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National Air Traffic Services
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to sell 51 per cent. of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. [91854]
Ms Glenda Jackson: The Government issued a consultation document in October 1998 seeking views on our proposal for a public private partnership for NATS. The period for responses to that consultation has now closed and we are considering those received. We will make a detailed announcement on the way forward in due course.
Aircraft Safety
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what safety checks are made to guarantee the integrity of wiring in commercial aircraft. [91309]
Ms Glenda Jackson: Wiring installations are subject to detailed inspection and testing at the time of aircraft manufacture.
Subsequently, the Civil Aviation Authority sets comprehensive maintenance requirements which ensure the continued airworthiness of all UK-registered commercial aircraft; this includes checks of the external physical appearance of wiring looms at scheduled intervals. In addition, electrical continuity checks are made on affected electrical circuits whenever modifications are made to the electrical system.
Any serious faults in electrical wiring that occurred during aircraft operations would normally be detected because they are accompanied by system faults and warnings. In such cases, investigations will be made specifically directed at the relevant wiring. Individual electrical circuits are protected by automatic current limiting devices designed to isolate the associated circuit in the event of a current overload.
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Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is giving to the re-building of the civil administration in Kosovo; and if she will make a statement. [91293]
Clare Short:
Our aim is to provide timely help to meet the basic safety and welfare needs of all Kosovars, while assisting in rapid stabilisation through the establishment of an effective and well-co-ordinated international civil administration. We provided a support package, including funds and equipment, to the UN Special Representative's Office. Through the World Health Organisation, we are helping the UN Mission in Kosovo to establish a central health administration. Our support includes experts, logistical support, essential equipment and supplies.
The UN has recently requested qualified staff to build up the UN Civil Administration in Kosovo. The Government will shortly decide their response.
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that (a) have been disbanded, indicating when they were disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if she will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies her Department currently is responsible for. [90679]
Clare Short:
The information requested is as follows:
Mr. Burstow:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list for (a) her Department and (b) associated bodies listed in the National Asset Register, how many vehicles are
19 Jul 1999 : Column: 393
currently (i) owned and (ii) leased; if she will indicate their (1) fuel types and (2) engine cubic capacities; how many of the vehicles due for replacement by (A) her Department and (B) associated bodies listed in the National Asset Register will be replaced in (x) 1999-2000, (y) 2000-1 and (z) 2001-2 by vehicles using (a1) petrol, (b2) diesel, (c3) natural gas, (d4) electric batteries and (e5) other; and how much her Department plans to spend in each year on vehicle replacements. [90690]
Clare Short:
We own 50 vehicles used in the administration of the aid programme overseas. The other information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Mr. Simon Hughes:
To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how much of the Church's investment is in the defence and military hardware industries. [90234]
Mr. Stuart Bell:
The Commissioners do not invest in companies whose main business is the manufacture of armaments. The Commissioners' main investments in defence-related companies are presently in GEC and GKN. In addition, some of the companies in which the Commissioners hold shares may have small defence-related interests, ranging from electrical and electronic systems to engineering components, but these companies would not be described as military and certainly cannot be classified as armaments.
Mr. Pike:
To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Commissioners are taking to support initiatives from the parochial ministry to celebrate the millennium. [90233]
Mr. Stuart Bell:
I would encourage every parish to take steps to mark the Millennium year as the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ. Now that the funding for the Faith Zone at the Dome is secure, I hope my hon. Friend will encourage churches in his own constituency to see that, whatever happens at the Dome, local community activity is an essential part of a Christian marking of the Millennium. I understand from the Churches' Millennium Office that they are very encouraged by the level of activity in churches up and down the country.
(a) None.
(b) The Crown Agents Holding & Realisation Board and the India Family Pension Funds Body of Commissioners are expected to be disbanded within the next year.
(c)(i) None.
(c)(ii) None.
(d) None.
(e) In addition to those listed at (b) the following bodies were in existence on 1 May 1997 and remain unchanged:
The Advisory Committee on Overseas Economic and Social Research
The Overseas Service Pensions Scheme Advisory Board
The Know How Fund Advisory Board
The Commonwealth Scholarships Commission in the United Kingdom.
(f) One new body has been created since 1 May 1997--The Development Awareness Working Group.
(g) My Department is currently responsible for seven non-departmental public bodies.
Market Research
Mr. Don Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the title and purpose of each item of market and opinion research commissioned by or through his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies since May 1997 stating in each case whether or not the results were published. [89694]
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Mr. Straw
[holding answer 5 July 1999]: The Department conducts or commissions market or opinion research only when it is justified by the specific needs of a particular policy or programme and when this is the most economical, efficient and effective way to achieve the purpose. Consulting and involving the public helps inform both policy formulation and the delivery of better quality public services. Responsive public services are an important part of the Modernising Government initiative.
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