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Equal Opportunities Legislation
Mr. Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Equal Pay Act 1970 in reducing disparities in pay between males and females in the last five years. [123465]
Ms Hodge [holding answer 23 May 2000]: We welcome the continuing narrowing trend in the gender pay gap, not least the full percentage point reduction from 20 per cent. to 19 per cent. in 1999. It is not possible to determine the precise extent to which the reduction in the last five years can be directly attributed to the Equal Pay Act but it is clear that a sensible statutory framework is an essential component. So too are our wider efforts to ensure improvements in education and skill levels and to help women stay in, or return to, the labour market after having children.
Online Learning
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what studies he has carried out of the problem of measurement assessment and evaluation of learning conducted on-line. [123161]
Mr. Wills: The Department has commissioned the British Educational Communications and Technology agency to evaluate the impact of ICT on children's achievements in school. The project, "ImpaCT2", is focusing on the effect of ICT in attainment in literacy and numeracy and the core subjects of the National Curriculum at Key Stage 2, and a wider subject range at Key Stages 3 and 4. Findings from the interim report will be made available soon. The final report is due to be submitted to the Department in early 2002.
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has commissioned research on the use of ICT in coursework and portfolio evidence. A report on this research project is due to be submitted soon.
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Correspondence
Mr. Terry Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Worsley dated 14 September 1999, 4 November 1999 and 4 April 2000, regarding a constituent's inquiry about student grants and higher education fees. [123400]
Mr. Wills: A reply to my hon. Friend's letters was issued on 17 May 2000.
Sixth Forms
Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many secondary schools have sixth forms with (a) 0 to 50, (b) 51 to 100, (c) 101 to 150, (d) 151 to 200 and (e) 201 to 250 pupils. [123502]
Ms Estelle Morris: The latest provisional national estimates for England are shown in the table. For January 2000, provisional figures show that there were 3,550 maintained secondary schools in England, of which 1,834 (or 52 per cent.) had a sixth form.
| Size of sixth form | Number of schools |
|---|---|
| Up to 50 | 115 |
| 51 to 100 | 319 |
| 101 to 150 | 409 |
| 151 to 200 | 398 |
| 201 to 250 | 295 |
| 251 and over | 298 |
| Total | 1,834 |
(27) Provisional
Final figures will be published in the Annual Statistical Volume "Statistics of Education: Schools in England (2000 edition)" in September.
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CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
EU Culture Council
Mr. Casale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the outcome of the Culture Council held in Brussels on 16 May; and if he will make a statement. [122767]
Mr. Alan Howarth: I represented the United Kingdom at the EU Culture Council on 16 May. The Council held a useful exchange of views on the objectives and proposed approach to the MEDIA PLUS programme, the aim of which will be to strengthen the competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry. The Council and the member states adopted Conclusions on principles and guidelines for the Community's audiovisual policy in the digital age. The Council also adopted a Resolution on the conservation and enhancement of the European cinema heritage.
The Portuguese Presidency presented a report on cultural diversity in the new international environment and on a recent seminar on digital radio, as well as Presidency conclusions on the value of cultural statistics. The French and Portuguese delegations informed the Council of their nominees to serve on the selection panel for the European Capital of Culture 2005.
In the margins of the meeting I had useful discussions with the new French Minister of Culture, in advance of the forthcoming French Presidency of the EU, and with Commissioner Reding.
Antiques (Illicit Trade)
Mr. Pond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what arrangements he is making to ensure that the Government are able to draw on expert advice in considering options for countering the illicit trade in antiquities. [123930]
Mr. Alan Howarth: I am convening a panel of experts, drawn from the legal, archaeological and museum worlds, and from the art and antiques trade, whose terms of reference will be:
- To consider the nature and extent of the illicit international trade in art and antiquities, and the extent to which the UK is involved in this;
To consider how most effectively, through both non-legislative and legislative means, the UK can play its part in preventing and prohibiting the illicit trade, and to advise the Government accordingly.
To report to the Minister for the Arts by 30 November 2000.
- Professor Norman Palmer: Professor of Commercial Law, University College, London (chairman).
Dr. Peter Addyman: Chairman of the Standing Conference on Portable Antiquities; Director of the York Archaeological Trust.
Dr. Robert Anderson; Director of the British Museum.
Anthony Browne: Chairman of the British Art Market Federation.
- James Ede: Chairman designate of the Antiquities Dealers' Association; Director of Charles Ede Ltd., antiquities dealers.
Joanna van der Lande: former Chair of the Antiquities Dealers' Association; associate director of Bonhams Ltd., and head of the antiquities department.
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Professor Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn: Director of the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge.
Anna Somers Cocks: Editor, The Art Newspaper.
English Heritage
Mr. Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the occasions in each of the last five years on which English Heritage gave grants to (a) members of the board of English Heritage and (b) organisations with which board members had connections. [122635]
Mr. Alan Howarth: Since 1996-97 this information has been made available each year in English Heritage's Annual Report. The information requested for years prior to 1996-97 is not readily collatable in the timescale required.
Occasions in each of the last four years on which English Heritage gave grants to its Commissioners or organisations with which Commissioners had connections is as follows:
1996-97
conservation grant of £25,000 in respect of a Grade II* listed building owned by Lady Gass
conservation grant of £7,000 in respect of an estate in which Lord Cavendish of Furness had an interest
1997-98
conservation grant of £15,000 in respect of an estate in which Lord Cavendish of Furness had an interest
1998-99
conservation grant of £2,000 in respect of an estate in which Lord Cavendish had an interest
conservation grant of £10,000 in respect of an estate of which the right hon. Lord Faringdon is a Trustee and his son a beneficiary
1999-2000
conservation grant of £18,000 in respect of an estate of which the right hon. Lord Faringdon is a Trustee
conservation grant of £24,000 in respect of an estate of which the right hon. Lord Faringdon is a Trustee and his son a beneficiary
conservation grant of £8,000 to a Trust of which Philip Davis is a Trustee.
DEFENCE
Naval Vessels
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to withdraw HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid from service. [121700]
Mr. Spellar: On current plans, HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid are due to be withdrawn from service in 2003 and 2001, respectively. However, these dates are linked to the acceptance of the replacement vessels, the Landing Platform Dock (Replacement)s (LPD(R)s),
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named HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. In the light of delays to the LPD(R)s, the dates for withdrawal for Fearless and Intrepid are under review.
Correspondence
Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East of 21 April requesting a meeting. [122572]
Dr. Moonie: My noble Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement, Baroness Symons, wrote on 20 May, and has offered to meet the hon. Member.
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