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Congestion Charges (Exemptions)

Mr. Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for Transport exemption for firefighters from London's congestion charges; [63180]

Mr. Raynsford: No. The Government's position on national exemptions from congestion charges remains as that set out in our response to the 'Breaking the Logjam' consultation in 1999.

Congestion charging in London is a matter for the Mayor, not the Government.

Summit Communiqués

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the communiqués that were issued by the Governments of the UK and Ireland following the summit meetings on (a) the environment and (b) drugs policy. [63431]

The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State (Mr. Prescott): I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford (Mr. Davies) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 47W.

The British-Irish Council met at summit level in Jersey on 14 June 2002 and I have placed the communiqué from that summit in the Libraries of the House.

CABINET OFFICE

Advertising

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much was spent on press and advertising campaigns in 2001–02; and what the planned expenditure is for 2002–03. [60908]

Mr. Alexander: The Cabinet Office spend on advertising in 2001–02 was £2,691,000. This includes £2,491,000 incurred by the Office of the e-Envoy for the UK online advertising campaign in November 2001 and January 2002, offering help to people wanting to use the internet.

The 2001–02 Resource Account is undergoing final adjustments and awaiting audit. As a result, the figure quoted is subject to change.

The information requested for planned advertising expenditure for 2002–03 is not currently available. Budgets will be finalised shortly.

WALES

Training (Aberporth)

Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to (a) ELWA

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and (b) QinetiQ about finding new funding for the training scheme at Aberporth; and if he will make a statement. [55062]

Mr. Paul Murphy: I met representatives of ELWA and QinetiQ on 8 April to discuss the future of training provision at Aberporth.

QinetiQ and ELWA are working together to explore a number of possibilities for continuation of training at the site. These include the possibility of forming partnerships with industry, with other colleges or universities and the use of Objective One funding. I understand that the WDA is developing proposals for an incubator facility at the Aberporth technology park and that WDA and ELWA are considering how this might be integrated with the training facility.

Departmental Reports

Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many Wales Office departmental reports were returned and destroyed in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002. [63107]

Mr. Paul Murphy: The Stationery Office does not keep records of the number of copies which were returned and destroyed because it is not cost-effective for them to do so.

Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many Wales Office departmental reports were given away free in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002. [63108]

Mr. Paul Murphy: In those years the Wales Office received 350, 300 and 300 copies of its departmental reports for use within the Department and distribution to those with an interest in it (for example, Welsh MPs and other Government Departments).

Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many Wales Office departmental reports were printed in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002. [63106]

Mr. Paul Murphy: The numbers of Wales Office departmental reports printed in each of those years is a commercial decision for The Stationery Office.

MPs (Personal Data)

Mr. Forth: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information is held by his 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. [61830]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Ministers and officials in this Department have access to published reference sources, as well as to the information about hon. Members made publicly available by the House authorities, for the purpose of parliamentary business.

Broadband

Mr. Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the benefits of access to broadband services for Wales; and if he will make a statement. [61797]

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Mr. Paul Murphy: The Government believe that rapid roll-out and adoption of broadband across the UK is important to both their social and economic objectives.

The Welsh Development Agency commissioned a report on the availability of advanced broadband telecommunications in Wales. The report highlighted the need for widespread access to information and communications technology, as it is becoming increasingly important in today's society, as an essential enabler of economic growth, social inclusion and efficient public sector services.

Staff Numbers

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff were employed by his Department on (a) 2 May 1997 and (b) 31 May 2002. [60931]

Mr. Paul Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State (Cabinet Office) on 13 June 2002, Official Report, column 1402W.

Delegated Legislation

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the cost-effectiveness of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Amendment) (No. 7) (Wales) Order; [62725]

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Mr. Paul Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 18 June 2002, Official Report, column 316.

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