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7 Jan 2003 : Column 55W—continued
Wind Farms
Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's objections to wind farm proposals 18 kilometres from the RAF Odiham base; and if he will make a statement. [88212]
Dr. Moonie: The Ministry of Defence deals with every wind energy proposal individually and each one is given a full and thorough appraisal by at least seven separate Technical Advisors, each with their own specialism including Radar, Low Flying, Communication Links and Met Office Radar. Changing the location by less than a mile could, in some cases, make the difference between the MOD raising an objection or not. From information supplied by the proposed developer, such an appraisal was conducted for the site near to RAF Odiham. Objections have been raised to avoid a compromise of safety.
Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the time taken by his Department to object to a proposal for a wind farm in the Nunney area in Somerset; and if he will make a statement. [88211]
Dr. Moonie: The Ministry of Defence deals with every wind energy proposal individually and each one is given a full and thorough appraisal by at least seven separate Technical Advisors, each with their own specialism including Radar, Low Flying, Communication Links and Met Office Radar. The number of proposals received, in excess of 1,000 this year compared to some 340 last year, impacts on the speed with which the experts involved are able to produce advice.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CDC Offices
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when CDC Capital Partners offices will close in each country in (a) South Asia, (b) South east Asia, (c) Africa and (d) Latin America; and whether the proposed re-organisation of CDC Capital Partners will result in job losses in (i) South Asia, (ii) South east Asia, (iii) Africa and (iv) America. [85497]
Clare Short: In the Americas region the Miami office will be closed during 2003. No other closures are planned. The proposed reorganisation of CDC may result in the creation of additional jobs in CDC's overseas offices.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much third-party capital is under the management of CDC Capital Partners, broken down by (a) investment and (b) country. [85498]
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Clare Short: The information is as follows:
| Investment | Countries | Third party capital (invested and committed) (# million) |
|---|---|---|
| CGU-CDC China Investment Company | China | 32.2 |
| South Asia Gateway Terminal | Sri Lanka | 8.1 |
| Southern Cone Power | Argentina, Chile, Peru | 52.8 |
| Aureos Capital funds | (18)— | 92.1 |
| CPU Funds | ||
| (i) South Asia Regional Fund | India | 38.8 |
| (ii) Commonwealth Africa Investments | (18)— | 30.0 |
(18) Aureos operates in Zambia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Ghana, Papua New Guinea, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. It also manages two regional funds targeting Central America and one targeting the Indian Ocean region. The Commonwealth Africa Investments Fund is invested in Tanzania, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, and Zambia.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what CDC's (a) investments and (b) disposals have been since June. [85512]
Clare Short: The value of CDC's investments and disposals since June 2002 have been:
| Month | Investments | Disposals |
|---|---|---|
| June | 21.3 | 3.1 |
| July | 4.5 | 3.1 |
| August | 1.1 | 4.5 |
| September | 7.6 | 6.4 |
| October | 5.9 | 0.9 |
| November | 22.6 | 6.0 |
| Totals | 63.0 | 24.0 |
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many CDC Capital Partners offices closed in each country in (a) South Asia, (b), South East Asia, (c) Africa and (d) Latin America since 1997; and whether office closures are anticipated in 2003. [85518]
Clare Short: Since 1997, CDC has closed one office in South Asia (Bangladesh), two offices in South East Asia (Philippines and Fiji), two offices in Africa (Malawi and Uganda) and five offices in Latin America (Peru, Mexico, Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados). It is anticipated that the Miami office will be closed in 2003.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the (a) opening and (b) running costs were of CDC Capital Partners offices operating in (i) Asia, (ii) Africa, (iii) Latin America and (iv) Central and North America in the last year for which figures are available. [85519]
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Clare Short: For last the CDC financial year, ie the calendar year 2001, (a) there were no material costs relating to the opening of CDC offices (b) the running costs for CDC's offices were: (i) Asia—#5.3 million (ii) Africa—#2.8 million (iii) Latin America—#1.4 million (iv) Central and North America—#6.4 million.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the costs are of (a) opening and (b) closing CDC offices in (i) South Asia, (ii) South East Asia, (iii) Africa and (iv) Latin America. [85611]
Clare Short: Since 1997, there have been no material costs relating to the opening of CDC offices and the costs of the closure of CDC offices have been i) in South Asia—none; ii) in South East Asia—#216,000 (awaiting confirmation about Phillippines—actual figure might be higher); iii) in Africa—#35,000; iv) in South America and Caribbean, including an estimate for closing the Miami office—#800,000.
Famine (Africa)
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when her Department received information from NGOs warning of the famine in Ethiopia; and which NGOs gave the information. [87074]
Clare Short [holding answer 16 December 2002]: There are a number of regular forums between Government, donors and NGOs around humanitarian issues in Ethiopia. The UN World Food Programme plays a key role by providing early warning and on-going assessment of needs to donors, Government and NGOs. The DFID Addis office has been closely engaged with these groups.
LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT
Hague Conference
Sir John Stanley : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether the Government will be making a contribution to the Hague Conference Supplementary Budget XLVIII (2002–2003) for the conference's continuing work on international child abduction; and if he will make a statement. [88185]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The Government will not be making a contribution towards the Hague Conference Supplementary Budget XLVIII (2002–2003). The Hague Conference Supplementary Budget came into being last year XLVII (2001–2002) when member states of the Hague Conference were invited to make a voluntary contribution towards the additional funding needed to reinforce the administration, monitoring and support for existing conventions, particularly the Children's Conventions. Last year XLVII (2001- 2002) the UK was in a position to make a voluntary contribution to the Supplementary Budget and arranged for contributions of Euro30,600.42 (England and Wales) and Euro1,601.28 (Northern Ireland) to be made over and above the standard UK contribution of Euro110,290.62. After the Netherlands the UK was the leading donor of supplemental payments during that year.
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The Hague Conference carried forward the Supplementary Budget into year XLVIII (2002–2003). Again this was based on voluntary payments since the budget had not been submitted to the Council for approval. The expected UK budgetary contribution of #117,580.65 was paid in full in early August but this year we are not in a position to make any additional voluntary payment.
The Government supports strongly the work of the Hague Conference and the expansion of its activities. The Supplementary Budget will be assumed into the standard contributions for the next financial year and the appropriate arrangements have been made to ensure that the UK will be in a position to make its full contribution.
King Edward VIII
Mrs. Ellman : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress she is making on the review of releasing the records relating to King Edward VIII. [88227]
Ms Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside to the written statement I made on 18 December 2002, Official Report, column 64W.
Parliamentary Questions
Mr. Humfrey Malins: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will answer the questions from the hon. Member for Woking of 20 November (refs.82097, 82096), on the night session at Bow Street Magistrates Court. [87998]
Yvette Cooper : The questions were answered on 16 December 2002, Official Report, column 644W.
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