House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 16 Nov 2000 (pt 2)

Palestinian Education

Mr. Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will suspend the transfer of further funds to the Palestinian Authority for education purposes until the schools under their control are reopened. [137501]

Clare Short: We have provided technical assistance to the Palestinian Ministry of Education for a number of years. Our help has focused on building the capacity of the Ministry, districts and schools to deliver high quality education to Palestinian children. To achieve this we have provided the services of experts, training and a limited amount of equipment. In company with other development partners we are considering further

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assistance to the education sector. There is no reason to delay this work because of school closures for valid security reasons.

Kosovo

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts on the reconstruction of Kosovo; and if she will make a statement. [138195]

Mr. Foulkes: We have not had recent discussions on Kosovo with other Ministers but I met key officials on my visit to Kosovo earlier this year and officials of this Department attend meetings of the Management Board of the EU Agency for Reconstruction, which is responsible for the EU's programme in Kosovo. The Department's office in Pristina liaises directly with the agency and with other donors, including EU member states, on reconstruction issues. The agency has made good progress on developing its 360 million euros programme of reconstruction activities in 2000 since its establishment in March. The United Kingdom's contribution to this programme is about £39 million. In addition, we are providing £5 million in bilateral technical assistance in this financial year.

Departmental Employees (New Deal)

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff her Department employs under the New Deal for Young People. [137959]

Mr. Foulkes: We currently employ two members of staff under the New Deal for Young People and have recently embarked on a new recruitment process for the New Deal arrangements.

Departmental Employees (HIV)

Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will take steps to ensure that people who are HIV-positive do not suffer discrimination as a result of employment practices followed by her Department. [137792]

Mr. Foulkes: Staff who are HIV-positive are not discriminated against in any of DFID's employment practices. Staff who have AIDS are treated in the same way as others with potentially serious health conditions, bearing in mind DFID's duty of care to ensure the health and safety of staff with immuno-suppressive conditions.

Child Labour (Rugmark Initiative)

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the international Rugmark initiative; and what steps she has taken to encourage British carpet companies to take part. [137744]

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Mr. Foulkes: We have not been involved with the Rugmark initiative and therefore we have not made an assessment of it.

In general terms labelling can make a positive contribution to the elimination of child labour but impact hinges on effective monitoring, sustainable income replacement and/or access to quality education--if not children may simply be displaced into non export oriented work.

Debt Relief

Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received from Oxfam regarding reducing Third World debt. [138405]

Mr. Foulkes: The Secretary of State and I meet regularly with representatives of non-governmental organisations, including Oxfam, to discuss debt and other development issues.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND

THE REGIONS

Petrol Costs (Ministerial Cars)

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the cost was in each of the past three years of petrol for his Department's fleet of ministerial cars; and how many vehicles there are in that fleet. [135029]

Ms Beverley Hughes: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, on 13 November 2000, Official Report, column 552W.

Housing Investment

Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the total amount was of Government expenditure on capital investment in housing in each year since 1979-80 in (a) England and (b) London, separately identifying expenditure under capital receipts; and what the projected expenditure is in each category for each year until 2003-04. [135802]

Mr. Mullin: The available information on Government allocations, or outturns, for expenditure on housing capital investment made since 1979-80 is set out in the tables. A revised local authority finance regime was introduced from 1990-91, and thus prior years' figures are not directly comparable. Some of the resources allocated through the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund and City Challenge are applied to housing, but this element is not distinguished in the allocations and is therefore not included. Allocations under the Capital Receipts Initiative over the period 1997-98 to 1999-2000 are identified separately in the table.

Government expenditure plans from 2001-02 to 2003-04 which were set out in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) on 24 July 2000, Official Report, columns 398-04W, are as follows.

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Spending Review 2000 Settlement Housing Capital Programmes£ million

England 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04

Housing Corporation ADP (including Rough Sleepers initiative) 789 940 1,236

Local Authority Credit Approvals 2,305 2,465 2,545

Disabled Facility Grants and Housing defects loans 87 88 89

Starter Homes Initiative 50 100 100

Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund 20 40 60

England	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04
Housing Corporation ADP (including Rough Sleepers initiative)	789	940	1,236
Local Authority Credit Approvals	2,305	2,465	2,545
Disabled Facility Grants and Housing defects loans	87	88	89
Starter Homes Initiative	50	100	100
Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund	20	40	60

Programme allocations at Regional level are yet to be decided.

