7 Apr 2000 : Column: 603W
Written Answers to Questions
Friday 7 April 2000
DEFENCE
Lightweight Mobile Artillery
Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System; and if he will make a statement. [117495]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 3 April 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to hon. Member.
Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Robert Key, dated 7 April 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence which asked about the Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.
The Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System (LIMAWS) programme will form a lightweight artillery capability for our rapid reaction forces, and is planned to consist of lightweight towed 155mm howitzer, lightweight rocket launcher, and a lightweight weapon locating radar. Both the weapon locating radar and the rocket launcher programmes are at the early concept phase of the smart procurement cycle. However, as part of our initial consideration of the rocket launcher programme, we invited tenders in January for a study to examine the technical risks to the development of a lightweight launch platform. The results of this study will inform the more detailed assessment phase in due course. We are currently examining options for the weapon locating radar, and intend to commence a formal assessment phase shortly. The gun programme is more advanced, and the United Kingdom continues to work closely with the United States on its lightweight 155mm howitzer development programme, the contract for which is with BAE Systems RO Defence. The information generated from this will assist in deciding the way forward on this element of the programme.
Cyprus Memorial
Mr. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will establish a memorial to the British servicemen killed during the Cyprus emergency in the 1950s; and if he will make a statement. [117937]
Dr. Moonie:
It has been a long-standing policy of successive Governments that the cost of memorials is not usually met from public funds, but from private donations or public subscription. For this reason, my Department has no plans to erect a memorial to those British Service personnel who were killed during the Cyprus Emergency of the 1950s. However, should it be the case that the necessary funds were to be raised from public subscription or private donation, my Department would be happy to provide representation at any dedication ceremony which might take place.
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Capitation Allowance
Mr. Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average capitation allowance is for (a) secondary school pupils and (b) pupils at city technology colleges. [117647]
Ms Estelle Morris: The average cost of a place in a maintained secondary school in England based on 1999-2000 Local Schools Budget figures was £2,917. This figure includes delegated funding and associated LEA costs. The estimated average amount per pupil delegated to schools, through the Individual Schools Budget and devolved Standards Fund, was £2,403.
The city of technology college (CTC) average recurrent grant unit cost for the 1999-2000 academic year is £3,502. This figure includes funding for some services which LEAs provide to maintained schools but CTCs have to provide for themselves.
As CTC funding does not have the same coverage as the LEA Local Schools Budget and is on an academic year basis these unit cost figures are not directly comparable.
Holding Centres
Mrs. McKenna: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish Sir Louis Blom-Cooper's Seventh Annual report as Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres. [118647]
Mr. Mandelson: I have today arranged for copies of Sir Louis Blom-Cooper's Annual Report for 1999 to be placed in the Library.
Sir Louis has welcomed the closure of Castlereagh holding centre on 31 December 1999; and the Government and the Chief Constable remain committed to the closure of the Strand Road and Gough Barracks holding centres as soon as practicable.
I welcome Sir Louis' Report and will respond as soon as I have had the opportunity to consider its content carefully.
Bilateral Air Service Agreements
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to the US Government about (a) the fly American policy, (b) cabotage and (c) ownership of US carriers, in the context of bilateral air service agreements. [117617]
Mr. Mullin:
The Government have consistently pressed for cabotage rights and the amendment of US policies on ownership and control of US carriers and 'Fly America' in bilateral talks with the US Government.
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Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the total cost of special advisers employed in his Department in each of the years (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999; and what is his forecast for the current year; [114400]
Mr. Hill
[holding answer 13 March 2000]: In the financial year 1996-97, the cost of special advisers in the former Departments of Environment and Transport was £161,563.
The costs for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions have been:
(2) how many special advisers have been employed in his Department in each of the years (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999; and what is his forecast for the current year. [114399]
| £ | |
|---|---|
| 1997-98 | 131,668 |
| 1998-99 | 143,957 |
| 1999-2000 | 163,231 |
There were three full-time and two part-time special advisers in the former Departments of Environment and Transport and there are three full-time and two part-time special advisers in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. One of these full-time advisers is specifically allocated to the Secretary of State in his role as Deputy Prime Minister. There are no plans to increase the number of special advisers.
Light Pollution
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to replace the lighting on major roads with less light pollutant systems. [117089]
Mr. Hill: The Secretary of State has set the Highways Agency the objective of
minimising the impact of the trunk road network on the natural and built environment.
With respect to light pollution, all new lighting is of the less polluting type. The HA is replacing existing lighting with less polluting systems when renewal is due or in association with other improvement works. Replacement in advance of this could not be justified in terms of cost or disruption to motorists.
Housing Improvement Projects
Mr. Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what housing improvement projects are being financed by his Department in the Greater London area; and if he will list the boroughs where these projects are. [117407]
Mr. Mullin: The Government are financing a wide range of housing improvement projects through programmes in London boroughs.
London's Housing Investment Programme allocation for 2000-01 consists of a £613 million package of capital resources. All London boroughs have received an
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allocation which they may use for repairs to their own stock or for increasing supply. The Department does not hold details of individual projects.
| Borough | Estate Action schemes | Year scheme ends |
|---|---|---|
| Brent | St. Raphaels | 2000-01 |
| Ealing | Golf Links | 2000-01 |
| Greenwich | Glyndon | 2000-01 |
| Hackney | Holly St. | 2001-02 |
| New Kingshold | 2001-02 | |
| Nightingale | 2002-03 | |
| Hammersmith | White City | 2000-01 |
| Haringey | Broadwater Farm III | 2001-02 |
| Northumberland Park | 2000-01 | |
| Islington | Harvist | 2000-01 |
| Lambeth | Angell Town | 2003-04 |
| Myatts Field North | 2000-01 | |
| Penwith Manor II | 2001-02 | |
| Stockwell Park II | 2004-05 | |
| Thorlands | 2001-02 | |
| Lewisham | Evelyn | 2001-02 |
| Milton Court | 2001-02 | |
| Pepys | 2000-01 | |
| Tower Hamlets | Barkentine Estate III | 2000-01 |
| Wellington | 2001-02 | |
| Waltham Forest | Priory Court | 2000-01 |
| Westminster | Lisson Green | 2002-03 |
| Mozart | 2000-01 |
| Borough | Housing Action Trust scheme | Year scheme ends |
|---|---|---|
| Brent | Stonebridge HAT | 2005-06 |
| Tower Hamlets | Tower Hamlets HAT | 2004-05 |
| Waltham Forest | Waltham Forest HAT | 2002-03 |
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