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Agriculture Improvement Scheme
Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the budget for the Highlands and Islands Objective 1 area under the agricultural improvement scheme for (a) 1991-92, (b) 1992-93, (c) 1993-94, (d) 1994-95, (e) 1995-96, (f) 1996-97, (g) 1997-98 and (h) 1998-99; and what is the underspend for each year. [76862]
Mr. Macdonald: The Agricultural Business Improvement Scheme (ABIS) forms part of the Objective 1 Highlands and Islands Agricultural Programme (HIAP), along with the Marketing Scheme and the Crofting Township Development Scheme. There is no separate budget provision for ABIS.
| £ million | ||
|---|---|---|
| Financial year | PES provision | Expenditure |
| 1994-95 | 1.600 | 0.049 |
| 1995-96 | 2.178 | 1.188 |
| 1996-97 | 4.855 | 2.528 |
| 1997-98 | 4.836 | 3.162 |
| 1998-99 | 4.830 | (3)2.132 |
(3) To end February 1999
Total expenditure to date under HIAP is therefore £9.059 million. In addition, there are commitments totalling £4.7 million still to be paid, giving an overall total to date of £13.759 million. The programme remains open for approvals until 31 December 1999 and for payments until 31 December 2001.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
Mrs. Ewing:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was his Department's health budget in cash terms and at 1998-99 prices for (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98 and (d) 1998-99; and what is his estimate for (i) 1999-2000, (ii) 2000-01 and (iii) 2001-02. [76868]
16 Mar 1999 : Column: 603
| £ million | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cash terms | 1998-99 prices | |
| 1995-96 | 4,105 | 4,446 |
| 1996-97 | 4,227 | 4,441 |
| 1997-98 | 4,376 | 4,485 |
| 1998-99 | 4,626 | 4,626 |
| 1999-2000 | 4,934 | 4,814 |
| 2000-01 | 5,225 | 4,973 |
| 2001-02 | 5,449 | 5,153 |
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
Special Police Officers
Mrs. Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated number of (a) full-time and (b) special police officers, by rank and force, for (i) 1999, (ii) 2000, (iii) 2001 and (iv) 2002. [76859]
Mr. McLeish: The information is not available in the form requested. My right hon. Friend does not estimate police numbers in future years. Numbers of regular and special constables at the latest date available are shown in the table.
| Number of regular constables | Number of special constables | |
|---|---|---|
| Central | 719 | 72 |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 446 | 193 |
| Fife | 841 | 132 |
| Grampian | 1,226 | 138 |
| Lothian and Borders | 2,621 | 198 |
| Northern | 667 | 480 |
| Strathclyde | 7,186 | 319 |
| Tayside | 1,148 | 191 |
| Total | 14,854 | 1,723 |
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Structural Adjustment Programmes
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the IMF and World Development Bank concerning the impact of structural adjustment programmes on health and education programmes. [77168]
Clare Short:
In all my discussions with both the Managing Director of the IMF and the President of the World Bank, I have underlined the importance of protecting anti-poverty spending during adjustment. In particular, I have stressed the importance of avoiding interventions which work against the poor having access to health and education services. We were pleased that the 1998 Review of ESAF proposed that the IMF should pay greater attention to the potential social impact of adjustment programmes, drawing on the expertise of the World Bank and paying particular attention to health and education. We are following closely the implementation of these recommendations.
16 Mar 1999 : Column: 604
Ann Clwyd:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to fund (a) police and (b) army training for the Republic of South Africa. [76250]
Clare Short:
We have committed up to £5.5 million since 1994 to help South Africa develop effective civilian oversight of the police. We have provided international expertise to the national Department of Safety and Security, the national Police Service and the Independent Complaints Directorate and contributed to production of a White Paper on Safety and Security. We have supported community policing projects in Western Cape, Free State, Eastern Cape and North-West Provinces.
We have no plans to assist South Africa with army training beyond our contribution of £50,000 to Exercise Blue Crane, a peacekeeping exercise by regional armed forces to take place in South Africa in April.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list those people she has appointed to public bodies since 1 November 1998, indicating the positions to which they have been appointed and if they receive remuneration. [76416]
Clare Short:
The following appointments have been made during the period in question:
Commonwealth Development Corporation
Ms Jayne Almond (Deputy Chair): annual remuneration £10,000.
Mr. Russell Seal (Non-Executive Board Member): annual remuneration £7,500.
Know How Fund Advisory Board
Baroness Williams of Crosby (Member): unremunerated 1
Ms Ann McElvoy (Member): unremunerated 1
Professor Robert Deacon (Member): unremunerated 1
Development Awareness Working Group
Mr. John Westaway (Member): unremunerated 1
Ms Gill Beauchamp (Member): unremunerated 1
Mr. Peter Smith (Member): unremunerated 1
1 travel expenses are reimbursed.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Community Trusts
Rev. Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many part-time staff are employed in the (a) North and West and (b) South and East Belfast community trusts; and how many of them are employed by private businesses with contractual relations with the trusts. [75520]
Mr. McFall: The number of part-time staff employed in each Trust is as follows:
- (a) North and West Belfast: 1,873
- (b) South and East Belfast: 2,290.
None of the part-time staff is employed by private businesses with contractual relations with the trusts.
16 Mar 1999 : Column: 605
Digital Radio
Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure that people in Derby and South Derbyshire can receive digital radio services. [74448]
Janet Anderson: The Government are committed to encourage the take up of digital radio. Responsibility for the roll out of digital radio services across the UK rests with the BBC in accordance with the Royal Charter and Agreement and with the Radio Authority under the framework of the Broadcasting Acts. The BBC national digital radio multiplex is already broadcasting and Digital One's national commercial digital multiplex is expected to commence in the autumn. These national multiplexes will deliver services to the major population centres in Derbyshire, with the lowland populated areas particularly well served. Initially, services may not cover some of the more remote areas in the county where they are shielded from signals by local terrain. It may be necessary to consider improvements to coverage in future transmission plans, in the light of initial experience.
Tourism
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to promote tourism in the North West of England; and if he will make a statement. [76362]
Janet Anderson: The North West, like all parts of England, benefits from the work of the British Tourist Authority and of the English Tourist Board. For 1998-99, the BTA has a grant of £35 million and the ETB a grant of £9.7 million, of which £292,000 is for the North West Tourist Board. New support structures for tourism in England, announced on 14 December, must ensure that more effective use is made of this money in the future, with a greater proportion going to the regions.
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