| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
NATO
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the UK pays to NATO as its share of NATO's overall costs, broken down into budget headings. [16778]
Mr. Hoon: In financial year 2000–01, the Ministry of Defence contributed £42.915 million (net of receipts) to the capital costs covered by the NATO Security Investment Programme. It also contributed £58.301 million to the Military Budget which funds NATO's military command structure and its associated programmes. Finally, £15.600 million (£15.404 million from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and £0.196 million from the Ministry of Defence) was paid to NATO's Civil Budget which funds NATO's Headquarters and associated programmes.
Osama bin Laden
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent discovery of notes for the design of nuclear weapons in houses captured from al-Qaeda in Kabul. [16422]
Mr. Bradshaw: I have been asked to reply.
22 Nov 2001 : Column: 383W
There is no evidence of a specific nuclear threat. We know that Osama bin Laden has sought to acquire weapons of mass destruction, but we do not believe that he has the capability to deliver them. We have no doubt that Osama bin Laden would have no moral compunction about using weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, if he could.
TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND
THE REGIONS
Train Operating Companies
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations have been received from train operating companies about the conditions imposed by rolling stock manufacturers on holders of short-term franchises. [12741]
Mr. Jamieson: I am aware that representations have been made by one train operator for which a franchise extension is being considered. The Strategic Rail Authority is not aware that any proposal to enter into a lease has been refused. In the event of such difficulty, the Authority has powers available to assist with procurement arrangements.
Rail Freight
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 1 November 2001, Official Report, column 782W, on rail freight, if the Draft Directions and Guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority specifically mention the 50 per cent. target for freight. [14679]
Mr. Jamieson: No, because the target is 80 per cent.
London Underground
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which members of the London Transport or London Underground boards have at any time within the period since 1990 (a) served on the board of, (b) been employed by and (c) had a material connection to any of the companies which make up the consortiums which have been accorded preferred bidder status for the Public-Private Partnership for London Underground. [14591]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 13 November 2001]: Balfour Beatty is a member of the Metronet consortium, which has preferred bidder status for the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria lines infrastructure contract (BCV) and the sub-surface lines infrastructure contract (SSL). Sir Malcolm Bates served on the board of BICC plc (as a non-executive director) from 8 July 1997 to 31 January 1999, at which time Balfour Beatty was a wholly owned subsidiary of BICC plc. At no time did Sir Malcolm have a material connection with Balfour Beatty. Sir Malcolm resigned his appointment as a non-executive director of BICC plc immediately prior to accepting the office of Chairman of London Transport which he took up on 11 February 1999.
22 Nov 2001 : Column: 384W
Ms Bridget Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many escalators on the London Underground system are out of service; where they are located; and for how long they have been non-operational. [15568]
Mr. Jamieson: This is an operational matter for London Underground, who have provided the table. They point out that escalators out of service include those subject to planned replacement or refurbishment programmes, and that the table represents a snapshot in time, reflecting the situation on 15 November 2001. The escalator situation can change rapidly.
| Station | Escalator reference number | Date taken out of service |
|---|---|---|
| Manor House | 2 | 6 April 2001 |
| Embankment | 7 | 21 May 2001 |
| Charing Cross | 11 | 26 May 2001 |
| Bond Street | 4 | 28 May 2001 |
| Marble Arch | 3 | 3 June 2001 |
| Euston | 2 | 2 July 2001 |
| Rotherhithe | 1 | 12 July 2001 |
| Heathrow 1, 2, 3 | 6 | 19 August 2001 |
| Notting Hill Gate | 1 | 30 August 2001 |
| Holborn | 6 | 10 September 2001 |
| Liverpool Street | 8 and 9 | 3 October 2001 |
| Kilburn Park | 1 | 7 October 2001 |
| Heathrow 1, 2, 3 | 5 | 9 October 2001 |
| Bank | 2 | 15 October 2001 |
| Kings Cross | 5 | 27 October 2001 |
| Kings Cross | 4 | 29 October 2001 |
| Bethnal Green | 3 | 6 November 2001 |
| Clapham South | 3 | 9 November 2001 |
| Holborn | 5 | 14 November 2001 |
| Earl's Court | 1 and 2 | 23 November 2001 |
| Tottenham Court Road | 4 | 16 December 2001 |
Standards Board for England
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place in the Library copies of all guidance so far issued by the Standards Board for England. [14544]
Mr. Byers [holding answer 13 November 2001]: The Standards Board has published the following guidance:
- Guide to Part III of the Local Government Act 2000: Local Authorities;
Guide to Part III of the Local Government Act 2000: Police, Fire, National Parks and other authorities;
Guide to Part III of the Local Government Act 2000: Parish and Town councils.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish the criteria by which he selected people to be appointed members of the Standards Board for England. [14551]
Mr. Byers [holding answer 13 November 2001]: The Board members were appointed by Ministers of the then Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions on the 7 February 2001, 22 March 2001 and on the 3 May 2001. I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State on 7 February 2001, Official Report, column 535W; on
