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Welsh Language

Sir Wyn Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will announce his conclusions on future responsibility for grants in support of the main non-statutory organisations which support the Welsh language. [5626]

Mr. Richards: My right hon. Friend and I have considered carefully the responses to the consultation paper circulated by the Welsh Office last May and have concluded that the Welsh Language Board should assume responsibility for most of these grants from 1997-98.

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The four organisations supported by these grants--the Welsh Books Council, the Welsh nursery schools movement--Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin--the National Eisteddfod and the Welsh youth movement--Urdd Gobaith Cymru--all play significant roles in sustaining and developing the Welsh language and increasing the opportunities for its use in daily life in Wales. We consider it entirely appropriate for the Welsh Language Board, which was established by this Government to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language, to take on the responsibility for supporting these important organisations.

We have, however, been impressed by the argument put forward by the Welsh Books Council and others that support for the council's central function of promoting book publishing in Wales would not sit happily with the Welsh Language Board. The Welsh Books Council's core objectives include the encouragement of interest in English language books about Wales and support for authors and publishers in furtherance of this aim. As it would be impossible to disentangle support for non-Welsh books from the Welsh Books Council's central advisory service to Welsh language authors and publishers, we have been convinced that it would not be appropriate for the Welsh Language Board to assume responsibility for the council's core activities. We do, however, intend to transfer to the Welsh Language Board the responsibility for grant-aiding the Welsh Books Council to support individual publishers under the grants to publishers scheme, which is devoted to the production of Welsh language books.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

Provincial Theatres

Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action she is taking to safeguard the future of provincial theatres. [4725]

Mr. Sproat: The development of policy in support of regional theatres is a matter for the Arts Council of England and the regional arts boards. The council is currently undertaking a review of publicly funded drama in England, and has recently completed an extensive process of consultation. Future funding proposals will be developed in due course, following the outcome of this review.

BBC Transmission Facilities

Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many representations she has received (a) in favour of and (b) against privatisation of BBC transmission facilities; and from whom. [3257]

Mr. Sproat: Since the publication of our 1988 White Paper, "Broadcasting in the '90s: Competition, Choice and Quality", in which were stated our intention to separate the provision of television services from their delivery, a number of representations have been received, both for and against privatisation, but details are not recorded in the form requested.

Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make it her policy to retain a golden share in BBC transmission facilities. [3243]

Mr. Sproat: No.

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Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if money raised by the privatisation of the BBC transmission facilities will be paid to the BBC. [3245]

Mr. Sproat: The net proceeds of sale of those transmission assets funded from the licence fee, which is the majority, will be available to the BBC, which is committed to investing them in digital production technology, while those from the sale of assets funded through grant-in-aid will return to the Exchequer.

Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if the BBC will be permitted to hire cheaper transmission facilities from other providers when its own transmission facilities are privatised. [3241]

Mr. Sproat: No decisions have been taken on the nature of future contracts with transmission providers for the services to the BBC.

Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage to what extent the proportion of the BBC licence fee necessary to pay for the use of its transmitters when privatised will be geared to (a) inflation and (b) the actual transmission charges. [3244]

Mr. Sproat: There is no set proportion of the licence fee related to specific items of BBC expenditure. Changes in the licence fee up to and including 1996 have been set at the level of changes in the retail prices index, as announced by the then Secretary of State on 4 November 1993, Official Report, column 309. The Government will determine the appropriate level for the licence fee in subsequent years in advance of the 1997 licence fee settlement, taking into account all relevant factors.

National Lottery

Dr. John Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans she has to encourage communities and organisations in (a) Northern Ireland (b) the North East, (c) the east midlands and (d) south-west England and ethnic community groups and local groups in inner cities to make applications to the Millennium Commission fund. [3139]

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to the hon. Member in my capacity as chairman of the commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Tibet

Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations have been made to the Chinese Government regarding human rights abuses in Tibet. [4723]

Mr. Hanley: My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary raised human rights abuses in Tibet during his discussions with Chinese Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen, in London on 3 October.

EU Common Visa System

Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has

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made of the extra costs arising after the introduction of a common system of visa requirements by the European Union; and what action he has taken so far in respect of this estimate. [4489]

Mr. Hanley: The estimated cost of implementing council Regulation (EC) No 2317/95--the EU common visa list--is between £3,090,0900 and £3,390,000 in the start-up year. The estimated continued annual running cost is £1,740,000 at current prices. The funding will be found from within existing provision.

Common visa list-related entry clearance work will be subject to the FCO commitment to achieve full cost recovery in financial year 1996-97 in the case of non-settlement work and financial year 1997-98 for settlement work. These recoveries are remitted to the Consolidated Fund and are of no direct benefit, therefore, to the FCO.

The cost of implementing Council Regulation (EC) No. 1683/95 laying down a uniform format for visas cannot yet be quantified.

Burma

Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Burmese Government regarding the restriction of democracy. [4728]

Mr. Hanley: The United Kingdom has had no ministerial contact with the ruling military regime in Burma, the State Law and Order Restoration Council, but we regularly raise at official level our concerns about the need for democratic reform in Burma.

