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Driving Standards Agency

Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the annual gross cost of the Driving Instructors Agency is; and what the income generated by the agency in test fees and other income was in the latest year for which figures are available. [10604]

Mr. Spellar: The Driving Standards Agency's annual report and accounts for 2000–01 show:

	£ million
Annual gross cost (expenditure)	76.849
Income (test fees)	78.222
Income (other)	2.115

Copies of the annual report and accounts are available in the House Libraries.

26 Oct 2001 : Column: 430W

Right to Buy

Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to review the capping of the discount available to residents wanting to buy their homes; and if he will make a statement. [10537]

Ms Keeble: We have no plans to alter the Right to Buy discount limits introduced in February 1999.

Boundary Commission

Mr. John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the timetable for (a) publication and (b) implementation of the Boundary Commission proposals for England and Wales. [10418]

Mr. Raynsford: The Boundary Commissions for England, and for Wales, are independent bodies who will submit separate reports to the Secretary of State on completion of their general reviews of parliamentary constituencies in England and Wales.

The Boundary Commission for England has indicated in its annual report for 2000–01 that it expects to complete the fifth general review between five and six years after the February 2000 start. The Boundary Commission for Wales, in its annual report for 1999–2000, indicated its intention to commence the review in February 2003 and complete it in 2005.

As soon as possible after the Boundary Commission has submitted its reports to him, the Secretary of State is required to lay the reports before Parliament. If the reports recommend alterations to the existing constituencies, a draft Order in Council giving effect to the recommendations, with or without modifications, must also be laid. The order is subject to affirmative procedure of both Houses of Parliament. The new constituencies take effect at the following general election. On the basis of the Commissions' intentions, the Secretary of State does not expect to lay the reports before Parliament before 2006.

Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive

Mr. Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussion has taken place with business about the proposed EU Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive; and if he will make a statement. [10300]

Mr. Raynsford: The Health and Safety Executive has consulted widely with business on the Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive, including with the CBI and the TUC. It has also had discussions with several industry associations and has responded to a large number of inquiries from individual businesses.

Mr. Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the Government's policy is towards the EU Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive; and if he will make a statement. [10301]

Mr. Raynsford: The Government welcome the Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive and support the common position reached by the Council of Ministers on 25 June. We believe implementation of the directive

26 Oct 2001 : Column: 431W

will result in significant improvements in health. The Government intend to defend the common position against amendments proposed by the European Parliament which would cause significant problems for industry.

Millennium Dome

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what non-financial requirements will be made of the purchaser of the Millennium Dome; [10624]

(2) what criteria have been established to determine the success of bids to buy the Millennium Dome. [10625]

Ms Keeble: We want to get the best deal for the taxpayer. Therefore, any sale of the Dome will be required to provide a worthwhile and sustainable future for the Dome and value for money. We will also want to be assured that bidders' proposals can be successfully delivered.

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what his estimate is of the value of the Millennium Dome and site; [10623]

(2) when he will publish details of plans to sell the Millennium Dome. [10626]

Ms Keeble: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 25 June 2001, Official Report, column 21W.

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the costs of the Millennium Dome since the closure of the Millennium Experience. [10622]

Ms Keeble: Since the closure of the Millennium Experience on 31 December 2000, the expenditure incurred on the Dome by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) and English Partnerships (EP) is as follows:

Dome running costs ¹ —£3.3 million

Decommissioning ² —£9.6 million.

The lease of the Dome site to NMEC ended on 30 June 2001, and reverted to English Partnerships (EP) as planned. All costs incurred by NMEC following the end of the Millennium Experience will be paid from the grant already approved by the Millennium Commission. EP will recover their Dome related costs from eventual sale proceeds.

¹ Includes rates, utilities, security, maintenance and insurance.

² Costs incurred in preparation for the future use of the Dome.

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date (a) he, (b) other Ministers and (c) officials in his Department, first spoke to (a) representatives of Legacy plc, (b) representatives of the Wellcome Trust, (c) the Duke of Westminster or his colleagues and (d) any other party to discuss the acquisition of the Millennium Dome, following the failure of the Nomura deal. [10688]

Ms Keeble: To reveal details of any discussions could compromise the negotiating process and would be against the public interest. It is of course open to any interested party to make their interest known.