22 Nov 2001 : Column: 385W
22 March 2001, Official Report, column 292W; and the answer given on 3 May 2001, Official Report, column 753W.
- commitment to the value of local democracy;
unimpeachable integrity
significant achievement in any field;
tact and discretion;
the ability to act as a team member;
proven strategic and communication skills commensurate with the board of a national body.
candidates must not be holders of national elected office.
Mr. Byers: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the then Under-Secretary of State on 22 March 2001, Official Report, column 292W and on 3 May 2001, Official Report, column 753W.
The Chair is paid £50,000 a year for working two and a half days per week. The Deputy Chair is paid £7,500 a year for working two days a month. The Members of the Board are paid £6,800 a year for working two days a month.
None of the posts is pensionable.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the cost of the establishment of the Standards Board for England; and what is its continuing operating cost. [14553]
Mr. Byers [holding answer 13 November 2001]: My Department spent £111,234 on recruitment exercises for the board members and chief executive. Preparatory work for the establishment of the Standards Board for England was also carried out by officials in my Department.
Since the establishment of the Board in March 2001, it has been paid a further £935,384 in grant-in-aid to fund its establishment and running costs.
The allocation made for the Standards Board for England for this year in the Department's request for resources was £7.5 million.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish the Code of Conduct signed by the board members of the Standards Board for England, giving the dates on which each board member signed it. [14548]
Mr. Byers [holding answer 13 November 2001]: I have today placed in the Library, the Code of Conduct adopted by the Members of the Standards Board for England. This code was adopted by all board members on 8 August 2001. It is based on the draft Model Code of Conduct for Councillors, adapted to reflect the differing nature of the Board and the local authorities for which the model code was designed.
Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who are the board members of the Standards Board for England; and what are their relevant (a) experience and (b) qualifications. [14549]
22 Nov 2001 : Column: 386W
Mr. Byers [holding answer 13 November 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by the then Under-Secretary of State on 22 March 2001, Official Report, column 292W and on 3 May 2001, Official Report, column 753W.
Tony Holland, a solicitor, was Principal Ombudsman to the Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman Bureau Ltd., 1997-2000. In 2000 he was appointed to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel and made Chairman of the Northern Ireland Parades Commission.
Patricia Hughes was Chief Executive of the London borough of Sutton from 1990 until February 2001. From 1987 to 1990 she was deputy Chief Executive and Borough Solicitor to the London borough of Islington.
Alan Doig is Professor of Fraud Management at Teeside Business School. He is author of numerous publications on ethics, conflict of interest, fraud and corruption. He works with a number of bodies involved with ethics and public office both in the UK and overseas, including the Council on Europe.
John Bowers QC is a barrister specialising in employment law, human rights and pensions. He is author of books on whistleblowing, human rights and employment law.
Margaret Pratt is a management consultant in local and central Government and district, metropolitan and county councils. A past president of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), she sits on the Audit Committee of University College, Northampton.
Roger Taylor is a solicitor and was Chief Executive of Manchester City council from 1984 to 1988 and Chief Executive of Birmingham City council from 1988 to 1994. He is currently Managing Director of JSSPinnacle Consulting, a Government Research, PFS/PPP and non-health consultancy.
Paul Sabapathy OBE is Pro Chancellor and Deputy Chairman of University of Central England. A past President of Walsall Chamber of Industry and Commerce, he has served on the boards of both the Black County Development Corporation and Birmingham Heartlands Development Corporation.
Celia Cameron CBE is leader of Norfolk county council and has been Leader of the Labour Group on Norfolk county council since 1990. Since November 1999 she has been Chair of the county council's Cabinet and the Executive, Services Development and Investment Committees.
Peter Chalke CBE is Leader of Wiltshire county council. He has been a county councillor since 1982 and Leader of the Conservative Group on Wiltshire county council since 1986. He is also Deputy Leader of the LGA Conservative Group and the LGA Conservative Education Spokesman.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |