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Sport and Leisure Spending
Mr. Chris Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much is spent on sport and leisure in the United Kingdom by (a) the United Kingdom Sports Commission and the sports councils and (b) local authorities. [20996]
Mr. Dorrell: The United Kingdom Sports Council will not have spending powers until it has formally been established by royal charter. We expect this to be on 1 January 1996. The grant in aid expended by the four Sports Councils in 1994 95 was:
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|£
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GB Sports Council |49,824,000
Scottish Sports Council |8,778,000
Welsh Sports Council |6,559,000
Northern Ireland Sports Council |2,158,569
Total: |67,319,569
It is not possible to make cross-national comparisons of local authority expenditure as different definations are used. Local authority expenditure on sport and recreation in England for 1993 94, the last year for which figures are available, is estimated at £900 million.
European Football Championship
Mr. Chris Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what actions his Department has taken to ensure that tourism benefits accrue from the 1996 European football championship. [20986]
Mr. Dorrell: Officials from my Department sit on the central co- ordinating committee responsible for the organisation of the 1996 European football championship. The statutory tourist boards, the British Tourist Authority and the English tourist board, which are sponsored by my Department, are ensuring that all possible steps are being taken to maximise the tourism potential of the event. A full overseas marketing plan has been drawn up, supporting programmes of cultural events are being developed and a warm welcome for visitors is being prepared in the host towns and cities.
New Novelists
Mr. Chris Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what representations his Department has received to encourage new novelists by means of securing their publication by HMSO in the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [20991]
Mr. Dorrell: I have received no representations. HMSO does not publish works of fiction and is therefore unable to support new novelists.
Rugby Football (Broadcasting)
Mr. Pendry: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on News Corporation's bid for the rights to television coverage of rugby league football.
Mr. Dorrell: The Government believe that sporting rights owners should be free to dispose of their television rights in the way they choose. It is for the Rugby Football League to judge whether News Corporation's proposals are in the best interests of the game.
Public Bodies
Dr. Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department have (a) a statutory requirement to admit members of the public to all board
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or committee meetings and (b) a statutory requirement to hold open meetings for the public. [20883]Mr. Dorrell [holding answer 26 April 1995]: None.
County Archives
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list by local authority the amount of current funding that is provided to maintain county archival records; and what were the figures for each of the last four years, giving the percentage increase or decrease. [20714]
Mr. Robert B. Jones: I have been asked to reply.
The figures requested by the hon. Member are not held centrally.
VE Day
Mr. Chris Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what recognition is being given in VE day celebrations of the role of the Merchant Navy in the second world war. [20993] Mr. Soames I have been asked to reply.
Events to mark the 50th anniversary of VE day offer a welcome opportunity to pay tribute not only to the military but to the civilian contribution to the war effort. The Government are conscious of the vital role played by the Merchant Navy and look forward to seeing it well represented during this year's commemorations. Representation at each of the Government's key events over the VE day weekend is being co-ordinated through the Merchant Navy veterans; organisations and the chamber of shipping. I envisage that tribute will also be paid to the men of Merchant Navy in one of the pavilions in Hyde park, over the period 6, 7 and 8 May.
In addition to their involvement in the May events, it is hoped that large numbers of merchant seamen will take part in the service and parade in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen which will take place in August, as part of the programme of events to mark the 50th anniversary of VE day.
DUCHY OF LANCASTER
Occupational Health and Safety Agency
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 20 April, Official Report , column 223 , what assessment he has made of the effect on the outcome of the market testing exercise for the supply of occupational health and safety services at AWE Aldermaston, Burghfield, Cardiff and Foulness, of the availability of privileged information from the senior medical officer in the civil service occupational health and safety agency at Aldermaston as a director of the successful bidder company. [21078]
Mr. Horam: As both Hunting BRAE Ltd.--trading as AWE--and Trident Medical Services Ltd., the successful bidder company, operate in the private sector and the officer concerned has left the public service, no such assessment can be made.
