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21 May 2003 : Column 879W—continued

Starter Homes Initiative

Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) teachers, (b) police officers, (c) nurses and health workers and (d) others have been assisted through the Starter Homes initiative (i) in each local authority area and (ii) by each Government office of the region since 31 January. [112763]

Mr. McNulty: As at 31 March 2003, 2,678 key workers had purchased homes with Starter Home Initiative assistance that they would otherwise have been unable to afford. This compares with 2,011 at the end of January. A table setting out, by region and local authority area in which the key workers are employed, the number of key workers in each group that have benefited so far is available in the Library of the House.

Urban Renewal (West Yorkshire)

Mr. Bill O'Brien: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received over the implementation of the urban renewal development in the West Yorkshire Region; and if he will make a statement. [113002]

Mr. McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not received any representations regarding urban renewal development in West Yorkshire.

The Regional Development Agency (RDA)—Yorkshire Forward—is currently in discussion with partners in West Yorkshire on the level of RDA support for priorities in the West Yorkshire sub-regional action plan. One of the key priorities is to support urban renaissance for economic growth. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is satisfied the RDA and its partners recognise the important role urban renewal plays in economic development. This is reflected in the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Economic Strategy.

21 May 2003 : Column 880W

PRIME MINISTER

KPMG

Mr. Kilfoyle: To ask the Prime Minister how many contracts have been awarded by his Government to KPMG since 1997. [113693]

The Prime Minister: Contracts for Government work are awarded within a policy and legal framework which requires the process to be fair and objective and deliver value for money. However, responsibility for any contract rests with the individual Department concerned. Information for the Government as a whole is therefore not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Nadhmi Auchi

Norman Lamb: To ask the Prime Minister when he was first informed of the international arrest warrant against Mr. Nadhmi Auchi. [112868]

The Prime Minister: This was dealt with by the Home Office.

Norman Lamb: To ask the Prime Minister for what reason Lord Sainsbury presented Mr. Nadhmi Auchi with a painting of the House on behalf of the Prime Minister in 1999; and if he will make a statement. [112873]

The Prime Minister: The presentation of the painting, which was signed by the leaders of the three main political parties as well as a large number of Members of Parliament from all sides, was not carried out on my behalf. I understand from Lord Sainsbury that he presented it in a personal capacity and that at the event members of the three main parties were also present.

Norman Lamb: To ask the Prime Minister how many times he has met Mr. Nadhmi Auchi officially since 1997; where these meetings took place; who was present; when they took place; what the substance of these discussions was; how many times he has spoken to Mr. Nadhmi Auchi by telephone since 1997; and what was discussed on each occasion. [112867]

The Prime Minister: I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings under exemptions 2 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

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