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My Lords, will my noble friend reassure the House in clear and absolute terms that every future vote cast by Her Majesty’s Government will aim at the removal of the word ““terrorist”” in relation to the PMOI?
My Lords, will my noble friend reassure the House in clear and absolute terms that every future vote cast by Her Majesty’s Government will aim at the removal of the word ““terrorist”” in relation to the PMOI?
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 January 2009
My Lords, let me be clear: at the end of this month there will be a decision on this issue by Ministers at the European level. Let me be equally clear that the UK will, both in the working meetings that precede that decision and at the time of the decision itself, urge respect for the decisions of the courts.
Subjects
European Union; Judgements; Proscribed organisations; Terrorism; European Court of First Instance; Mujahedin-e Khalq
Date
12 January 2009
Reference
706 c1008
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, will my noble friend comment on the report that this disease affects cattle, or are the Government considering among their options dividing the sheep from the goats?
My Lords, will my noble friend comment on the report that this disease affects cattle, or are the Government considering among their options dividing the sheep from the goats?
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
15 December 2008
My Lords, at this time of the year divisions of sheep and goats are always of great moment. Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease to which all species of ruminants are susceptible, including sheep, cattle, deer, goats and camelids, which embrace camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuna. It does not affect horses or pigs.
Subjects
Disease control; Imports; Livestock; Bluetongue disease
Date
15 December 2008
Reference
706 c638
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply, which showed a mild advance on that given by the noble Lord, Lord Jones, to the same Question in January. Does he not agree that the obscene rises in rewards, bonuses and the like for corporate executives in recent years mean that the voice of fairness must now be heard inside the remuneration committees of companies and similar bodies? Does he not also agree that the Government must consider, urgently and immediately, some control over the membership of remuneration committees of all public companies in the longer run and, in the short run, of those companies in which public money has been invested for shares?
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply, which showed a mild advance on that given by the noble Lord, Lord Jones, to the same Question in January. Does he not agree that the obscene rises in rewards, bonuses and the like for corporate executives in recent years mean that the voice of fairness must now be heard inside the remuneration committees of companies and similar bodies? Does he not also agree that the Government must consider, urgently and immediately, some control over the membership of remuneration committees of all public companies in the longer run and, in the short run, of those companies in which public money has been invested for shares?
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
30 October 2008
My Lords, of course the Government agree with a great deal of what my noble friend has said. In its letter, the Financial Services Authority has made it clear that for banks, pay—and particularly bonuses—must be related to performance. If it is not, the Financial Services Authority will take into account a bank’s position in relation to where it receives government support.
On the more general issue of companies, from 6 April next year, a new provision will require quoted companies to report in their directors’ remuneration report on how they have taken pay and employment conditions into account when setting directors’ pay. Directors’ pay should be set only by non-executive directors, not by those who benefit from it themselves.
Subjects
Companies; Directors; Increases; Pay; Private sector
Date
30 October 2008
Reference
704 c1683
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
Further to the answers by Lord Jones of Birmingham on 28 January (Official Report, cols. 435–36), what advice they have given to companies in the private sector on pay increases; and what controls they propose to introduce.
Further to the answers by Lord Jones of Birmingham on 28 January (Official Report, cols. 435–36), what advice they have given to companies in the private sector on pay increases; and what controls they propose to introduce.
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Davies of Oldham
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
30 October 2008
Answered on
30 October 2008
My Lords, pay levels in private sector companies are a matter for those companies. The Government have consistently made it clear that there should be effective linkage between pay and performance and that exceptional rewards for mediocre performance are not in the interests of companies, their shareholders or the United Kingdom as a whole.
Subjects
Companies; Increases; Private sector; Pay
Date
30 October 2008
Reference
704 c1683
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, could my noble friend say a little more about the extreme success that financial sanctions could have if they were pressed upon this extraordinary Iranian regime? Will he give a little more detail on what further financial sanctions could be imposed?
