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The EU has sent observers to the various stages of his judicial hearings so far and plans to attend his bail hearing, now due in May.
Mental Health: Hospital Admissions
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people were admitted to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 in each of the past five years. [HL3192]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The number of detentions under the Mental Health Act 1983 on admission to hospital in England is shown in the following table.
Formal admissions to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983, England, 2003-04 to 2007-08
| Year | Admissions |
Source: In-patients formally detained in hospitals under the Mental Health Act 1983 and other legislation, England: 1997-98 to 2007-08. Information Centre for Health and Social Care, October 2008.
(1) Formal admissions do not include detentions subsequent to admission to hospital, or short-term detentions in a hospital as a place of safety under Section 135 or 136 of that Act.
(2) Figures include a small number of detentions under other legislation equivalent to the Mental Health Act 1983.
NHS: Allergy Services
Question
Asked by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff
To ask Her Majesty's Government what will be the impact of the development of over-the-counter self-diagnostic tests for food allergy on NHS allergy services; and what safeguards exist to ensure patients receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate advice. [HL2965]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The Department of Health has not carried out, nor does it have any current plans to carry out, any investigation on the impact of the development of over-the-counter self-diagnostic tests for food allergy on National Health Service allergy services.
Over-the-counter self-diagnostic test kits for allergy to food placed on the market for use by the lay person must meet the safety, quality and performance requirements of the Medical Devices Regulations. Instructions for use for such test kits should warn users of possible false results and provide guidance on the interpretation of the results and the need for medical advice. The results of the tests must be expressed and presented in a way that is readily understood by a lay person.
NHS: Whistleblowing
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether persons who work in the National Health Service and who speak to the media about problems they encounter in their working lives may face disciplinary action as a result. [HL3172]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 gives full protection of the law to staff who whistleblow in the public interest and the penalties for those who penalise staff for doing so are potentially very severe. The department has therefore, in light of the Act, made it clear that every National Health Service trust should have in place local policies and procedures that comply with the Act. The Government expect a climate of openness
6 May 2009 : Column WA123
Northern Cyprus
Question
Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, regarding property claims within the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, they continue to be guided by (a) the precedent set in Hesperides Hotels v Muftizade in the Court of Appeal, and (b) the report by the then United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, on 27 May 2005 concluding that, except by mutual agreement, there should be no individual exceptions pending a settlement to the Cyprus dispute. [HL3150]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The application of previous case law in the determination of claims is a matter for the courts. As my right honourable friend the Minister for Europe (Caroline Flint) said in a public statement recently,
- “property remains a sensitive and emotive issue for many people in Cyprus. It can only be fully resolved by political means through a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem. I urge all Cypriots to support fully the efforts of the two leaders to find a comprehensive solution and focus on the benefits that ending the division of the island will bring”.
Northern Ireland Office: Bonuses
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon on 20 April (WA 355) concerning the payment of bonuses to the officials of the Northern Ireland Office, when official guidance will be given; and whether it will be published. [HL3044]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: As stated in my Answer of 26 January (Official Report, col. WA 16), the code of practice and guidance in relation to non-consolidated payments to non-Senior Civil Service staff has been placed in the Library of the House.
Information on the reward arrangements for the Senior Civil Service, which are managed centrally by the Cabinet Office, is available on the civilservice.gov.uk website. A copy will be made available in the Library of the House.
Police: Harassment
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will issue new guidance to Thames Valley Police regarding laws on harassment in the light of the case of Mr Robin Demczak of Witney. [HL3077]
6 May 2009 : Column WA124
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): Police forces have a duty to investigate fully and impartially any complaint they receive.
The matter referred to here is still under investigation by Thames Valley Police as the proper authority.
The Home Office does not comment where it is an operational matter for a police force to deal with, or on individual cases.
Police: National Computer
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Holbeach
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Policing, Crime and Security, Vernon Coaker, on 16 March (Official Report, House of Commons, col. 924W), why (a) Defra Litigations and Prosecutions, (b) the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, (c) the Department for Transport. (d) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, (e) the Environment Agency, (f) the Health and Safety Executive, (f) the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, and (g) the Charity Commission, have access to the Police National Computer. [HL3031]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): Defra Litigations and Prosecutions, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and the Charity Commission all have access for case preparation in investigations/prosecutions.
The Department for Transport has access for national security vetting.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority has access to assist the identification of suspect/stolen vehicles and for targeting unlicensed/incorrectly licensed vehicles.
Police: Northern Ireland
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the purchase of ballistic steel for Police Service of Northern Ireland vehicles was last put to tender; who won the contract; and what were the value and length of the contract.[HL3129]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: That is an operational matter for the chief constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the noble Lord, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any administrative staff of the Police Service of Northern Ireland have been suspended following an investigation
6 May 2009 : Column WA125
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: That is an operational matter for the chief constable. I have asked him to reply directly to the noble Lord, and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Roads: Moped Accidents
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they propose to take to reduce the number of serious road accidents to young moped riders, as illustrated in a recent report published by the Institute of Advanced Motorists. [HL3182]
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Adonis): The Government's motorcycling strategy sets out a range of measures to improve the safety of all powered two-wheeler users, including young moped riders. It was published in February 2005 and a revised action plan was issued in June 2008. This includes Think! publicity for powered two-wheeler and other road users, improvements to rider training, a safer road environment and safer vehicles and equipment.
Terrorism
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assets have been seized under terrorism legislation in each of the past five years. [HL3005]
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been convicted under terrorism legislation for raising funds in each of the past five years. [HL3006]
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been prosecuted under terrorism legislation for encouraging or glorifying terrorism. [HL3007]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action has been taken against the places from which people operate who have been prosecuted under terrorism legislation for encouraging or glorifying terrorism. [HL3008]
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been (a) arrested, and (b) prosecuted, for inciting terrorism overseas in each year since 2000. [HL3070]
6 May 2009 : Column WA126
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been (a) arrested, and (b) prosecuted, for entering into or facilitating the retention of terrorist property. [HL3071]
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people have been convicted under Section 57(4)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2000 in each year since 2001; and what was the sentence in each case. [HL3072]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The information requested is not currently available.
The Home Office, Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Office are currently working with the national co-ordinator for terrorist investigations to improve the quality of data on arrests and convictions under terrorist legislation and other related legislation. As soon as this is complete a statistical bulletin to cover information on arrests and convictions will be published, but as yet we do not have a confirmed date.
Turkey
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are assessing the compliance of Turkey with its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular concerning the prosecution of minors under terrorism legislation and the length of custodial sentences currently being imposed; and whether they will make representations. [HL3034]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The UK shares the assessment of the UN Committee on the Convention on the Rights of the Child concerning Turkey's progress towards implementing all articles of the convention.
The committee's most recent report notes that there has been some progress in Turkey, including a new child protection law which entered into force on 3 July 2005. The committee recommends further strengthening of work and activities in the area of child rights. The UK supports these conclusions both in principle and practically through bilateral and EU projects aimed at ensuring the full implementation of UNICEF minimum standards. We follow developments relating to the prosecution of minors closely, including by meeting both the non-governmental organisations working on this issue and some of the minors affected, including during regional visits. We raised this issue with provincial governors in December together with EU colleagues, and raised the issue with central government as part of the EU's regular dialogue with Turkey.
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