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29 Jan 2003 : Column 914W—continued
Magistrates Courts
Mr. Hawkins : To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates courts have closed since May 1997. [87644]
Yvette Cooper : Decisions about magistrates court closures are made by independent Magistrates Courts Committees (MCCs). MCCs are not required by statute to inform the Government of court closures.
The best information indicates that the number of court closures is as follows:
| Number | |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 21 |
| 1997 | (45)21 |
| 1998 | 25 |
| 1999 | 7 |
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 33 |
| 2002 | 5 |
(45) Five before May and 16 after May.
Details are in the following table:
29 Jan 2003 : Column 916W
PRIME MINISTER
Al-Qaeda
Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what his assessment is of the likelihood that (a) Al-Qaeda, (b) other terrorist groups and (c) Iraq might carry out an attack on the United Kingdom. [93897]
The Prime Minister: The terrorist threat remains real, and serious. As recent events have shown, no country is immune from attack, and it simply is not possible to guarantee against more attacks in the future. However, this Government are resolute in their determination to defeat terrorism regardless of its source.
External Consultants
Mr. Laws: To ask the Prime Minister how much (a) his Department and (b) each agency and non-departmental public body spent on external consultancy in each year from 1995–96 to 2002–03 (planned); and if he will make a statement. [92224]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office today at column 855W.
Heritage Assets
Mr. Laws: To ask the Prime Minister what sales of heritage assets and antique assets have been made by his Department since May 1997; if he will list such assets; and if he will estimate the total sales proceeds. [92417]
29 Jan 2003 : Column 917W
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office today.
Terrorism
Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what independent advice he has received on the terrorist threat to the United Kingdom. [94037]
The Prime Minister: Advice on any terrorist threat to the UK is the responsibility of the Security Service. The Director General of the Security Service is responsible to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary for this advice, which is provided on a continuous basis. Strategic assessments about terrorist threats to the UK are provided to the Government by the Joint Intelligence Committee.
SCOTLAND
Broadband
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when she last met the Regional Broadband Unit to discuss the rollout of broadband services in Scotland. [91737]
- (2) if she will make a statement on her Department's role in how the money awarded to Scotland from the UK Broadband Fund is to be spent. [91740]
(3) if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on the development of broadband services for the benefit of (a) small businesses in rural areas and (b) consumers in rural areas. [91739]
Mrs. Liddell: The Scottish Executive is taking forward the rollout of broadband in Scotland with its strategy, 'Connecting Scotland our broadband future—Making it Happen', for accelerating and widening access, and for increasing take up across Scotland. Both the small business sector and rural consumers are recognised priorities.
Scottish interests on the UK Broadband Taskforce, previously the Regional Broadband Unit, are represented by the Executive, which also negotiates directly with the Department of Trade and Industry on awards to Scotland from the UK Broadband Fund.
Electronics Industry
Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the future viability of the Scottish electronics industry. [92291]
Mrs. Liddell: Despite the global downturn in the electronics sector, Scotland retains a number of key competitive advantages which can give confidence that the sector will continue to play a key role in the Scottish economy. We have a skilled workforce, investment in world class science and technology and an innovative business base.
Ferry Services
Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans she has to provide further financial support for ferry services between (a) Campbell town and Ballycastle and (b) Rosyth and Zeebrugge. [90390]
29 Jan 2003 : Column 918W
Mrs. Liddell: Decisions on financial support for the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry service are a matter for the Scottish Executive. I have no plans to provide financial support for the Rosyth-Zeebrugge ferry service. The Scottish Executive provided funding by means of a Freight Facilities Grant to the port operator, Forth Ports plc, for improvements to the port infrastructure at Rosyth.
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