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Transatlantic Air Services

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 June 2002, Official Report, column 860, how many meetings have taken place between the UK and US Governments since 1 February to discuss liberalisation of transatlantic air services; when the meetings took place; when the next meeting is scheduled; who was present at the meeting; and what the outcome was of the discussion. [64322]

The Prime Minister: Further to the answer I gave at Prime Minister's questions I would like to outline the nature of the contacts made regarding this issue. It is right that we are keen to liberalise the US-UK air services agreement, but only on the basis that the terms are right and fair. Contact has continued to take place at official level. Ministerial discussions were conducted last year, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Transport discussed it with the American Administration in January. I have asked the Secretary of State for Transport to review all the options and consider the best way forward to restart the discussions formally.

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WALES

Departmental Expenditure Limit

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 2002–03 had been spent by 31 May; what the figures were for 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [61004]

Mr. Paul Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer he received from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 130W.

Public Service Agreement Targets

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the (a) cost and (b) saving from the pursuit of the Department's Public Service Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced. [61045]

Mr. Paul Murphy: My Department does not have a Public Service Agreement.

Broadband

Mr. Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what targets he has set for the roll out of broadband services; and if he will make a statement. [61798]

Mr. Paul Murphy: The Government have set a target for the UK to have the most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005. We have not set any specific targets relating to broadband in Wales as these are a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

Grants

Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which organisations and outside bodies which were in receipt of grant in 1997–98 are no longer; what the annual saving is (a) individually and (b) in aggregate; which organisations and outside bodies which were not in receipt of grant in 1997–98 now are; and what the annual cost is (i) individually and (ii) in aggregate. [62043]

Mr. Paul Murphy: My Department came into existence in 1999 and makes no grant payments (other than to the National Assembly for Wales). It is a matter for the Assembly whether to continue or discontinue grants made by the former Welsh Office prior to 1 July 1999.

Royal Prerogative

Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what decisions have been made by his Department in the last year under authority from the Royal Prerogative. [63140]

Mr. Paul Murphy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 182W.

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 Change of Category of Maintained Schools (Wales) Regulations; [63263]

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


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