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Departmental Asset Sales
Mr. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 1999, Official Report, columns 39-40, on departmental asset sales, if he will give details of the two fixed related assets which have been sold; what the sales processes were in each case; and if he will make a statement. [73732]
The Prime Minister: [holding answer 26 February 1999]: The two related fixed assets which have been sold were an electrically operated fork lift truck and associated battery charging unit which I am advised was used by Recruitment and Assessment Services (RAS) at their Basingstoke office.
Expressions of interest were invited to buy them as one lot. Three companies responded; the highest final bid was accepted.
Referendums
Sir George Young: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral statement of 23 February 1999, Official Report, column 193, when he will respond to the Committee on Standards in Public Life's recommendations on conduct of referendums. [73965]
The Prime Minister: As we made clear when the Neill Committee report on the funding of political parties in the United Kingdom was published in October 1998, the Government will announce their conclusions on the recommendations contained in the report, including those on the conduct of referendums, when we publish a White Paper and draft Bill before the Summer Recess.
EU Meeting (Petersberg)
Mr. Connarty: To ask the Prime Minister if he will report on the outcome of the informal meeting of the EU Heads of State and Government in Petersberg, Germany on 26 February. [74131]
The Prime Minister:
The meeting at Petersberg was an informal meeting in preparation for the full European Council in Berlin on 24-25 March, at which a broad range of issues were discussed. No formal decisions were taken. The meeting reviewed progress on the "Agenda 2000" package of negotiations on European Union finances and expenditure, the Common Agricultural Policy and the Structural and Cohesion Funds. I set out the Government's objectives: control and stabilisation of expenditure, genuine and affordable reform of the CAP, a fair outcome for United Kingdom recipients of the structural funds, and a fair deal for taxpayers. I made it clear that the Government will maintain the United Kingdom abatement.
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Negotiations will continue in the Agriculture Council, which reconvenes on 2 March, and the ECOFIN and General Affairs councils, in preparation for the European Council meeting later this month, when the Presidency hopes to bring the negotiation to a conclusion.
Heads of State and Government also discussed duty free sales, negotiations between the EU and South Africa, relations between the EU and Russia, and the situation in Kosovo and the Middle East.
Mr. Wilshire:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his Department's policy to return to the relevant Select Committee leaked copies of unpublished committee documents. [73935]
The Prime Minister:
As Members of the House, Ministers abide by its practices and conventions. I note that the Speaker has said in her letter of 1 March to the Chairman of the Select Committee on Standards and Privileges that the fundamental responsibility of Members who find themselves in possession of leaked committee papers must be to act in a way which does not impede the committee in the discharge of its responsibilities to the House. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made it clear on 24 February 1999, Official Report, column 417, that he and the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), had acted properly in this regard by not taking any action to interfere with the work of a Select Committee or give premature disclosure.
I also note that the Speaker has requested that, in the absence of an existing decision by the House, the Committee consider the points of order raised with her by the hon. Member and the hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Woodward) with a view to drawing up guidance for general application in such circumstances. Ministers, as members of the House, would of course abide by any future ruling on this matter.
8. Mr. Pike:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what current actions his Department is taking in support of the 2006 world cup bid. [72096]
Mr. Banks:
The Government will continue to provide the fullest diplomatic and promotional support for The FA's bid in accordance with FIFA bidding guidelines. I believe it is an excellent bid with a very good chance of success. My Department is currently helping The FA draft the formal bid submission and I have arranged to meet members of the FIFA Executive visiting this country over the coming weeks.
I am determined that The FA's bid should continue to be pursued with the utmost vigour and integrity, and very much hope that the bidding process between now and March 2000 will be conducted in a spirit of friendly rivalry.
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10. Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he proposes to (i) extend access to the performing arts and (ii) reduce the costs of (a) performances and (b) tuition. [72098]
Mr. Alan Howarth:
My Department regards increasing access to all artforms as a key objective. The Arts Council's New Audiences programme is already funding a number of pilot projects which reduce the cost of performances, and further grants have recently been announced.
My Department is setting up the Youth Music Trust which, as an early priority, will wish to review the issue of charging for music lessons. New arrangements were also announced in November to provide more equitable funding support for professional dance and drama students.
11. Helen Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to improve the accessibility of the productions of national theatre, opera and ballet companies for those living outside London. [72099]
Mr. Alan Howarth:
The Arts Council of England encourages the national companies to ensure the widest possible access to performances. Many of the national companies, including Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre, tour extensively across the country. In addition, the Arts Council announced last month a range of initiatives under the New Audiences programme which will cover the whole of England.
13. Ms Perham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to improve standards in public libraries. [72102]
16. Mr. Bill O'Brien:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the service currently being provided by public libraries; and if he will make a statement. [72107]
Mr. Alan Howarth:
For the first time in 1998 all library authorities were required to prepare an Annual Library Plan. I have sent each library authority both an overall appraisal of the 1998 Annual Library Plans and individual feedback about their own. The vast majority are to be congratulated on their Plans to build on and improve library services we can all be proud of, but I am asking 15 authorities to carry out more work on their Plans and a further 6 authorities to explain proposed cuts in services.
20. Barbara Follett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how he is encouraging Britain's library service to extend access to the new technologies. [72112]
Mr. Hepburn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to help Britain's library service to extend access to new technologies. [72100]
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Mr. Chris Smith:
The Government are committed to ensuring that every public library is connected to the National Grid for Learning through the Public Library IT Network by 2002, where practicable. To this end, £70 million of Lottery funding will be available from the New Opportunities Fund for the development of new digital resources and the provision of ICT training for public library staff together with £6 million from the DCMS/Wolfson Challenge Fund for pathfinder projects to support the development of ICT infrastructure.
The Government are now considering responses to the consultation document 'New Links for the Lottery' which set out proposals for a programme of 'Community Access to Lifelong Learning' which will further support the development of ICT infrastructure for public libraries.
14. Dr. Starkey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for improving the competitiveness and quality of service of the UK hospitality and tourism industries. [72103]
15. Jane Griffiths:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his priorities are for improving the competitiveness and quality of the UK hospitality and tourism industries. [72105]
Janet Anderson:
"Tomorrow's Tourism", the new strategy which we published on 26 February, contains a number of recommendations for action by central and local government, the tourism industry and other key players to improve the competitiveness and quality of the industry, and thus make it a world leader.
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