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Information Service
Mr. Barnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has for the future of the Information Service in Northern Ireland. [15429]
Marjorie Mowlam: A review of Information Services in Northern Ireland was presented to me on Wednesday 5 November. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
The review recommends that the role and approach of the Northern Ireland Information Service should continue to be consistent with the traditional core principles and approach of government information work. I agree. It is important that the professional reputation of the Northern Ireland Information Service for accuracy, impartiality and objective presentation of the Government's policies be maintained. Its staff have provided loyal, committed and professional service to successive Governments through some of the most difficult and traumatic events.
At the same time, the review sets out a vision for the Information Service: centrally placed at the heart of the Government in Northern Ireland, taking a strategic approach, active in promoting the Government's policies as well as reactive, and delivering an up-to-date service to the media, consistent with the professional requirements for accuracy, impartiality and objectivity.
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I endorse this approach. In particular, as recommended by the review, the posts of Director of Communications and Head of News will be filled by open competition ensuring transparent selection procedures supervised by the Civil Service Commission.
Mr. Bob Russell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will establish how many former Ministry of Defence houses at Colchester, sold to Annington Homes, have been re-sold by the company together with the average sale price; and what was the average price received by the Government when the houses were sold. [13704]
Mr. Spellar:
At the time of the sale 46 houses at Colchester were transferred freehold to Annington Homes. The price for individual properties was not separately negotiated but was part of the total sale and leasing package, the receipt for which was £1.662 billion. Once properties are released to Annington Homes, questions relating to resale prices are a matter for that company, but the contract between Annington Homes and MOD provides for a share of the profits obtained from resale to be paid to the Exchequer. Over £1 million from the profit share arrangements within the Annington Homes contract has already been received.
Mr. Edward Davey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what time scale the review of his Department's assets is being conducted; how much the review is expected to cost; and if he will make a statement. [14104]
Dr. Reid:
The review of defence assets is part of the Strategic Defence Review, work on which is expected to be completed around the turn of the year. We are seeking to ensure that all assets are used with maximum efficiency, and that any surplus is identified and disposed of. The work is being undertaken mainly through existing structures. Some extra costs will be incurred, for example in the process of outside consultation, but it is too early to predict the total.
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of the farewell voyage of HMS Britannia and its escort vessel. [14416]
Dr. Reid:
The estimated additional cost of the farewell voyage of HMY Britannia and its escort vessel is some £157,000.
Visas
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning delays in processing visa applications at Islamabad. [14230]
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Mr. Fatchett:
We have received many representations expressing concern at the delays in processing visa applications at Islamabad. The majority of these resulted from computer problems which have now been resolved.
Our correspondence statistics are not broken down in such a way as to be able to give precise figures of representations on this specific subject.
Ann Clwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the visas granted to military, security, police, paramilitary or special forces personnel invited by (a) the British Government and (b) private companies to attend the 1997 contingency and operational procurement exhibition at Farnborough. [14404]
Mr. Fatchett:
The information requested is not systematically recorded and is not therefore available.
Mr. Rooney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Bradford, North of 30 July, 29 August, 11 September, 1 October and 17 October concerning the case of Shahzad Ali, reference IMM/D0887. [14734]
Mr. Fatchett:
The letters referred to by my hon. Friend were answered on 5 November 1997.
Mr. Faber:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received in respect of commemorating the 40th anniversary of the revolution in Cuba. [14813]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
I have received no representations in respect of commemorating the 40th anniversary of the revolution in Cuba.
Green Pound
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations he has received in the last 12 months on the impact of Green Pound fluctuations on agriculture; and if he will make a statement. [14079]
Mr. Rooker: The Department has received about 90 written representations on the impact of Green Pound fluctuations on agriculture. Ministers and officials have also received delegations from farming and farm-related organisations on several occasions.
Mr. Llwyd:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consideration is currently being given to an application for European funds to offset the effects of Green Pound price fluctuations on agricultural prices and subsidies; and if he will make a statement.[14164]
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Mr. Rooker:
Paying this aid would have significant implications for UK public expenditure. We are keeping the case for payment under review but, on the evidence currently available, have concluded that the case for payment is at present not proven.
Mr. Mullin:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions for tail docking have taken place since the 1994 Welfare of Livestock Regulations were enacted; and if he will make a statement. [14690]
Mr. Morley:
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Carmarthen, West and South Pembrokeshire (Mr. Ainger) on 3 November, Official Report, column 38.
Mr. MacShane:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list (a) the nature and value of contracts his Department has entered into and (b) discussions ministers or officials have held with the Monitor Consultancy since 1990. [14957]
Mr. Morley:
From records held centrally, the Department has not entered into any contracts with the Monitor Consultancy and is not aware of any discussions with the company.
Mr. Paice:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each of the former MAFF regional panels the names of the members at the time of their dissolution, the organisations they represented and their contact addresses. [14771]
Mr. Rooker:
The names and contact addresses of the members of the nine MAFF Regional Panels at the time of their disbandment are listed below.
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