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Departmental Policies (Camden)
Ms Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the effects, with statistical information on (a) Hampstead and Highgate and (b) the London borough of Camden of his Department's policies since 2 May 1997. [158020]
Ms Beverley Hughes: The principal funding that this Department has provided to the London borough of Camden since 2 May 1997 is shown in the table. This includes grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.
It is not possible to determine how much of this money has been spent on Hampstead and Highgate. It is for the local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are applied.
n/a = Not Applicable
(6) Where known
(7) Figures provided where possible; however, not all grants for 2001-02 have been determined as yet
(8) Figures shown are only for the SRB schemes for which Camden is the accountable body
Note:
The figures shown are the most accurate currently available, as the London Development Authority SRB database is currently in the process of verification
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Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) Schemes
London borough of Camden are the accountable body for the West Euston and the All Change at Camden Central SRB Schemes. There are three other SRB schemes that cover parts of the borough, which are run in partnership with other London boroughs and other external stakeholders.
The West Euston Scheme was approved under SRB Round 3 and covers an area bounded by Euston Station in the East, Euston road to the South and Albany street to the West. The scheme's key objectives are to regenerate the West Euston area, to create economic opportunities, to make the area safe and secure to live and work, and to assist the unification of the community. Major projects cover racial integration, training, housing improvements and facilities for the elderly in the community.
The scheme aims to transform the lives of deprived and socially excluded people living in parts of Somers Town, St. Pancras, Regent's Park and Camden wards. Its objectives are to address inequalities through capacity building; education, employment and training initiatives; accessible I.T. provision; community safety and anti- social behaviour measures; health and sports provision; and housing improvements.
The other SRB schemes that cover parts of London borough of Camden are New Commitment to Kilburn (Brent and Camden), which received £6.599 million in total funding; Kings Cross, which received £37.5 million; and Young People, Drugs and Crime in Gospel Oak (Camden and Islington) which received £1.0 million.
Single Rail Franchise (Wales)
Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the date for the commencement of the single rail franchise for Wales; and if he will make a statement. [158096]
Mr. Hill: The Strategic Rail Authority announced on 15 February that Arriva plc/Connex Transport UK Ltd., FirstGroup plc, National Express Group plc and Serco
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Rail had been shortlisted to compete for the Wales and Borders franchise. It is not possible to publish a commencement date as there is no set timetable for awarding this franchise.
Advisory Group on Motorcycling
Mr. Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling. [158177]
Mr. Hill: The Advisory Group on Motorcycling has been meeting since May 1999 to discuss issues of concern to those who ride motorcycles. The Government are today publishing an Interim Report of the Advisory Group on Motorcycling. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Miners (Compensation)
Mr. Ron Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the number of claims and the amount of compensation paid to ex-miners under the (a) miners' compensation scheme and (b) vibration white finger scheme in the Caerphilly parliamentary constituency. [157545]
Mr. Hain: The Department's claim handling agents, IRISC, have registered 3,268 claims in respect of chronic bronchitis and emphysema from claimants in the Caerphilly constituency, as defined by post codes CF46, CF81, CF82, CF83 and NP1. As at 4 April the Department had settled 93 claims in full, and made a further 896 interim settlements.
In addition, IRISC have registered 2,282 claims in respect of Vibration White Finger from claimants in the Caerphilly constituency. As at 4 April the Department had settled 466 claims in full, and made a further 360 interim settlements.
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In total the Department has paid out nearly £9.3 million in respect of respiratory and Vibration White Finger related compensation in the Caerphilly constituency.
Healthcall Ltd.
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the length of the contractual agreement is between his Department and Healthcall Ltd. in respect of their work in the medical assessment of ex-miners; when the contract will terminate; and if the contract will be re-tendered if the compensation process is unfinished by the end of the current contract. [157582]
Mr. Hain [holding answer 9 April 2001]: The contract signed by the Department with Healthcall Services Ltd. runs for 36 months from 1 November 1999, and is subject to an additional 12 month extension. No decision has been taken at present as to whether the contract will be re-tendered if the assessment process is unfinished. I have met its managers regularly over the past two months to discuss progress in compensation payments and they are co-operating fully in speeding up the system of medical assessments.
Hawk Jets (Exports)
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what support his Department has given to British Aerospace with regard to that company's contract to supply Hawk jets to India; [156885]
- (2) which Ministers from his Department have been involved in discussions with (a) BAE and (b) the Indian Government regarding the contract to supply Hawk jets to India. [156886]
Mr. Alan Johnson [holding answer 4 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence on 9 April 2001, Official Report, column 367W.
One North East
Mr. Ronnie Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent on industrial investment and environmental improvements by One North East in the Blyth Valley constituency in each year since 1997. [157296]
Mr. Caborn: One North East commenced its operations on 1 April 1999. The total expenditure by One North East since then in the Blyth Valley constituency amounts to £8.94 million as shown in the table.
| Year | Single Regeneration Budget | Land and Property Budget |
|---|---|---|
| 1999-2000 | 1.917 | 1.515 |
| 2000-01 | 1.933 | 3.575 |
Most expenditure related to industrial investment and environmental improvements but the total does include an element of expenditure on community/social inclusion activity.
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National Weights and Measures Laboratory
Valerie Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the conclusions of the Quinquennial Review of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory. [158294]
Dr. Howells: The first stage of the five-yearly Review of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) has now been completed.
NWML will continue as an Executive Agency of the DTI.
NWML is a regulatory body. The current functions of NWML form a coherent group that benefits from being managed as a whole. Ministers have therefore decided not to proceed with the alternative option considered by the Review, that of transferring the bulk of NWML's work to NPL Management Ltd. (the company which runs the National Physical Laboratory under contract to the DTI) with a small policy unit kept in the DTI. This organisational separation of policy from operations would risk reducing the quality of the work, and has been criticised by interested parties. The present integrated structure is seen as a great strength of NWML.
As announced on 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 1095W, the reviewer recommended that the policy part of NWML should be taken back into the Department organisationally and that the operational part should be contractorised by merger with NPL, which is already contractorised. However, the Review Steering Board recommended that this option should not be proceeded with until a business plan for the merger could be prepared and until Ministers had assessed its value for money and feasibility.
I have now considered the business plan prepared by NPL Management Ltd. and have received further advice from the Review Steering Board. I have also had the benefit of representations made by many interested parties. I accept that the merger with NPL would result in financial savings to the Department, but they are relatively modest. However, I have come to the conclusion that the benefits to the Department, to the users of NWML's services, and to the UK, which arise from having NWML run as an integrated body outweigh these potential savings.
This announcement will appear on the DTI's website.
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