| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
War Pensions
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he will take to inform ex-servicemen demobbed in 1952 of entitlement to war benefit; and if he will make a statement. [70560]
Dr. Moonie: The Veterans Agency already undertakes a significant amount of publicity to raise awareness about war pensions. It does not however target ex-servicemen demobbed in any particular year.
The Agency issues a range of information leaflets and posters to a number of different outlets such as post offices, regimental museums, GP surgeries and works closely with ex-service organisations. In addition the Veterans Agency website contains comprehensive information and the War Pensioners Welfare Service holds advice days and surgeries using a mobile advice unit to access more remote areas.
18 Jul 2002 : Column 494W
There are no time limits for claiming a war pension but the onus is and always has been on the individual to make a claim.
Future Offensive Air Strategy
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Government intend to build new aircraft to fulfil the manned aircraft element of the future offensive air strategy; and if he will make a statement. [70626]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 17 July 2002]: The future offensive air system is currently in the concept phase with a planned in service date of around 2017. We are currently looking at a potential mix of platforms including long range cruise missiles, uninhabited air combat vehicles and manned aircraft. No final decisions have been taken on the solution.
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the X-45 in order to fulfil the requirements of the unmanned element of the future offensive air strategy; and if he will make a statement. [70627]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 17 July 2002]: We are at the early stages of evaluating ways in which unmanned aircraft could contribute to our future offensive air system (FOAS) capability. As part of our continuing dialogue with United States colleagues, we have discussed the X-45 vehicle. But we have made no formal assessment of the X-45; and nor have we yet taken any decisions about developing or acquiring specific unmanned aircraft in relation to FOAS.
Predator
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government intend to buy Predator; and if he will make a statement. [70669]
Dr. Moonie: Under the Watchkeeper programme we are considering how tactical unmanned aerial vehicles can enhance our reconnaissance and imagery intelligence capabilities. Four industry consortia have proposed a range of system solutions (both air vehicles and ground segment elements). The Predator air vehicle is a part of one of these solutions.
We intend later this year to select two potential solutions for more detailed assessment. Our aim is to select a single preferred solution by the end of 2003.
International Security Assistance Force
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with his Turkish counterpart concerning the duration of the Turkish armed forces' lead of ISAF; and if he will make a statement. [71034]
Mr. Hoon: I have not had discussions on this subject with my Turkish counterpart, although I did discuss the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) with its Commander, Major General Zorlu of the Turkish Army, when I met him recently in Kabul. UN Security Council Resolution 1413 authorised ISAF to continue operations in Kabul for another six months from 20 June 2002 under Turkey's leadership. It is too early to say what might happen after that.
18 Jul 2002 : Column 495W
Joint Strike Fighter
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Israeli Government about their interest in the Joint Strike Fighter. [70165]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 16 July 2002]: There have been no discussions with the Israeli Government about the Joint Strike Fighter.
Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to seek an in-flight vectoring capability from Joint Strike Fighters. [70166]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 16 July 2002]: No. We are not planning to seek an in-flight thrust vectoring capability for any variant of the Joint Strike Fighter.
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Dance
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to improve community access to participation in dance; and if she will make a statement. [67678]
Dr. Howells: In order to provide a full answer, we have contacted the Arts Council of England to request the information required, and my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for the Arts will write to my hon. Friend as soon as it is available, placing copies of her letter in the Libraries of both Houses.
Communications Bill
Mr. Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make it her policy in the forthcoming Communications Bill to extend Ofcom's proposed duty to promote equal employment opportunities for disabled people in the broadcasting industry to the (a) telecommunications and (b) internet industries, and work connected with these services. [68306]
Dr. Howells: The EC Directives limit the conditions which can be attached to the provision of electronic networks and services. The permitted categories would not provide a basis for imposing any such controls.
Arts Council
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Arts Council of England and each Regional Arts Board have spent on (a) legal
18 Jul 2002 : Column 496W
fees, (b) fees for consultants and change managers, (c) redundancy, retention and bonus payments and (d) other costs of stress reduction during the financial year 2001–02; and if she will make a statement. [68345]
Dr. Howells: The following table outlines expenditure by the Arts Council of England and Regional Arts Boards on (a) legal fees, (b) fees for consultants and change managers and (d) other costs of stress reduction during the financial year 2001–02:
| Expenditure 2001–02 | Arts Council of England | Regional Arts Board |
|---|---|---|
| Legal fees | 679,114 | 137,784 |
| Fees for consultants and change managers | 853,319 | 0 |
| Redundancy, retention and bonus payments | 0 | 0 |
| Other costs of stress reduction | 51,834 | 10,000 |
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Arts Council will produce a business plan that will display the costs and benefits of the change process for the three years 2001–04; and if she will make a statement. [68348]
Dr. Howells: The Arts Council of England has been asked to develop a plan to evaluate the costs and benefits emerging from the restructuring of the organisation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked for a progress report on the development of this plan by the autumn.
Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the work on branding the new Arts Council will be completed; how much will be paid to Wolff Olins for this work; and if she will make a statement. [68347]
Dr. Howells: This is a matter for the Arts Council of England. I understand it is working towards a completion date later in the year. £73,700 in fees and £7,674 in associated costs have been paid to Wolff Olins for work being carried out on the brand.
Public Consultation
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by her Department since 8 June 2001. [68743]
Dr. Howells: The following table indicates the length of each public consultation carried out by the Department since 8 June 2001.
18 Jul 2002 : Column 497W
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |