House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 1 Jul 2003 (pt 21)

1 Jul 2003 : Column 256W—continued

Government Reshuffle

Mr. Redwood: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the address is of the London office of (a) the Wales office, (b) the Scotland office and (c) the Department for Constitutional Affairs. [121475]

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Mr. Leslie: The Wales Office continues to occupy Gwydyr House, Whitehall SW1A 2ER. The Scotland Office continues to occupy Dover House, Whitehall SW1A 2AU. The Department for Constitutional Affairs has its principal headquarters buildings at Selbourne House, 56–60 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QW and Southside, 105 Victoria Street, SW1E 6QT.

Hearing Difficulties (Courthouses)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the provisions for those with hearing difficulties in courthouses in Northern Ireland. [121919]

Mr. Leslie: The Northern Ireland Court Service is complying with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. In support of this, the Court Service commissioned an independent Survey Report of the court estate and has developed a programme of work that includes the provision of induction loop systems throughout the court estate. Currently, induction loop systems have been installed in the principal courtrooms at 13 locations with similar facilities scheduled for installation at the seven remaining court venues by 1 October 2003. All new court buildings are fitted with induction loop systems as standard. The Northern Ireland Court Service also arranges for the provision of interpreters for deaf and hearing impaired litigants and witnesses in all court proceedings.

Immigration Appeal Tribunal

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to his answer of 18 June 2003, Official Report, column 274W, on the Immigration Appeal Tribunal, how many (a) groups, (b) individuals and (c) organisations have been consulted on his proposals; when he last met the Chief Adjudicator to discuss his proposals; and what representations he has received following the announcement on legislative proposals made by the Government on 22 May 2003. [121890]

Mr. Lammy: As stated in my reply of 18 June 2003, Official Report, column 274W, we are currently developing detailed proposals for the creation of a single tier. Before finalising these proposals, I will take steps to seek the views of interested parties. As for representations received since the Government's announcement on 22 May 2003, the Chairman of the Select Committee on the Lord Chancellor's Department wrote to the Secretary of State on 20 June 2003 in connection with the handling of the announcement.

Judicial Appointments Commission

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what research the Department has commissioned on the creation of a Judicial Appointments Committee. [120831]

Mr. Leslie: The Department for Constitutional Affairs commissioned and received research on the use of Judicial Appointments Commissions in foreign jurisdictions. This research was published under the title "Judicial Appointments Commissions: the European and North American experiences and the possible

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implications for the United Kingdom" [Drs. Thomas and Malleson, LCD Research Series 06/97]. A copy is in the House of Commons Library.

National Assembly for Wales

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) on what dates his Department has held meetings with the Commission on the Powers and Electoral Arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales; [122976]

Peter Hain: I am replying. As Secretary of State for Wales, I have lead responsibility for the Government's dealings with the Commission on the Powers and Electoral Arrangements of the National Assembly for Wales. In that capacity I submitted a memorandum to the Commission on behalf of the government and gave oral evidence to it on 13 March 2003.

Works of Art

Pete Wishart: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the works of art held on loan by the Lord Chancellor's Department on Wednesday 11 June by value; and if he will make a statement on his plans for the acquisition of further such works by his Department. [122327]

Mr. Lammy: There were no works of art on loan to the Lord Chancellor's Department (as it was) on 11 June, and this remains the position.

Forty-one works of art on loan to the Palace of Westminster are located within the Official Residence of the Lord Chancellor, as the Speaker of the House of Lords, and the offices currently occupied by the Department for Constitutional Affairs within the Palace of Westminster. The value, and the arrangements for the loan of these works, is a matter for the Palace of Westminster authorities who deal exclusively with the loan of works of art within the Palace.

The Department currently has no plans for the acquisition of such works.

WALES

Asbestos

Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what actions his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are taking to comply with the requirements of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002; whether he has made an estimate of the cost of the compliance; and if he will make a statement. [118847]

Peter Hain: The Wales Office arranged for a complete asbestos survey in 2002 subsequently, all the recommendations of the survey have been undertaken. Therefore the Wales Office is compliant with the 2002 regulations.

The Wales Office does not have any agencies or non-departmental public bodies.

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The cost to the office is approximately £1,300.

Departmental Website

Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the actions he (a) has taken and (b) is taking to ensure that the websites of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are accessible to partially sighted and blind people; and if he will make a statement. [118843]

Mr. Touhig: The Wales Office website as it currently stands is not accessible to partially sighted and blind people; however, a redesign of the site is forthcoming and among the changes planned will be provision for all potential users.

Euro Roadshow

Mr. Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the events he plans to attend as part of the Government's euro roadshow. [121396]

Mr. Touhig: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the Member for Folkestone & Hythe on 20 June 2003, Official Report, column 459W, by my hon. Friend John Healey (Economic Secretary) HM Treasury.

Leisure and Tourism Industries

Dr. Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on the future of the leisure and tourism industries in Wales. [121939]

Peter Hain: I have regular bi-lateral meetings with the First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales, and discuss a wide range of issues, including the leisure and tourism industries.

There are encouraging signs for the future of leisure and tourism in Wales. I welcome the recent announcement that 103 beaches throughout Wales have won Seaside Awards in 2003, more than the English Riviera, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands put together.

I was also encouraged by the results of research undertaken on behalf of the Wales Tourist Board (WTB) following the Easter weekend which revealed that 78 per cent. of accommodation providers were full over the Easter weekend.

This contributes to a very positive outlook, and builds upon the WTB's largest marketing initiative to date, the £10 million three-year UK based Big Country campaign and the £5 million the WTB have committed to their first ever overseas campaigns in key markets. The campaigns were targeted to make sure that last summer Welsh tourism was a success and to build a solid foundation for the future.

Ombudsman Services

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make a statement on the review of Ombudsman services in Wales; and when he will publish his response to the review; [118584]

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Peter Hain [holding answer 10 June 03]: The First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales and I expect to publish the results of the review of Ombudsman services in Wales at the end of this month.

Pay Audits

Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made on completing a pay audit in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies to measure any disadvantage in terms of remuneration for (a) women, (b) ethnic minorities and (c) people with disabilities; and if he will publish the results of such an audit. [117427]

Peter Hain: Staff in the Wales Office are all on loan or secondment from other Government Departments and so are paid in accordance with the various pay schemes of their home Departments.

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