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Passport Agency

Sir Irvine Patnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the United Kingdom Passport

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Agency performed against its targets in 1995-96; and what performance targets he has set for the agency in 1996-97. [27769]

Mr. Kirkhope [pursuant to his reply, 30 April 1996, column 431]: I am pleased to say that the United Kingdom Passport Agency achieved all its targets in 1995-96. The targets for processing properly completed straightforward applications were met despite a 20 per cent. increase in demand for passport services with an average turnround time for the whole year of 6.1 working days, well within the average target of seven working days. The Passport Agency's financial target was to reduce its unit cost by 5 per cent. in real terms. The latest indications are that the agency has achieved a 7.25 per cent. real terms reduction in its unit cost. Another notable achievement was the re-award of the Chartermark in December 1995.

During 1996-97, I shall expect the Passport Agency to continue to improve its standard of service to the public, while seeking further efficiency savings in its operations.

I have set the agency the following key targets:


The chief executive will remain directly accountable to me for the performance of the Passport Agency. An advisory board, including two private sector members with experience of delivering services to the public, will continue to provide me with an independent assessment of the agency's performance.

Performance Bonds

Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 May, Official Report, column 20, how many (a) unconditional on-demand bonds, (b) performance bonds, (c) parent company guarantees, (d) advance payment bonds and (e) retention bonds were required by his Department in the last five years. [31235]

Mr. Howard [holding answer 4 June 1996]: The information required to answer this question is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Dangerous Dogs

Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost to the Metropolitan police of kennelling dogs detained under the terms of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 in each year since 1991. [31075]

Mr. Maclean [holding answer 4 June 1996]: The following is the information requested:

£

1992-931993-941994-951995-96
Kennelling1,263,763773,469443,646368,000
Veterinary66,07577,41857,82947,000
Total1,329,838850,887501,475(10)415,000

(10) Estimated costs.

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OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

China

Ms Lynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions her Department had with the Chinese Minister for the State Family Planning Commission during her visit to Britain on 17 and 18 May on (a) the male to female birth ratio and (b) covert abortions and sterilisations in China; [30758]

Mr. Hanley: In her meeting with Mrs. Peng Peiyun, Chinese State Councillor with responsibilities that include family planning, Baroness Chalker of Wallasey discussed UK concerns about human rights abuses, such as forced sterilisations and abortions, in the implementation of Chinese family planning policy. In order that such informal contacts continue to be constructive, ODA believes that it is not appropriate to release details of these discussions.

HIV and AIDS Funding

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which United Kingdom based non-governmental organisations have been allocated funding for HIV and AIDS programmes for (a) 1993-94, (b) 1994-95 and (c) 1995-96. [30229]

Mr. Hanley: UK-based NGOs receiving funding for specified HIV/AIDS programmes in developing countries 1993-94 to 1995-96 are as follows:


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Many other UK NGOs receive funds to implement community development and health programmes which will influence the well-being of people exposed to or affected by HIV.

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the £39.3 million allocated specifically for HIV/AIDS in 1995-96 was distributed through (a) multilateral agencies, (b) bilateral agencies and (c) non-governmental organisations. [30230]

Mr. Hanley: The table gives a breakdown of the £39.3 million allocated to HIV/AIDS-related activities in 1995-96 by spending channel.

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Spending channelHIV/AIDS spend £ millionPer cent. of spend
Bilateral33.81586.0
Multilateral5.03512.8
Non-governmental organisations0.4501.2
Total expenditure39.3100.0

In addition, a significant number of reproductive health projects approved during this period include prevention of HIV transmission as one of several objectives.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Exports and Imports

Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the value of (a) exports from and (b) imports to Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are complete. [30828]

Mr. Ancram: Statistics on Northern Ireland's exports are currently available only for the financial years 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94 and 1994-95 and are provided. These are taken from a survey undertaken on behalf of the Department of Economic Development and the Industrial Development Board by the Northern Ireland Economic Research Centre and published on 1 May 1996.

Statistics on imports to Northern Ireland are not available.

YearExports £ million (excluding sales to GB)
1991-921,784
1992-931,980
1993-942,175
1994-952,637

Nursery Voucher Scheme

Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which standards which apply to the provision of nursery education will be relaxed under the voucher scheme. [30476]

Mr. Ancram: I do not propose to relax any standards applying to the provision of nursery education.

Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of (a) the number of children who will qualify for nursery vouchers and (b) the lengths of time they will be qualified. [30481]

Mr. Ancram: I estimate that approximately 19,500 children annually will be eligible for a voucher. The length of time for which they will be eligible will depend on the date of their fourth birthday. For planning purposes we have assumed the following distribution:


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Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many inspectors are competent and qualified to investigate provision under the nursery voucher scheme; and what proposals he has to increase these numbers. [30482]

Mr. Ancram: At present five inspectors of the Department of Education's inspectorate are competent and qualified to inspect provision under the nursery voucher scheme.

Arrangements are being made for the recruitment of up to five additional specialist inspectors of pre-school education.

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