Written Answers of 29 June 2004

  Northern Ireland Office: Telephone System
  Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether operator response times for the Northern Ireland Office telephone system are monitored; and, if so, what is the average response time for each financial year from April 1999 to March 2004; and what operator response target times have been set to be achieved by March 2005. [HL2805]

  The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos):
  The Northern Ireland Office's telephony service is provided as part of a wider service which includes all Northern Ireland Civil Service departments. Operator response times for the overall service are monitored, but because of the manner in which the service is provided it is not possible to provide response times solely for the NIO.

  Average response times for each financial year from 1999 for all inbound calls to the NIO/NICS switchboard are as follows:

  Financial year

  Average Response Time

  1999–2000

  15.01 sec

  2000–01

  14.58 sec

  2001–02

  12.68 sec

  2002–03

  13.31 sec

  2003–04

  27.00 sec

  The 2003–04 figures reflect some integration difficulties between a new switchboard service introduced in 2003 and the underlying telephony network, as well as from staff familiarising themselves with the new equipment and adjustments to the call handling process. Performance levels are now expected to improve over the next three months: the recent average response time figure of 20 seconds for May supports this expectation and, in the longer term, the switchboard service should be more efficient and effective than before. A target of 12 seconds is considered to be achievable if efficient call handling processes are established within departments' back-offices.

  Lord Maginnis of Drumglass
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What was the total cost of installing the Northern Ireland Office's new telephone switchboard; when the switchboard became operational; whether there have been any unexpected difficulties with the new system; and whether operator response times have improved. [HL2804]
  WA12
  Baroness Amos:
  The Northern Ireland Office's switchboard is provided as part of a corporate service which is also used by the 11 departments of the Northern Ireland administration (covering 160 sites and 30,000 staff). It was initially installed in 1992 and replaced in 2003. The new system cost"£1.6 million. It addressed problems with maintenance support for the old equipment and provides additional functionality, and was phased in over a period of seven months from April 2003 to October 2003.

  The new switchboard introduced new technology which required significant work to integrate with the existing voice telephone network. Some integration difficulties were anticipated and mitigated through the phased implementation approach, although a number took slightly longer than anticipated to resolve.

  While there was an initial decrease in average operator response times resulting from these issues, as well as from staff familiarising themselves with the new equipment and adjustments to the call handling process, performance levels are now expected to improve over the next three months and, in the longer term, the switchboard service should be more efficient and effective than before.

  Waterways Ireland
  Lord Laird
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether Waterways Ireland has started any new project in the past 18 months. [HL2889]

  Baroness Amos:
  The projects started by Waterways Ireland since January 2003 are:

  Northern Region

  1. Lower Bann Navigation
  Four landing jetties were installed at Christie Park, Coleraine, The Cutts, Coleraine, Carnroe, and Portna.

  2. Shannon-Erne Waterway
  Access works at Mullanwary, Co Leitrim.

  Eastern Region

  1. Ringsend Basin Moorings, Dublin.

  2. Small landing jetty projects commenced along the Royal and Grand Canals and including the Barrow Line and the Barrow Navigation at 18 locations in 2003 and five in 2004. A number of small landing jetties were commenced along the Royal Canal and Grand.

  3. Restoration of a 1,500 metre stretch of Begnagh Bog Embankment on the Royal Canal between Ballydrum Bridge and Begnagh Bridge, Co Longford as part of the ongoing restoration of the Royal Canal.

  4. Restoration of Bagenalstown lifting bridge, Barrow Navigation, Co Carlow.

  Western Region—Shannon Navigation

  1. Landing jetties were installed at Coosan Point, Co Westmeath and below Roosky Lock, Co Leitrim.

  2. Construction of a land bridge and installation of fixed and floating breakwaters at Cleighranmore, Co Leitrim.

  3. Scarriff Harbour extension, Co Clare.

  Ulster-Scots Agency
  Lord Laird
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 26 May (WA 133) concerning disclosure of information and the 2004 budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency, what is meant by "internal discussion". [HL3089]

  Baroness Amos:
  Part II Paragraph 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information sets out the type of information that can be withheld under this exemption.

  Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission
  Lord Laird
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the public money provided to the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission for Irish culture has been allocated; if so, to whom; whether there was a business case for such allocations; who scrutinised any such case; and whether they will place copies of any business case in the Library of the House. [HL3130]

  Baroness Amos:
  No public money has been provided to the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission for Irish culture.

  Northern Ireland Act 1998: Section 75
  Lord Laird
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What evidence they have of the benefits which have resulted from the implementation of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. [HL3236]

  Baroness Amos:
  The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) has a statutory duty to keep under review the effectiveness of the Section 75 duties. The commission has published two annual progress reports on Section 75. They contain a record of evidence of good practice and benefits arising from implementation of the duties. Copies of the reports are available on the ECNI website at www.equalityni.org.

  Northern Ireland Office: Equality Officers
  Lord Laird
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is the annual cost of the equality officer posts in the Northern Ireland Office. [HL3265]

  Baroness Amos:
  The Northern Ireland Office has no nominated equality officer. Work on the statutory equality duty under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 is mainstreamed into the day-to-day work of the department.
  WA14
  Equality forms only part of the work of the staff in that unit and it is not possible to accurately disaggregate it from their other duties. Only an approximate cost can therefore be provided, which we have calculated, per grade, at around:

  Senior Civil Service—£1,490

  Grade 7—£7,642

  Grade B2—£14,638

  Grade C—£10,976

  Lord Laird
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will state the gender, age, ethnic origins and community background of the equality officers employed in the Northern Ireland Office and the part of Northern Ireland (if any) with which they regard themselves as being most closely associated. [HL3266]

  Baroness Amos:
  In line with Part 11 Paragraph 12 (Privacy of an individual) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information it would be inappropriate to disclose this information.

  Iraq: Human Rights
  Lord Lester of Herne Hill
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Statement by the Lord Bach on 4 May (HL Deb, col. 1030) that United Kingdom personnel in Iraq "are subject to United Kingdom law, as they would be in the United Kingdom", whether United Kingdom personnel are accountable for breaches of human rights in Iraq as they would be in the United Kingdom; and, if not, what is the position. [HL2713]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach):
  United Kingdom Military personnel are subject to military discipline wherever they are in the world and can be tried in military courts for any criminal offences committed by them in Iraq. This would include murder, assault or false imprisonment and offences under Section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 which implements in domestic law the United Kingdom's obligations under the UN Convention against Torture. The question whether their actions are also subject to the European Convention on Human Rights is currently the subject of judicial review proceedings in which the Government will argue that the convention does not apply.

  Lord Hylton
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How they are ensuring that British Forces in Iraq fully understand current instructions to treat prisoners and detainees in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and to use the minimum necessary force in dealing with insurgents and demonstrators. [HL2829]
  WA15
  Lord Bach:
  All British forces personnel in Iraq have the authority to detain persons who pose a threat to their safety or security and are, therefore, briefed in prisoner handling. This includes guidance that prisoners should be treated, at all times, fully in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.

  All use of force is governed by United Kingdom forces' rules of engagement (ROE). The ROE take into account the UK's obligations under national and international law, of which necessity and proportionality are fundamental principles.

  Interrogation Techniques
  Lord Lester of Herne Hill
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether there is photographic evidence obtained by video recordings of interrogation techniques used by the coalition forces in Afghanistan, Iraq or Guantanamo Bay. [HL2869]

  Lord Bach:
  The United Kingdom does not undertake interrogations in Afghanistan.
  WA16
  In the UK interrogation facility in Iraq, video cameras are present in some interrogation rooms. However, the cameras are used only for monitoring. Interrogations are not recorded and there is no video or other photographic material in existence.

  Guantanamo Bay is a US facility and we are not in a position to comment on whether interrogations are filmed.