My Lords, could my noble friend say a little more about the extreme success that financial sanctions could have if they were pressed upon this extraordinary Iranian regime? Will he give a little more detail on what further financial sanctions could be imposed?
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 October 2008
My Lords, existing financial sanctions have limited Iran’s abilities to move funds abroad and have made its proliferation-sensitive activities a lot more difficult. They have also contributed to a political debate within Iran about the appropriateness of the Government’s course of action. A few months ago, the EU sanctioned and stopped the activities of Bank Melli; other financial institutions of Iran are suffering accordingly. Yes, I think there may still be occasion to strengthen that stranglehold further.
Subjects
Nuclear fuels; Nuclear power; Iran
Date
20 October 2008
Reference
704 c938-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend on his new post. Will he and his department keep in mind that all judgments on British railways must be conditioned by the memory of the cruel axe wielded on them by Dr Beeching, which has recently had more attention in the media?
My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend on his new post. Will he and his department keep in mind that all judgments on British railways must be conditioned by the memory of the cruel axe wielded on them by Dr Beeching, which has recently had more attention in the media?
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
6 October 2008
My Lords, that is a question more for the historians than for me, but I watched a fascinating programme about Beeching on BBC Four last week, in which the noble Lord, Lord Bradshaw, made a star turn as a railway manager who worked through that period. The nostalgia in me was overpowering.
Subjects
Network Rail; Standards
Date
6 October 2008
Reference
704 c8-9
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, what is the role of the European regulation? If he does not have that information, perhaps he could write to us. Is there an inhibition by law or by direction from the European Union against labelling things as British, or from Britain or the UK?
My Lords, what is the role of the European regulation? If he does not have that information, perhaps he could write to us. Is there an inhibition by law or by direction from the European Union against labelling things as British, or from Britain or the UK?
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 March 2008
My Lords, labelling rules for food are an EU competency; that is not the issue. Defra has been able to work with those who make the contracts to get model, legally watertight contracts so that the suppliers can request, for example, food produced in animal-welfare-friendly conditions. We can say, without fear or favour, that our records are better than anywhere else in Europe. If people then want to make it a contractual obligation to have the RSPCA’s Freedom Food designation, they are legally entitled to do so.
Subjects
Government departments; Food; Procurement
Date
20 March 2008
Reference
700 c366
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, can my noble friend explain how the Foreign Office has performed the miracle of having Nelson still alive in its offices with his telescope stuck to his blind eye?
My Lords, can my noble friend explain how the Foreign Office has performed the miracle of having Nelson still alive in its offices with his telescope stuck to his blind eye?
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
18 March 2008
My Lords, as a naval person I should be able to answer that. All I can say is that I will talk to my colleagues in the Foreign Office to try to ensure that we are getting the best flavour of exactly what is happening in Iran.
Subjects
Asylum; Deportation; Iran
Date
18 March 2008
Reference
700 c144
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, will my noble friend tell the House something about the nature of the dispute? From the little I know about it, it seems strange that the excellent offices of ACAS could not be used to find an agreed settlement, rather than the action which is, understandably as I know it, proposed by the trade union.
My Lords, will my noble friend tell the House something about the nature of the dispute? From the little I know about it, it seems strange that the excellent offices of ACAS could not be used to find an agreed settlement, rather than the action which is, understandably as I know it, proposed by the trade union.
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
13 March 2008
My Lords, the department would be keen to engage with anyone to resolve this issue. We should recognise, of course, that the staff are the most important resource that the DWP has. This dispute is about pay. There were very protracted discussions—28 meetings, I think, since proposals were first advanced. It is within the context of needing to bear down on inflation generally, and public sector pay is clearly a component of that. But the way in which the offer has been structured and implemented seeks to address the issue of the lowest-paid people in the department. For those who are not on their scale maxima, the award will deliver a minimum pay increase of 3 per cent a year over a three-year period. Around one-third, those at the bottom end of the scale, will get more than 5 per cent a year. But we remain open to continuing discussion and dialogue with the trade unions and others on this.
