House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 26 Apr 1999 (pt 4)

EU Joint Statements

Mr. Maclean: To ask the Prime Minister if the will make a statement on progress made at EU level on (a) the Joint British-German statement on EU taxation, (b) the Joint British-Swedish statement on social inclusion and opportunity in Europe and (c) the Joint Anglo-Spanish statement on employment; and for what reasons each country was selected as the partner for a joint statement in this field. [80046]

The Prime Minister: The Government seek actively to build alliances with other Member States on a range of issues under discussion in the EU. The European Defence initiative with France, and our joint statements with Germany on tax, Sweden on social inclusion and opportunity, and Spain on employment and economic reform are recent examples. This approach both deepens our bilateral relations with EU partners, and influences the wider EU debate.

EU Funding

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those areas for which EU funding has been reduced as a consequence of the Berlin Summit. [81042]

The Prime Minister: Berlin set ceilings for spending commitments on each main policy category for the period 2000-06. The ceiling for the existing EU for 2006 is nearly 7 per cent. lower in real terms than the EC Budget for 1999. For comparison, in 1992, an increase in spending of over 30 per cent. was agreed for the period to 1999.

Berlin Summit

Mr. Maclean: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 31 March 1999, Official Report, columns 716-17, if he will indicate those sections of his oral statement of 29 March 1999, Official Report, columns 732-47, which answered the questions tabled by (a) the right hon. Member for Penrith and the Border, (b) the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce), and (c) the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope), with regard to the EU budget negotiations at Berlin. [81385]

The Prime Minister: In my Statement to the House on 29 March 1999, Official Report, columns 732-33, I said:

"On the abatement, I am delighted to report that the presidency conclusions say in terms that the UK abatement will remain. In line with the 1988 and 1992 European Council conclusions, the UK accepted that we should not make a windfall gain out of changes to the method of EU financing . . . The result is that there will be no reduction in the United Kingdom's rebate."

26 Apr 1999 : Column: 13

In response to subsequent questions on the Statement, at column 746, I said:

"In respect of contributions, yes, as a result of our settlement, for the first time, although we will remain the second-largest net contributors, we will be closer to France and Italy than we have been at any time in the European Community."

And, at column 747:

"The 220 million figure is the windfall gain that we would have made if issues that are presently unabated were subject to abatement. In reaching agreement, we did precisely what was acceded to in 1988 and 1992. However, the difference with this Government is that we have not only kept the rebate intact so that there will be no reduction but managed to agree that there should be no increase in the own resources ceiling. That was something that the previous Conservative Government signally failed to do" [Official Report, 29 March 1999, Vol. 328, c. 732-33].

As is always the case following EU budgetary reform, the final effects on the UK's net contribution of the complex changes to the Common Agricultural Policy, the Structural Funds and the financial framework will of course depend on the completion of discussions with the European Parliament, and on the final decisions to be taken by the Commission about the details allocation of the Funds.

KPMG

Mr. Maclean: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the contracts offered by the Government to KPMG since 1 May 1997. [81452]

The Prime Minister: Contracts for Government work are awarded within a policy and legal framework which requires the process to be fair and objective and deliver value for money. However, responsibility for any contract rests with the individual Department concerned. Information for the Government as a whole is therefore not held centrally. However, 14 Government Departments have made information available about KPMG contracts to the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Ruffley), and the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) in previous written answers.

Kosovo

Mr. Maclean: To ask the Prime Minister what is his estimate of the total number of deaths of (a) Albanians due to war crimes and (b) combatants since NATO bombing began. [81654]

The Prime Minister: It is not possible to put a precise figure on the number of deaths sustained by the Kosovar Albanians as a result of President Milosevic's campaign of brutality, both before and after the NATO air campaign began. However, it is clear from eye witness accounts that these are likely to be considerable and a stain on humanity. We are of course providing relevant information on the brutality of Milosevic's forces to the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

Mr. Maclean: To ask the Prime Minister what requests the Government have received for the systematic identification of specific Yugoslav units perpetrating war crimes. [81656]

26 Apr 1999 : Column: 14

The Prime Minister: The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has asked the Government for any material they may have concerning, among other things, the role of individuals in atrocities committed in Kosovo, and concerning police or military units in areas where atrocities are being committed. The Government will hand over as much information as they can that will be relevant to the Tribunal's investigations.

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions on Kosovo he has had with (a) the Prime Minister of, and (b) other political figures in Greece. [82222]

The Prime Minister: Kosovo was discussed at the European Heads of Government meeting on 14 April. As a member of NATO, Greece is fully involved in consultation on all matters relating to the military action taken by the North Atlantic Council.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

British Tourist Authority (Overseas Offices)

Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many awards have been won by the British Tourist Authority's overseas offices in the last 12 months; and if he will provide details in each case. [77998]

Janet Anderson [holding answer 22 March 1999]: The British Tourist Authority inform me that their overseas offices have won the following awards in the last 12 months:

USA

Convention Bureau Gold Service Award for "professionalism, dedication and service to the Meetings Industry"

Incentive Platinum Partners Award, for its incentive travel programme

Travel Holiday Insider Award and HSMAI, Golden Bell Public Relations Competition Bronze Award for its "Best Kept Travel Secrets of the Year" articles

Pewter Award Certificate in the National Gold Ink Competition for its "Jewels of Britain" brochure

Crystal Communicators Award for its "BTA/On Travel-Jewels" radio show

Australia

Australian Capital Territory Best Tourist Office

Western Australia Best Tourist Office

Communicator of the Year (Donna Wales)

Tasmania Best Tourism Office

Victoria Best Tourism Office