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The latest assessment from the United Nations (UN) Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs is that over 400,000 civilians have been severely affected by the ongoing conflicts in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. We are greatly concerned by this and continue to work closely with our international partners to push for an immediate cessation of hostilities, establishment of an agreed process to address the root causes of violence, and humanitarian access in these two states. The latest UN estimate is that 110,000 people have been displaced from Abyei. We continue to call for the Sudanese armed forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Army to fully withdraw from Abyei following the deployment of the UN Interim Security Force in Abyei and the agreement of the Abyei protocol to allow these people to return home.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the economic effects of the closure of Sudan's border with South Sudan. [HL14215]
Lord Howell of Guildford: The closure of crossing points along the border between Sudan and South Sudan has had a significant impact on supply chains for food and other goods to South Sudan, particularly impacting the northern regions which border Sudan. This is an important contributory factor in the high inflation rate in South Sudan, currently 79 per cent. Closures also have a significant impact on the livelihoods of those in both Sudan and South Sudan who depend on cross-border trade. In the longer term, the closures and resultant restriction of trade and movements of goods will have a damaging effect on both economies. We continue to support the African Union high level panel's efforts to facilitate negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan on the management, monitoring and demarcation of their shared border.
Syria
Questions
Asked by Lord Janner of Braunstone
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their latest assessment of the crackdown on protesters in Syria.[HL14087]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The United Nations estimates that the number of those killed in Syria is many more than 4,000 people, including 307 children. It has reported human rights violations which are widespread and systematic, including murder, summary executions, rape, tens of thousands of detentions, many of whom are tortured, and repression. Despite
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The Government have made clear their deep concerns about the brutal repression by the Syrian regime. The international community united in its condemnation of the human rights abuses in Syria when they voted in favour of the United Nations resolution in the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee on the human rights situation in Syria on 22 November.
The UK has led efforts to secure three Special Sessions of the UN Human Rights Council, which established independent, international investigations into the human rights situation in Syria. On 28 November, the commission of inquiry investigating human rights published its interim report on abuses in Syria, which highlighted the widespread human rights violations carried out by the Assad regime against the civilian population.
We support the commission of the inquiry's recommendations and will continue to work with our international partners to increase pressure on the Assad regime to bring an end to the violence and bloodshed.
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Howell of Guildford on 29 November (WA 63) concerning their discussions with representatives of the Syrian opposition, whether they have been in contact with the government of Syria to offer their assistance in preventing civil war from breaking out.[HL14140]
Lord Howell of Guildford: In our contacts with members of the Syrian Government we make clear that the Syrian security forces should stop the violent repression and withdraw from towns which they have besieged. We believe reducing the cycle of violence is vital.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for helping to end violence in Syria and for assisting Syrians to move towards a plural democracy.[HL14171]
Lord Howell of Guildford: The UK has been at the forefront of international action in the European Union, and the United Nations, to increase the pressure on President Assad and his regime to bring an end to the brutal violence which has been going on since March 2011. We commend the Arab League's efforts including its decision to impose sanctions on the Syrian regime. We will continue to work with countries in the region and our international partners, to achieve a peaceful and democratic transition.
We have heightened our engagement with a wide range of Syrian opposition groups and oppositionists. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) appointed an ambassador-level official to contribute to this. We have emphasised to all those involved in the opposition movement the importance
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Taiwan
Question
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Howell of Guildford): The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed.
The UK acknowledges the position of the Chinese Government that Taiwan is a province of the People's Republic of China, and recognises the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China.
Transport: Certificates of Professional Competence
Question
Asked by Lord Willoughby de Broke
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the cost of acquiring the Certificate of Professional Competence required of all drivers of vehicles over 3.5 tonnes under European Union regulation 1071/2009.[HL14273]
Earl Attlee: The current one-off cost of taking the International Certificate of Professional Competence examination for road haulage and road passenger transport operations is £125.80.
Historically, the examinations were run by only one examining body. However, the department has changed its policy, to allow other properly qualified bodies to also hold their own examination. Hopefully, increasing competition in this way will put further downward pressure on costs.
