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PRIME MINISTER

Engagements

Sir Peter Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 30 July. [10316]

The Prime Minister: This morning, I had meetings with colleagues and others and later today I shall host a reception at No.10 Downing street.

Intelligence and Security Committee

Mr. Stevenson: To ask the Prime Minister if a decision has been made on the composition of the Intelligence and Security Committee. [12093]

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The Prime Minister: Following consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and in accordance with section 10 of the Intelligence Services Act (1994) I have appointed the Intelligence and Security Committee as follows:
The Right Hon. Tom King CH, MP (Chairman)
Lady Ramsay of Cartvale
The Right Hon. Alan Beith, MP
Mr. Kevin Barron, MP
Ms Yvette cooper, MP
Mr. Barry Jones, MP
Mr. Michael Mates, MP
Mr. Allan Rogers, MP
Mr. Dale Campbell-Savours MP

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Parliamentary Groups and Committees

Mr. Forth: To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if a list of the parliamentary groups and committees established in compliance with the relevant rules of the House will be placed in the Library. [11415]

Mrs. Roe: A new register of all-party and parliamentary groups is currently being compiled; it will be available shortly in the Library for inspection by hon. Members.

Mr. Forth: To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what measures are being implemented to ensure compliance with the rules for the establishment, designation and operation of parliamentary groups and committees. [11414]

Mrs. Roe: The Administration Committee takes the view that the internal arrangements of all-party and parliamentary groups are matters for the groups themselves, provided they are not contrary to the regulations approved by the House on 20 March 1997.

In order to be formally registered, an all-party or parliamentary group has to give a written understanding that the group will abide by the regulations approved by the House. If any hon. Member believes that a group is in breach of these regulations, I would expect him or her to draw the matter to my attention.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

Nolan Committee Records

Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reason files relating to the work of the Nolan committee at the Public Record Office are currently closed; and if he will release these files into the public domain. [10407]

Mr. Hoon: Two classes of records of the Committee on Standards in Public Life have been transferred to the Public Record Office.

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The first class--Public Record Office reference JN 2-- consists of copies of written evidence submitted to the Committee, and is open to inspection, although evidence which concerned individual cases, or which has been found to be potentially defamatory, has been excluded.

As part of a pilot project to test the feasibility of archiving and making publicly available electronic records, a second class--JN 3--has been transferred to the Public Record Office in electronic form. Those of the records already in the public domain, in particular transcripts of public hearings, have been available in the Public Record Office since 9 May 1997. The other records transferred, including the minutes and papers of the committee, are currently subject to the 30-year rule under the normal provisions of the Public Records Acts. Access to closed records is in the first instance a matter for the Department concerned, in this case the committee.

CABINET OFFICE

Millennium Experience

Ms Roseanna Cunningham: To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is the budget for the millennium dome project, broken down by (a) category of expenditure and (b) source of revenue. [6129]

Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Minister without Portfolio what sums he estimates will be required from business for the millennium experience exhibition; and what assessment he has made of the effects on other millennium exhibition activities of businesses supporting the millennium experience. [6478]

Mr. Mandelson [holding answer 3 July 1997]: Allowing for inflation and contingencies, the overall cash budget of the new millennium experience at Greenwich and associated national programme will be £758 million. Detailed breakdown of expenditure is subject to contractual negotiation and will be published in the accounts of the New Millennium Experience Co. Ltd. at the appropriate time. Budgeted revenue for the millennium experience will come from £175 million private sector sponsorship and commercial revenue--International Management Group's contract sets a target for sponsorship of £150 million--£168 million is expected from visitor revenue including ticketing and merchandising, and £15 million from the disposal of assets. The original grant of £200 million lottery money from the Millennium Commission will be supplemented as necessary by a further grant from the commission of up to £250 million (gross); £200 million (net).

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

European Identity Card

Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from what budget the funds for the development of a European citizen's identity card for public distribution at the European Parliament were allocated. [9643]

Mr. Doug Henderson: This information is not readily available. I shall write to the hon. Member once further inquiries have been made.

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UK-US Space Project

Sir Richard Body: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations between the United Kingdom and the United States preceded the launch by NASA of Cassini. [11050]

Mr. Tony Lloyd: Cassini is a joint NASA-European Space Agency project due for launch in October 1997. Most discussion takes place between these agencies. The UK, within ESA, has been fully involved in preparations for these discussions.

Gibraltar

Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Gibraltar. [10810]

Dr. Marek: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to visit Gibraltar. [11478]

Mr. Doug Henderson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans at present to visit Gibraltar. I am looking forward to my visit in September.

Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Spanish Government seeking the removal of the restrictions on military and civilian aircraft flying into Gibraltar. [10811]

Mr. Henderson: We have already made representations to the Spanish Government about the removal of restrictions on military and civil aircraft and we will continue to do so.

British Citizens Working Overseas

Mr. Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the responsibilities of the British embassy and consulate towards British citizens and their families working abroad on permanent or semi-permanent assignments; what priority (a) these individuals and (b) British tourists travelling abroad receive; and if he will make a statement.[11096]

Mr. Tony Lloyd: This Department's consular services offer world-wide protection 24 hours a day seven days a week to all British nationals abroad. The level of help provided and the priority attached to it is judged on a case by case basis depending on the needs of the individual.

Mr. David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy on the protection and support of British citizens working overseas for foreign-based companies. [11207]

Mr. Lloyd: The protection of British nationals abroad is a front-line responsibility for this Department. Consular staff provide protection 24 hours a day, seven days a week worldwide to all British nationals who need it, irrespective of whether they are working overseas or travelling as tourists.

Korean Peninsula

Mr. Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement

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regarding the four-party talks on peace in the Korean peninsula scheduled to begin in Geneva on 5 August.[11296]

Mr. Tony Lloyd: We welcome the plans for a preparatory four-party meeting in Geneva and hope it will quickly lead to full four-party talks about peace in the peninsula.

Sir John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list for the latest year for which the information is available the individuals from the Republic of Korea who have had visits to the United Kingdom sponsored by his Department stating in each case whether the airfare or costs in the United Kingdom were met from public funds.[11361]

Mr. Lloyd: The following Korean visitors were sponsored by this Department during the financial year 1996-97.































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