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Balkans
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister what action the Government are taking to minimise hypothermia in the Balkans during the winter. [100090]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 26 November 1999]: The impact of the Balkan winter is likely to be the harshest in Kosovo, where 100,000 houses were severely damaged or destroyed during the conflict. The Department for International Development (DFID) aims to complement shelter initiatives being carried out by other donors by rehabilitating utilities, especially power and water supplies, before the weather becomes too severe.
The electrical distribution system (100KV) sustained considerable war damage and is the focus of DFID's attention. Other donors are working on the 220KV and 440KV transmission systems. Our aim is to help the local authorities with the supply of equipment and technical
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advice on the electrical distribution system throughout Kosovo. A British management team, jointly funded by the EU Task Force and British Trade International (BTI), is currently working with the EU Task Force, UNMIK and the Kosovo Electric Company, to manage the overall power situation in Kosovo. Specific funding from DFID and BTI is ensuring the continued supply of coal to the Kosovo power stations.
Additionally, DFID has committed £3 million to carry out emergency works to Pristina airport to keep it operational throughout the winter. The airport is a crucial alternative supply route to the congested Blace border crossing.
In Serbia heating assistance is being targeted on vulnerable groups by the international agencies such as UNHCR and the European Commission's Humanitarian Office (ECHO). ECHO's assistance to Serbia and Montenegro since May 1999 amounts to 26.6 million euros, of which the UK has contributed approximately 15 per cent.
Mr. Winnick:
To ask the Prime Minister if he will seek to change the law to provide a way for a life peerage to be disclaimed; and if he will make a statement. [100126]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 26 November 1999]: In the unlikely event that a life peer wished to disclaim a life peerage he or she could seek to introduce a Private Bill to enable that to happen.
Rev. Martin Smyth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average waiting time between the occupational therapist's recommendation of a through-floor lift and the installation of the lift in (a) the South and East and (b) the North and West Trust areas in the last 12 months. [98474]
Mr. George Howarth:
The average waiting time in South and East Belfast Trust area in public sector housing is three months for terminally ill clients and over one year for others. For private sector housing this is 3-5 months if the building work is undertaken by the client and over one year where an application is made for a Disabled Facilities Grant. In North and West Belfast Trust area the average waiting time is 4-5 months.
Rev. Martin Smyth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many requests for through-floor lifts in (a) the South and East and the (b) North and West Trust areas were made in the last 12 months; and in which areas such lifts are still to be installed. [98475]
Mr. George Howarth:
The need for through floor lifts is normally identified following an assessment of an individual's needs and home environment by an Occupational Therapist. During the last 12 months South and East Belfast HSS Trust identified a total of 33 clients requiring a through floor lift although 10 clients later withdrew from the scheme. Four lifts have still to be installed by the Trust. In North and West Belfast HSS
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Trust area 37 clients were identified as requiring a through floor lift in the last 12 months and 22 lifts have still to be installed by the Trust.
Mr. Hesford:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has for investment in the National Health Service infrastructure in Northern Ireland. [99381]
Mr. George Howarth:
Major hospitals in each of the four Health and Social Services Board Areas are being modernised or replaced. Within the next two years, the Causeway Hospital will come into operation, along with the Altnagelvin Hospital Nucleaus Extension. Following that, a major external refurbishment project will be completed at Craigavon Area Hospital, and the Phase 1 New Block at the Royal Victoria Hospital redevelopment will be completed. The total value of these projects is almost £139 million.
Construction of a £15 million local hospital at Downpatrick in County Down is planned to begin next year and is due to be completed in 2003.
Further investment is planned with a £28 million upgrading of Altnagelvin Hospital Tower Block, and Phase 2 of the Royal Victoria Hospital redevelopment estimated at £24 million.
A £30 million Regional Cancer Centre is planned, and detailed proposals are being drawn up for a Regional Medical Rehabilitation Centre and for a Medium Secure Unit for the mentally ill. It is anticipated that these projects will be procured under the Private Finance Initiative.
Mr. Robert McCartney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will undertake an inquiry into the safety of the railway system in Northern Ireland. [99279]
Mr. George Howarth:
NIR has a statutory duty to ensure the safety of operations on the network.
NIR commissioned consultants in March this year to conduct a strategic safety review of NIO's network and operations.
The final report should be available shortly.
Mr. Robert McCartney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to increase investment in the railway system outside the Belfast to Dublin line. [99280]
Mr. George Howarth:
Work has recently commenced on the reinstatement of the Antrim Bleach Green line at a cost of approximately £17 million. In addition, work on a new Bangor Interchange Centre is in progress at a cost of £4.2 million.
The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has also examined opportunities for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to meet future investment needs. It is expected that an announcement on the way forward will be made in the near future.
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Mr. Robert McCartney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to improve the state of the Northern Ireland Railway's rolling stock. [99281]
Mr. George Howarth:
It is acknowledged that much of the NIR class 80 rolling stock is nearing the end of its useful life and will need to be replaced over the coming years. To this end the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has been examining opportunities for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to meet the investment needs. A report on PPP options is expected in the near future and an announcement will follow when decisions have been made on the way forward. In view of the time scales involved in bringing forward any PPP option the Department is also examining the interim funding that would be required for rolling stock replacement.
Mr. Robertson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average resettlement grant made to prisoners released under the early releases scheme in Northern Ireland; who is responsible for distributing this money; what criteria are used in determining the levels of awards; and if he will make a statement. [100207]
Mr. Ingram:
Prisoners in Northern Ireland do not receive resettlement grants.
Every prisoner, however, including those released by decision of the independent Sentence Review Commissioners under the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998, is entitled to a Discharge Grant paid and administered by the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
The Discharge Grant is intended to ensure that each discharged inmate has enough money for his immediate needs and the rates are calculated to reflect the rate of Income Support Benefit currently in payment by the Social Security Agency.
Current rates, uprated in April 1999, are as follows:
A Standard Grant is payable at the rate of £40.70 for inmates aged 18 to 24 years and £51.40 for inmates aged 25 years and upwards.
A Higher Grant is payable at the rate of £103.81 to any inmate who satisfies the prison authorities that he or she is effectively homeless on discharge. The higher amount takes into account the average costs of hostel or bed and breakfast accommodation in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to ensure that all departments and public sector agencies require that pigmeat supplied under their catering contracts be produced according to UK welfare standards. [99057]
Ms Quin:
We cannot dictate to public procurement authorities, but we will continue to seek to persuade them that buying to British welfare and other standards offers good value and meets the needs of their "customers".
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To back up this message, my right hon. Friend the Minister has written to local councils and health authorities in England to emphasise the importance of sourcing to British standards. As the welfare legislation was passed in this House with an overwhelming majority, we also believe that every right hon. and hon. Member has a duty to raise this issue with public procurement authorities in their constituencies.
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