| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Analogue Radio Frequencies
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with (a) commercial radio broadcasters, (b) the BBC and (c) consumer groups regarding the future of analogue radio frequencies. [95126]
Janet Anderson [holding answer 25 October 1999]: With the collaboration of the DTI's Radiocommunications Agency, my officials are considering the current use of analogue radio frequencies and the scope for new services. Representatives of the commercial radio broadcasters, the Radio Authority, the BBC and the Community Media Association have been invited to participate. One of the key requirements of the licensing process is for applicants to demonstrate consumer need within the licence area and consumer interests will be an important part of our policy consideration. We shall ensure that consumer needs are properly addressed in this review.
Performance Targets
Mr. Don Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list all performance targets set for his Department, agencies and
1 Nov 1999 : Column: 20
non-departmental public bodies since May 1997, other than those listed in Public Service Agreements 1999-2002 [Cm 4181], stating in each case (a) the target to be reached and (b) the date by which it was to be reached. [94978]
Mr. Chris Smith:
The Department has set out the key performance targets on which it will be judged in its PSA, and the measures of success it will use in the Output and Performance Analyses (OPA) published in March this year. Performance targets, where appropriate, have also been set for the Department's NDPBs and its agency through the production of annual funding agreements. These agreements have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Information on targets and their delivery can also be found in the annual reports and accounts of the agency and non-departmental public bodies. The high level targets which appear in funding agreements, the PSA and the OPA are supported at operational level by numerous targets to ensure delivery by individual units. Listing these operational targets would be inappropriate and disproportionate in terms of resources.
Mr. Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his policy on standards in radio broadcasting. [96605]
Janet Anderson:
Responsibility for the content of radio services rests with the BBC and the independent broadcasters. The BBC operates within the terms of its Charter and Agreement and undertakes to provide services which are of high general standards in all respects. Independent radio services are licensed and regulated by the Radio Authority under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996. The Authority is under a general duty to facilitate the provision of licensed services which (taken as a whole) are of high quality and offer a wide range of programmes calculated to appeal to a variety of tastes and interests.
The Broadcasting Standards Commission is responsible under the Broadcasting Act 1996 for producing codes of practice relating to standards and fairness in programmes, considering and adjudicating on complaints and monitoring, researching and reporting on standards and fairness in broadcasting. The BBC and Radio Authority are required, when drawing up or revising their own codes relating to principles and practice, to reflect the general effect of the Broadcasting Standards Commission's codes.
Equal Opportunities
Jackie Ballard: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if an action plan for increasing the representation of women in public life has been (a) prepared by her Department and (b) published since November 1998. [94848]
Clare Short:
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 25 October 1999, Official Report, column 682.
1 Nov 1999 : Column: 21
Dr. Tonge:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made by the World Bank in implementing the China western poverty reduction scheme. [95291]
Clare Short:
An Inspection Panel has just returned from China after conducting an investigation into whether the World Bank violated policies and procedures with regard to the design and appraisal of the Western Poverty Reduction Project. It will now prepare a detailed report for submission to World Bank management. It is anticipated that the report, and the management response to it, will be presented to the Executive Board of the World Bank in February 2000. No disbursement of funding on the Qinghai component of the project will take place until this has happened.
Mr. Mackinlay:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many requests there have been to her Department for placement of officials from Central, East European and CIS states as twins of his officials; how many such officials have been accepted as twins; and from which countries (a) those who were accepted and (b) those who were not accepted came. [94005]
Clare Short:
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 25 October 1999, Official Report, column 739, by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz).
Ms McCafferty:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received on the reduction in the percentage of Government contributions to sexual and reproductive health projects under the new Civil Society Challenge Fund rules. [96515]
Clare Short:
We have received a number of representations about the funding arrangements for reproductive health activities under the new Civil Society Challenge Fund (CSCF).
In the spirit of a Challenge Fund, it is important that all our partners demonstrate their commitment and the quality of their projects by raising funds within their own support based or from other donors. However, in recognition of the initial problems likely to be faced by organisations which had access to 100 per cent. funding from the JFS, I have agreed a transitional arrangement under which reproductive health activities will be eligible for 85 per cent. funding in year one of the new Fund, 70 per cent. in year two, and 50 per cent. in year three.
Ms McCafferty:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the non-Governmental organisations which are receiving
1 Nov 1999 : Column: 22
100 per cent. funding for population and reproductive health projects in 1999-2000 through the joint funding scheme. [96514]
Clare Short:
Eleven NGOs are in receipt of 100 per cent. funding for population, reproductive and sexual health projects from the Joint Funding Scheme in the current financial year:
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the level of UK aid is to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the current financial year; and if she will make a statement. [96708]
Clare Short:
We hope that the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, which came into effect on 1 September, will bring an end to a war that has caused untold suffering and damage to the region. We continue to urge all parties to implement the agreement in full, but the onus of implementation lies with the parties themselves.
We and our EU partners have made clear our readiness to help with rebuilding the country, providing there is tangible progress towards respect for human rights, democracy, economic reform and the rule of law. Britain was the first bilateral donor to pledge support to a World Bank managed Trust Fund intended to focus on immediate reconstruction and rehabilitation following the fall of President Mobutu. The conflict has diverted attention away from the key task of establishing the essential economic and governance reforms necessary for utilisation of the Trust Fund. It is vital that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo use the opportunity of the Lusaka Agreement to focus on these issues.
In the meantime, the UK is responding to demonstrable humanitarian needs where access and security allow. So far this financial year, we have committed over £1.1 million to help both the most vulnerable groups within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the refugee populations in the surrounding countries.
Mr. Keetch:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the level of UK aid to Bermuda is in the current financial year; and if she will make a statement. [96707]
Clare Short:
There are no plans for bilateral development assistance expenditure by my Department to Bermuda in the current financial year or thereafter.
1 Nov 1999 : Column: 23
Alternative for India Development
AMREF (Africa Medical and Research Foundation)
CARE International (UK)
ICR (International Care and Relief)
International Family Health
Marie Stopes International
The Naz Foundation
Plan International
Population Concern
Population Services International
Urban Aid
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |