Written Answers of 27 February 1998

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  Overseas Development Minister: New Statesman Interview
  Baroness Miller of Hendon
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the statement made in the New Statesman on 24 February by the Secretary of State for Overseas Development regarding single mothers working whilst on benefit was passed by the Strategic Communications Unit. [HL721]

  Lord Whitty
  The Secretary of State for International Development gave a wide ranging interview to the political editor of the New Statesman, which was published in its 20 February edition. I recommend that the noble Baroness read the interview. She may find it interesting to compare its content with some of the news reports of the interview.

  Press Activity: Effect on Court Cases
  Lord Williams of Elvel
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they have accepted the recommendations of the National Heritage Committee in their report of press activity affecting court cases. [HL747]

  The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)
  The Government is committed to obtaining an appropriate balance between the due administration of justice on the one hand and freedom of speech on the other. It has concluded that the committee's recommendations maintain that balance and has therefore accepted them in principle.

  The Report recommended (i) that there should be legislation forbidding payments to witnesses, and (ii) that Section 2 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 should be strengthened so that it covers the collective or cumulative effect of pre-trial publicity in risking prejudicing a trial, as well as the effect of individual articles. This means that newspapers could not escape liability, as one case held they could, because a number of them had acted in a similar way and together had caused the prejudice.

  Work is proceeding on the form which the necessary legislation should take. It will be brought forward when a suitable opportunity is found.

  International Criminal Court: Sixth Preparatory Meeting
  Lord Avebury
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will place in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament copies of documents to be considered at the Sixth Session of the Preparatory
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  Committee on the International Criminal Court, which meets from 16 March to 3 April; and whether they will publish a paper summarising the main issues still to be decided and the position of the United Kingdom on each of them. [HL638]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)
  The only document to be considered at the Sixth Session of the Preparatory Committee which we have yet received is the report of the intersessional meeting from 19 to 30 January 1998 in Zutphen, The Netherlands. This report contains the draft Statute for the International Criminal Court. It is available on the Internet at http://www.igc.apc.org/icc. We placed a statement of Her Majesty's Government's policy on the International Criminal Court in the Libraries of the House on 24 February.

  Algeria
  Lord Avebury
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they have studied the evidence of state—sponsored disappearances in Algeria presented in the Human Rights Watch report Algeria: neither among the living nor the dead; and whether they will take any of the actions recommended in this report. [HL639]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  We continue to be concerned about allegations of human rights violations in Algeria, including those contained in the latest Human Rights Watch report, and raise these concerns as part of our ongoing dialogue with the Algerian Government.

  Iraq: Oil-for-Food Programme
  The Earl of Sandwich
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they are satisfied with the United Nations' report on the implementation of the oil-for-food programme in Iraq; and whether they have made any independent assessment. [HL705]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  We welcome the Secretary-General's report on the implementation of oil-for-food. His recommendations to improve and enhance the oil-for-food arrangements were embodied in Security Council Resolution 1153, adopted on 20 February, which was drafted by the UK.

  The UK has been at the forefront of provisions to help the Iraqi people. We have consistently co-sponsored oil-for-food resolutions.

  We have also provided £94 million in humanitarian aid since 1991, making us the second largest donor country.

  General Medical Services Funding
  Lord Rea
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  On what basis resources for general medical services (formerly administered by Family Health Service Authorities) are allocated to health authorities at present; and whether changes are contemplated that will more accurately reflect and cater for the increased needs of deprived populations than the current system of deprivation payments to general practitioners, based on Under-Privileged Area (Jarman) scores. [HL728]

  The Minister of State, Department of Health (Baroness Jay of Paddington)
  At present most general medical services expenditure is non cash-limited or demand-led and is funded nationally rather than from moneys allocated to health authorities. Cash-limited funds are allocated to health authorities according to a weighted capitation formula. Deprivation payments are made from non cash-limited funds and the Government are considering ways in which a more effective use of deprivation payments can be achieved.

  Abortion Policy
  Lord Braine of Wheatley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Jay of Paddington on 16 February (WA 6–7), what is the total amount given to each of the organisations listed in that Answer since 1968. [HL709]

  Baroness Jay of Paddington
  I regret that this information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Brook Advisory Centres
  Lord Braine of Wheatley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What role they envisage for the Brook Advisory Centres in delivering their target for reducing the rate of conceptions for girls below the age of 16 as outlined in The New NHS: Modern and Dependable. [HL724]

  Baroness Jay of Paddington
  In November 1997 the Government announced the development of a national programme to tackle the high rate of teenage conceptions in England. The principal aim of this programme is to reduce the number of teenage conceptions by supporting young people in deferring sexual activity and improving access to advice and counselling services, including contraception for those who are sexually active.

  A consultation exercise on the national programme is currently under way. A wide range of organisations and individuals have been and will continue to be involved. These include professionals in primary and community health, education and social services as well as
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  representatives of voluntary, community and user groups.

