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In January 2009 the Dacre review of the 30-year rule recommended that the Government should consider a reduction to the 30-year rule-the point at which government information is usually opened to the public at an archive or other place of the deposit. The Government have accepted that there should be a reduction to the rule. Any such change would require amendments to the Freedom of Information Act. We are currently considering our response to the review and will publish it in due course.
House of Lords: Office Equipment
Question
To ask the Chairman of Committees further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Barbara Follett, on 9 December 2009 (Official Report, House of Commons, col. 390W), what was the average purchase price, excluding value added tax, of a 500 sheet ream of white A4 80 gsm photocopier paper paid by the House of Lords in the latest period for which figures are available. [HL1116]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): The House of Lords currently pays £1.65 plus VAT per 500 sheet ream of white A4 80 gsm photocopier paper.
House of Lords: Parking
Question
To ask the Chairman of Committees how many parking places are available for members and staff of the House of Lords for (a) cars, and (b) bicycles. [HL934]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): There are 216 car parking spaces available for Members and staff of the House of Lords, of which 100 are located in the Abingdon Street car park. There are 77 spaces for bicycles and 43 for motorcycles.
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Human Rights
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they favour community rights over individual rights in considering human rights issues in other countries. [HL947]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead): With the exception of the right of self determination, the UK considers that human rights belong to individuals and not to communities or groups. When we lobby other countries on human rights issues, we lobby for changes to laws and practices so that all individuals can enjoy their human rights, without discrimination.
Kyrgyzstan
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Kyrgyzstan will be the only central Asian country not invited to the international conference on Afghanistan to be held in London on 28 January 2010; if so, why it will not be invited; and whether the transit centre supporting military operations in Afghanistan is based in Manas International Airport. [HL925]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead): I can confirm that Kyrgyzstan has been invited to the London conference along with Foreign Ministers from International Security Assistance Force partners, Afghanistan's immediate neighbours and key regional players, together with representatives from North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the UN, the EU and other international organisations such as the World Bank. On 22 June 2009, the Governments of the United States and Kyrgyz Republic signed an agreement providing for a transit centre at Manas International Airport, operated by the United States, to provide logistical support to coalition forces in Afghanistan.
National DNA Database
Question
Asked by Baroness Neville-Jones
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord West of Spithead on 1 December (WA 28) concerning the national DNA database, what guidance they provide to assist the chief officers of police in determining whether to retain DNA and fingerprints taken from persons detained under the Terrorism Act 2000; and whether they will place a copy of any such guidance in the Library of the House. [HL790]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): There is currently no such guidance to assist chief constables in determining whether to retain DNA and fingerprints taken from persons detained under the Terrorism Act 2000. This is not a role they currently undertake. Currently, where DNA and fingerprints are taken from a person detained under the Terrorism Act, that material may be retained indefinitely.
As the noble Baroness will be aware from the Government's announcement on 11 November, we are proposing a new retention scheme for DNA and fingerprints via the new Crime and Security Bill. When the proposed retention scheme in the Bill becomes law, we will look to place any new guidance in the House Library.
Northern Ireland Office: Bonuses
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many officials in the Northern Ireland Office earn over £100,000 a year including bonuses; what grades they are; and how much each earned in each of the past five years. [HL808]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: All staff in the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) are paid in accordance with guidance issued by Cabinet Office/HM Treasury.
The details of those officials who have earned over £100,000 in the past five years are contained in the following table:
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* Please note that the former Permanent Secretary retired and a new Permanent Secretary was appointed during December 2005.
This information is available in the NIO resource accounts which are published each year in accordance with government guidelines. These accounts are available to view on the NIO website www.nio.gov.uk.
Northern Ireland Office: Consultants
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consultants the Northern Ireland Office has employed since 1 January 2008; for what tasks; and at what costs. [HL900]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The information is not available in the format requested. However, the following tables provide a breakdown of the type of consultancy provided and the costs in each of the past two financial years.
Expenditure on consultancy in the Northern Ireland Office has reduced year on year for the past four financial years, and in 2008-09 was 45 per cent less than in 2005-06.
| NIO and Executive Agencies Financial Year 2007-08 | |
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