| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Exporting Firms
Mrs. Roche: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the number of firms which have begun exporting since May 1995; and how many firms were exporting at that date. [13592]
Mr. Oppenheim [holding answer 5 February 1996]: The latest available information was given to the hon. Member in my answer on 19 December 1995, Official Report, column 1086. There are no official estimates of the number of firms which have begun exporting since May 1995.
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
Nigeria (Police Training)
Mr. Jon Owen Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 19 December, Official Report, columns 1073-74, how many Nigerian police officers received training in the United Kingdom in the maintenance of public order in (a) 1990 and (b) 1991; which United Kingdom police force provided the training; and which Government Department was responsible for funding the training. [13349]
6 Feb 1996 : Column: 150
Mr. Hanley:
Two Nigerian police officers received training in the maintenance of public order in 1990 and one 1991. All three were trained by the Greater Manchester police force. Funding was by the ODA.
Mr. Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 19 December, Official Report, columns 1073-74, what was the nature of the training provided in the United Kingdom in 1990 and 1991 for members of the Nigerian police in the maintenance of public order. [13380]
Mr. Hanley:
The training covered the theoretical and practical aspects of command and control in serious public disorder situations, including instruction in teaching shield tactics, with emphasis on the minimum use of force.
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 29 January, Official Report, column 522, to the hon. Member for Stretford, what appropriate actions he sought and what response he has received from the Zanzibari and Tanzanian authorities. [13796]
Mr. Hanley:
We remain concerned about the discrepancies in the results of the Zanzibar elections. My right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Chalker raised this during her recent visit to Tanzania and emphasised to the Tanzanian authorities the need to establish a constructive dialogue between Government and Opposition in Zanzibar.
Dr. Godman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the public and private organisations, including non-governmental organisations and academic institutions, which have received funds by way of (a) the European Union's PHARE programme and (b) the know-how fund; what were the sums of money awarded; and if he will make a statement. [13394]
Mr. Hanley:
Information in the form requested is not readily available on either the PHARE programme or the know-how fund. For the know-how fund it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Detailed information on both programmes is set out in the following publications, copies of which have been, or are being, placed in the Library of the House:
The KHF's 1994-95 annual report and latest list of approved projects;
The most recent PHARE annual report; and,
A profile of PHARE funding in the period 1990-1994.
Pakistan
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that part of the overseas aid budget for Pakistan is directed towards the education and the rehabilitation of bonded children; and if he will make a statement. [13392]
Mr. Hanley:
The problem is a cause for continuing concern. We therefore welcome recent measures by the Government of Pakistan to tackle it, such as the national project for rehabilitation of child labour. We are considering, through the European Union, how best to
6 Feb 1996 : Column: 151
assist and are focusing our bilateral aid on improvements in basic services, such as education, which help tackle some underlying causes of child labour.
Rail Privatisation
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his latest estimate of the cost of rail privatisation; if he will breakdown its main components; and if he will make a statement. [8868]
Mr. Watts: Costs incurred to date by the Department, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and the Office of the Rail Regulator are as follows. They include running costs and consultancy costs.
| 1991-92 | 1992-93 | 1993-94 | 1994-95 | 1995-96(22) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOT | 1.0 | 6.7 | (23)13.5 | 14.2 | 14.3 |
| OPRAF | -- | -- | 2.4 | 16.6 | 21.3 |
| ORR | -- | -- | 1.4 | 9.0 | 5.8 |
| Total | 1.0 | 6.7 | 17.3 | 39.8 | 41.4 |
(22) Estimated costs to 31 December 1995.
(23) Includes £1.5 million contribution by DOT to the costs of setting up OPRAF and ORR prior to formal appointments of the Franchising Director and Rail Regulator.
| BR/Railtrack | |
|---|---|
| (£ million--cash) | |
| 1991-92 | -- |
| 1992-93 | -- |
| 1993-94 | 92.2 |
| 1994-95 | 131.0 |
| 1995-96(22) | 72.0 |
The privatisation process now has considerable momentum and the sales achieved so far will yield proceeds in excess of £2 billion.
Ms Short:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if franchise agreements for the first three franchised lines specifically preclude the replacement of rail services with bus services. [13971]
Mr. Watts:
The franchise agreement requires the franchise operator to run railway services; it may not replace these with bus services. Where, in exceptional circumstances, it is unable to operate the specified railway services, the operator is required to take reasonable steps to provide alternatives, which may include bus services.
Mr. Mills:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review exhaust emission requirements under the MOT requirements. [12903]
6 Feb 1996 : Column: 152
Mr. Norris:
I am satisfied that the MOT test is effective in controlling unnecessary emissions from vehicles. However, we keep the operation of the system under review.
Ms Walley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the amount of overtime worked in each month since the creation of the Coastguard agency; [13375]
(3) how he proposes to recruit to the post of Chief Coastguard; [13377]
(4) what steps are being taken to fill the current vacancies among operational Coastguard officers; [13374]
(5) what changes he has introduced to provide Coastguard cover from Chichester to Beachy head, including changes in the staffing arrangements to cover (a) incidents and (b) public education in maritime and coastal safety matters. [13376]
Mr. Norris:
I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard agency to write to the hon. Member.
(2) what action has been taken to secure the retention of the Coastguard rescue helicopter base at Lee on the Solent; [13379]
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |