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Unemployment
Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will identify the categories and travel-to-work areas of long-term unemployed people. [5140]
Majorie Mowlam: The latest available information as at 8 May 1997 is as follows:
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1 Jul 1997 : Column: 87
Mr. Sedgemore:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the ACPO Joint Standing Committee on Police Use of Firearms was informed of the use of faulty plastic bullets. [6115]
Mr. Michael
[holding answer 30 June 1997]: I have been asked to reply.
The Secretary of the Association of Chief Police Officers Joint Standing Committee on the Police Use of Firearms was informed that certain plastic baton rounds were not performing to the required specification on 25 March 1997.
Mr. Hunter:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide details of the seizures of alcohol smuggled through Sunday markets in the past six months.[5246]
Dawn Primarolo:
I have been asked to reply.
I regret that no central figures are kept.
Special Advisers
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the special advisers in his Department, the Minister to whom each is responsible, the subjects on which they advise and the number of advisers in his Department in the year up to 1 May. [5363]
Dr. David Clark: I have appointed one special adviser, Andrew Lappin, who is responsible to me.
Mr. Lappin is employed under terms and conditions based on the model contract for special advisers, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. Mr. Lappin advises me on issues across the range of my responsibilities in accordance with Schedule 1 (Part 1) of the Model Contract.
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There were two special advisers in my Department in the year up to 1 May. Sir Paul Judge was special adviser to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster until resigning in July 1996; he was succeeded by Andrew Caesar-Gordon from September 1996 to March 1997.
In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State had two special advisers in his office. Dr. Alan Kemp until his resignation in December 1996; and Lady Eileen Strathnaver until April 1997.
Mr. Letwin:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster where the Deregulation Unit which was part of the Cabinet Office is now located; and by what name it is now known. [5634]
Dr. David Clark:
The Deregulation Unit has been renamed the Better Regulation Unit to reflect our priority to get regulation right. It remains a core part of the Cabinet Office. The Government is committed to ensuring that regulations are simple, helpful and fair both to business, particularly small firms, and to the citizen.
The work of the Unit will contribute to my Department's White Paper, "Better Government" to be published in the autumn, setting out a unified programme for the renewal of government.
Mr. Cotter:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to re-assess the deregulation initiative; and if he will make a statement. [5816]
Dr. Clark:
The Government is committed to ensuring that regulations are simple, helpful and fair. We aim to deliver responsible and responsive regulation for business, particularly small firms, and the citizen. The Deregulation Unit has been renamed the Better Regulation Unit to reflect our priority to get regulation right.
We are giving small firms a greater voice by appointing six small business representatives on the revitalised Task Force. To develop practical measures to help small businesses, we are setting up a cross-departmental group on "Access Business". It will draw together regulatory advice and forms into a simpler, more unified service, in particular using advances in information technology.
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We are equally committed to removing bureaucracy from the lives of ordinary people, bringing citizens' issues to the fore. We will focus on key groups--the elderly, the young, the disadvantaged and volunteers.
The work of the Unit will contribute to my Department's White Paper, "Better Government" to be published in the autumn, setting out a unified programme for the renewal of government.
Mr. Letwin:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what policy he will adopt in relation to the further deregulation of British industry. [5635]
Dr. Clark:
As we made clear in our Manifesto, we are committed not to impose unnecessary burdens on business. I am also appointing a revitalised Task Force and will work with them to lift regulatory burdens wherever appropriate.
Mr. Letwin:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he is taking to improve the regulation of British industry. [5636]
Dr. Clark:
I aim to modernise Government for business--particularly small firms--and citizens by achieving better quality regulation. To develop practical measures to help small businesses, we are setting up a cross-departmental group on "Access Business". It will draw together regulatory advice and forms into a simpler, more unified service, in particular using advances in information technology.
I am also in the process of appointing a revitalised Task Force, half of whose members will represent small business. I look forward to working with them to ensure that new regulations are simple, helpful and fair.
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to which public bodies the Government's proposed Freedom of Information Act will apply. [5972]
Dr. David Clark:
We believe that the Freedom of Information Act should apply to a substantial number of public bodies in addition to central Government departments and agencies. Details of our proposals will be set out in the forthcoming White Paper.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will review public access to those communications sent directly to the Sovereign from other Heads of State relating to the political relations between the country concerned and the United Kingdom. [5712]
Mr. David Clark:
Communications about political matters from Heads of State to the Sovereign are referred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and therefore come within the ambit of the Public Records Acts. The forthcoming White Paper on Freedom of Information will address the issue of public access to all types of government records.
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Ms Gisela Stuart:
To ask the President of the Council what arrangements exist for access by hon. Members to the rifle range; how many members of the rifle club there are; and how many of these are hon. Members. [4064]
Mrs. Ann Taylor:
I am advised by the Rifle Club that it has 24 members, four of whom are hon. Members. If hon. Members wish to access the rifle range they can contact the club.
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