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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Kuranze Ranch, Kenya

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he will take to assist Mrs. Eileen Williams' attempts to secure the title to land owned by her late parents at Kuranze Ranch in Kenya. [9255]

Mr. Bradshaw: We are concerned at the length of time it is taking for the Kenyan authorities to resolve this matter. Our High Commission in Nairobi and the High Commissioner personally have maintained a close interest in Mrs. Williams' case and will continue to do all they properly can to seek an outcome which is equitable to Mrs. Williams.

General Affairs Council

Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 17 October; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [10370]

Peter Hain: The General Affairs Council met on 17 October in Luxembourg to discuss the EU's response to international terrorism. The GAC declared its total solidarity with the United States and confirmed its wholehearted support for the action taken in the context of legitimate defence and in accordance with the UN Charter and the UN Security Council Resolution 1368.

The GAC reiterated the importance of a multilateral and global approach under the United Nations' aegis in order to strengthen the international coalition in its fight against terrorism in all its aspects. It identified emergency humanitarian aid in Afghanistan as an absolute priority and undertook to mobilise without delay aid amounting to more than euro 320 million. The GAC supported the efforts of the UN specialised agencies and expressed its concern at the difficulties of access and of convoying humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. The GAC appealed to the countries of the region to facilitate by all means possible the humanitarian operations for hosting fresh flows of Afghan refugees and will implement the necessary means to assist them in doing so.

The GAC agreed on the following points to guide the Union's future proceedings on Afghanistan, once it is freed of the al-Qaeda network and of its terrorists:

the establishment in Afghanistan of a stable, legitimate and broadly representative Government, expressing the will of the people;

the essential role of the UN in seeking a peace plan for Afghanistan;

maintaining absolute priority for emergency humanitarian aid;

a plan for the reconstruction of the country;

the regional dimension of the stabilisation of Afghanistan.

The GAC committed the EU to making contact without delay with the international community and in particular the Secretary-General of the United Nations and his personal representative, Mr. Brahimi, in order to contribute effectively to the UN effort.

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The GAC decided to intensify the European Union's relations with the countries neighbouring Afghanistan in order to contribute to the stability of the region. Particular reference was made to Pakistan, India, Iran and the countries of central Asia. The GAC also expressed its determination to continue a close and co-ordinated political dialogue with its Arab and Muslim partners.

The GAC emphasised the urgent need to relaunch the middle east peace process. The Presidency issued a separate statement condemning in the strongest terms the assassination of the Israeli Minister for Tourism, Rehavam Ze'evi.

The GAC stated that the Union would be more effective in developing the common Foreign and Security Policy and making the European Security and Defence Policy operational as soon as possible.

The GAC welcomed the fact that, in all the Council's configurations, work on stepping up the fight against terrorism was progressing satisfactorily and had already produced initial results. It noted in particular the following:

the measures which had already been taken, in particular pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1373, against the sources that fund terrorism, such as the political agreement on the Directive against money laundering, application in full of the FATF measures and freezing the assets of persons and organisations linked to the Taliban;

work in progress to draw up a list of terrorist organisations; the Council believed that regular meetings of the intelligence services were vital if terrorism is to be combated successfully; the Council approved a system of indicators making it possible to evaluate the commitment and the co-operation of third countries in the fight against terrorism;

the progress already made in the examination of the Commission proposals on the European arrest warrant and terrorist offences and the establishment of a co-ordinated EU position in the context of the conclusion of a general UN convention on international terrorism; the Council requested that consideration should be given to any measure facilitating mutual assistance with third countries concerning the pursuit of terrorists or terrorist organisations;

the many current contacts with the USA, including the Troika meeting scheduled for 19 October.

The GAC also welcomed the Presidency's road map setting out all the initiatives and work carried out by the Council and listing those responsible for implementation, the time frames and progress made.

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