Subjects
Jobcentre Plus; Strikes
Date
13 March 2008
Reference
699 c1576-7
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that Cambridge University is pressing for more engineering students? I declare an interest as an honorary fellow of Clare College, which is pressing particularly hard in that direction subsequent to the noble Baroness’s great campaign and honourable life in pressing for women engineers.
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that Cambridge University is pressing for more engineering students? I declare an interest as an honorary fellow of Clare College, which is pressing particularly hard in that direction subsequent to the noble Baroness’s great campaign and honourable life in pressing for women engineers.
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 March 2008
My Lords, I am delighted to praise both Oxford and Cambridge universities, although I have a slight preference for one of them. Having said that, I must also say that many other universities in this country do sterling work in this field, as do many schools and colleges of further education.
Subjects
Costs; Construction; Skilled workers; Civil engineering
Date
11 March 2008
Reference
699 c1395
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, my noble friend will be aware that gender inequality involves the problem of pay that is not equal between men and women. Not only in other countries but also here at home we have a backlog of legal cases, running into hundreds or more, which await a decision and the attainment of something more like equal pay for men and women. Are the Government encouraging all the organisations, trade unions and other agencies in this matter to move this problem of equal pay forward again after so many years?
My Lords, my noble friend will be aware that gender inequality involves the problem of pay that is not equal between men and women. Not only in other countries but also here at home we have a backlog of legal cases, running into hundreds or more, which await a decision and the attainment of something more like equal pay for men and women. Are the Government encouraging all the organisations, trade unions and other agencies in this matter to move this problem of equal pay forward again after so many years?
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
6 March 2008
My Lords, I trust my noble friend will wait for my closing speech at about half-past four, which will tackle some of these issues. The Question today was about international development, and I want to stick to that, though I take fully what my noble friend has said.
Subjects
Developing countries; Development aid; Women; Equality; Gender
Date
6 March 2008
Reference
699 c1195
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, in relation to the document Transforming Tribunals, will my noble friend further confirm the assurances given by my noble friend Lord Bach on 4 February—I had previously given notice of this—that there will be no change in the equal status of the three members of tripartite tribunals and that all the parties who judge the case will be equal?
My Lords, in relation to the document Transforming Tribunals, will my noble friend further confirm the assurances given by my noble friend Lord Bach on 4 February—I had previously given notice of this—that there will be no change in the equal status of the three members of tripartite tribunals and that all the parties who judge the case will be equal?
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
25 February 2008
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend. This is subject to a second consultation by the department, BERR, which will respond to those issues in due course. I can tell him, however, that most respondents to that consultation have commented that the tripartite structure of the tribunal was a real strength that aided decision-making in cases where considerations of context and reasonableness were important.
Subjects
Appeals; Jurisdiction; Tribunals; War pensions; Pensions Appeal Tribunal
Date
25 February 2008
Reference
699 c431
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that very clear Answer. What is the Government’s view on the contrast between average wage increases and the escalating pay rises once again enjoyed by company directors in 2007, when a record 1,445 directors received a salary of more than £1 million? That is 40 per cent more in number than in 2005. That is basic pay, before bonuses, share options or other perks. Does the Minister think that this annual contribution to rising social inequality by corporate executives who sit on one another’s remuneration committees is a suitable practice today? Would it not merit at least a word of advice to some of the super-rich gentlemen who fly around the globe with the Prime Minister?
My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that very clear Answer. What is the Government’s view on the contrast between average wage increases and the escalating pay rises once again enjoyed by company directors in 2007, when a record 1,445 directors received a salary of more than £1 million? That is 40 per cent more in number than in 2005. That is basic pay, before bonuses, share options or other perks. Does the Minister think that this annual contribution to rising social inequality by corporate executives who sit on one another’s remuneration committees is a suitable practice today? Would it not merit at least a word of advice to some of the super-rich gentlemen who fly around the globe with the Prime Minister?