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Specific allocations for Estate Action and Housing Action Trusts within the Regeneration Programme are as follows:

Estimated capital allocations\

2001-02 2002-03 2003-04

Estate Action

England 39.5 11.1 4.7

of which London 35.5 11.1 4.7

Housing Action Trusts

England 70 92.3 54.3

	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04
Estate Action
England	39.5	11.1	4.7
of which London	35.5	11.1	4.7

Housing Action Trusts
England	70	92.3	54.3

Allocation has yet to be distributed between individual HATs.

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Housing capital expenditure allocations 1979-80 to 1989-90⁽¹⁾--England£ million

1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90

Development Programme (ADP)--Gross expenditure ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- 521 755 734 697 711 715 752 791 935

Local Authority Basic Block allocations (prior to 1990-91) 2,544 2,186 1,771 1,847 1,769 1,821 1,572 1,392 1,262 1,119 874

Estate Action ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- 42 67 129 176

Other allocations 0 17 25 345 464 32 33 25 71 83 45

	1979-80	1980-81	1981-82	1982-83	1983-84	1984-85	1985-86	1986-87	1987-88	1988-89	1989-90
Development Programme (ADP)--Gross expenditure	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	521	755	734	697	711	715	752	791	935
Local Authority Basic Block allocations (prior to 1990-91)	2,544	2,186	1,771	1,847	1,769	1,821	1,572	1,392	1,262	1,119	874
Estate Action	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	42	67	129	176
Other allocations	0	17	25	345	464	32	33	25	71	83	45

Housing capital expenditure allocations 1990-91 to 2000-01⁽¹⁾--England£ million

1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01

Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme (ADP)--Gross expenditure 1,063 1,586 1,760 1,796 1,484 1,142 1,044 684 607 638 542

Local Authority Credit Approvals (ACGs--from 1990- 91) 1,296 1,343 1,290 1,378 1,038 994 943 628 544 609 2,019

Estate Action 175 264 347 357 373 239 203 155 99 65 68

Other Credit Approval 221 187 110 45 70 88 88 51 31 ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾--

Capital Receipts Initiative ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- 174 569 570 ⁽³⁾--

Private Sector Renewal Support Grant 413 413 397 392 308 283 271 192 166 165 ⁽³⁾--

Disabled Facilities Grant ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- 56 59 65 72

Estate Renewal Challenge Fund ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- 30 103 146 165 81

Housing Action Trusts ⁽³⁾-- 10 27 57 73 47 66 69 76 68 63

	1990-91	1991-92	1992-93	1993-94	1994-95	1995-96	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-2000	2000-01
Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme (ADP)--Gross expenditure	1,063	1,586	1,760	1,796	1,484	1,142	1,044	684	607	638	542
Local Authority Credit Approvals (ACGs--from 1990- 91)	1,296	1,343	1,290	1,378	1,038	994	943	628	544	609	2,019
Estate Action	175	264	347	357	373	239	203	155	99	65	68
Other Credit Approval	221	187	110	45	70	88	88	51	31	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--
Capital Receipts Initiative	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	174	569	570	⁽³⁾--
Private Sector Renewal Support Grant	413	413	397	392	308	283	271	192	166	165	⁽³⁾--
Disabled Facilities Grant	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	56	59	65	72
Estate Renewal Challenge Fund	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	30	103	146	165	81
Housing Action Trusts	⁽³⁾--	10	27	57	73	47	66	69	76	68	63

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Housing capital expenditure allocations 1979-1980 to 1989-90⁽¹⁾--London£ million

1979-80 1980-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90

Development Programme (ADP)--Gross expenditure ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾--

Local Authority Basic Block allocations (prior to 1990-91) 887 767 548 617 532 555 480 427 385 371 290