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 20 April, Official Report , column 223 , what permission was (a) sought and
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(b) granted by the permanent secretary of the Cabinet Office to the former senior medical officer at the civil service occupational health and safety agency Aldermaston to act as a director of Trident Medical Services in providing health and safety services to the Ministry of Defence Atomic Weapons Establishment plc, and what post-resignation quarantine period applies to civil servants of his grade with respect to acting for companies trading with his previous employer department. [21077]Mr. Horam: No permission was sought or granted while the officer was serving with the OHSA. Within two years of leaving, a former civil servant of his grade must obtain approval before taking up an appointment if the following circumstances apply: if they have had any official dealings with their prospective employer during the last two years of Crown employment; if they have had official dealings of a continued or repeated nature with their prospective employer at any time during their period of Crown employment; if they have had access to commercially sensitive information of competitors of their prospective employer in the course of their official duties; or if, during the last two years of Crown employment, their official duties have involved advice or decisions benefiting that prospective employer, for which the offer of employment could be interpreted as reward, or have involved developing policy, knowledge of which might be of benefit to the prospective employer. The former officer concerned has been reminded of his obligations. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis; there are no automatic or standard post- resignation quarantine periods at this level.
Mr. Morgan: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 20 April, Official Report , column 223, if he will list the sanctions available, in cases where serving senior civil servants form companies for the purposes of bidding for contracts in market -testing exercises; and if he will specify which of those sanctions apply to (a) those civil servants and (b) the companies which they helped to form, whether successful or otherwise in market-testing competition. [21076]
Mr. Horam: Serving civil servants are required to seek permission before seeking any outside employment which might affect their work directly or indirectly; where a conflict of interest arises, they must declare their personal interest. Civil servants dealing with procurement or contracts work must report any approach offering employment whether or not they are considering taking it up. Breaches of these rules can lead to disciplinary action, with penalties up to and including dismissal. Civil servants must also observe the rules on business appointments after leaving the civil service. Companies seeking government business might wish to consider the propriety of sanctioning breaches of rules governing the conduct of serving and former civil servants.
Public Bodies
Dr. Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which of the advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department are under a statutory requirement to (a) publish their advice to Government, (b) publish an annual report and (c) lay an annual report before Parliament; and if he will list
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those with a statutory base. [21597]Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency
Mr. Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what key targets have been set for the Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency for the current financial year. [22335]
Mr. Horam: I have set the following targets for Recruitment and Assessment Services to achieve in 1995 96:
1. a financial surplus of £100,000 in accrual accounting terms; 2. at least a 2 per cent. increase in efficiency over 1994 95 performance; and
3. customer evaluation ratings for overall service of 96 per cent. for customers satisfied with the service they have received with 80 per cent. of customers giving "highly satisfied" or "more than satisfied" assessments.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Singapore
Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evaluation he has made of the independence of the judiciary in Singapore from the Government of Singapore in relation to cases which have political or international significance. [21131]
Mr. Goodlad: None. The independence of the Singapore judiciary is a matter for the Singapore Government.
Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held (a) with the German Government or German diplomats in the United Kingdom and (b) with the Singapore Government or Singaporean diplomats in the United Kingdom relating to (i) the Barings affair and (ii) the extradition of Mr. Nick Leeson. [21179]
Mr. Baldry: There have been no discussions with the German authorities about either the collapse of Barings bank or the possible extradition of Mr. Nick Leeson.
We and the Singapore authorities are co-operating in investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse of the bank, including Mr. Leeson's activities. In response to questions from the Singapore high commission we confirmed that the Serious Fraud Office was continuing investigations to establish whether offences of serious or complex fraud had been committed which could be prosecuted in the UK.
Mr. MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from HM embassy or consular staff in Germany about the view of the German authorities on the extradition of Mr. Nick Leeson to Singapore. [21132]
Mr. Baldry: None. This is entirely a matter for the German and Singapore authorities.
Iraq
Miss Emma Nicholson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a
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statement on the forthcoming visit by the Iraqi-British interest group to Iraq.Mr. Douglas Hogg: We were aware of the possibility but we have no specific details of a forthcoming visit. Before it last visited Iraq in February, the Iraqi British interest group neither sought, nor was given assistance by my Department. Under British legislation, introduced in support of UN sanctions against Iraq, all British companies visiting that country to discuss permissible trade--that is, trade of a humanitarian nature--must first obtain a communications licence.
Miss Emma Nicholson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department will give to the Iraqi- British interest group on its forthcoming visit to Iraq.
Miss Emma Nicholson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests for assistance his Department has received from the Iraqi-British interest group for its forthcoming visit to Iraq.
Miss Emma Nicholson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from Mr. Riad El Taher about sanctions against Iraq; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Douglas Hogg: We receive regular reports from Mr. El Taher about how he sees the situation in Iraq. Although he clearly has a keen interest in the welfare of the Iraqi people, and wishes to see an early end to UN sanctions, his reports consistently fail to recognise the Iraqi regime's failure to implement all the relevant UN resolutions.
Miss Emma Nicholson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations he has carried out into the activities of Dr. Riad El Taher.
Mr. Douglas Hogg: We are aware of Dr. El Taher's activities and those of his organisation, "Friendship Across Frontiers", thanks to the numerous reports that we have received from him about Iraq.
Mr. Edmund Sykes
Miss Emma Nicholson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the relationship between the Department and Mr. Edmund Sykes.
Mr. Douglas Hogg: We are unaware of any contacts between the Department and Mr. Sykes.
Mr. Stephen Crouch
Miss Emma Nicholson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the relationship between his Department and Mr. Stephen Crouch. [21703]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd), on 28 March 1995, Official Report , column 523 . There have since been no further contacts with Mr. Crouch, and none are planned in the future.
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Lockerbie
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communication Her Majesty's Government have received from the German authorities to the effect that they believe that the bomb which destroyed Pan Am 103 was not put on the plane at the Rhein Main airport in Frankfurt. [21408]
Colonel Oliver North
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 18 April, Official Report , column 6 , for what reasons he declined to give details in answer to the question by the hon. Member for Linlithgow as to the reasons why Mr. Andrew Green of the Foreign Office met Colonel Oliver North on 24 July 1984 to discuss hostage rescue missions. [21406]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: I have nothing to add to the answer that I gave the hon. Gentleman on 18 April, Official Report , columns 5-6 .
VE day Commemorations
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which foreign heads of state and government will be attending the VE day commemorations.
Mr. Goodlad: Details of foreign heads of state and government and other ministers attending the VE day commemorations are as follows: President of the Republic of Albania
Professor Dr. Sali Berisha
President of the Republic of Armenia
Mr. Levon Ter-Petrossian
Minister of Defence
Mr. Serja Sarkissian
Minister for Defence for Australia
The Honourable Robert Ray
Federal President of the Republic of Austria
Dr. Thomas Klestil
President of the Azerbaijan Republic
Mr. Heydar Aliev
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Hassan Hassanov
President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Mr. Abdur Rahman Biswas
Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus
Mr. Mikhail Nikolaevich Chigir
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Mr. Uladzimir Leonovich Syanko
Duke of Brabant
His Royal Highness Prince Philippe
President of the Republic of Bosnia-Hercegovina
Mr. Alija Izetbegovic
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President of the Republic of BotswanaSir Ketumile Masire GCMG JP MP
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Lt General Mompati Merafhe
President of the Federative Republic of Brazil
Senhor Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Minister for External Relations
Senhor Luiz Felipe Lampreia
President of the Republic of Bulgaria
Dr. Zhelyu Zhelev
Prime Minister of Canada
The Rt Hon Jean Chretien PC QC MP
President of the Republic of Croatia
Dr. Franjo Tudjman
Deputy President of the Republic of Croatia
Mr. Hrvoje Sarinic
President of the Republic of Cyprus
Mr. Glafcos Clerides
President of the Czech Republic
Mr. Vaclav Havel
Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte of Denmark
President of the Republic of Estonia
Mr. Lennart Meri
President of the Republic of Finland
Mr. Martti Ahtisaari
President of the French Republic
Monsieur Francois Mitterrand GCB
Federal President Federal Republic of Germany
Herr Professor Dr. Roman Herzog
Federal Chancellor Federal Republic of Germany
Herr Dr. Helmut Kohl GCMG
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
Herr Dr. Klaus Kinkel
Deputy Chief Minister of Gibraltar
The Hon. Mr. Joseph Pilcher
President of the Hellenic Republic
Mr. Constantinos Stephanopoulos
Minister of the Presidency
Dr. Iannis Pottakis
President of the Republic of Hungary
Dr. Arpad Goncz
Minister for External Affairs of the Republic of India Mr. Pranab Mukherjee
President of the State of Israel
Mr. Ezer Weizman
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