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
28 January 2008
My Lords, I remind my noble friend that I was one of the gentlemen who flew around the world with the Prime Minister; I just wish that I was super-rich.
I remind noble Lords that since 1997 nurses have had a 44 per cent increase in their pay; for hospital doctors the increase was 69 per cent; for ambulance staff it was 97 per cent; and for police officers it was 44 per cent. Let us please get this into perspective. Every day, people remind the private sector of its responsibility to set an example to include all in society. Every day, it is aware of its responsibilities. Please do not let us put up a sign over UK plc that people cannot aspire for the sky. We need an economy that the world wants to come to where people earn as much as they can from working as hard as they can and bringing their skill to this country.
Subjects
Directors; Pay; Companies; Increases; Private sector
Date
28 January 2008
Reference
698 c435
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
What advice they have given to companies in the private sector on pay increases.
What advice they have given to companies in the private sector on pay increases.
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Jones of Birmingham
(Other (affiliation))
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
28 January 2008
Answered on
28 January 2008
My Lords, pay levels in private sector companies are a matter for those companies.
Subjects
Companies; Increases; Private sector; Pay
Date
28 January 2008
Reference
698 c435
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I have a simple question for my noble friend. When will an authoritative English text of the treaty be provided to Members of the House?
My Lords, I have a simple question for my noble friend. When will an authoritative English text of the treaty be provided to Members of the House?
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
20 November 2007
My Lords, I believe that the texts are being worked on at the present time. The noble Lord, Lord Grenfell, has asked us to put the texts before the EU Committee for information. That will be done very soon. I cannot say exactly when, but I am told that it will be very soon.
Subjects
EU reform; Parliamentary scrutiny; Treaties
Date
20 November 2007
Reference
696 c738
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I agree with much of what my noble friend has said, but does he agree that these are difficult issues on which it is possible to hold different views and that debate in this House is not made more fruitful by impugning the intelligence of people with whom one disagrees?
My Lords, I agree with much of what my noble friend has said, but does he agree that these are difficult issues on which it is possible to hold different views and that debate in this House is not made more fruitful by impugning the intelligence of people with whom one disagrees?
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
19 November 2007
My Lords, I do not think that any Member of this House would impugn the integrity of others who question; we certainly would not do so from this Dispatch Box.
Subjects
Employment; UK membership of EU
Date
19 November 2007
Reference
696 c653
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, will the Government consider publishing an official guide for those who do not have the resources to consult very highly paid—properly paid—lawyers for their advice? It would be an official document headed: ““How to avoid paying inheritance tax””.
My Lords, will the Government consider publishing an official guide for those who do not have the resources to consult very highly paid—properly paid—lawyers for their advice? It would be an official document headed: ““How to avoid paying inheritance tax””.
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 October 2007
My Lords, although my noble friend would be intellectually equipped to deal with such a document, the problem is that ordinary citizens, like the rest of us, have the greatest difficult in wrestling with these concepts. He will also be well aware that when attempts are made to offer householders ways of avoiding this tax, those attempts often do not withstand the test of subsequent legal judgment. That is why we have to be absolutely rock secure that any advice given is accurate and effective for the citizen.
Subjects
Capital gains tax; Inheritance tax; Reform
Date
10 October 2007
Reference
695 c241
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I am sure that my noble friend would be the first to accept that the Government have in mind the great difficulty of ever predicting any opinion that the European Court of Justice will ever hold. In that light, what is the Government’s confidence in predictions in this matter, given the arguments advanced in the European Court of Justice on the Viking case and other cases about to be decided by it, and confirmed by the Advocate General in that and another case, that the likely result will be that freedom of competition and so on will have to be balanced against a right to strike, used proportionately—whatever that means—at European level? That seems the view of most commentators who are expert in this field of what the Court is likely to give as its reasons in the next month or so.