Council of the European Union

Mr. Patrick Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union. [5294]

Mr. David Davis: The following Councils are scheduled:


Following are the subjects for discussion:




    December 4-5: Foreign Affairs Council
    Provisional agenda as follows:
    Preparation for Madrid European Council
    Mediterranean policy
    Relations with Latin America
    Relations with Asia
    Relations with Switzerland

8 Dec 1995 : Column: 419

    Relations with Former Soviet Union
    Relations with Central and Eastern Europeans
    Former Yugoslavia
    Preventative diplomacy and peace-keeping in Africa (poss.)
    Lome IV: internal financing agreement
    Draft mandate with South Africa
    Mandate for EURATOM/Argentina Agreement
    Commercial questions
    Article 24.6
    Nigeria
    Other business: UN financial crisis
    In the margins:
    Signature of EU/Andean Agreement on chemical precursors for drugs followed by dinner to discuss future of EU/Andean Pact relations
    Signature of Interim Agreement with Kazakhstan
    December 5: Labour and Social Affairs Council
    Provisional agenda for the Social Affairs Council agreed as follows:
    Approval of the provisional agenda.
    Approval of the "A" points.
    Employment:
    open debate on employment policy
    Council contribution to the Report on Employment to be submitted to the Madrid European Council (15/16 December)
    extending the mandate of the ad hoc group
    Draft decision on the fourth programme on Equal Opportunities between Men and Women 1
    Draft decision on the Fourth Community action programme in the area of health and safety at work (SAFE)
    Draft decision on actions in favour of Older People 1
    Draft amending regulation in Regulations 1408/71, 574/72, 1247/92 and 1945/93 (social security for migrant workers): 1994 package 1
    Draft directive amending the Use of Work Equipment Directive 1




    Draft regulation and directive on the European Co-operative Society Statute--Presidency report
    Draft decision on a multiannual programme for Community action in support on co-operatives, mutual societies, associations and foundations--Presidency report
    Draft directive on Posted Workers
    Draft directive on the Reconciliation of Family and Professional life--Commission information (possible) Draft recommendation on the Balanced Participation of Men and Women in Decision Making--Commission presentation
    other business
    1 Indicates items on which a vote may be taken.
    December 7: Transport Council
    Airport Ground Handling Liberalisation Directive (common position)
    Driving Licences--amendment to allow plastic card driving licences (common position)
    Amendment to Regulation 1107/70 on state aids to railways (orientation debate for political agreement)--Inland Waterways "package" (orientation debate)
    Aviation Relations with US (debate)
    Mandate for road haulage negotiations with Central and Eastern European countries (adoption of mandate)
    Resolution on short sea shipping
    Directive on Marine Safety Equipment (orientation debate for political agreement)

8 Dec 1995 : Column: 420

    Report on implementation on Maritime Cabotage Regulation (debate).
    The following subjects are likely to be discussed:
    December 11-12: Agriculture Council
    Reform of the rice regime (possible)
    Reform of the fruit and vegetable regime
    Set-aside (possible)
    Meat products (possible)
    Molluscs (possible)
    Feedingstuffs (possible)
    Pesticides (possible)
    December 11: Ecofin Council
    It is not certain that this Council will take place.
    December 12: Foreign Affairs Council
    It is not certain that this Council will take place.
    December 14: Energy Council
    Electricity liberalisation (possible common position)
    Energy Policy White Paper (Commission presentation)
    Paper on Gas Supply (Commission presentation)
    Energy TENs (possible adoption)
    Energy efficiency of fridges and freezers (possible common position)
    Revision of Regulation on notification of energy investments (adoption)
    Registration of Crude Oil Imports (adoption)
    Repeal of several energy measures (progress report)
    Energy Charter Treaty (progress report)
    Euro-Mediterranean energy dimension (Presidency report)
    (possible) Radiological protection safety standards
    December 18: Ecofin Council
    It is not certain that this Council will take place
    December 18-19: Environment Council
    Environmental impact assessment
    Biocides (orientation debate)
    Water (Council conclusions)
    Codification (Council resolution)
    Coastal zones (Council conclusions)
    Light rain emissions (common position)
    Ecolabelling debate
    Ecomanagement and audit scheme
    Climate change (Council conclusions)
    December 20: Development Council
    Food aid regulation
    Humanitarian aid regulation
    South Africa regulation
    Gender and development
    NGO cofinancing regulation
    (possible) Decentralised cooperation regulation
    Rehabilitation regulation
    Refugees in Asia and Central America regulation
    Tropical Forestry regulation
    December 21-22: Fisheries Council
    TACs and Quotas
    EC/Norway
    EC/Ireland
    EC/Greenland
    EC/Faeroes
    EC/Latvia
    EC/Lithuania

8 Dec 1995 : Column: 421


    EC/Estonia
    EC/Russia--Ex-Swedish agreements
    EC/Poland--Ex-Swedish agreements
    NAFO
    End-year quota flexibility (possible)
    Fixed gear (possible)
    List of species for log books (possible)


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