---

Sports Action Zones

Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to establish another round of sports action zones; and if she will make a statement. [57923]

Mr. Caborn: Sport England has now begun the process of designating a further 18 Sport Action Zones. To ensure that the most needy areas of the country are supported in

21 May 2002 : Column 252W

developing bids, regional development teams have been established in each region to oversee the submission of bids and to ensure that decision making is kept as close to local communities as possible. Each team will be taking a strategic view of its region's needs and will encourage and facilitate bids where realistic and discouraging those less so.

Explicit criteria against which bids will be assessed have been established that, among other things, will ensure that there will be at least one action zone in each region and that there will be zones of similar types to enable comparisons to be made. The factors which will be taken into account in designating the new zones will be the degree of deprivation and sporting need, the partnership arrangements and the presence of other complimentary initiatives in the area. Bidding for Action Zone designation is in two stages with the first stage due to be completed by 3 July and the second stage by 20 November leading to final decisions by Sport England by February 2003.

Pensions

Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by her Department on paying pensions to retired employees of her Department in 2001–02; if she will estimate the corresponding amounts to be spent in (a) five years' time, (b) 10 years' time, (c) 20 years' time and (d) 30 years' time; if she will estimate in each case the proportion of such liabilities which will arise from (i) unfunded pension schemes and (ii) pre-funded pension schemes; and in the case of pre-funded schemes, if she will estimate the value of the corresponding pre-funded funds in each of these years. [57360]

Mr. Caborn [holding answer 20 May 2002]: Civil servants are eligible for membership of an occupational pension scheme. The Cabinet Office is responsible for this occupational pension scheme—the principal civil service pension scheme (PCSPS), and pays the pensions of retired members of the scheme centrally.

English Heritage

Ms Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she intends to publish the report of the quinquennial review of English Heritage. [58525]

Dr. Howells: My right hon. and noble Friend Baroness Blackstone yesterday placed in the Libraries of both Houses copies of the report of the quinquennial review of English Heritage. The report is also available on-line at the DCMS website www.culture.gov.uk. The report affirms the value of English Heritage and its statutory functions. It also highlights a number of areas which need further work, in particular reviews of English Heritage's:

(1) property management function including consideration of alternative options for the management of its properties;

(2) national, regional and local roles leading to a new structure which will equip the organisation to deliver its statutory and leadership responsibilities in a cost-effective and consistent manner;

(3) research programme leading to the adoption of a targeted strategy linked to priorities for the sector as a whole.

21 May 2002 : Column 253W

English Heritage already has much work under way as part of its modernisation programme. My right hon. and noble Friend has therefore asked them to integrate the review's findings and recommendations into the process. DCMS and other interested Departments will work closely with English Heritage to ensure that the recommendations in the report are implemented quickly.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Convention on the Future of Europe

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the allocated budget is for entertainment for the Praesidium of the Convention on the Future of Europe; what representations he has made thereon; and if he will make a statement. [57896]

Peter Hain: Of the Convention's euro 10.5 million (approximately £6.49 million) budget (which includes administrative costs and travel expenses), euro 150,000 (approximately £92,700) has been set aside for 'representational expenses'. An inter-institutional agreement provides for regular reports on expenditure of the Convention to be provided to the institutions, including the Council.

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on his policy within the discussions on the Convention on the Future of Europe as concerns development of (a) the Common Defence Policy, with particular reference to existing provisions for possible development of communal defence, (b) Justice and Home Affairs matters, (c) the Common Foreign Policy, (d) extension of qualified majority voting, (e) repatriation of powers, (f) the establishment of a set determination of powers and (g) extension of Social Chapter material; [57884]

(2) if he will make a statement on his policy on discussions on (a) environmental issues, (b)(i) incorporation and (ii) extension of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, (c) treaty simplification, (d) introducing sunset clauses into EU legislation, (e) common fisheries policy, (f) common agricultural policy, (g) the role of national Parliaments, (h) implementation and development of subsidiarity, (i) fiscal harmonisation, (j) employment law, (k) education, (l) culture, (m) budgetary control, (n) election of Commissioners and (o) ratification through referendums in the Convention on the Future of Europe. [57861]

Peter Hain: We are in the early days of the Future of Europe Convention, which is currently in a 'listening phase'. Our overall objective is an EU which is better understood, more democratic and which delivers the benefits out citizens expect. Details of Convention discussions can be found at www.european-convention.eu.int.

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals he is seeking to include for discussion at the Convention on the Future of Europe for increased parliamentary participation in the legislative programme at European level. [57915]

21 May 2002 : Column 254W

Peter Hain: The Laeken Declaration noted the contribution of national Parliaments to the legitimacy of the European project. We wish to promote open debate about how this might be achieved.

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's planned role in publicising the (a) activities, (b) conclusions and (c) variety of opinions of the Convention on the Future of Europe. [57903]

Peter Hain: Discussions and all official documents of the Future of Europe Convention are in the public domain. Progress can be followed, and submitted documents can be consulted, via the Convention's website (http://european-convention.eu.int). The FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk) also provides information on the Future of Europe.

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has (a) made and (b) received on the establishment of an agenda for discussions at the Convention on the Future of Europe. [57914]

Peter Hain: The Laeken Declaration, agreed by Heads of State and Government of all the member states, convened the Future of Europe Convention and established its agenda—"to consider the key issues arising for the Union's future development and try to identify the various possible responses".

European Union Institute for Security Studies

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of the European Union Institute for Security Studies. [57867]

Mr. Bradshaw: The European Union's Institute of Security Studies' main responsibility is to conduct academic research and analysis on issues related to the Common Foreign and Security Policy. Specifically, it produces and commissions research papers and arranges seminars. The Institute maintains a network of exchanges with other research institutes and think-tanks both inside and outside the European Union.

Eurozone

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) which states applying to join the EU have indicated (a) willingness and (b) desire for an opt-out, with respect to accession to the Eurozone; [57883]

(2) if he will make a statement on the obligations of applicant EU states with regard to accession to the Eurozone upon attaining membership. [57902]

Peter Hain: A candidate is not required to adopt the euro before acceding to the EU. Rather, upon accession, new EU member states will be granted a derogation from the adoption of the euro. Candidates have agreed to aim towards the adoption of the euro as an eventual objective and no candidate has requested an opt-out.

---