Previous Section Index Home Page


Winter Fuel Allowance

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to extend the winter fuel allowance to disabled people. [21440]

Mr. McCartney: Help is already available, through disability benefits and the disability premium in income support, in recognition of the extra costs, including heating, which disabled people may have. There are no plans to extend the winter fuel payment scheme to disabled people under age 60.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people will receive winter fuel payments in 2001–02 in Portsmouth, South. [21799]

Mr. McCartney: Last winter, around 17,600 people aged 60 and over in Portsmouth, South constituency received a winter fuel payment. The figure for this year will be similar.

Benefits (Scotland)

Mrs. Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with members of the Scottish Executive since 3 May on free care for the elderly in Scotland; and what was the outcome of such discussions. [21628]

Mr. McCartney: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 19 November 2001, Official Report, columns 154–55W, and the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Perth (Annabelle Ewing) on 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 347W.

Stakeholder Pensions

Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received from independent financial advisers regarding the implementation of stakeholder pensions. [21543]

Mr. McCartney [holding answer 10 December 2001]: Ministers have many meetings with pensions industry representatives, including independent financial advisers.

Pension Credit

Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what additional IT systems will be required in respect of the new pension credit; and how many additional staff he expects to employ. [22374]

Mr. McCartney [holding answer 11 December 2001]: Pension credit will be introduced initially on the Department's existing computer systems, in order to de-risk the project. It will transfer as a replacement system, on modernised IT, at a later date, when the new benefit has been successfully implemented.

12 Dec 2001 : Column: 906W

The pension service, to be launched in April 2002, will administer pension credit, ensuring that pensioners received a joined up service. The numbers of staff required to deliver this new service are still being finalised.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Golden Jubilee

Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 31 October 2001, Official Report, column 758W, what precedent exists for awarding the Jubilee Medal to non-service men and women, particularly to those working in the emergency services. [19092]

Tessa Jowell: In 1997, the Silver Jubilee Medal was awarded to a wide range of recipients other than the armed forces, including the police, local services (including fire, health, social and education) and the civil service.

On the question of eligibility for the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb).

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to award the Queen's Jubilee Medal to the (a) Fire and (b) Ambulance Service. [20968]

Tessa Jowell: As I announced on Tuesday 4 December, the Government have decided that eligibility for the Golden Jubilee medal should be extended to include members of the emergency services: the police, fire and ambulance services, the Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and the Mountain Rescue service. As is the case for the armed forces and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the medal will be issued to serving members who have completed a minimum of five years' reckonable service on 6 February 2002.

A copy of the announcement has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

English National Stadium

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what time limits she has set for discussions between Patrick Carter and the Football Association on the English National Stadium; [18513]

Mr. Caborn: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not set a deadline, but we hope to make an announcement and publish Patrick Carter's report before the Christmas recess.

Mr. John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how far below the water table the playing surface is of the proposed National Football Stadium in the Birmingham bid. [19701]

12 Dec 2001 : Column: 907W

Mr. Caborn: Birmingham city council have confirmed that the proposed level of the playing surface is above the water table.

Ministerial Duties

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the non-parliamentary

12 Dec 2001 : Column: 908W

events at which (a) she and (b) other Ministers in her Department have made a speech in an official capacity since 8 June; and what was the (i) purpose and (ii) date of the attendance. [21379]

Tessa Jowell [holding answer 6 December 2001]: The information requested is in the following table. This excludes speeches made at party or other non- departmental events.

