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Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer Case
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will order a report from the Chief Constable of the Yorkshire Constabulary on the reasons why Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer were afforded special arrangements to attend their court hearing on 17 March by entering the court building via the neighbouring police station; and if he will make a statement. [115807]
Mr. Charles Clarke: I understand that the decision was taken in order to avoid possible risks to public order and the safety of the accused persons and others; and to prevent any prejudice to the legal proceedings arising from publicity at the entrance to the court.
WALES
Elected Mayors
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Deputy Prime Minister with regard to the introduction of elected mayors in Wales. [115580]
Mr. Paul Murphy: My hon. Friend the Under- Secretary of State and I meet Whitehall colleagues on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues, including the proposals for the introduction of elected mayors.
Mr. Evans:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary with regard to the introduction of elected mayors in Wales. [115582]
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Mr. Paul Murphy:
I meet the First Secretary regularly when we discuss a range of issues, including local government issues. Our discussions have covered the Local Government Bill, which provides for new executive structures in England and Wales, including the option of an elected mayor.
Working Families Tax Credit
Miss Geraldine Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if student loans are considered as income for the purpose of claiming Working Families Tax Credit. [115722]
Dawn Primarolo: Student loans are considered as income for the purpose of assessing entitlement to Working Families Tax Credit, subject to certain flat-rate income disregards.
£10 a week of the student loan is disregarded as income, as are the £250, and £303 a year included in the loan for the cost of travelling, and books and equipment, respectively.
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
British-produced Films
Mr. Cox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many British-produced films were made in the UK in 1999. [115919]
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Janet Anderson:
There were 72 UK-produced films and UK-majority co-productions shot mainly or wholly in the UK in 1999. In addition, there were a further six films that had some UK-producer involvement.
Mr. Faber:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if it is his policy that any Lottery grant made by Sport England for a venue for the 2005 World Athletics Championships should comply with the financial and policy directions which he has issued to Sport England. [116099]
Kate Hoey:
All Lottery awards should comply with the Directions issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which are in force at the time of signing any associated Lottery Funding Agreement.
Mr. Faber:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 15 March 2000, Official Report, column 250W, on the Athletics Stadium, if he will list the criteria agreed by his Department, the Government Office for London, UK Sport, UK Athletics, the 2005 Bid Team and the British Olympic Association concerning a venue for the 2005 World Athletics Championships. [116126]
Kate Hoey:
Sport England submitted an evaluation to my Department of a number of sites in London against the following criteria: site compatibility; location; potential to be part of an Olympic bid; regeneration potential; transportation; planning issues; cost; and ownership structure. We are now considering this work with all the parties involved. I have also placed copies of the brief submitted by UK Athletics in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much Live Productions are being paid for their role in the opening ceremony of the Dome; if the penalty clause in their contract has been activated; and if he will make a statement; [104523]
Janet Anderson
[holding answer 13 January 2000]: Early on in the considerations about the Dome Opening Celebration (DOC) NMEC decided that the event should be developed and managed in-house. The main factors influencing this decision concerned security, budget and the need to work closely with many of NMEC's existing creative and technical team whose duties also included delivery of the public opening of the Dome on 1 January. Mr. Michael Lockett (Chairman, Live Communication) was consultant project director. Fixed monthly fees were negotiated for Mr. Lockett and for those of his staff who supported him. NMEC established from the outset that the agreed fixed fees compare favourably with those applying in the major event organisation market. In developing and managing the delivery of the DOC, Mr. Lockett and his team worked as an integral part of NMEC's in-house team. Bonus payments are not applicable to any of the Live Communication personnel; final payment for the
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DOC work they undertook is being made following the normal process of invoice approval by the client. The contract is subject to normal resolution procedures.
Mr. Paul Marsden:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the amount of peat compost used in the last year by (a) Historic Royal Palaces, (b) the Royal Parks Agency and (c) English Heritage; and if he will make a statement. [115718]
Mr. Alan Howarth:
The amount of peat compost used in the last year by these bodies is as follows:
(a) Historic Royal Palaces used 36 cubic metres of peat. This is approximately 50 per cent. less peat than was used 10 years ago.
(b) The Royal Parks Agency did not use any pure peat. However, in two of the Royal Parks the Agency did make use of a compost which had peat as a sub component. The volume of peat involved was minimal and unquantifiable.
(c) English Heritage used 20 cubic metres of peat. This is expected to drop to seven cubic metres next year.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 17 March 2000, Official Report, column 370W, on Wembley Stadium, how many revised proposals were received by January 2000. [116042]
Kate Hoey
[holding answer 23 March 2000]: Wembley National Stadium Ltd. (WNSL) has responsibility for the development and operation of the new National Stadium. They have told us that following the invitation to three contractors to submit revised proposals by January 2000, two bidders declined to bid except on a construction management or other non-conforming basis. The remaining bidder, although non-compliant, was invited to enter into negotiation for appointment as the preferred contractor for a period of 20 weeks. I have asked Sport England to confirm that they are happy with the appointment under the terms of the Lottery funding agreement.
Mr. Greenway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with interested parties about establishing a lottery for London. [115942]
Kate Hoey
[holding answer 23 March 2000]: My Department has received no formal representations on this issue.
Mr. Greenway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to extend the current regulatory provisions relating to the promotion of the National Lottery to regionally based lotteries. [115933]
Kate Hoey
[holding answer 23 March 2000]: The Government have no current plans to do so.
Mr. Greenway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what undertakings in respect of exclusivity were given to applicants for the National Lottery franchise renewal. [115934]
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Kate Hoey
[holding answer 23 March 2000]: Issues relating to the procedures for the award of the National Lottery licence are a matter for the National Lottery Commission. Under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 there can be only one body licensed to run the National Lottery at any one time.
Mr. Greenway:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will undertake an assessment on the likely impact of a lottery for London on the funds available to the National Lottery distribution bodies. [115935]
Kate Hoey
[holding answer 23 March 2000]: The Government have no current plans to undertake such an assessment.
(2) if he will set out the remuneration package for Michael Lockett in respect of his role as Project Director for the opening ceremony of the Dome, including details of bonus payment arrangements. [104522]
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