Estate Action ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- 15 14 30 37

Other allocations 0 3 3 14 64 5 7 3 17 26 2

	1979-80	1980-81	1981-82	1982-83	1983-84	1984-85	1985-86	1986-87	1987-88	1988-89	1989-90
Development Programme (ADP)--Gross expenditure	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--
Local Authority Basic Block allocations (prior to 1990-91)	887	767	548	617	532	555	480	427	385	371	290
Estate Action	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	15	14	30	37
Other allocations	0	3	3	14	64	5	7	3	17	26	2

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Housing capital expenditure allocations 1990-91 to 2000-01⁽¹⁾--London£ million

1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01

Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme (ADP)--Gross expenditure ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- 424 408 261 252 264 276

Local Authority Credit Approvals (ACGs--from 1990-91) 436 451 454 474 355 321 299 194 162 184 602

Estate Action 33 67 93 91 98 88 87 86 68 46 54

Other Credit Approvals 123 100 29 3 28 43 43 31 18 ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾--

Capital Receipts Initiative ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- 53 167 170 ⁽³⁾--

Private Sector Renewal Support Grant 55 52 57 55 42 44 45 39 33 33 ⁽³⁾--

Disabled Facilities Grant ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- 9 9 11 12

Estate Renewal Challenge Fund ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- ⁽³⁾-- 13 58 114 79 46

Housing Action Trusts ⁽³⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- ⁽²⁾-- 21 32 23 24 39 33 39 34

	1990-91	1991-92	1992-93	1993-94	1994-95	1995-96	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-2000	2000-01
Housing Corporation Approved Development Programme (ADP)--Gross expenditure	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	424	408	261	252	264	276
Local Authority Credit Approvals (ACGs--from 1990-91)	436	451	454	474	355	321	299	194	162	184	602
Estate Action	33	67	93	91	98	88	87	86	68	46	54
Other Credit Approvals	123	100	29	3	28	43	43	31	18	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--
Capital Receipts Initiative	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	53	167	170	⁽³⁾--

Private Sector Renewal Support Grant	55	52	57	55	42	44	45	39	33	33	⁽³⁾--
Disabled Facilities Grant	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	9	9	11	12
Estate Renewal Challenge Fund	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	⁽³⁾--	13	58	114	79	46
Housing Action Trusts	⁽³⁾--	⁽²⁾--	⁽²⁾--	21	32	23	24	39	33	39	34

⁽¹⁾ Cash prices

⁽²⁾ Denotes figures not available

⁽³⁾ Not applicable

Notes:

1. ADP Gross Expenditure--excludes ADP funding of City Challenge, Rough Sleepers Initiative and ERCF. Data prior to 1981-82 are unavailable as Corporation expenditure was not cash limited in this period. London boroughs' expenditure was not separately identifiable prior to the Corporation's regional re-organisation from 1995-96. The 1992-93 figure excludes £591 million under the Housing Market Package. 2000-01 figure is forecast expenditure.

2. Estate Action--figures up to 1994-95 represent supplementary credit approval (SCA) and continuation scheme allocations; thereafter, direct grant payment outturns within the Single Regeneration Budget. 2000-01 outturn is estimated.

3. Other allocations/credit approvals--covers special programmes for Energy Conservation, Home Insulation, Home Improvement, Private Sector Initiative, Homelessness, Special Grant Allowances, Rural Housing Defects Act, New Town Defective Dwellings, Flats over Shops, Cash Incentive Scheme and Housing Partnership Fund. Figures represent final outturn.

4. Capital Receipts Initiative--initial allocations.

5. Private Sector Renewal Support Grant--distributed via Specified Capital Grant Allowances 1990-91 to 1992-93; SCG-dependent SCAs 1993-94 to 1996-97.

5. Disabled Facilities Grant--initial allocation. DFG was incorporated within SCG and SCG-dependent SCAs prior to 1997-98.

6. Estate Renewal Challenge Fund--2000-01 outturn is estimated.

7. Housing Action Trusts--2000-01 outturn is estimated. Separate figure for London expenditure in 1991-92 and 1992-93 not available.

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