  Local Brook Advisory Centres, along with other local services, can play a significant role in providing services for young people.

  Zyloric Acid Tablets
  Lord Jacobs
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether doctors are entitled to prescribe 100mg and 200mg Zyloric acid tablets to National Health Service patients; how many such tablets were prescribed in 1996 and 1997; and what is the price per 100 tablets that the National Health Service pays the manufacturer. [HL720]

  Baroness Jay of Paddington
  Doctors may prescribe Zyloric tablets on the National Health Service, but there is no 200mg preparation in tablet form. In 1996, 1.7 million 100mg Zyloric acid tablets and 3.3 million 300mg tablets were dispensed in the community in England. The net ingredient cost of 100 tablets was £10.96 for 100mg tablets and £28.07 for the 300mg tablets.

  Information for the whole of 1997 is not yet available.

  Reproductive Health Funding
  Lord Braine of Wheatley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they are satisfied that the funds they provide to organisations involved in the provisions of services, advice and information on reproductive health are not used by those organisations to campaign for the liberalisation of the abortion laws in Great Britain or abroad. [HL711]

  Baroness Jay of Paddington
  The Government do not fund any organisation to campaign for or against abortion. Funding, via the Section 64 schemes and equivalent Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish schemes, is provided to assist national voluntary organisations with their central administrative costs. A number of grants are also awarded for projects which are innovative and of potential national significance, or which further the department's policy objectives by developing a particular pattern of service.

  The Department for International Development funds a number of organisations involved in the provision of services, advice and information on reproductive health in poorer countries, including the United Nations Population Fund and the International Planned Parenthood Federation. These organisations are opposed to the promotion of abortion as a method of family planning.

  We are not aware of any organisation receiving funding using it to campaign for the liberalisation of abortion laws in Great Britain or abroad.

  Government Defeats in the House of Lords
  Lord Braine of Wheatley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will publish in the Official Report a table showing the occasions for each of Sessions 1979–80; 1984–85; 1987–88; 1992–93; and to date in 1997–98, when the Government were defeated in a Division on the floor of the House; and whether the decision was:

  (a) accepted or

  (b) overturned by the House of Commons. [HL625]

  The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Richard)
  The information requested is not available for Session 1979–80. For the remaining Sessions, the information requested is as follows. I should say, however, that this procedural record of the outcome in each case might not give the whole picture. It would not, however, be appropriate for me to seek to interpret these results.

  Session 1984–85

  Date

  Stage of Bill

  Decision reached

  24/01/85

  Prosecution of Offences Bill (HL)—Committee

  Accepted

  29/01/85

  Insolvency Bill (HL)— Committee

  Accepted after further amendments made in both Houses

  19/03/85

  Administration of Justice Bill (HL)—Report

  Accepted

  28/03/85

  Representation of the People Bill—Committee

  Further amended but then overturned

  01/04/85

  Insolvency Bill (HL)— Report

  Overturned

  04/04/85

  Films Bill—Third Reading

  Overturned

  16/04/85

  Insolvency Bill (HL)— Third Reading

  Accepted

  16/04/85

  Trustee Savings Banks Bill—Report

  Overturned with amendments in lieu

  16/04/85

  Trustee Savings Banks Bill—Report

  Subsequent amendment accepted

  07/05/85

  Local Government Bill— Committee

  Accepted with amendments

  07/08/85

  Local Government Bill— Committee

  Overturned

  09/05/85

  Local Government Bill— Committee

  Overturned but further amendments made

  13/05/85

  Local Government Bill— Committee

  Accepted with further amendments

  04/07/85

  Education (Corporal Punishment) Bill— Report

  Bill withdrawn

  16/07/85

  Transport Bill— Committee

  Accepted

  22/10/85

  Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill—Third Reading

  Accepted with consequential amendments

  In addition, the Government were defeated on a Motion on 29 July. It was not for the Commons to consider this Motion.
  WA 122

