 10 years has not been as strong as some other European countries.
The department intends to publish later this year a consultation on ways of improving compliance with key road safety laws, including drink-driving and speeding. The department is also developing a new road safety strategy for beyond 2010, when the current strategy expires, and this process has included discussions with other leading EU nations in the field of road safety.
Smart Meters
Lord Taylor of Holbeach asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the introduction of smart meters in homes will be accompanied by a tariff that encourages the use of electrical appliances at times of low demand. [HL5572]
The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change & Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): The Government's intention is to take a decision by the end of the year on whether to roll out smart metering to domestic customers. Depending on the exact specification, smart meters could help facilitate the introduction of a wider range of tariffs by energy suppliers. However, if there is a positive decision to mandate smart metering for domestic customers, it will be for energy suppliers to take commercial decisions on the introduction of new tariffs for their customers.
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St Andrews Agreement
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any undertakings were made at the St Andrews conference in 2006 about a specific date for the devolution of policing to the Northern Ireland Assembly. [HL5694]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The St Andrews agreement states that it was the Government’s view that implementation of the agreement should be sufficient to build the community confidence necessary for the Assembly to request the devolution of criminal justice and policing by May 2008.
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