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11 Nov 2008 : Column WA115
11 Nov 2008 : Column WA115
11 Nov 2008 : Column WA115
Tuesday 11 November 2008
Airports: Stansted
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have calculated the increase in carbon emissions the proposed additional runway at Stansted Airport would produce; and what the projected figures are for the first five years of the runway's operation. [HL5974]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): Our current forecasts of UK aviation carbon dioxide emissions are reported in UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts, published in November 2007 and available at www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/ukairdemandandco 2forecasts/.
These suggest that a second runway at Stansted would cause the UK’s annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to increase by 2.3 million tonnes per annum, when averaged over the period 2015 to 2075. Over the first five years of the runway’s operation, the additional CO2 emissions are projected to rise from around zero to around 1 million tonnes per annum.
The Government are strongly committed to achieving reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and aim to do so in the most effective way. This is why we have led the debate within Europe to include all flights arriving at and departing from EU airports in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) from 2012 onwards. Any growth in aircraft emissions above the ETS cap will only be possible by the sector paying for commensurate carbon savings made elsewhere in the economy.
Armed Forces: A400M
Lord Moonie asked Her Majesty's Government:
What impact on the future availability of airlift capability for the Royal Air Force is expected from delays in the A400M programme; what was the original target price per aircraft; and what is now the anticipated price. [HL5933]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): We are naturally concerned by delays to the A400M programme and are currently in discussions with the contractor about this. The department keeps its airlift capability planning under review and is considering contingency plans to mitigate any potential capability gaps caused by slippage in the A400M programme.
I am withholding the contracted unit price of the A400M aircraft as this is commercially sensitive.
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Armed Forces: F35 Aircraft
Lord Moonie asked Her Majesty's Government:
What discussions they have held with United States officials and industry about reductions in uptake of F-35 aeroplanes by (a) the United States Air Force, (b) the United States Navy, (c) the United States Marine Corps, (d) the Royal Air Force, and (e) the Royal Navy. [HL5931]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): We have regular discussions with our US counterparts and have been made aware of the United States decision to reduce the US commitment in the 2009 production contract by two jets, one for the United States Air Force and one for the United States Marine Corps. Any implications to the United Kingdom have been taken into account and our programme continues to remain affordable.
Lord Moonie asked Her Majesty's Government:
What United Kingdom-mandated systems will be fitted to F-35 aircraft for United Kingdom use; and what are the additional costs of qualifying such equipment. [HL5932]
Baroness Taylor of Bolton: UK specific requirements for JSF are contained within the expenditure approved in 2001 for the UK's participation in the JSF system development and demonstration phase. As well as ensuring that JSF is fully integrated with key UK platforms such as CVF, UK specific requirements embedded in JSF include ASRAAM and Paveway IV.
Lord Moonie asked Her Majesty's Government:
What consideration they have given to the August 2008 RAND Corporation briefing on Pacific Vision and the Centre for Strategic and International Studies report America's Self-destroying Air Power in respect of the ability of the F-35 aircraft to meet the United Kingdom's strategic and tactical requirements. [HL5934]
Baroness Taylor of Bolton: The August 2008 RAND brief focused on basing and force structure vulnerabilities in a hypothetical threat environment rather than comparing the fighting qualities of particular aircraft. The outcome of the brief does not affect the UK's commitment to the JSF programme.
Armed Forces: Homecoming
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they cancelled a proposed flypast in Belfast on 2 November for the homecoming of local soldiers; who took that decision; and who was consulted; and [HL6082]
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Whether they placed restrictions on the music played by a military band at the soldiers’ homecoming parade in Belfast on 2 November; if so, why; and what the restrictions were; and [HL6083]
Whether they have placed restrictions on music played by military bands at any homecoming parade for soldiers since 2002; and [HL6084]
Whether they placed any restrictions on the use of flags and weapons by the members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces who took part in the homecoming parade in Belfast on 2 November; and, if so, what they were. [HL6113]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): There are no restrictions placed on music played by a military band at soldiers' homecoming parades and the choice is left to the director of music of each band.
On Wednesday 29 October the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland (GOC NI), Major-General Chris Brown, issued a special signal to all military personnel taking part in the many events over the weekend 31 October to 2 November. In that signal he stressed the significance and importance of being able to give thanks for the safe return of those who had served overseas. Equally he emphasised the need for recognition that the Armed Forces did not have the undivided support of all sections within the wider community. He also outlined that he had taken a number of measures to ensure that the thanksgiving parade did not increase the potential for friction. These measures included that all on parade would be unarmed and the musical repertoire would reflect the thanksgiving and tri-service nature of the event, including regimental tunes, while also recognising that the parade was happening on a Sunday.
In a further statement from the GOC NI on Friday 31 October it was announced that he had decided that there would be no flypast, which further underpinned the appreciation of the sensitivities surrounding this element of the parade.
Care Homes
Lord Taylor of Warwick asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will provide financial assistance to those private care homes affected by the current economic situation. [HL6069]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The Government will work closely with local authorities and providers to ensure they are able to meet their statutory responsibilities and protect the welfare of care home residents. Any action taken will be governed by the circumstances and the needs of those affected. The department will continue to monitor the situation closely.
