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Sign Language

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what help is available for those who wish to pursue signing courses to help with the advancement of an understanding of sign language. [8903]

Margaret Hodge [holding answer 19 October 2001]: I have been asked to reply.

Sign language courses are currently available through a range of FE colleges, universities and schools. There are currently four registered centres for the provision of British sign language training in Gloucestershire. Information about the availability of these courses can be obtained from Careers Services, Connexions Services and providers of information, advice and guidance for adult learners.

The Learning and Skills Council has access to funds to meet or stimulate demand for learning, including signing. For provision that is not publicly funded, my Department can provide individuals with a career development loan covering up to 80 per cent. of the cost of their training.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

St. Barnabas Reading

38. Jane Griffiths: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners,

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if he will make a statement on the financial consequences of the actions of the Diocese of Oxford with regard to St. Barnabas church in Reading. [10059]

Mr. Bell: The Diocese of Oxford is considering proposals for the pastoral reorganisation of the benefice and parish in which St. Barnabas is situated, but has not yet taken any action with respect to this church which has financial consequences.

The Church Commissioners have a quasi-judicial role which they might have to exercise in respect of any proposals made by the diocese, so I am not able to take the matter further on the Floor of the House.

Inter-faith Dialogue

39. Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what spending the Commission has allocated for policies designed to encourage inter-faith dialogue. [10060]

Mr. Bell: None. The Church Commissioners' primary legal responsibility is to manage their assets for the support of the Church of England's serving and retired ministry.

Inter-faith policy is not directly a matter for the commissioners.

Works of Art

40. Miss McIntosh: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what his policy is on the sale of works of art owned by the Church of England. [10061]

Mr. Bell: The majority of such works of art are owned by parish churches and cathedrals. Their disposal is governed by legislation.

The commissioners own relatively few of the Church of England's works of art. They would consider any sale on its merits, in the light of their wider legal duties, and in consultation with interested parties.

Child Care

41. Harry Cohen: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what money the commissioners have received for child care related matters in the last 12 months; and how it is used. [10062]

Mr. Bell: The commissioners' primary legal responsibility is the financial support of the Church of England's serving and retired ministry. They receive no funds for child care related matters.

Historic Buildings (VAT)

Mr. Tyler: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what representations the Commissioners have made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer about remission of VAT on repairs and conservation work to historic churches and chapels since 7 March. [10057]

Mr. Bell: The Church of England and other faiths have welcomed the announcement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that churches

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would be eligible to receive reimbursement equivalent to a reduction in VAT payable on the repair and maintenance of listed buildings from 17.5 per cent. to 5 per cent.

The Church has been included in consultation over the implementation of the scheme. We understand this is imminent and that eligible claims will be considered for all work undertaken from 1 April 2001.

PRIME MINISTER

Tibet

Dr. Tonge: To ask the Prime Minister when he will meet the Chinese Vice-President during his visit to the UK this month; and if he will raise the issue of Tibet. [11153]

Harry Cohen: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he and other Ministers had with the Vice- President of China about the position of Tibet during his recent visit; and if he will make a statement. [12196]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 1 November 2001]: I met Vice-President Hu Jintao on 29 October. The main focus of our discussion was the international coalition against terrorism, but we also discussed a range of other issues including Tibet. Tibet was discussed in detail in a meeting on 30 October between the Under- Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. MacShane), and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, who was accompanying the Vice-President.

Anthrax

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the holdings of anthrax by the Iraqi Government, with special reference to the particular strains held. [12583]

The Prime Minister: After years of denial, Iraq eventually declared to UNSCOM in 1995 that it had produced anthrax as a biological weapon fill for ballistic missile warheads and bombs. It declared it had possessed a number of different strains of the micro-organism. At the time, Iraq claimed to have already destroyed all of its BW weapons and agents. However, it did not provide the evidence, then or subsequently, to enable UNSCOM to verify this.

Contingency Planning

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Prime Minister what sub-committees he has constituted to support the Civil Contingencies Committee in its review of the country's contingency planning arrangements. [12962]

The Prime Minister: I have directed that three new sub-committees be constituted to make recommendations within the remit of the Civil Contingencies Committee.

The Civil Contingencies Committee is a long-standing committee. Its composition and terms of reference are set out together with those of three new sub-committees.

Civil Contingencies Committee

Composition:

Secretary of State for the Home Department (Chairman).

Others, including HM Treasury and the devolved Administrations, will be invited to attend, depending on the contingency.

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Terms of Reference:

"To co-ordinate the preparation of plans for ensuring in an emergency the supplies and services essential to the life of the community; to keep these plans under regular review; and to supervise their prompt and effective implementation in specific emergencies."

Sub committee on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear consequence management—CCC(CBRN)


Composition:

Minister of State with responsibility for crime reduction, policing and community safety—the right hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham)—(Chairman).

Officials from:

HM Treasury

Home Office

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Ministry of Defence

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Department of Trade and Industry

Department of Health

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Northern Ireland Office

Scotland Office

Wales Office.

The devolved Administrations are invited to attend as are others in accordance with their expertise, experience and responsibilities.

Terms of reference:

"To review contingency and other arrangements to protect the UK against the effects of a terrorist attack using chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear means, particularly in the light of the terrorist attacks of 11 September."

Sub committee on London resilience—CCC(LR)

Composition:

Minister for Local Government (Chairman)

Officials from:

HM Treasury

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Home Office

Government Office for London.

Others, including the Mayor of London, are invited to attend in accordance with their experience and expertise and in order to engage all responsible organisations in London.

Terms of reference:

"To review contingency arrangements for London, particularly in the light of the terrorist attacks of 11 September."

Sub committee on UK resilience—CCC(UKR)


Composition:

Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Chairman)

Officials from:

HM Treasury

Home Office

Ministry of Defence

Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions

Department of Trade and Industry

Department of Health

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Northern Ireland Office

Scotland Office

Wales Office.

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Others, including the devolved Administrations, are invited to attend in accordance with their expertise, experience and responsibilities.

Terms of reference:

"To review contingency arrangements for key suppliers, services and other systems which support the life of the community, particularly in the light of the terrorist attacks of 11 September."

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