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Commission Properties (Essex)
43. Mr. Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent representations he has received on the state of the commission's properties in Essex. [82622]
Mr. Stuart Bell: No representations have been received by the Church Commissioners on either their agricultural holdings or commercial properties in Essex.
PRIME MINISTER
Kosovo
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister if it is a precondition for a cessation of air hostilities in Kosovo that all Kosovars be permitted a guaranteed return to their place of residence of March 1999. [83729]
The Prime Minister:
The NATO Summit statement issued on 23 April spelt out clearly that there could be no compromise on a number of conditions including the need for President Milosevic to agree to the unconditional and safe return of all refugees and displaced persons. The statement said that, as long as Belgrade fails to meet
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the legitimate demands of the international community and continues to inflict immense human suffering, Alliance air operations will continue. This remains the position.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy on the partition of Kosovo. [83403]
The Prime Minister:
We are seeking a political solution to the crisis based on the Rambouillet Accords. The partition of Kosovo is not on our agenda.
Mr. Bercow:
To ask the Prime Minister for what reason Spain was decided upon as the partner for co-operation in a working group on employment and economic reform; to what extent Gibraltar will feature in this; and what will be the budget. [83742]
The Prime Minister:
The Government build alliances with other Member States on a range of issues under discussion in the EU both to deepen bilateral relations and to influence the wider EU debate. Work with Spain on employment and economic reform is one example, reflecting a shared approach on many of these issues. The Working Group was established to bring together various strands of existing collaborative work. There is no requirement for a dedicated budget. Gibraltar will not be a focus of the Group's work.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Prime Minister if he discussed Romania's application to join Nato during his recent visit to Bucharest; and if he will make a statement. [83580]
The Prime Minister:
In my speech to the Romanian Parliament I said that Romania was at the forefront of the aspiring NATO members, that I wanted Romania to be on a fast track to NATO membership, and that I was confident that Romania would be one of the next countries to be admitted as a full member of the Alliance.
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Prime Minister (1) what instructions he has given to Ministers and civil servants
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about their influence on public opinion towards (a) the European Union and (b) British membership of the euro; [81431]
The Prime Minister:
Our relationship with our European partners is based upon principles of positive engagement and co-operation. This has enabled us to strengthen our influence in Europe without compromising our national interests.
To help support this new constructive relationship a Ministerial Group for European Co-ordination (MINECOR) was established in December 1998. The members of the MINECOR group are Ministers from all UK Government departments which have an interest in European policy issues. The objective of the group is to achieve greater co-ordination of the presentation of HMG's European policies both within the UK and overseas. To that end, the group considers papers which give guidance to Ministers and officials on the presentation of government policy on Europe. The group also monitors Government efforts to develop closer co-operation with other EU partners and EU applicant countries. The group meets on a regular basis and is chaired by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin).
The Government's policy on the euro was set out by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his statement to the House on 27 October 1997, Official Report, columns 583-88.
All contacts with the media and the public are carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Guidance on the Work of the Government Information Service offers additional guidance on the presentation of Government policy and information through the media, publicity and advertising.
Mr. Grieve:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on Government responsibility after 1 July, for the authorisation for disposal of radioactive waste, subject to the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, which originates in Scotland but is disposed of in England. [83710]
The Prime Minister:
I refer the hon. Member to the letter I wrote to him on 6 May, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
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Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many factory inspectors there are in Northern Ireland; and how many are trained in the health and safety aspects of asbestos removal. [83061]
Mr. Ingram:
At present there are 32 Health and Safety Inspectors covering the employment sectors for which the HSENI has responsibility.
Two Health and Safety Inspectors have received training in the safety aspects of asbestos removal, one of whom is the Principal Inspector with responsibility for occupational health issues.
Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many certified asbestos removal companies operate in Northern Ireland; and how many were visited by a factory inspector in the last year for which figures are available. [83062]
Mr. Ingram:
On 31 March 1999, 23 companies were licensed to undertake work with asbestos insulation or asbestos coating in Northern Ireland.
During the year 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999, 12 of the 23 companies were visited by a Health and Safety Inspector and 23 site inspections were carried out.
Mr. Clapham:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many extra inspectors the Health and Safety Executive in Northern Ireland aims to recruit. [83063]
Mr. Ingram:
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland was established on 1 April 1999. Its board is currently considering the recommendations of the report of a needs analysis carried out by J. Rimington, a former Director General of the Health and Safety Executive. The outcome of these deliberations will advise future policy as regards the recruitment of extra Inspectors.
Mr. Hume:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the planning services and procedures for enforcement indicating the
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priority given to ensuring enforcement of planning conditions laid down by the Planning Appeals Commission. [82920]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
It is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland under the Planning (NI) Order 1991, where it considers it expedient to do so, to take enforcement action against all breaches of planning control. Each case is considered on its merits and no special priority is given to ensuring enforcement of conditions laid down by the Planning Appeals Commission.
Mr. Hume:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Planning Appeals Commission's handling of recent cases in Derry. [82903]
Mr. Paul Murphy:
In the last year, in the Derry District Council Area, the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) heard 22 appeals. Of these, 18 were allowed and 4 dismissed. The PAC also held 2 inquiries on which the Department of the Environment (NI) has now made its decisions. In one case, the Department accepted the recommendation of the PAC to grant planning permission; in the other, although the PAC recommended that the application should be refused, the Department, having considered all relevant planning issues, concluded that planning permission should be granted.
The PAC is an entirely independent body and it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to comment on the handling of cases by the PAC or on the merits of PAC decisions.
Mr. Hume:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many students, normally domiciled in the Western Education and Library Board area are currently enrolled in full-time university first degree courses; and what is the number of full-time university first degree places in the Western Education and Library Board area. [82921]
Mr. McFall:
The information is not available in the form requested. However there are 5,511 students domiciled in the Western Education and Library Board area currently receiving financial support to attend full-time first degree courses at universities in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
(2) what instructions he has given about the media presentation of (a) issues concerning the European Union and (b) British membership of the euro. [81433]