Transport: Vehicles over 3.5 Tonnes
Question
Asked by Lord Willoughby de Broke
To ask Her Majesty's Government why they are applying European Union regulation 1071/2009 to all drivers of vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, when it is stated in clause 6 of that regulation that "it is unnecessary to include within the scope of this Regulation undertakings which only perform transport operations with a very small impact on the transport market".[HL14272]
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Earl Attlee: The Department for Transport does not apply operator licensing to all vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
The Goods Vehicle (Licensing of Operators) Regulations 1995 lists 29 types of goods vehicle or operation (both hire and reward and own account) that are exempt from the requirements of operator licensing.
However, the law allowing an exemption to a class of goods hire or reward operation is at Article 1(5) of the regulation. This requires the exemption to be for national operations only and have only a minor impact on the transport market because of:
The nature of the goods carried; orThe short distances involved.Blanket exemptions to particular classes of vehicle are not permitted unless there is sufficient evidence that it fully satisfies all these requirements.
United States: Air Force
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the United States Air Force is required to obtain their permission to fly over built-up parts of the United Kingdom; and, if so, from whom.[HL14151]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): All military aircraft are restricted from over flying towns with a population of more than 10,000 people when operating in the UK military low-flying system, defined as airspace up to 2,000 feet above ground level. Above 2,000 feet there are no restrictions. If United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft based in the UK wish to over fly towns with a population greater than 10,000 people at heights of less than 2,000 feet, approval must be sought from the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
Any USAF aircraft not based in the UK must have approval from the MOD before operating anywhere within the UK military low flying system.
Visas
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 30 November (WA 84), how many confirmations of acceptance for studies (CAS) have each of the 82 current B rated sponsors assigned in the last twelve months; and when the CAS facility for such sponsors is ending.[HL14118]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Henley): The details of the current privately funded Tier 4 B rated sponsors as at 7 December are included in the following table. The number of B rated sponsors changes on a daily basis as action is taken on licences which could include re-rating from a B to an A rating, suspension or revocation.
Sponsors can continue to issue confirmations of acceptance for studies (CAS) until they reach their individual CAS limit or until they cease holding a
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Licensed and Fully Active Tier 4 B-rated Privately Funded Sponsors @ 7 December 2011
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Weapons: Unexploded Ordnance
Question
Asked by Lord West of Spithead
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have a residual responsibility to dispose of unexploded ordnance on the seabed on the United Kingdom's continental shelf, particularly if it poses a hazard to wind power, tidal power or oil and gas development. [HL13620]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Astor of Hever): Her Majesty's Government have responsibility for unexploded ordnance up to 12 nautical miles offshore, and in 500-metre radius security zones around manned offshore energy installations in the UK's exclusive economic zone. Disposal within these areas is normally carried out by defence explosive ordnance disposal teams from the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
Disposal outside these areas is normally carried out by commercial enterprises; however MOD subject matter experts are available for consultation.
West Lothian Question
Question
Asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 25 November (WA 289), when they will make an announcement giving further details of the commission to consider the West Lothian question.[HL14067]
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Lord Wallace of Saltaire: As I stated on 25 November, the follow-up announcement with further details on the Commission will be made shortly.
Young People: Creative Industries
Questions
Asked by The Earl of Clancarty
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Baroness Rawlings on 3 November (HL Deb, cols 1391-96), what is their definition of the term "creative industries"; and what is the basis for that definition.[HL14059]
To ask Her Majesty's Government , further to the reply by Baroness Rawlings on 3 November (HL Deb, cols 1391-96), how they define the term "the arts"; and what distinction they make, if any, between that term and the term "creative industries". [HL14060]
Baroness Rawlings: The basis for the UK Government definition of creative industries was the 1998 creative industries mapping document. This defined the creative industries as those industries which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent and which have a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property. The "Arts" by this definition are a subsector of the creative industries. These terms are not intended to be restrictive, but aid the practicalities of measuring industry activity. The December 2011 Creative Industries Economic Estimates have now been published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport: http://www.culture.gov. uk/publications/8682.aspx.
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