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Civil Servants (Relocation)
Mr. Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which relocation companies currently hold contracts with his Department for the relocation of civil
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servants; when those contracts were last renewed; where the contracts were advertised; and what the length and value of each contract is. [137190]
Dr. Howells: Since May 1997, the Department has used only one company for relocating civil servants, Cendant Relocation Services (previously known as Bradford and Bingley Relocation Services and Black Horse Relocation Services). The contract was last let in November 1999. The contract was not advertised; six companies were invited to tender. The contract runs until 31 October 2002 (with provision to extend if necessary). Its value at award was £950,000 a year.
Post Offices
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) Crown post offices, (b) franchised post offices and (c) sub-post offices there are in each parliamentary constituency. [137010]
Mr. Byers [holding answer 6 November 2000]: I refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 29 November 1999, Official Report, column 22W.
Milk Marque
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had recently with representatives of farming organisations regarding the division of Milk Marque into three separate processing companies. [137231]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 7 November 2000]: None since my announcement on 2 May that the successors were free to develop milk processing activities if they wished.
Household Debt
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those organisations invited to attend the recent summit on household debt. [137254]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 7 November 2000]: I invited the following organisations to the conference on tackling over-indebtedness which I hosted on 30 October:
- Association of Payment Clearing Services
British Bankers Association
British Retail Consortium
Cabinet Office--Social Exclusion Unit
Consumer Credit Association
Consumer Credit Trade Association
Consumers Association
Council of Mortgage Lenders
Creation Financial Services
Credit Services Association
Department for Education and Employment
Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Department of Social Security
Department of Trade and Industry--Insolvency Service
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Equifax
Experian
Federation of Independent Advice Centres
Finance and Leasing Association
- Financial Services Authority
HM Treasury
Lord Chancellor's Department
Mail Order Traders Association
Money Advice Trust
National Consumer Council
National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux
National Pawnbrokers Association
Office of Fair Trading
Office of the Data Protection Commissioner
Personal Finance Research Centre
Scottish Executive
Sheriffs of England and Wales.
- (2) if he will make a statement on the outcome of the recent summit on household debt. [137253]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 7 November 2000]: The meeting was very constructive and creditor representatives have agreed to work with the Government to look at ways of achieving more responsible lending and borrowing.
I will shortly set up an industry task force to look at three key areas:
- improving the transparency of information provided to consumers before and when concluding a credit agreement, including the small print;
adoption of core principles of lending practice, including examining an applicant's overall borrowing exposure and ability to repay; and,
requiring clear notification to consumers on free and low interest agreements before the final payment is made.
Genetically Engineered Animals
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the UK patents which have been (a) applied for and (b) granted between (i) 1 July 1999 and 27 July 2000 and (ii) since 28 July 2000 in respect of genetically engineered animals and processes for creating such animals; and if he will make a statement. [137293]
Dr. Howells: I can give information only about patent applications which have been published. Prior to publication such information is confidential. Patent applications filed since 1 July 1999 will not yet have been published, since publication occurs 18 months after filing. Between 1 July 1999 and 27 July 2000 four UK patents relating to genetically engineered animals or processes for creating them were granted. These were GB 2318578, GB 2331751, GB 2318792 and GB 2340493, all relating to reconstituting an animal embryo. Since 28 July 2000 there have been no UK patents granted relating to genetically engineered animals or processes for creating
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them. This information does not include applications filed at the European Patent Office which may have the effect of UK patents if granted by that office.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Africa Conflict Prevention Fund
Mr. Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the role and aims of the Africa Conflict Prevention Fund. [136456]
Clare Short: The aim of the Sub-Saharan Africa Conflict Prevention Joint Pool is to reduce violent conflict by improving the effectiveness, impact and efficiency of HMG's contribution to peacekeeping, conflict prevention and management. The Joint Pool's remit is limited to those policy areas and actions that directly contribute to conflict prevention, reduction and management in sub-Saharan Africa. The new arrangements will come into effect from FY 2001-02.
Sterilisation
Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if her Department funds incentivised sterilisation in developing countries. [136640]
Clare Short: The Department for International Development does not fund incentivised sterilisation.
EU Aid (Corruption)
Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of corruption in projects administered by the European Union. [136626]
Clare Short: We assess financial propriety in EC aid by evaluating the annual reports of the European Court of Auditors on the EC budget and the European Development Fund, and their series of special reports.
Sector-wide Approaches
Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of the bilateral aid budget is spent on sector-wide approaches. [136636]
Clare Short: To date spending on sector-wide work has been recorded within existing categories defined by the OECD's Development Assistance Committee and cannot be distinguished separately. However, work is under way to generate separate data in consultation with other donors.
Malawi
Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she has taken to ensure that British aid to Malawi was not used to purchase 39 Mercedes cars for Government Ministers; and if she will make a statement. [136656]
Clare Short: British aid has not been used for this purpose.
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Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department made of corruption in the Malawian education sector before her recent aid announcement. [136664]
Clare Short: The education programme reviewed financial management in the sector. The programme will itself be audited annually.
Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support has been given to the Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau. [136638]
Clare Short: We have provided £352,000 to support the Anti-Corruption Bureau. This comprises a long-term technical adviser and support for professional training. We are discussing additional support for staff, including assistance with prosecutions.
Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the level of corruption in the Malawian Government. [136663]
Clare Short: The Malawi Government inherited an ineffective and corruption ridden government mechanism from the Banda regime. It has repeatedly stated its commitment to rooting out corruption. We are working with the Government to set up systems to reduce corruption and to take action against those implicated.
Mr. Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list her Department's aid projects in Malawi. [136666]
Clare Short: My Department's aid projects in Malawi are as follows:
Impact Area 1--Decentralisation and the Role of Government
Trade Policy Project
Impact Area 2--Economic and Financial Management
Anti-Corruption Bureau
Gemini Survey of Small and Medium Enterprises in Malawi
Customs Support Programme Phase II
Support to National Statistical Office
Support for Medium Term Expenditure Framework
Impact Area 3--Human Rights
Radio for Development--(Ndizathuzomwe)
Training of Lay Magistrates
Clearance of Homicide Backlog
Rehabilitation of Prison Farms
Safety, Security and Access to Justice Programme
Reform of the Penal Code
Interim Police Organisational Development Project
Paralegal Advisory Service
Human Rights Small Grants Fund
Community Service Pilot Project
NGO Capacity Building
'Through Rights to Needs for Marginalised Malawians'--(support for civil society)
Impact Area 4--Sustainable Rural Livelihoods
Farming Systems Integrated Pest Management
Smallholder Seed Development
Dedza Sustainable Livelihoods Project
Lesson Learning and Testing of Safety Nets
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Targeted Inputs Programme
Central Region Infrastructure Maintenance Programme
Microfinance Expansion (FINCA)
Financial Services for the Poor
Training for Enterprise and Exports in Malawi
Economics Activities Programme
Concern Universal: Safe Water and Sanitation
SC (UK) Salima Safe Water and Sanitation
SC (UK) Dowa Safe Water and Sanitation
Impact Area 5--Education and Health
Primary Community Schools Project
Schools Support Systems Project
Support to Education Sector
Safe Motherhood project
College of Health Sciences
National Health Plan
National TB Programme
Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme
Supplementary Readers
Support to National AIDS Control Programme
Reform of Central Medical Stores
Demographic and Health Survey
Banja La Mtsogolo (Reproductive Health)
Expanded Programme of Immunisation
Essential Medical Laboratory Services
Impact Area 6--Safeguarding the Environment
National Forestry Action Plan
Mulanje Forest Conservation.
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