  Session 1987–88

  Date

  Stage of Bill

  Decision reached

  18/01/88

  Legal Aid Bill (HL)— Committee

  Agreed with further Lords amendments

  16/02/88

  Local Government Bill—Report

  Overturned

  18/02/88

  Local Government Bill—Report

  Accepted

  03/03/88

  Social Security Bill— Report

  Accepted

  31/03/88

  Licensing Bill—Report

  Accepted with an amendment

  12/05/88

  Education Reform Bill—Committee

  Accepted

  19/05/88

  Education Reform Bill—Committee

  Accepted

  28/06/88

  Education Reform Bill—Report

  Amendment offered in lieu

  28/06/88

  Education Reform Bill—Report

  Amendment offered in lieu

  30/06/88

  Local Government Finance Bill—Report

  Overturned

  05/07/88

  Local Government Finance Bill—Report

  Overturned

  08/07/88

  Education Reform Bill—Third Reading

  Accepted

  08/07/88

  Education Reform Bill—Third Reading

  Accepted

  19/07/88

  Health and Medicines Bill—Committee

  Overturned

  19/07/88

  Health and Medicines Bill—Committee

  Overturned but consequential amendments made

  20/07/88

  Firearms (Amendment) Bill—Committee

  Accepted after further Lords amendments

  28/07/88

  Housing Bill— Committee

  Amendment offered in lieu

  Session 1992–93

  Date

  Stage of Bill

  Decision reached

  04/06/92

  Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Bill—Committee

  Overturned

  24/11/92

  Sea Fish (Conservation) Bill—Report

  Accepted

  02/02/93

  Agriculture Bill—Third Reading

  Accepted

  02/02/93

  Agriculture Bill—Third Reading

  Accepted

  02/03/93

  Asylum and Immigration Appeals Bill—Report

  Overturned

  20/04/93

  Education Bill— Committee

  Overturned

  11/05/93

  Housing and Urban Development Bill— Report

  Accepted

  25/05/93

  Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Bill— Third Reading

  Accepted

  14/06/93

  Education Bill—Report

  Overturned

  14/06/93

  Education Bill—Report

  Overturned

  05/07/93

  Railways Bill— Committee

  Accepted but modified by amendments

  20/10/93

  Railways Bill—Report

  Overturned

  03/11/93

  Railways Bill—Consideration of Commons Amendments (three separate defeats)

  Overturned (all 3 defeats)

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  In addition, the Government were defeated on Motions on four occasions (6 July and 20 October 1992; and 15 July and 18 October 1993). It was not for the Commons to consider these Motions.

  Session 1997–98 (up to and including 25 February 1998)

  Date

  Stage of Bill

  Decision reached

  3/07/97

  Referendums (Scotland and Wales)— Committee

  Overturned

  17/07/97

  Education (Schools) Bill—Report

  Overturned

  21/07/97

  Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill—Report

  Overturned

  16/10/97

  Firearms Bill—Report

  Overturned

  16/10/97

  Firearms Bill—Report

  Overturned

  13/01/98

  Greater London Authority (Referendum) Bill—Committee

  Overturned

  29/01/98

  Greater London Authority (Referendum) Bill—Report

  Overturned

  05/02/98

  Human Rights Bill— Third Reading

  The Commons are still considering the Bill

  09/02/98

  Competition Bill—Report

  The Bill is still in the Lords

  In addition, the Government were defeated on a Motion on the Beef Bones Regulations on 27 January 1998. It is not for the Commons to consider this vote.

  Military and Police Assistance to Foreign Governments
  Lord Gladwin of Clee
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is their policy towards disclosure of details of military and related police assistance provided to foreign governments. [HL861]

  The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)
  Military and related police assistance is provided in support of a range of foreign and defence policy aims. It can be an important factor in the development of the United Kingdom's relations with countries in all parts of the world, and can make a significant contribution to regional stability by promoting military effectiveness, which helps to deter aggression. This assistance is a key element of defence diplomacy. All requests for military assistance are considered in the light of the Government's wider foreign policy.

  Many foreign governments regard such assistance as contributing to their national security and are thus
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  sensitive about public disclosure of information about it. As a result of this sensitivity, it has been the practice of Ministers to decline to answer questions concerning the detail and nature of training assistance. This convention has continued to apply since the introduction of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which recognises defence, security and international relations as reasons for withholding information.

  The Government have been considering this practice against our commitment to openness. As a result, we have decided that the public interest would be served by greater disclosure of the details of military and related police assistance provided to foreign governments. In future, details of the amount of assistance provided by our Armed Forces will be produced annually and published in the Ministry of Defence's Performance Report, starting with that to be produced following the end of this financial year. These details will include the numbers of overseas personnel trained, by country, the numbers of United Kingdom personnel involved in providing training or assistance overseas, again by country, and levels of any subsidies provided by the MoD. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will publish details of the training subsidy programme funded by them. This information will also be made available to the public on request.

  All other requests for information in relation to training and assistance provided will, with immediate effect, be considered on their individual merits, but with a presumption towards disclosure unless this would be against the public interest as governed by the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. In practice, it is possible that information may need to be withheld where foreign countries have legitimate security concerns, where our bilateral relations might be damaged or significantly weakened by disclosure, or where disclosure would harm our own national security. We would also not normally intend to make available personal details of students or training personnel, for reasons of personnel privacy, or provide information which might threaten the safety of individuals. Where a contractor could demonstrate that his sales prospects could suffer specific harm as a result of releasing information on military assistance, this would be weighed against the public interest in deciding to what extent disclosure should proceed, but the amount of information withheld will be kept to the minimum

  The new practice represents an appropriate balance between the need to ensure that genuine defence and foreign policy interests are protected, and legitimate parliamentary and public interest is these matters. It will ensure that significantly more information is available than has previously been the case.