  Germany: UK Military Deployment
  Lord Astor of Hever
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is the current United Kingdom military deployment in Germany, in terms of numbers, units and of bases; what changes in this commitment and in these bases have taken place over the past two years; and whether they are contemplating any future changes in the commitment and bases. [HL3106]

  Lord Bach:
  The establishment levels for major British Army units in Germany, as at 31 May 2004, are shown in the tables below. Details of the changes in commitments since 2002 are also shown below:

  Unit

  Location

  Establishment

  HQ 1(UK) Armoured Division and Div Tps

  HQ 1 (UK) Armd Div &1

  Herford

  819

  Armd Div Sig Regt

  12 Regt RA

  Sennelager

  627

  28 Engr Regt

  Hameln

  857

  1CS Med Regt

  Munster

  517

  1 Regt RMP

  Herford

  380

  1GS Regt RLC

  Gutersloh

  812

  2 CS Regt RLC

  Gutersloh

  886

  1 Regt AAC

  Gutersloh

  372

  I MI Bn

  All Garrison in BFG

  142

  RLC Mil Trg Wing

  Bielefeld

  8

  4 Armoured Brigade

  4 Bde HQ &Sig Sqn

  Osnabruck

  177

  RDG

  Munster

  590

  QDG

  Osnabruck

  400

  4 Regt RA

  Osnabruck

  555

  21 Engr Regt

  Osnabruck

  650

  I SG

  Munster

  740

  1 DWR

  Osnabruck

  741

  1 Bn REME

  Osnabruck

  403

  115 Pro Coy RMP

  Osnabruck

  70

  RL Band

  Osnabruck

  35

  7 Armoured Brigade

  7 Bde HQ &Sig Sqn

  Hohne

  173

  SCOTS DG

  Fallingbostel

  591

  9/12 L

  Hohne

  454

  2 RTR

  Fallingbostel

  600

  3 RHA

  Hohne

  555

  32 Engr Regt

  Hohne

  657

  1 RRF

  Celle

  742

  1 HLDRS

  Fallingbostel

  741

  111 Pro Coy RMP

  Hohne

  70

  Cambrai Band

  Fallingbostel

  35

  2 Bn REME

  Fallingbostel

  403

  20 Armoured Brigade

  20 Bde HQ &Sig Sqn

  Sennelager

  173

  QRH

  Sennelager

  591

  26 Regt RA

  GuterslohM

  555

  35 Engr Regt

  Paderborn

  657

  110 Pro Coy RMP

  70

  1 RR W

  Paderborn

  741

  1 LI

  Paderborn

  741

  3 Bn REME

  Paderborn

  403

  WA17

  Unit

  Location

  Establishment

  HQ UK Support Command (Germany)

  HQ UKSC(G)

  Rheindahlen

  102

  HQ RESG

  Rheindahlen

  179

  12 Flt AAC

  Elmpt

  7

  Det 921 EOD Sqn

  Elmpt

  10

  Rhine Area Wksp

  Elmpt

  9

  1 Signal Brigade and Rhine

  Rheindahlen &

  1,797

  Garrison

  Elmpt

  102 Logistic Brigade

  HQ 102 Log Bde &Sig Sqn

  Gutersloh

  300

  6 Sup Regt RLC

  Gutersloh

  709

  7 Tpt Regt RLC

  Bielefeld

  597

  921 EOD Sqn

  Bielefeld

  40

  101 Pro Coy, 5 Regt RMP

  Rheindahlen

  109

  24 Regt RLC

  Bielefeld

  256

  Changes during the past two years:

  1 Light Infantry replaced 1 Royal Green Jackets in Paderborn

  Queens Dragoon Guards replaced Queens Royal Lancers in Osnabruck

  1 Scots Guards replaced 1 Irish Guards in Munster

  1 Highlanders replaced 1 Black Watch in Fallingbostel.

  A reduction in the number of troops in Germany was announced as part of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) in 1998. Of these, 1,500 troops have already returned to the UK and the future drawdown of the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment and 64 Fuel Squadron is subject to the build of new barracks in the UK. It remains the Government's intention to complete this drawdown, although the exact timing has yet to be finalised.

