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Written Answers
Friday, 5 March 2004.
Internet Crime
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What action they will take to protect financial and online retailing enterprises from "phishing" attacks.[HL1503]
The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal): The process of educating and protecting the public against fraudulent schemes such as "phishing" is a responsibility which is shared by government, law enforcement and industry.
In October 2003 the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU), APACS (the Association for Payment Clearing Services) and the BBA (British Bankers' Association) issued a checklist for UK consumers to help to protect themselves against the Internet fraudster.
The Home Office has also recently launched a website to combat fruad over the Internet. The "e-tailing mini site" forms part of the crime reduction website and provides advice on information security for businesses.
Where individuals fall victim to these scams, law enforcement will seek to trace those behind these schemes and either bring forward prosecutions or share information and intelligence with overseas law enforcement.
Serious Organised Crime Agency
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the work of the Metropolitan Police CO14 Clubs and Vice Branch is to be subsumed within the proposed new United Kingdom-wide Serious Organised Crime Agency.[HL1528]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There are no plans for the agency to subsume any parts of the Metropolitan Police.
War Widows' Pension
Baroness Strange asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they will withdraw the war widows' pension for those who become widowed after April 2005.[HL1542]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach): The new compensation scheme will be introduced on 6 April 2005 for all Service personnel whose injury, illness or death due to service was caused on or after that date. This will replace the current War Pensions Scheme and
Armed Forces Pension Scheme attributable benefits. If the event that led to a death that was attributable to service occurred before 6 April 2005, then benefits would be paid under the current attributable compensation arrangements, even if the death occurs after the new scheme has been introduced. We recognise there may be cases where a death cannot be attributed to a single event in time and where, therefore, a judgment will be required on the appropriate compensation arrangement. We will be developing guidelines to inform such judgments. In particular, we will ensure that no claims fall between the new and old schemes.A-level Chemistry
Lord Colwyn asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many students applied to study A-level chemistry last year; and what they are doing to promote an increased take-up of chemistry as a GCSE and A-level subject.[HL1567]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): The total number of GCE A-level chemistry examination results for students in schools and colleges in 2003 was 32,319.
We are committed to improving science teaching and learning in schools to encourage more young people to study science subjects post-16 and making sure that all young people understand the relevance and importance of science to the world around them. We have a £51 million partnership with the Wellcome Trust to set up a national network of science learning centres to provide training for science teachers and science technicians. The science strand of the key stage 3 strategy aims to improve the quality of learning and teaching in the classroom by investing in teachers' professional development, promoting approaches to science teaching and learning that engage and motivate students.
The QCA has reviewed the programme of study for science at key stage 4 to ensure we are providing a core of science learning that is relevant to all students. A new GCSE, Science in the 21st Century, is currently being piloted. In 2002, we introduced a GCSE in applied science.
Vitamins and Minerals
Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What information they have about the data considered by the European Food Safety Authority when reviewing the safe intake of vitamins and minerals; and whether such data included:
(a) similar analyses undertaken by the United Kingdom Ad Hoc Expert Advisory Group on Vitamins and Minerals; and
(b) the report of the United States Food and Nutrition Board.[HL1283]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner): The European Food Safety Authority's panel on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies is continuing the review of safe intakes of vitamins and minerals started by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Food in 1998. Both groups have had access to all relevant published scientific data.
The panel has been provided with a copy of the report of the United Kingdom Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals (EVM) and the reviews and risk assessments prepared by the EVM. It also has access to the reports of the United States Food and Nutrition Board and other relevant opinions.
Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Warner: Following a meeting with industry representatives to discuss their concerns about the Food Supplements Directive on 7 October 2003 the Minister for Public Health has been actively seeking to discuss the setting of European Commission maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements with Commissioner Byrne. The Minister for Public Health has arranged to have a telephone discussion with Commissioner Byrne on 12 March with a view to setting up a meeting as soon as is practicable after that.
The purpose of the discussion will be to press the United Kingdom's view that when in due course an EC proposal for maximum levels is developed it should be based on scientific risk assessments and should not unnecessarily restrict consumer choice.
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they support country of origin labelling for all meat, poultry and fish products; and what discussions they have had with the European Commission on changes to European Union regulations to allow such labelling.[HL1312]
Lord Warner: Under current European Union legislation, country of origin labelling is mandatory for beef, veal, fish and shellfish, for both pre-packed
The Government support the requirement for country of origin labelling on meat and are pressing for more country of origin information on meat and certain meat products at EU level. The Commission is planning to review food labelling, with country of origin identified as one of the key issues. All member states, including the United Kingdom, have welcomed this initiative.
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Warner: Enforcement of such labelling requirements is the responsibility of local authorities. The Food Standards Agency has the responsibility to ensure that enforcement is carried out in an efficient and consistent way. Fish Labelling Regulations 2003 in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland provide for enforcement of Commission Regulation 2065/2001/EC. In addition, the agency has published comprehensive guidance on its website to help enforcement bodies, consumers and businesses to become familiar with the new rules and guide local authorities on a consistent approach to enforcement.
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer asked Her Majesty's Government:
Lord Warner: The Government support the labelling of colourants used in aquaculture, such as canthaxanthin, and have pressed successfully in Brussels for agreement to such labelling of fish from aquaculture. Negotiations are ongoing on the scope and most appropriate approach to achieve this requirement.
How they account for the delay in the meeting between the Minister for Public Health and European Commissioner Byrne to discuss the setting of maximum permitted levels for nutrients under the provisions of the Food Supplements Directive; when they now expect a meeting to take place; and what objectives they intend to pursue at the meeting.[HL1284]
How country of origin labelling for beef and fish products differs from that for other meat and foodstuffs under European Union regulations; and[HL1311]
What systems they have in place to ensure that Regulation (EC) No 2065/2001, as regards the labelling of fishery and aquaculture products, is enforced across the United Kingdom.[HL1314]
Whether they support the labelling of colourants used in aquaculture, such as canthaxanthin, the labelling of which is obligatory in the United States; and, if so, whether they will ensure this information is forthcoming for United Kingdom consumers.[HL1315]
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