11 Nov 2008 : Column WA118
Carers
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
What consideration they have given to Juggling Work and Care, published by Crossroads Caring for Carers; and whether they will take any action further to its conclusions and recommendations. [HL6076]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): We welcome Crossroads’s report Juggling Work and Care, as this is a helpful contribution to the debate on how carers can be supported. Crossroads is closely involved in taking forward the implementation of the carers strategy through the membership of the cross-government programme board.
Citizens' Juries
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many citizens' juries they held in Essex, or involved residents of the county, in (a) 2007 and (b) 2008. [HL5975]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Bach): Individual government departments are responsible for engagement around their own policy areas and as such hold their own citizens' juries as appropriate. The Ministry of Justice has not held any citizens' juries during 2007 or 2008, including in Essex.
Crime: Rape
Lord Campbell-Savours asked Her Majesty's Government:
What proposals they have for removing anonymity for women who have made allegations of rape in which the Court of Appeal has found the conviction of men unsafe following a reference by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. [HL6043]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): We are considering this issue and will announce our conclusions in due course. In reaching our conclusions it is vital we strike the right balance between preventing potential miscarriages of justice and ensuring that victims of sexual offences are not discouraged from coming forward.
Lord Campbell-Savours asked Her Majesty's Government:
What proposals they have for a secure national database accessible by certain authorities of the names of women who have made false allegations of rape. [HL6044]
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Lord West of Spithead: We have no plans to create a database of the names of women who have made false allegations of rape.
Crimes against Humanity
Lord Carlile of Berriew asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Minister for Borders and Immigration, Mr Phil Woolas MP, on 14 October (Official Report, House of Commons, col. 1072W) in relation to crimes against humanity, how many of the cases considered by the war crimes team in the UK Border Agency have resulted in (a) refusal of entry into the United Kingdom, (b) deportation or removal to another country, (c) referral for police inquiry, (d) no further action because the person was cleared of involvement in a crime, and (e) other action. [HL6013]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The UK Border Agency war crimes team does not hold case statistics that relate solely to crimes against humanity. However, 16 per cent of cases referred to the war crimes team in the past four years have resulted in recommendations for further immigration action. This figure is based on local management information and is not provided under National Statistics protocols. To provide a breakdown as requested would incur disproportionate costs.
Crossrail
Lord Bradley asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): A copy of the Crossrail heads of terms agreement signed by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL) was placed in the House Library on 26 November 2007. This agreement sets out, with only those redactions necessary to prevent harm to commercial interests, the agreements that have been reached between DfT and TfL on the future funding and governance of the Crossrail project.
The heads of terms envisage that £3.5 billion of debt will be raised by the Greater London Authority making use of the business rates supplement.
Health: Contraception
Baroness Finlay of Llandaff asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 3 November (WA 18), which primary care trusts are using funding for contraceptives to pilot the supply of a range of contraceptives in pharmacies under NHS arrangements; and which contraceptives are part of those pilots. [HL6099]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The information is not currently available in the format requested.
Strategic health authorities are working with their primary care trusts to agree local action plans to develop innovative schemes, including pharmacy-based schemes to improve awareness of and access to all types of contraception. The department has requested an update on progress on plans in December 2008 when we will have a better picture of all the pharmacy-based schemes planned or under way.
Health: Haemophilia
Baroness O'Cathain asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the answers by Baroness Thornton on 9 October (Official Report, House of Lords, cols. 331-32) on the extent and depth of deprivation in the haemophilia community and the cut of 70 per cent in the Haemophilia Society's core grant, what action they have taken to assist the society to resolve its financial problem. [HL6098]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): Departmental officials are hoping to arrange a meeting with the society in early December, to see how the society can most effectively utilise third-sector funding opportunities. The department will fully support and advise the society in doing this.
Health: Incontinence
Lord Roberts of Conwy asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 29 September (WA 367), how much an average monthly supply of intermittent catheters weighs. [HL6100]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): As patients and patient needs and lifestyles vary significantly, it is not possible to quantify the weight of an “average” monthly supply of intermittent catheters. The factors that influence the response are the number of catheters used per month and the type of catheter used.
House of Lords: Travel Plan
Lord Berkeley asked the Chairman of Committees:
What plans the House of Lords has to develop a workplace travel plan aimed at reducing the environmental impact of travel by staff of the House. [HL6034]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): It is not necessary to have a workplace travel plan to reduce environmental impacts, given that most staff rely on public transport (for which season ticket loans are available). We also offer bicycle loans and bicycle parking. Car parking for staff is very limited and subject to business need.
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Inquiries: Northern Ireland
Lord Morrow asked Her Majesty's Government:
What consideration has been given to capping the cost of public inquiries in Northern Ireland. [HL5929]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: There are no plans to set a cap on any of the public inquiries' overall costs, which might curtail the inquiries before they have fulfilled their terms of reference. However, the Secretary of State has set caps on the individual hourly fee levels for lawyers who are publicly funded to provide legal assistance for parties and witnesses at the following levels:
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