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Riding Stables
Mr. David Nicholson: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations have been made to him on behalf of small-scale riding stables about problems arising from the cost of implementing regulations. [20215]
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Mr. Sackville: I have been asked to reply, in view of the Home Office's responsibilities for the Riding Establishments Acts.
The Home Office has received no recent representations from this sector.
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
"Employers Guide to Stress"
Dr. Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what costs her Department incurred in the production of the document "Employers Guide to Stress". [20548]
Barnsley and Doncaster Training and Enterprise Council
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funds her Department provided to Barnsley and Doncaster TEC in (a) 1994-95 and (b) 1995-96; and what amount is planned for 1996-97. [20721]
Mr. Paice: Information on Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council's budget for 1994-95 and 1995-96 was published in a written answer of 1 November 1995, Official Report, column 364, to the hon. Member. The budget for 1996-97 is at present being negotiated by officials from the Government office for Yorkshire and Humberside and representatives from the TEC.
Equal Opportunities Commission
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the budget for the Equal Opportunities Commission in each year since its inception (a) in cash, (b) in real terms and (c) as a percentage change on the previous year. [20739]
Mrs. Gillan: The information is set out in the following table:
| Year | Grant in aid cash terms | Percentage change on previous year | Grant in aid 1994-95 prices | Percentage change on previous year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976-77 | 850,430 | 0 | 3,220,000 | 0 |
| 1977-78 | 1,460,699 | 71.8 | 4,869,000 | 51.2 |
| 1978-79 | 1,644,650 | 12.6 | 4,924,000 | 1.1 |
| 1979-80 | 2,146,109 | 30.5 | 5,517,000 | 12 |
| 1980-81 | 2,520,270 | 17.4 | 5,478,000 | -0.7 |
| 1981-82 | 2,911,000 | 15.5 | 5,764,000 | 5.2 |
| 1982-83 | 3,046,000 | 4.6 | 5,630,000 | -2.3 |
| 1983-84 | 3,168,000 | 4 | 5,597,000 | -0.6 |
| 1984-85 | 3,387,000 | 6.9 | 5,702,000 | 1.9 |
| 1985-86 | 3,434,000 | 1.4 | 5,477,000 | -4 |
| 1986-87 | 3,538,000 | 3 | 5,477,000 | 0 |
| 1987-88 | 3,716,000 | 5 | 5,457,000 | -0.4 |
| 1988-89 | 3,810,000 | 2.5 | 5,248,000 | -3.8 |
| 1989-90 | 3,894,000 | 2.2 | 5,012,000 | -4.5 |
| 1990-91 | 4,579,000 | 17.6 | 5,458,000 | 8.9 |
| 1991-92 | 4,864,000 | 6.2 | 5,459,000 | 0.02 |
| 1992-93 | 5,282,000 | 8.6 | 5,692,000 | 4.3 |
| 1993-94 | 5,794,000 | 9.7 | 6,067,000 | 6.6 |
| 1994-95 | 5,949,000 | 2.7 | 6,114,000 | 0.8 |
| 1995-96 | 6,429,533 | 8.1 | 6,429,533 | 5.2 |
1. Between 29 December 1975 and 31 March 1976, while the commission was in the process of being established, its expenditure was met directly by the Home Office and other Government Departments.
2. The amount of grant in aid for 1995-96 includes the supplementary grant of £273,533 recently agreed by the Department to cover expenditure on information technology equipment.
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Mr. Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the budget for the Equal Opportunities Commission for 1996-97; and what are the planned budgets for future years. [20740]
Mrs. Gillan: The grant in aid for the Equal Opportunities Commission for 1996-97 is £5,820,650. Grant in aid for each of the financial years 1997-98 and 1998-99 is £5,792,150.
Mr. Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the future of the Equal Opportunities Commission. [20741]
Mrs. Gillan: The Government are fully committed to the work of the Equal Opportunities Commission. Many thousands of people have cause to thank the commission for its work over the last 20 years and its success in changing attitudes. I have recently paid tribute to that work.
The Government have no plans to seek changes to the legislation which defines the EOC's responsibilities and duties.
Mr. Cunningham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people are currently employed by the Equal Opportunities Commission. [20738]
Mrs. Gillan:
There are currently 187 people employed by the Equal Opportunities Commission.
Sir Graham Bright:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of four-year-olds not at present receiving nursery education in Bedfordshire who would do so with the introduction of nursery vouchers. [20747]
Mr. Robin Squire:
The annual school census for January 1996 will give detailed information in the existing provision in maintained schools. The number of additional places created through the nursery voucher scheme in any local authority area will depend on the response of providers to parental demand. We are currently collecting data from every local education authority on its number of four-year-olds, including those in nursery education. I am confident that providers of all types, either alone or in partnership will satisfy parental demand over time.
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Mr. Ian McCartney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what signing-on arrangements she plans to place on (a) existing postal claimants and (b) new claimants who reside more than six miles from an Employment Service office when they sign on for jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement. [20785]
Mr. Forth:
Most jobseekers will be required to attend a jobcentre every fortnight to sign a declaration that they have been available for employment, have been actively seeking employment and that their circumstances have not changed. Jobseekers will be allowed to provide such a signed declaration by post where:
Existing postal claimants who do not meet these new criteria will be required to attend the jobcentre fortnightly after their first quarterly review following the introduction of jobseeker's allowance. This conversion process should be completed within three months from 7 October.
Mr. Donohoe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many contracts for goods or services have been awarded in each of the last three financial years by her Department and its executive agencies after competitive tendering; and what was the total combined value of these contracts. [21038]
Mr. Robin Squire:
Detailed information in the form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost, although it is a fundamental principle of DFEE purchasing policy that contracts should generally be let through competitive tender.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many person taking
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degree level qualifications in United Kingdom institutions have been found guilty of cheating in examinations in each year since 1979. [20899]
Mr. Forth:
Degree-awarding institutions are autonomous bodies responsible for their own examination and assessment procedures. The information requested is not collected by the Department.
Mr. Blunkett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to extend self-governing status to all state schools; and when she expects to make an announcement on her proposals. [21084]
Mr. Robin Squire:
The Government are committed to extending the benefits of self-government to all state schools. We are currently looking at the options for achieving this. We will announce our conclusions as soon as we are ready.
Mr. Meacher:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the current prevalence of zero-hours contracts; how many employees are estimated to be employed under such contracts; how many companies operate them; and what action she proposes to take in respect of such contracts. [20868]
Mr. Forth:
The Department monitors developments in the labour market, including current working practices. Although there is no nationally representative information, the limited evidence available suggests the use of zero-hours contracts is not widespread. The Department believes it is for employers and employees to decide for themselves the form of work that best suits their particular circumstances.
They will be required to attend a jobcentre every 13 weeks for an interview with an Employment Service adviser.
their journey between their home and the jobcentre in either direction would take over one hour using appropriate means of transport; or
attendance would involve an absence from home over four hours; or
they have a disability which reduces their mobility
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