  There are currently no plans to alter our force levels or bases in Germany. As outlined in the defence White Paper (DWP), Delivering Security in a Changing World, published on 11 December 2003, plans for future Army structures continue to evolve. As part of this work, the Army intends to adjust its structure to develop a more balanced force structure of light, medium and heavy forces; in doing so it will reduce the number of armoured brigades from three to two and create a new light brigade. The full implications of this work have yet to be finalised.

  Sports Colleges
  Lord Moynihan
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will indicate which specialist sports colleges are accredited and the local education authorities in which they are situated. [HL3323]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland):
  There are 260 sports colleges in England in a total of 122 local education authorities. More sports colleges, approved following the latest round of applications, will be announced at the end of this month.
  WA18
  A full list of approved sports colleges, showing their locations, has been placed in the Library.

  Lord Moynihan
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What percentage of pupils at specialist sports colleges and non-specialist schools obtained five or more A to C grade GCSEs in each of 2001, 2002 and 2003. [HL3324]

  Baroness Ashton of Upholland:
  Pupils in sports colleges have achieved the following performance in terms of percentages of 5 + A*-C GCSEs compared to pupils in non-specialist schools:

  2001 (100 schools)

  2002(160 schools)

  2003(228 schools)

  Sports Colleges

  47.3

  48.7

  48.7

  Non-specialist Schools

  47.3

  48.4

  49.1

  The numbers of sports colleges has doubled since 2001, with 2003 seeing the largest single increase— meaning that most sports colleges are quite new to the programme. This has an impact on average attainment because the benefits of specialism increase over time—as reflected in analysis by the Youth Sport Trust which shows that sports colleges designated in 1997 have increased their average attainment in every year since then.

  Furthermore, as set out in a previous answer (HL2053), sports colleges are raising attainment at a higher rate than the national average; and their average value added was higher in 2003 than in 2002 at both key stages 2–3 and 3–4 as set out in the table below:

  DFES value added Key Stage 2–3

  DFES value added Key Stage 3–4

  year

  SCs–%

  Gap against average in % points

  SCs–%

  Gap against average in % points

  2002

  98.3

  –1.6

  97.9

  –0.8

  2003

  99.7

  -0.2

  98.7

  –0.4

  Mentally Incapacitated Patients: Artificial Nutrition and Hydration
  Lord Alton of Liverpool
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Warner on 29 April (WA 92), in what circumstances the provision of nutrition and hydration by artificial means would not be in a patient's best interests. [HL3398]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner):
  Decisions about whether or not a treatment is in the best interests of a patient who is incapacitated will depend on the specific circumstances of that person. It is a matter of clinical judgment involving assessing the person's prospects of recovery, the pain they are suffering and any burdens associated with available treatments, and discussions with those close to the patient.

  Air Traffic: Emissions
  Lord Berkeley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will commission a range of forecasts on how air traffic and the associated
  WA20
  greenhouse gas emissions are likely to evolve over the next 30 years. [HL3376]

  Lord Davies of Oldham:
  An analysis of forecasts of future trends in aviation's contribution to global warming up to 2050, Aviation and Global Warming, was published by the Department for Transport in February 2004, in support of The Future of Air Transport White Paper.

  Lord Berkeley
  asked Her Majestys' Government:

  Whether the carbon emissions targets in the energy White Paper include the radioactive forcing from emissions from domestic and international aviation. [HL3377]

  Lord Davies of Oldham:
  The goal set in the energy White Paper Our energy future—creating a low carbon economy relates to CO2 emissions, and focuses on domestic emissions reductions. While emissions from domestic aviation are taken into account, emissions from international flights do not currently count in the national inventories of greenhouse gas emissions, there being no international agreement yet on ways of allocating such emissions. It is the Government's intention to address the radioactive forcing of aviation emissions in fulfilling their air transport White Paper commitment to ensure that the aviation industry takes account of, and where appropriate reduces, its contribution to global warming.