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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 16 May 2002
NORTHERN IRELAND
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Mr. Cawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the budget is for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for the financial year 2002–03. [57782]
Mr. Browne: The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has a budget of £1.2 million for the year 2002–03. The Northern Ireland Office will continue to consider seriously, against other pressures on its resources, bids for increased funding, provided they are supported by an appropriate business case.
Mr. Cawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the Government's response to the recommendations made by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission under section 69(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. [57780]
Mr. Browne: I have today laid copies of the Government's draft response in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. The Government are publishing the document for consultation to allow others to have their say. Comments are being sought by 16 August 2002.
Mr. Cawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what level of remuneration is paid to members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and what time commitment is required of them. [57781]
Mr. Browne: Part-time members of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission are expected to spend four to five days each month on Commission duties. From the Commission's establishment in 1999, Commissioners have received £8,000 per year for this work. With effect from 1 April 2002, this rate will increase to £10,000 per year.
CHURCH COMMISSIONERS
Register of Interests
Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, for what reason the register of interests relating to the Church Commissioners is not available for public inspection; and if he will make a statement [55477]
Mr. Bell: The Church Commissioners' Board of Governors introduced a register of interests in June 2000 in line with good practice. It is available for
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inspection on request by MPs, Government officials, members of the Church of England's General Synod and Commissioners and other committee members, reflecting the Commissioners' accountability to the Church and Parliament. Its operation and availability will stay under review.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
UNESCO
Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department takes the lead in policies connected with UK membership of UNESCO; and if she will make a statement concerning co-operation with other Government Departments in this matter. [56336]
Clare Short: My Department is the sponsoring Department for UK relations with UNESCO. It pays the UK's share of UNESCO's assessed budget. The Government's top priority for UNESCO is the achievement of the millennium development goals for education. We co-ordinate closely and regularly with other UK Government Departments and with the parallel Departments in the devolved Administrations with an interest in UNESCO's work.
Temporary Staff
Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost to her Department was of employing staff in (a) London and (b) the south east from employment agencies in each year since 1997. [56512]
Clare Short: The information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Global Environmental Facility
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much assistance the Government have given to the Global Environmental Facility in each of the last five years. [56658]
Clare Short: The UK has provided the following financial assistance to the Global Environmental Facility:
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 14.2 |
| 1998–99 | 8.6 |
| 1999–2000 | 10.92 |
| 2000–01 | 14.58 |
| 2001–02 | 18.42 |
Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries have received assistance from the Global Environmental Facility in each of the last five years; and how much they received. [56659]
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Clare Short: The figures are as follows:
Notes:
1. This list excludes the regional and global projects
2. The GEF fiscal year ends 30 June
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