DateMinisterEvent
12 June 2001Minister of State for the ArtsPresentation of the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction 2001
18 June 2001Secretary of StateLaunch of Architecture Week
20 June 2001Secretary of StateSmith Institute seminar
25 June 2001Secretary of StateLaunch of South East England Cultural Strategy
26 June 2001Secretary of StateCBI Tourism conference
27 June 2001Secretary of State5th Lottery Monitor annual conference
27 June 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingLaunch of the Film Council's Regional Investment Fund for England
29 June 2001Secretary of StateAnnouncement of site for Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain
2 July 2001Secretary of StateSouth West Regional Cultural Strategy launch
2 July 2001Minister of State for the ArtsNew Opportunities Fund Digitisation Launch
3 July 2001Minister of State for the ArtsLaunch of NESTA awards
4 July 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingDinner for South West Tourism and industry representatives
5 July 2001Minister of State for the ArtsRoyal Academy of Dance Academic awards
5 July 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingLunch with North Devon Marketing Bureau and Exmoor tourism representatives
10 July 2001Secretary of StateRadio Festival
11 July 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingBritish Hospitality Association's annual reception
11 July 2001Minister of State for the ArtsLaunch of National Foundation for Youth Music, Early Excellence Centre
12 July 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingRegional Cultural Consortium strategy launch
13 July 2001Minister of State for the ArtsNorth West Development Agency annual conference
13 July 2001Minister of State for the ArtsLaunch of North West Regional Cultural Strategy
13 July 2001Minister of State for SportPhysical Education and Sport conference
17 July 2001Minister of State for SportLiverpool Football Academy
17 July 2001Minister of State for SportBrookfield High School
20 July 2001Minister of State for SportEast Midlands Sport Board "Government Plans for Sport"
22 July 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingWelsh Tourism industry dinner
23 July 2001Minister of State for SportOpening Ceremony of Cerebral Palsy—Internal Sports and Recreation Association World Games
16 July 2001Secretary of StateBritish Inward Tour Operators Association reception
16 July 2001Minister of State for the ArtsNational Heritage Memorial Fund Reception to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the Fund
26 July 2001Minister of State for the ArtsOpening of British Library's Exhibition: "Lie of the Land"
1 August 2001Minister of State for the ArtsLaunch of Playday 2001—Children's Play Council
6 September 2001Minister of State for SportSupporters Direct conference
6 September 2001Minister of State for SportInstitute of Sports and Recreation Management conference
10 September 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingLaunch of Audiovisual Industries Training Group report
13 September 2001Minister of State for the ArtsOpening of Julian Stair exhibition at Contemporary Applied Arts
19 September 2001Minister of State for SportLaunch of North East Sports Strategy
20 September 2001Minister of State for SportMedilink Live Medical Technology Fair
20 September 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingEnglish Historic Towns Forum conference
22 September 2001Minister of State for SportSport Across Staffordshire
24 September 2001Minister of State for SportSport England conference "Past, Present, Future"
25 September 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingLaunch of British Hospitality Association's Industry Forum
25 September 2001Minister of State for the ArtsOpening of new Collections Centre, Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester
26 September 2001Minister of State for the ArtsArts and Business reception
26 September 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingLaunch of "Whose London" (LWT Community Arts initiative)
4 October 2001Minister of State for SportLaunch of Non-League Club Directory
4 October 2001Minister of State for the ArtsOpening of the Japan 2001 "Facts of Life" exhibition at the Hayward Gallery
8 October 2001Minister of State for the ArtsOpening of the Paul Robeson exhibition at the Theatre Museum, Covent Garden
8 October 2001Secretary of StateOpening of Robin Howard Dance Theatre
9 October 2001Secretary of StateLaunch second round of Artsmark scheme
10 October 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingGood Practice in Financing the Creative Industries conference
11 October 2001Minister of State for SportLaunch of Anti-Racism Charter for Sport
11 October 2001Minister of State for the ArtsPaul Hamlyn Foundation awards for Visual Artists
12 October 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingTourism Management Institute seminar
16 October 2001Minister of State for SportLaunch of Colchester Utd. Community Sports Trust
16 October 2001Minister of State for SportOpening of Ipswich FC's Training Academy
16 October 2001Minister of State for the ArtsOpening of the "Radical Fashion" Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum
17 October 2001Minister of State for the ArtsDesign Conference at Imperial War Museum
17 October 2001Minister of State for the ArtsOpening of "Art on The Line" Exhibition at Courtauld Institute Gallery
