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The value of the benefit paid is only available at disproportionate costs because under the EC social security co-ordinating regulations (EC Regulations 1408/71 and 574/72) not all awards of child benefit in respect of children living in other member states are made at the full UK rate.
Biometric Data
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many persons have had their biometric data taken by Counter Terrorism Command under Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000; how many of those have applied to the chief police officer of the force which took the data under the exceptional case procedure for their samples to be destroyed; how many of those applications have been successful; and what was the average length of time between the first
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The powers of examination contained in Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000 are an important tool in countering terrorism. Terrorists often need to travel across borders to plan, prepare and initiate their acts and these powers are essential in helping to identify those individuals. The powers within Schedule 7 allow officers to take biometric material in order to determine if someone is, or has been, involved in the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of terrorism.
Nationally, from the introduction of the Terrorism Act up to 31 December 2009, fingerprints and DNA samples have been taken under Schedule 7 on approximately 1,200 occasions. I am advised that there have been three individuals who are known to have applied for the samples to be destroyed under the exceptional case procedure. However, as applications are made to individual forces, it is possible that some cases have not been reported centrally. Of these three individuals, two sets of samples have been destroyed and the third case is still under consideration. These cases have taken between six and 12 months to complete.
In response to the European Court of Human Rights judgment in the case of S and Marper v United Kingdom [2008] ECHR 1581, and following pubic consultation in May 2009, the Government laid the Crime and Security Bill before Parliament. It contains provisions that would establish a clear statutory framework for the retention, destruction and use of biometric material, including DNA samples, DNA profiles and fingerprints. They strike a proper balance between protecting the pubic from the threat posed by terrorism and other threats to national security and upholding individuals' rights and liberties.
Furthermore, the powers contained in Schedule 7 are kept under scrutiny by the noble Lord Carlile of Berriew, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation. He has regularly reviewed and made recommendations as to the use of these powers but has consistently found the powers to be necessary and proportionate.
British Citizenship
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is possible to be a British National (Overseas) and British Overseas citizen concurrently; and whether an otherwise stateless person holding both statuses can be registered as a British citizen under section 4B of the British Nationality Act 1981 or the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997. [HL1640]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): There is no legislative bar on a person holding the statuses of British Overseas citizen and British National (Overseas) concurrently, but the circumstances in which this situation might
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To ask Her Majesty's Government how an applicant should fill out sections 1.17 to 1.40 of Home Office form B(OS) if the anglicised spelling, place of birth, date of birth or nationality of the deceased parent or grandparent in question is not known to the applicant. [HL1641]
Lord West of Spithead: A person wanting to apply for British citizenship under Section 4B of the British Nationality Act 1981 should complete the form B(OS) to the best of his or her knowledge. If anglicised spellings of names are not known, the applicant should enter the details as known, and UKBA will look into this.
However, if he or she is not able to provide sufficient information about his or her parents or grandparents, this may prevent him or her from demonstrating that the requirement to have no other citizenship or nationality is met. If a person has any concerns in this respect they may wish to contact the UK Border Agency for advice on their particular situation.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what nationality an applicant should state on Home Office form B(OS) for their parent or grandparent who was born in undivided India but did not acquire Indian citizenship because they died before the citizenship provisions of the constitution of India came into force; whether they will update the form and guidance notes to reflect how in that circumstance deceased parents should be treated; whether such an applicant would be expected to obtain a letter from Indian authorities confirming non-acquisition of Indian citizenship; and, if so, for what purpose. [HL1642]
Lord West of Spithead: If the person concerned was born before the Indian constitution took effect on 26 January 1950, their eligibility for Indian citizenship would be determined in accordance with Section 5 of the constitution. This specifies that a person who was domiciled in India on 26 January and had a parent born in the territory of India would be an Indian citizen.
If the person was born after the Indian constitution took effect on 26 January 1950 his status would be considered in accordance with the Indian Citizenship Act 1955. Section 1(3) of that Act specifies that where a person's father died before commencement, the status that the father would have acquired but for his death will apply. As such, a person born outside India after 26 January 1950 will be a British citizen if his father would have been a citizen of India at the time of the birth, but for his death.
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As such it would be appropriate, where a person's father was born in India, for UKBA to request confirmation that the person concerned has not acquired citizenship of India, either automatically or by registration, at any time. When completing an application form in relation to a parent or grandparent who was born in India but died before 26 January 1950, that person's nationality status could be entered as "British subject". UKBA will then assess that person's status in relation to their date and place of birth. UKBA will consider whether any amendment is required to form and guide B(OS) in this respect.