My Lords, I am sure that my noble friend would be the first to accept that the Government have in mind the great difficulty of ever predicting any opinion that the European Court of Justice will ever hold. In that light, what is the Government’s confidence in predictions in this matter, given the arguments advanced in the European Court of Justice on the Viking case and other cases about to be decided by it, and confirmed by the Advocate General in that and another case, that the likely result will be that freedom of competition and so on will have to be balanced against a right to strike, used proportionately—whatever that means—at European level? That seems the view of most commentators who are expert in this field of what the Court is likely to give as its reasons in the next month or so.
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Oral questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
9 October 2007
My Lords, it is very difficult to speculate on what the Court will or will not do in the next few weeks. Again, my experience of the European Court of Justice is that speculation does not necessarily lead to the final determining decision. As my noble friend said, we shall have to look at what transpires in that individual case.
As for the right to strike, noble Lords will know that in the protocol established around the Charter of Fundamental Rights those issues have been dealt with by the UK Government within the red lines.
Subjects
Competition law; EU reform; Treaties
Date
9 October 2007
Reference
695 c121-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will reintroduce a satisfaction index concerning forms of discrimination; and whether they will encourage the Commission for Human Rights and Equality to prioritise an inquiry into discrimination, especially as it concerns gender inequalities.
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will reintroduce a satisfaction index concerning forms of discrimination; and whether they will encourage the Commission for Human Rights and Equality to prioritise an inquiry into discrimination, especially as it concerns gender inequalities.
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Answered by
Baroness Ashton of Upholland
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 October 2007
There are no plans to introduce a satisfaction index concerning forms of discrimination, nor specifically to encourage the Commission for Equality and Human Rights to prioritise an inquiry into discrimination especially as it concerns gender inequalities.
Under the Equality Act 2006, the CEHR is required as part of its duties to promote an understanding of the importance of equality and diversity and work towards the elimination of unlawful discrimination. The CEHR board includes an Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) transition commissioner to ensure continuity in respect of work relating to gender equality.
Notes
Answer received between Monday 17 September and Friday 21 September 2007.
Subjects
Equality; Gender; Equality and Human Rights Commission; Discrimination
Date
1 October 2007
Reference
5134; 694 c247-8WA
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 27 March 2001 (WA 50), whether they will publish a similar table showing the annual number of applications made to employment tribunals in each of the years 2002 to 2006; the number of applications disposed of;...
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 27 March 2001 (WA 50), whether they will publish a similar table showing the annual number of applications made to employment tribunals in each of the years 2002 to 2006; the number of applications disposed of;...
Asked by
Lord Wedderburn of Charlton
(Labour)
Answered by
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
1 October 2007
The following table shows the annual number of claims made to the employment tribunals in each of the years from 2002 to 2006; the number of claims disposed of; and the percentage of those disposed of which were successful at a hearing.
| Year | Cases registered | Cases disposed of | Cases successful | Cases successful (%) |
| 2005-06 | 115,039 | 86,083 | 29, 078¹ | 18¹ |
| 2004-05 | 86,181 | 97,966 | 26,472¹ | 18¹ |
| 2003-04 | 115,042 | 93,973 | 13,000 | 14 |
| 2002-03 | 98,617 | 95,554 | 12,389 | 13 |
| 2001-02 | 112,227 | 97,386 | 12,023 | 12 |
| Source: Employment Tribunals Service annual reports from 2001-02 to 2005-06 | ||||
| ¹ From 2004-05 the number and percentage of jurisdictions, as opposed to cases, successful at a hearing were given |
Notes
Answer received between Monday 20 August and Friday 24 August 2007.
Subjects
Applications; Employment Tribunals Service
Date
1 October 2007
Reference
5013; 694 c182WA
House
House of Lords