9 Jul 2003 : Column 787W
Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 9 July 2003
LEADER OF THE HOUSE
House Rising Times
Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Leader of the House at what time the House has risen on each day from Monday to Thursday since 7 January. [123890]
Peter Hain: This information is obtainable from the Votes and Proceedings and from the Official Report. It could be collated only at disproportionate cost.
I stressed to the House in my business statement on 3 July that I have already made it clear that I regard the decision of the House in respect of hours as one for the rest of the Parliament. I do not intend to make it a practice to go beyond the moment of interruption. My hon. Friend will be aware that the events in Iraq have had a considerable impact on the business of the House and it is for that reason that business may continue beyond the normal moment of interruption, allowing the House every opportunity fully to scrutinise and contribute to the business coming forward up to and including 17 July.
MINISTER FOR WOMEN
Domestic Violence
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Minister for Women which groups will be consulted by the Government in drawing up its legislative proposals to tackle domestic violence. [123332]
Ms Hewitt: Following publication of the consultation paper "Safety and Justice" on 18 June, there will be a 12 week public consultation exercise, during which responses will be sought from numerous groups including the Women's National Commission who have organised several meetings across the UK with survivors of domestic violence. In addition, specialist groups are being consulted such as Imkaan, Southall Black sisters, Broken Rainbow, The Employers' Forum on Disability, Disability Rights Commission, the Employers' Forum on Age, Mencap, and Age Concern.
Iraq
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Minister for Women what recent assessment she has made of women's rights in Iraq. [123331]
Mr. Amess: To ask the Minister for Women what recent assessment she has made of women's rights in Iraq. [123825]
9 Jul 2003 : Column 788W
Ms Hewitt: During this critical phase in the reconstruction of Iraq, I am extremely concerned that women's rights are given adequate attention.
Indeed, the Coalition Provisional Authority's gender equality team—which includes a secondee from the DTI Women and Equality Unit—is currently assessing women's rights in Iraq within the framework for a women's conference that will take place in Baghdad shortly. Officials are holding discussions with in-country Iraqi women, who are legal experts, on constitutional and legal reform aiming to assess and improve women's rights. These discussions will feed into two of the workshops of the women's conference, mirroring the emergent political process and feeding recommendations into the system.
Work-Life Balance
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Minister for Women what measures she plans to introduce to achieve a better work-life balance for women. [123330]
Ms Hewitt: We are committed to giving women—and men—the chance to improve their work-life balance. We have already increased maternity pay and leave, introduced paid paternity leave, extended these rights to adoptive parents, and introduced the legal right of parents of children under six and disabled children under 18 to get requests to work flexibly considered seriously.
We will continue to promote best practice in flexible working through the work-life balance campaign. The campaign aims to persuade companies that they could see real business benefits through flexible working; for example, in a recent major work-life balance baseline survey by DTI, four fifths of employers who have work-life balance practices in place report a positive effect on employment relations, and three quarters said they had a more motivated and committed workforce as a result of these practices.
We are also providing practical support through the work life balance challenge fund, which offers subsidised consultancy to develop flexible working projects. The current call for applications ends on 31 July 2003, and we are looking to support up to 200 projects this year.
These measures, mean that women and men now have more choice and more support than ever before to balance childcare and work in ways that benefit everyone: employers, employees and their children.
PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION
National Audit Office
Mr. Leigh: To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission whether the Commission has considered the Corporate Plans for 2004–05 to 2006–07 of the National Audit Office and the Northern Ireland Audit Office. [124855]
9 Jul 2003 : Column 789W
Mr. Alan Williams: At its meeting on 7 July the Commission approved the NAO's Corporate Plan for 2004–05 to 2006–07. In line with previous arrangements when devolved government in Northern Ireland is suspended, the Commission also considered the Corporate Plan for 2004–05 to 2006–07 of the Northern Ireland Audit Office. The Commission agreed to take note of this.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Alstom
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the impact of Alstom's decision to terminate train manufacturing at its Birmingham Washwood Heath Plant on jobs in (a) the supply chain and (b) the West Midlands region. [124507]
Jacqui Smith: My Officials within the Government Office for the West Midlands are in discussion with officers from Birmingham City Council's Economic Development Department, the Regional Development Agency, Jobcentre Plus and Alstom's senior managers over the future of the Washwood Heath plant. Alstom's plans for the site are not yet clear but officials will continue to work closely with the company to support both Alstom and their supply chain as appropriate.
BAE Systems
Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Export Credits Guarantee Department first received allegations of corrupt practice by BAE Systems regarding the supply of a defence equipment package to Qatar signed in 1996. [123019]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: ECGD did not receive allegations of corruption by BAE Systems in respect of the Qatari defence package signed in 1996. In May 2001, ECGD was made aware by the Serious Fraud Office of an investigation being carried out in relation to this project by the Attorney General of Jersey.
Broadband
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of the benefits of broadband access for small and medium-sized businesses. [124256]
Mr. Timms: The Government believe that the key benefits of broadband for small and medium-sized businesses, as for all businesses, are speed and convenience. A broadband connection can carry 10 times more information than a narrow-band (dial-up) connection. Broadband services can change the way businesses operate, enabling new markets to be reached with potentially beneficial effects on productivity and competitiveness. Broadband allows businesses to respond faster to their customers' needs; supports greater flexibility in working practices; and with its fixed cost, allows businesses to budget more effectively.
9 Jul 2003 : Column 790W
Through UK Online for Business, we continue to look at the benefits provided by broadband connection when promoting the use of this important technology. Evidence of benefits has come mainly in the form of case studies, where individual experiences in the use of broadband are examined. These case studies have shown that small and medium-sized businesses achieve real benefits through faster transmission, constant connection and increased productivity. Installation and connection costs have been seen to be outweighed by the benefits achieved.
Departmental Crèche Facilities
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the crèche facilities she makes available to the children of her Department's staff. [121116]
Ms Hewitt: The information is as follows:
DTI staff in Central London have access to six nursery places. The weekly cost to the Department for a full-time place for an under 2-year-old is £209.50 and £178.00 for 2-years-old and over. Staff contribution is levied at a flat rate of £112 per week for a full-time place irrespective of the age of the child. Children attending nursery on a part-time basis are charged pro rata. There are currently eight children using the six places.
DTI staff in Central London have access to a 32 place holiday play-scheme for a minimum of 54 days each year. Staff contribute £14.00 per place towards the £31.00 daily fee. DTI HQ staff in Cardiff have access to a local Easter and Summer holiday playscheme for a contribution of £12.00 per place towards the £24.00 daily fee.
DTI's total expenditure on all child care costs for 2002–03 financial year was £58,525.
DTI's child care provision is set within the wider context of an ambitious programme to support flexible working at all grades. In a DTI child care survey parents and carers indicated that flexible working is the provision they value most highly, to help them balance their work and home-life. DTI is also participating in the Interdepartmental Group on Childcare.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |