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15 Dec 2008 : Column WA15
15 Dec 2008 : Column WA15
15 Dec 2008 : Column WA15
Monday 15 December 2008
Alcohol
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord McKenzie of Luton on 12 November (WA 130—31), whether they are conducting research into the health consequences of awarding benefits to those with long-term excess alcohol consumption. [HL50]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton): We are not currently conducting research on the health consequences of awarding benefits to people experiencing long-term excess alcohol consumption.
Anti-social Behaviour Orders
Question
Asked by Lord Faulkner of Worcester
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued to women in each of the past 10 years. [HL76]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): Information on the number of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued to women between 2000 and 2006, the latest available, is shown in the table. Prior to 1 June 2000, data on the gender of ASBO recipients were not collected centrally.
| The number of anti-social behaviour orders issued to women(1) at all courts in England and Wales in each year from 2000 to 2006 | |||||||
| Area | 2000(2) | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
- Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure that data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.
Prepared by OCJR Evidence and Analysis Unit.
National DNA Database
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will implement the recommendations of the DNA ethics group in its first annual report on the National DNA Database. [HL86]
15 Dec 2008 : Column WA16
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The National DNA Database strategy board and the National Policing Improvement Agency are considering the recommendations of the ethics group annual report and will advise Ministers on the issues raised in the new year. The Government will publish their response early next year.
House of Lords: Director of Facilities
Questions
To ask the Chairman of Committees whether the person selected for the post of Director of Facilities will be subject to the approval of the House; and, if not, why not. [HL33]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): The appointment of staff is a matter for the Clerk of the Parliaments, unless statute provides otherwise. In the case of certain senior appointments, including that of the Director of Facilities, Members of the House are involved in the recruitment process, and the Lord Speaker and the usual channels approve an appointment before an offer of appointment is made.
To ask the Chairman of Committees when it is proposed that the new Director of Facilities will take up his or her duties; and what salary it is proposed the director will be paid. [HL62]
The Chairman of Committees: The Director of Facilities will take up the post once the process of appointment (including the taking of references, appropriate clearance and the selected individual’s notice period) is complete. An announcement will be made to the House in due course. The salary will fall into the Civil Service SCS Band 2.
Housing: Energy Performance Certificate
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Holbeach
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the application of the energy performance certificate to commercial and industrial buildings offered for sale or rent will be extended to all such buildings not for sale or rent; and, if so, when. [HL224]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): There are no plans to extend the application of the energy performance certificate for commercial and industrial buildings to all such buildings not for sale or rent.
15 Dec 2008 : Column WA17
Housing: Home Information Packs
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Holbeach
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Housing Minister, Caroline Flint, on 22 May (Official Report, Commons, 22/5/08; col. 444W) and the Written Answer by Baroness Andrews on 22 July (Official Report, 22/7/08; col. WA 261), why no minutes were produced for the meetings of the stakeholder panel on home information packs after 25 July 2007.[HL189]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): I have no further information to add to the Answers that my right honourable friend the former Housing Minister and I have already given.
Immigration
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the conditions of tier 5 of the Immigration Rules limit young people's cultural visits to those coming from Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand. [HL83]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The youth mobility scheme under tier 5 of the new points-based system is open to any country which meets the eligibility criteria for the scheme, as set out in the tier 5 statement of intent published in May. Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand are the countries which applied and met the conditions to join the scheme at its launch.
In addition, young nationals of any country can come and enjoy the cultural benefits of a six-month stay in the UK where they meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules for visitors. We hope other countries will join.
Olympic Games 2012: Temporary Venues
Question
Asked by Lord Corbett of Castle Vale
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the KPMG review of possible temporary venues for the 2012 Olympic Games commissioned by the Olympic Delivery Authority. [HL37]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The KPMG report will be published subject to ensuring that it does not contain any commercial sensitive material. However, we do not yet have a final copy of the report and are not therefore in a position to place a copy in the Library of the House. We will do so when we can.
15 Dec 2008 : Column WA18
Planning: Parkland
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what powers they have to prevent the sale of metropolitan open land, such as the parkland within Crystal Palace Park, or overturn a planning decision by London Boroughs to approve developments on such land. [HL124]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): The Secretary of State has no powers to prevent the sale of land on the basis of its designation as metropolitan open land.
The Secretary of State can call in for her own decision any planning application which a local planning authority is minded to approve but for which permission has not been issued. A decision to call in an application can follow its automatic referral to her under one of the directions applying to certain categories of application or from a request from a member of the public relating to a specific application.
It is open to the Secretary of State to refuse permission for a planning application which she has called in for her own decision and which has therefore been considered at a public local inquiry by a planning inspector, if she considers it justified in planning terms.
Prisons: Lottery Funds
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the National Lottery awarding £2.5 million to the Howard League for Penal Reform to establish a national programme of support for young people in custody. [HL30]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting (Lord Carter of Barnes): We have made no such assessment. The Big Lottery Fund made an “in principle” grant to the Howard League for Penal Reform independently of government. All decisions on National Lottery grants are made independently by the various lottery distributing bodies.
Public Houses
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many public houses have closed in each of the past three years; and how many of the closures were in Essex. [HL92]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting (Lord Carter of Barnes): We do not collect statistics specifically on public house closures. The DCMS Statistical Bulletin on Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment does not identify the number of pubs in England and Wales but rather the number of premises authorising the sale or supply of alcohol by means of a premises
15 Dec 2008 : Column WA19
Visas
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will remove the restrictions on visa applications by young people for travel and cultural exchanges to the United Kingdom to other Commonwealth and non-European Union countries. [HL84]
15 Dec 2008 : Column WA20
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): Opportunities for cultural exchange for young people are provided for under the youth mobility scheme (YMS) under tier 5 of the points-based system. So far, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand have joined the scheme, but any other countries can apply to be considered for the scheme at any time. Those which do will be assessed impartially under the YMS eligibility criteria, as set out in the tier 5 statement of intent published in May, and, if they qualify, will be invited to join the scheme.
In addition, young nationals of any country can come and enjoy the cultural benefits of a six-month stay in the UK where they meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules for visitors.
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