17 October 2001Secretary of State"Taking the Lead: Good Design in Public Buildings" conference
17 October 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingYorkshire Tourist Board's Annual Tourism conference
18 October 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingHeart of England Tourist Board's annual general meeting
18 October 2001Minister of State for the ArtsReception to celebrate the 10th Birthday of Public Monument and Sculpture Association at Courtauld Institute Gallery
19 October 2001Minister of State for the ArtsCheltenham Literature Festival
22 October 2001Secretary of State"A Media Odyssey"—Society of Editors conference
22 October 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingLaunch of Channel Four's "Four Minute Wonders"
23 October 2001Minister of State for the ArtsLaunch of the Regional Task Force report "Renaissance in the Regions"
23 October 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingLunch with Association of Leading Visitor Attractions
25 October 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingRestaurant Association's annual business conference
26 October 2001Minister of State for the ArtsHistoric Environment Forum seminar on the Valetta Convention
27 October 2001Minister of State for the ArtsOpening of Michael Young Centre in Cambridge
29 October 2001Secretary of StateLaunch of Centenary Development at Tate Britain
29 October 2001Secretary of StateMuseums Association conference
29 October 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingLaunch of ITC guide "Adjusting the Picture"
31 October 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingNew Statesman Media Lecture
1 November 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting"Excellence Through People" awards ceremony
1 November 2001Minister of State for SportSport England Regeneration Policy Advisory Group dinner
6 November 2001Secretary of StateCoalfields Lottery conference
6 November 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingLaunch of the "Timestars" Teletext pages
6 November 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingLocal Government Association Launch of "Realising the Potential of Cultural Services"
6 November 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingBritish Video Association annual general meeting
7 November 2001Minister of State for SportBritish Casino Association annual general meeting
7 November 2001Minister of State for the ArtsEmpowering the Learning Community Steering Group meeting
8 November 2001Minister of State for the ArtsArts and Business Awards 2001 at the National Theatre
8 November 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingWestcountry Excellence Food and Tourist awards
9 November 2001Minister of State for the ArtsSociety of Chief Architects of Local Authorities (SCALA) conference
9 November 2001Minister of State for the ArtsLinbury Biennial Prizes for Stage Design at National Theatre
9 November 2001Minister of State for the ArtsLaunch of London's Living Library 2001
13 November 2001Minister of State for SportTourism Society annual dinner
13 November 2001Minister of State for the ArtsLaunch of the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Cultural Strategy
15 November 2001Minister of State for the ArtsHands On! conference at Stratford Circus Arts Centre
19 November 2001Secretary of StateChampions for Change Millennium awards
20 November 2001Secretary of StateArts and Corporate Social Responsibility seminar
20 November 2001Minister of State for SportOpening of the River Tees Watersport Centre
20 November 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and BroadcastingSouth East Tourist Board awards ceremony
21 November 2001Secretary of StateLaunch of English Heritage annual report
21 November 2001Minister of State for SportBusiness in Sport and Leisure annual conference
21 November 2001Minister of State for the ArtsSkillset annual awards
21 November 2001Minister of State for the ArtsLaunch of Gateway to the South Bank public art project
22 November 2001Secretary of StateForeign Press Association lunch
22 November 2001Secretary of StateCelebration of the Age Concern Millennium awards
22 November 2001Secretary of State"Switzerland Lights Up Tate Modern"
24 November 2001Secretary of StateAnnual Congress of Athletics
25 November 2001Secretary of StateShakespeare Schools Drama Festival Showcase at Duke of York's Theatre
26 November 2001Secretary of StateInstitute of Public Policy Research lecture
27 November 2001Secretary of StateCommunity Media Association annual festival
27 November 2001Secretary of StateBritish Art Market Federation anniversary dinner
27 November 2001Minister of State for the ArtsArtsmark Awards for London Schools
28 November 2001Minister of State for SportCentral Council for Physical Recreation annual conference
29 November 2001Minister of State for SportInstitute of Sports Medicine annual awards
30 November 2001Minister of State for the ArtsNational Literacy Trust annual conference
30 November 2001Minister of State for SportArts and Business: New Partners reception
3 December 2001Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting"Broadband Britain—the Content Challenge" conference
4 December 2001Secretary of StateLaunch of Spirit of Friendship Festival
4 December 2001Minister of State for SportSport England national conference on Sport and Regeneration

12 Dec 2001 : Column: 909W


Next Section Index Home Page