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12 Dec 2002 : Column 462W—continued
Correspondence
David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall, North of 29 October 2002, regarding a constituent. [86874]
Margaret Hodge: I replied today to the hon. Member's letter of 29 October on 5 December 2002.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
River Nile
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her officials have had with representatives of (a) British water companies and (b) Water UK on water retention around the Nile basin. [86755]
Clare Short: DFID have not held discussions with UK companies specifically on the Nile Basin. However, DFID is also supporting a range of initiatives to encourage private sector involvement to improve access to water and sanitation, while ensuring that services are provided at an affordable price to the poor.
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the governments of those countries through which the River Nile flows on effecting a common policy towards water use. [86754]
Clare Short: DFID has agreed to support the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), which encompasses the 10 riparian countries in a programme of dialogue and benefit sharing for the protection and development of the waters of the Nile. DFID has joined World bank facilitated discussions with riparian countries and a number of bilateral donors. DFID has pledged #3.3 million in support of NBI.
St. Helena
Mr. John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her timetable is for airport development on St. Helena; what the prospects are for private sector co-funding; and whether decisions will have been made by 1 July 2003. [86488]
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Clare Short: The St. Helena Government, with our assistance, intends to invite proposals for private sector involvement. The future timetable should become clearer early next year.
TREASURY
Terrorism (Insurance)
12. Mr. Lloyd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of insurance against acts of terrorism. [85259]
Dawn Primarolo: We have looked carefully at issues for the insurance market following the appalling attacks of 11 September 2001. Following a review the Pool Re scheme is being extended to enable insurers to offer terrorism insurance for commercial property damage and business interruption against a wider range of risks.
Community Amateur Sports Clubs
13. Mr. Reed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many sports clubs have successfully applied for tax exemptions for Community Amateur Sports Clubs. [85260]
John Healey: As at 29 November 2002,476 clubs had applied for registration with the Inland Revenue as community amateur sports clubs.
Of those, 164 had so far been registered. A list of registered clubs is published on the Inland Revenue website, and is updated on a monthly basis.
Poverty
14. Mr. Tom Harris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the role of the Treasury in pressing for co-ordinated international action to tackle world poverty. [85261]
John Healey: In discussions with fellow finance ministers, the IMF and the World Bank, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is championing a new International Finance Facility (IFF) to finance the investment needed to tackle world poverty. The EU and US have pledged $50 billion that is needed to reach the Millennium Development Goals.
In addition, the Treasury continues to work with DfiD and No. 10 to press our international partners to follow UK's lead on:
- Aid effectiveness
- Additional debt relief
- G8 Africa action plan
- Improving contribution of aid to improvements in health and education
Voluntary Sector
16. Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to support voluntary sector organisations. [85264]
John Healey: The Government are committed to supporting the work of voluntary and community organisations. Following the cross cutting review of the role of the voluntary and community sector in service
12 Dec 2002 : Column 464W
delivery, the Spending Review 2002 settlement for the Active Community Unit is #188 million and an additional #125 million has been allocated for futurebuilders. Following recent Budget changes, including the Budget 2000 Getting Britain Giving tax package, the value of tax incentives for charities are now worth around #2 billion a year. The Strategy Unit is consulting on improving the legal and regulatory framework for the sector, and the Chancellor and Home Secretary recently published a discussion document setting out how the Government intend to continue to promote a culture of giving and volunteering.
New Towns
17. Mr. Pickthall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury was consulted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister before the Office's response to the Transport, Local Government and the Regions Committee's Report, the New Towns: Their Problems and Future. [85265]
Mr. Boateng: The response was cleared collectively across Government in the normal way.
Mapeley Steps Contactor Ltd.
18. Mr. Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met the director of Mapeley Steps Contactor Ltd. to discuss the maintenance of accommodation occupied by Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise. [85266]
Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise are responsible for the accommodation they occupy under the contract with Mapeley for serviced accommodation. The Chancellor has, therefore, not met the directors to discuss these matters.
Euro
19. Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the #/euro exchange rate. [85267]
Ruth Kelly: The Government do not comment on day-to-day movements in the exchange rate.
Competitiveness
20. Mr. Swire: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he received in advance of the pre-Budget report on Government policy and UK competitiveness; and if he will make a statement. [85268]
John Healey: The Chancellor meets regularly with representatives of industry to discuss a wide range of issues, including the pre-Budget report.
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PBR 2002 continues the Government's programme of microeconomic reform, targeting historic weakness in the key drivers of productivity performance:
- Strengthening the competition regime through the Enterprise Act
Promoting enterprise by modernising the UK's business tax regime, and promoting an entrepreneurial culture
Supporting science and innovation through the Government's comprehensive science strategy, and announcing two complementary reviews into business innovation and university-business links
Improving UK skills through measures to support the expansion and improvement of the Modern Apprenticeship scheme, and by expanding the employer training pilots to improve work force skills
Promoting investment by reforming the planning system.
21.
Ruth Kelly: I refer my hon. Friend to the comments made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at Treasury oral questions on 7 November 2002, Official Report, columns 413–16.
Mr. Brazier : To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he received in advance of the pre-Budget report from members of the manufacturing industry regarding competitiveness. [85275]
John Healey: The Chancellor meets regularly with representatives of manufacturing industry to discuss a wide range of issues, including the pre-Budget report.
The pre-Budget report confirms the Government's agenda to promote productivity, growth and employment. The Government are demonstrating their support for manufacturers by:
- Making enhanced investment allowances for small and medium sized firms permanent.
Providing R&D tax credits to all companies, which will overwhelmingly benefit manufacturers, who undertake most of the UK's business R&D.
Creating venture capital funds in every English region providing #270 million (including up to #8 million of Government funding) for investment in small firms with high growth potential.
Establishing the Small Business Service to ensure that the interests and concerns of small firms are properly reflected in Government policy and programmes.
Strengthening the Regional Development Agencies (RDA), whose key role is promoting business efficiency, investment and competitiveness.
Establishing regional centres of manufacturing excellence in every region of England and Wales.
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