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PRIME MINISTER
Overseas Publications
Mr. Maclean: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 3 February 1999, Official Report, column 642, on overseas publications, if he will deposit in the Library copies of the English versions of the articles he has written for foreign newspapers and journals. [71144]
The Prime Minister: We do not keep a systematic record of the final printed versions or articles written by the Prime Minister for foreign newspapers.
Devolution
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the continuing responsibilities of the Lord Chancellor in relation to devolution. [70848]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 23 February 1999]: The Lord Chancellor chairs the Cabinet Committee on devolution policy. Its terms of reference are:
- "To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's policies for devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the regions of England and to promote and oversee progress of the relevant legislation through Parliament and its subsequent implementation."
Correspondence
Mr. Trend: To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) of 14 January, on the subject of EU fraud and mismanagement. [73265]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 23 February 1999, Official Report, column 230.
Genetically Modified Crops
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions, when he has met the Minister for Science, genetically modified foods or crops have been discussed. [73025]
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The Prime Minister
[holding answer 25 February 1999]: I have regular meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others on a wide range of subjects. As with previous administrations it is not my practice to provide details of confidential discussions.
Mr. Redwood:
To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions, he or his officials have held discussions with (a) Monsanto, (b) Novartis and (c) Agrevo. [73036]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 25 February 1999]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 23 February 1999, Official Report, columns 232-33.
Millennium Dome
Mr. McWalter: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the NMEC has to offer concessionary tickets to the Millennium Experience to families on means-tested benefits. [69672]
Janet Anderson:
The New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) ticketing strategy and pricing structure aims to ensure that as many people as possible who wish to visit the Dome will be able to do so. The structure will include a range of group, family, student and other discounts. In addition, the company is working closely with the travel trade to ensure that attractive packages combining travel and Dome entry are available. In drawing up its pricing structure and discount categories the Company has been informed by the experience and systems of other major visitor attractions both in the public and private sectors. Concessionary tickets for families on means-tested benefits is not standard practice and would be particularly difficult to introduce in a way
26 Feb 1999 : Column: 476
that would prevent abuse. The NMEC does not therefore propose to introduce such concessions. The Government, and the Millennium Commission, have endorsed this approach.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications have been made for (a) branded restaurants and (b) other catering facilities at the Dome. [67267]
Janet Anderson:
The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) announced on 18 December agreement with Granada Food Services Ltd., and Letheby Christopher for the provision, respectively of public service catering and hospitality catering. On 26 January the NMEC announced contracts for ten branded catering outlets at the Dome. Contracts for the remaining catering outlets will be announced shortly. The process prior to the appointment of these caterers involved the company in discussions with about one hundred potential caterers; the issue of thirty-one invitations to tender; and interviews with and presentations from sixteen companies in support of their tenders.
Mr. Spring:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the English Sports Council's grant-in-aid was spent on (a) staff costs, excluding national centres, (b) administrative expenses, (c) publicity/promotions/communications, (d) grants to national governing bodies, (e) grants to the National Coaching Foundation, (f) sports science, (g) sports medicine, (h) national centres, (i) grants to other national sports bodies, excluding NGBs and (j) regional support in (i) 1997-98, (ii) 1998-99 and (iii) what are the provisional spending plans for 1999-2000 to 2001-02. [71745]
Mr. Banks
[holding answer 22 February 1999]: The information the hon. Member requested on the English Sports Council's grant-in-aid expenditure is included in the following table.
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Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has made to the BBC about the amount of money they intend to spend on their Internet and on-line services. [72678]
Janet Anderson
[holding answer 24 February 1999]: None. In granting approval for the launch of BBC Online, my right hon. Friend was satisfied that proposed expenditure on BBC Online represented effective value for money in delivering a key part of the BBC's public service remit.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will list the representations he has made to the BBC on political content since 1 May 1997; [73689]
Mr. Laurence Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the Statutory Instruments made under paragraph 11(5) of Part III of Schedule 2 of the Broadcasting Act 1990; and what plans he has for further statutory instruments under that provision. [73146]
Mr. Chris Smith:
Paragraph 11(5) of Part III of Schedule 2 of the Broadcasting Act 1996 sets out the restrictions on participation in companies holding digital radio multiplex licences. There have been no Statutory Instruments under that paragraph to date. As my hon. Friend the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting
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announced on 28 January 1999, Official Report, columns 322-23, I intend to lay an order revising these restrictions before the House shortly.
Mr. Laurence Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to consult on the relaxation of restrictions on ownership of national (a) analogue radio licences and (b) digital radio multiplex licences. [73145]
Mr. Chris Smith:
I consulted broadcasters, broadcast regulators, consumer groups and other interested parties on the relaxation of the restrictions on participation in companies holding digital radio multiplex licences on 26 November last year. I have no immediate plans to consult on the present restrictions on the ownership of analogue radio licences.
(2) what representations he has made to the BBC concerning the programme, "One Man and His Dog". [73691]
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