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Renewable Energy
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to discover what proportion of the energy supplied to his Department by utility companies comes from renewable sources. [116270]
Ms Stuart: Buildings occupied by the Department and its agencies currently purchase energy from utility companies through contracts let by the buying agency.
In future procurement of energy, where the Department of Health is the lead Department, we will require the supplier to provide information on the proportion of the energy supplied that comes from renewable sources.
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Mrs. Virginia Bottomley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in giving an individual trust board member the responsibility for volunteer involvement; and how many NHS trusts have achieved this. [116444]
Mr. Hutton:
The National Health Service Executive has taken, and continues to take, a great deal of action on the recommendations of the "Making a Difference: Strengthening Volunteering in the NHS" report. NHS trusts were asked to name a volunteering 'champion' at Board level. A recent progress update showed that 76 per cent. of trusts have a member in place.
Mr. Brady:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) chairmen and (b) non-executive directors of health trusts and health authorities who have made a declaration of political activity indicating the party affiliated in each case. [116973]
Ms Stuart:
Information on candidates appointed to National Health Service boards and any political activity declared is recorded in the Department of Health Public Appointments Annual Report for 1999, a copy of which is in the Library. The 2000 report will be published in May.
Ms Walley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his timetable is for reviewing the residential care allowance as proposed in the White Paper, "Modernising Social Services". [116750]
Mr. Hutton:
As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in the House on 2 December 1999, Official Report, columns 444-45, we are examining the implications of phasing out the residential allowance and transferring the resources to councils as part of the year 2000 spending review, which will be completed this summer. We are planning to seek the views of councils, service users and their carers and families and care providers on the impact of such a change over the next few weeks. We shall publish a White Paper on long-term care later this year.
Executive Agencies
Mr. Hope: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the key performance targets are for Her Majesty's Land Registry and the Public Record Office executive agencies for 2000-01. [117393]
Mr. Lock: The following tables set out the key performance targets that the Lord Chancellor has set for Her Majesty's Land Registry and the Public Record Office for 2000-01.
(7) The inflation factor for the cost per unit in cash terms is derived from the GDP indices announced by HM Treasury in December 1999
(8) In 2000-01 the categories will be 'very satisfied' and 'satisfied' with the accuracy of registrations
Notes:
1. The financial target of £0 External Financing Limit shown in the corporate plan 1998-2003 has been removed at the request of HM Treasury.
2. Fuller details of HMLR's targets are in its Business Plan.
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Note:
Fuller details of the Office's targets are given in its Business Plan which is available from the Public Record Office
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Ms Keeble:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which bodies the Lord Chancellor intends to prescribe as entitled to take advantage of the costs recovery provisions contained in section 30 of the Access to Justice Act 1999; what criteria he will take into account in determining status as a prescribed body; and what procedure membership
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organisations should follow if they wish to be approved as prescribed bodies. [117308]
Mr. Lock:
Section 30 of the Access to Justice Act 1999 comes into force on 1 April. From that date membership organisations with prescribed body status will be able to recover a sum as part of legal costs from unsuccessful opponents to reflect the provision of legal help for members and their families.
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By virtue of the Access to Justice (Membership Organisations) Regulations 2000 which also come into force on 1 April bodies which are prescribed for the purpose of section 30 of the Act are those bodies which are for the time being approved by the Lord Chancellor.
From 1 April the Lord Chancellor will approve all trade unions listed by the Certification Officer as at 31 March 2000 as prescribed bodies. Other membership organisations may apply to him for approval.
Rather than setting down rigid criteria for prescription in regulations the Lord Chancellor believes that there should be a flexible approach with each application for approval treated on its merits. Therefore, in deciding whether an organisation should be approved, the Lord Chancellor will take account of any relevant representations in its application, but will be mindful, so far as it is relevant, of whether the organisation in question:
Exists to protect, defend, represent and promote the interests of its members.
Has a range of benefits for members.
Offers litigation funding as one of those benefits and on a discretionary basis, at no additional charge.
Publishes annual accounts.
Uses monies paid by members to promote their interests and benefits.
Covers all those deemed eligible by the organisation (not only members).
Organisations wishing to seek the Lord Chancellor's approval as prescribed bodies for the purposes of section 30 of the Act should apply in writing to:
Costs and Litigation Funding Branch
Lord Chancellor's Department
3rd Floor Selborne House
54-60 Victoria Street
London SW1E 6QW
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