28 Apr 1999 : Column: 137
Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 28 April 1999
PRIME MINISTER
Arms Ban (Yugoslavia)
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on UK participation in the enforcement of the arms ban on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, set out in UN Security Council Resolution 1160. [82294]
The Prime Minister: The United Kingdom fully supports the UN arms embargo on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which was imposed by UNSCR 1160. The embargo is implemented in the UK by means of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1998 and is rigorously enforced.
In addition, the UK participates in international monitoring of the arms embargo through the European Community Monitoring Mission (ECMM).
Al Shifa Factory
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library his answer to the letter from Mr. Tim Pendry of 29 March concerning the Al Shifa factory. [81906]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 26 April 1999]: I have asked the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to reply on my behalf. A copy of Mr. Fatchett's reply will be placed in the Library in due course.
European Council (Accountability)
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister what is his (a) policy towards and (b) definition of full accountability and absolute transparency in the European Commission, as set out as future Commission policy by President- nominate Prodi; and what representations he has made on the subject. [82478]
The Prime Minister: The Government agree with Mr. Prodi that the European Commission should be made more accountable, more transparent and more efficient. Achieving this will require a fundamental overhaul of the commission's financial control systems, as well as reform of its personnel policies and its management structures.
We have already shared specific reform ideas with partners. Heads of State and Government discussed plans for reform with Mr. Prodi on 14 April. They will continue their discussions on the basis of proposals put forward by Mr. Prodi at the Cologne European Council in June.
Europe Day
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Prime Minister what activities are planned by (a) the Government and (b) the European Commission in the United Kingdom to mark Europe Day. [82476]
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The Prime Minister:
On Europe Day, 9 May, the European flag will fly alongside the Union Jack from Government buildings and in Parliament Square.
As on Europe Day every year, the European Commission Representation in the United Kingdom will be holding a reception.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his statement of 26 April 1999, Official Report, columns 21-36, what are the elements of the new membership action plan for aspiring members of NATO. [82627]
The Prime Minister:
The elements of the Membership Action Plan are set out in NATO Press Communique NAC-S(99)66, which was deposited in the Library of the House on 26 April.
Sir Peter Tapsell:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 28 April. [82048]
The Prime Minister:
This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I will have further such meetings later today.
Department Legal Business
Mr. Dismore: To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on her Department's policy when (a) conducting legal proceedings and (b) seeking legal advice as to the circumstances in which Queen's Counsel should be instructed; and for each of the last three years (i) on how many occasions his Department instructed Queen's Counsel and (ii) what was the total cost of instructing Queen's Counsel. [81763]
Mrs. Beckett: The Privy Council Office rarely, if ever, institutes legal proceedings, but is from time to time required to respond to proceedings initiated by third parties. In such cases the Department would be advised by the Treasury Solicitor's Department on the need to instruct counsel. However, there have been no recent instances (and none within the last three years) when it has been necessary to instruct counsel on behalf of my Department.
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Digital Television
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of when digital terrestrial television will reach (a) 70 per cent., (b) 80 per cent. and (c) 90 per cent. of the population. [82150]
Janet Anderson:
Responsibility for the delivery of digital terrestrial television (DTT) services in the UK rests with the BBC and ITC. The Launch phase for DTT, which
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comprises 81 transmitters, is expected to be rolled out by the year 2000. The table gives the existing and final predicted coverage for each multiplex.
| Multiplex | Existing coverage | Final predicted coverage |
|---|---|---|
| BBC Multiplex | 75.6 | 90 |
| Digital Channels 3 and 4 | 75.5 | 89 |
| SDN and Channel 5 | 75.0 | 88 |
| ONdigital (Mux B) | 74.2 | 86 |
| ONdigital (Mux C) | 65.7 | 77 |
| ONdigital (Mux D) | 62.2 | 73 |
Cable Television
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the land area of urban England is cabled. [82151]
Janet Anderson: I understand from the Independent Television Commission that over 53 per cent. of all homes in England now have cable available to them. This represents 57 per cent. of homes in urban England.
Millennium Company (Sponsorship)
Mr. Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the total amount of cash receipts in sponsorship received by the Millennium Company up to 31 March. [81744]
Janet Anderson [holding answer 26 April 1999]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 21 April 1999, Official Report, columns 577-78.
BBC (Ethnic Minorities)
Mr. Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to set targets for the BBC in relation to the employment of Black and Asian people. [82325]
Janet Anderson: We have no such plans. The BBC is required to comply with employment and equal opportunities law and to report annually, in its Annual Report and Accounts, on compliance with the legal requirements. The Annual Report also provides details of progress towards meeting the ethnic targets set by the BBC's Board of Governors and on the proportion of ethnic minorities in management.
Chelsea Football Club
Mr. Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings the Minister for Sport has had since May 1997 with officials of Chelsea Football Club in his official capacity; and if he will list them. [81802]
Mr. Banks:
As Minister for Sport, I have attended a number of events where Chelsea officials were present, and I have met officials from the club on the following occasions.
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As part of the FA's Campaign to secure the 2006 World Cup, I have met with a number of FIFA Executive Committee members in this country and have accompanied some of them to Chelsea Football Club to tour the ground and view the impressive facilities there and at Chelsea Village.
Mr. Spring:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with FIFA about the suitability of English stadiums for the World Cup 2006 bid. [81804]
Mr. Banks:
None. FIFA has well-established criteria for World Cup host venues.
As the hon. Member may be aware, the Football Association is required to nominate between eight and 12 stadiums as host venues in the bid document, which it will be submitting to FIFA in July. These stadiums will be subject to inspection by a FIFA Inspection Committee at the end of this year.
I have very good relations with Mr. Bates and frequent discussions with him. In his role as an FA representative, he was involved in the discussions this Department had about the development of Wembley Stadium.
8 July 1997:
Meeting with David Blunkett to discuss a Study Centre linked to the Premier League (also in attendance was the President of Brazil and the then Brazilian Sports Minister, Pele). Representatives from many of the Premiership Clubs were in attendance, including Ken Bates, Chairman of Chelsea Football Club.
8 September 1997:
Meeting with Steve Keen, Lee Deegan, Leslie Smith and Colin Moore to discuss Chelsea Disabled Football Club.
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