Buying Solutions
Question
Asked by Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay
To ask Her Majesty's Government what criteria firms must meet to be listed in a Buying Solutions Management Consultancy and Accounting Services framework agreement; how many firms are part of such framework agreements; for how long each firm part of such a framework agreement has been listed; how Buying Solutions inform them of the performance of such framework agreements; and what responsibility Buying Solutions has to ensure such framework agreements provide value for money. [HL2078]
The Financial Services Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Myners): Suppliers on the Management Consultancy & Accounting Services (MCAS) framework agreement have to meet the criteria detailed in the table below:
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Catalogue rates by consultant grade and percentage discounts-Maximum Rate. |
There are 38 suppliers on the MCAS framework agreement.
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The MCAS framework agreement is for three years with an option to extend for a year. Framework agreements are not generally for more than four years in total.
Supplier performance on the MCAS framework agreement is managed and monitored through structured key performance indicators (KPIs) and management information (MI) that form part of the terms and conditions of the agreement. Suppliers provide input and get feedback on performance, via six-monthly reviews and supplier meetings.
Buying solutions provides a framework to enable value for money via the monitoring of maximum rates, encouraging further competition, guidance on use of the framework and the MCAS terms and conditions. Customers decide their own pricing mechanisms and general use of the framework agreement. Suppliers provide input and get feedback on performance, via six-monthly reviews and supplier meetings.
CCTV
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many closed-circuit television cameras there are in London. [HL1810]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the effect of the installation of closed-circuit television cameras on the level of recorded crime in major cities in the United Kingdom. [HL1811]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): There are no figures held centrally on the number of CCTV cameras in London.
CCTV is most effective when used alongside other measures. CCTV can assist in the detection of crime in public places, provide evidential material in identifying offenders and help in bringing them to justice. A recent report by the Campbell Crime and Justice Group: (http://db.c2admin.org/doc-pdf/Welsh_CCTV_review.pdf), which includes UK membership and whose review was part-funded by the Home Office, included the observation that CCTV is more effective in reducing crime in the UK than in other countries.
The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) and Cheshire Constabulary are conducting a qualitative analysis of recorded crime data and case files in Cheshire to determine the value of CCTV to investigations carried out in that police force area. This work will be used to assist in further consideration of the criteria that should be applied in other areas of England and Wales by police, local authorities and others in assessing the contribution of CCTV to crime detection, crime reduction and public confidence.
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China
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have raised with the Government of China the case of Gao Zhisheng, a human rights lawyer who was imprisoned on 4 February 2009; and whether they will request the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to ask China to reveal his location and any charges lodged against him. [HL1876]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead): We are concerned about the case of Gao Zhisheng and the continuing uncertainty over his whereabouts. Ivan Lewis released a statement on 3 February urging the Chinese Government to provide accurate information on Gao's situation to ease the concerns of his family and friends and to provide reassurance about his condition. The EU also issued a statement, expressing its concerns over Gao's disappearance, on 9 February.
We have consistently raised the case of Gao Zhisheng with the Chinese Government, most recently when Ivan Lewis raised the matter with a senior Chinese delegation on 6 December 2009. We also worked with our EU partners to ensure that his case was raised as part of a case list at the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue on 20 November 2009. The Chinese responded with details of Gao's arrest and imprisonment. They stated that Gao himself had accepted the judgment and was on probation and that he returned to his home town in Shaanxi Province for the tomb-sweeping festival in June 2009. Gao Zhisheng's case was also raised at the EU-China Strategic Dialogue in December 2009. We will continue to raise his case at every opportunity. If Gao's family, friends or representatives want the working group to investigate, they are able to approach it directly.
Climate Change
Question
Asked by Lord Taylor of Holbeach
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their negotiators at climate change conferences utilise the work of the Optimum Population Trust, particularly its statement, Population and Climate Change, of August 2009. [HL1881]
The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath): Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UK negotiators form part of the wider EU negotiation team which uses EU Council conclusions as the basis for negotiation positions. Population issues have not so far formed part of the UNFCCC negotiations.
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Communities: Faith Forums
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government which groups, causes or organisations were funded in each round of the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund programme; how much was given to each; and how much funding is to be allocated. [HL1910]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton): The information requested is in the tables below. The Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund ran from 2004-05 to 2007-08 and my department has no plans to initiate a further application round.
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