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Public Library Standard 18
Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the annual cost to each London borough if they are to comply with public library standard 18. [61158]
Dr. Howells: We are monitoring the application of the public library standards through the Annual Library Planning process. Analysis of the 2001 plans shows that nearly all authorities are using the introduction of the standards to plan for improvements in the quality of their library services but that, in many cases, authorities recognise that this will require them to direct more of their budgets into their library services than hitherto. Most authorities have shown that they will need to build this into their budgets for the financial years up to 2003–04. I shall continue to monitor the ability of authorities to increase their library service budgets through the Annual Library Plan process as, in many cases, authorities have clearly stated that their ability to meet the standards by 2003–04 is dependent on increases in the library budget.
PLS 18, in common with the other public library standards, helps to define authorities' existing statutory obligations under the Public Library and Museums Act 1964 to provide library services that are comprehensive and efficient.
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Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what additional resources she has provided to local authorities with large book stocks to enable them to replenish their stocks in accordance with public library standard 18. [61157]
Dr. Howells: Funding for public libraries is provided through the Environmental Protection and Cultural Services (EPCS) block administered by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Subvention to the EPCS was increased by 4.3 per cent. for 2002–03, a real terms increase of 1.7 per cent.
PLS 18, in common with the other public library standards, helps to define authorities' existing statutory obligations under the Public Library and Museums Act 1964 to provide library services that are comprehensive and efficient.
We are monitoring the application of the public library standards through the Annual Library Planning process. Analysis of the 2001 plans shows that nearly all authorities are using the introduction of the standards to plan for improvements in the quality of their library services but that, in many cases, authorities recognise that this will require them to direct more of their budgets into their library services than hitherto. It is for library authorities to ensure that they make the right allocation of resources to ensure the provision of a comprehensive and efficient service within the meaning of the Act.
Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact of public library standard 18 on levels of book stocks. [61159]
Dr. Howells: The public library standards have been introduced over a three year period, 2001–04, and, although we are monitoring the application of the standards each year through the Annual Library Planning process, it will not be possible to obtain an accurate picture of the impact of PLS 18 on stock levels until the end of 2003–04.
The public library standards help to define authorities' existing statutory obligations under the Public Library and Museums Act 1964 to provide library services that are comprehensive and efficient.
Stationery
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by her Department on stationery in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99, (e) 1999–2000, (f) 2000–01 and (g) 2001–02; what suppliers were used in each of those years, and how much was spent per supplier; what tender processes were undertaken, and what the frequency was of the processes; and if she will make a statement. [61380]
Dr. Howells: Before 1998–99 no record was kept of the cost of specific office supplies such as stationery. The cost of stationery, in 1998–99 was £130,000, in 1999–2000 £136,000, in 2000–01 it was £128,000 and in 2001–02 £101,000. Stationery is purchased from a single supplier to achieve best value from volume purchasing. Contracts for the supply of goods and services are all subject to competitive tender and those for the supply of goods are normally for a period of three years, the last commencing in April 2001.
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Inter-departmental Group on Sport
Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will place copies of the minutes of the Inter-Departmental Group on Sport in the Library. [61291]
Dr. Howells: The inter-ministerial group brings together Departments and other related bodies with an interest in sport. The group was set up so those attending could raise issues and float ideas in the knowledge that their contributions would remain confidential. To publish the minutes would inhibit the discussions and reduce the effectiveness of the group. I do not, therefore, intend to place the minutes of the group in the Library.
Fair Trade
Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what work her Department will be undertaking to help promote the launch of the new universal fair trade mark later this year. [61756]
Dr. Howells: The Department for Culture Media and Sport has no specific plans in respect of the launch of the mark but encourages all sponsored bodies, where the opportunities to further the aims of fair trade are greater, to provide support by using and marketing fair trade goods and promoting the trade mark.
Overseas Visitors
Mr. Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of visitors to the UK from overseas (a) during the last three months and (b) in the same period, in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2001. [62062]
Dr. Howells: Data are collected in terms of visits rather than visitors. These are shown in the table.
| Number (million) | |
|---|---|
| (a) | |
| February to April 2002 | 5.3 |
| (b) | |
| (i) February to April 2001 | 5.3 |
| (ii) February to April 2000 | 5.6 |
Source:
International Passenger Survey, Office for National Statistics
Broadband
Mr. Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what estimate she has made of the costs of ensuring that internet access in public libraries is broadband enabled; and if she will make a statement; [61805]
- (2) what targets she has set for the roll out of broadband services in public libraries; and if she will make a statement. [61806]
Dr. Howells: £100 million of lottery funding has been invested in ICT technical infrastructure and equipment to create a network of ICT learning centres in more than 4,000 public libraries across the UK. The programme is on target to connect all public libraries to the internet, wherever practical, by the end of 2002, and based on the
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information we have received from local authorities we estimate that around 90 per cent. of these libraries will have broadband connections of 2 Mb or more. It is not possible to disaggregate the cost of providing broadband access to libraries, since it is the policy of many local authorities to procure broadband connectivity across the range of local services.
Ministerial Meetings
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which Ministers and officials had meetings with representatives of (a) the Confederation of British Industry, (b) the Engineering Employees Federation, and (c) the Engineering Marine Training Authority during the last year; who they met; and what the subjects and outcomes of their discussions were. [62203]
Mr. Caborn: My ministerial colleagues and I have met many representatives from industry in the course of our duties since 8 June 2001 as part of the process of policy development and analysis. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and Guidance for Civil Servants: Contacts with Lobbyists. Some of these discussions take place on a confidential basis, and in order to preserve this confidentiality, it is not the normal practice of Government to release details of specific meetings with private individuals, organisations or companies.
Members of Parliament (Personal Data)
Mr. Forth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what information is held by her Department on each hon. Member in relation to (a) personal relationships, both current and past, (b) financial status and dealings, (c) connections with companies and interest groups, (d) connections with Governments and (e) published works; and what was held in January 2002. [61835]
Dr. Howells: My Department holds no such information, nor was any such information held in January 2002.
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