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10 Jul 2003 : Column 990W—continued
Terrorism
Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to European Union Governments about links between terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland and terrorist organisations in other EU countries. [124476]
Mr. MacShane: The UK regularly exchanges information on terrorist groups with EU partners, both bilaterally and in EU fora, and there is frequent operational co-ordination between security agencies within the EU. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is in regular contact with his colleagues in the Government of Ireland.
Zimbabwe
Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the situation in Zimbabwe on the rest of southern Africa. [123687]
Mr. Mullin: The crisis in Zimbabwe is increasingly damaging regional economies. It has adversely impacted on inflation and interest rates in neighbouring countries. Negative perceptions of Zimbabwe have deterred foreign direct investment and tourism to the region. Zimbabwe's neighbours are also suffering from an influx of cheap Zimbabwean goods and largely unskilled Zimbabwean migrants; and from an increase in the cross border spread of foot and mouth disease.
Mr. Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with President Mbeki about measures to restore democracy and prosperity to Zimbabwe. [123688]
Mr. Mullin: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Zimbabwe with President Mbeki and Foreign Minister Zuma during his trip to South Africa on 13 May. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister also discussed Zimbabwe with President Mbeki at the G8 Summit at Evian on 1 June. President Mbeki will be in London for the Progressive Governance Summit on 13–14 July.
We support South Africa's continuing efforts to bring about dialogue between Zimbabwe's ruling party and the opposition.
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CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
Council of Ministers
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department's vote in the Council of Ministers against a legislative proposal (a) was and (b) was not sufficient to achieve with other member states a blocking minority; [117209]
- (2) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department abstained in the Council of Ministers on a legislative proposal which was passed by qualified majority voting; [117230]
(3) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department has been outvoted by qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers; and if he will list the legislation by year; [117242]
(4) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department indicated dissent from a proposal in the Council of Ministers but did not register a vote or abstention. [117257]
Mr. Lammy: On no occasion in the period in question has a measure in the area of responsibility of the former Lord Chancellor's Department been adopted against the wishes of the United Kingdom delegation, nor has it been necessary to participate in a blocking minority in the Council of Ministers.
Sexual Activity (Criminalisation)
Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what action the Lord Chancellor will take on the compliance of (a) the Isle of Man, (b) Guernsey and (c) Jersey with the recent judgments of the European Court of Human Rights on criminalisation of sexual activity between men. [123499]
Mr. Lammy: We have drawn to the attention of the Insular Authorities in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man the relevant judgments of the European Court of Human Rights on these matters and these will be receiving consideration by them.
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Disabled People (Cornwall)
Matthew Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of buildings owned by Cornwall county council are accessible by people with physical disabilities. [124446]
Keith Hill: It is the responsibility of all local authorities to ensure their public buildings are readily accessible to disabled people.
The percentage of buildings open to the public and owned by Cornwall county council in which all the public areas are suitable for and accessible to disabled people was 7 per cent. in 2002–03.
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Fire and Rescue Service (Isle of Wight)
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what he has estimated the minimum level is of provision on the Isle of Wight appropriate to the maintenance of an adequate fire and rescue service. [124533]
Mr. Raynsford: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has made no such estimate. Under integrated risk management it will be for fire authorities to set local standards for fire and rescue cover in the light of a full assessment of the risks faced by their communities.
Government Office (North-West)
Helen Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which projects in Warrington have been assisted by the Government Office for the North West in the past year; and what assistance was provided in each case. [123988]
Yvette Cooper: The Government Office for the North West has provided a range of assistance to projects in Warrington over the past year including:
Crime reduction partnership projects
- Small Retailers in Deprived Areas—£14,743
Safer Communities initiative—£49,559
Communities Against Drugs—£152,600
Partnership Development Fund—£16,078
(This funding is for 2002/3. Government Office North West's role had been to appraise, and monitor the progress of the plans).
- Bridgefoot Environmental Enhancement Scheme—£980,000
Warrington Interchange—£1,900,000
(Funding for these projects did not commence until 2003–04. GONW role was an advisory one in respect of these two major schemes).
- Older Peoples Forum (Warrington)—£500
Tourney Green Jubilee Day—£75
Dallam Senior Youth Club—£1,450
Westy Parents Forum—£2,326
Raleigh International (Ghana)—£250
St. Lewis School Project Croft—£2,000
Padgate Youth Group—£1,350
Blackbrook Residents—£1,200
Hawthorn Harlequins—£2,000
Cinnamon Brow Garden Project—£500
Outrington Community Project—£1,000
Grasmere and Greenwood Residents Association—£476
Warrington Blues Festival—£1,000
GLR Productions—£800
Warrington Media Vol Sect Network—£1,500
(This funding was from June 2002 to June 2003. Government Office for the North West has responsibility for managing the development and successful delivery of the Community Champions Fund)
- Warrington Children's Fund Partnership which commenced in 2003–04 has been allocated £500,000. Government Office for the North West has responsibility for managing the development and successful delivery of the Children's fund.
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- The Sure Start Westy Round 3 scheme, which commenced in 2001 received funding of £500,000 in 2002–03. Government Office for the North West has supported and appraised the development of this project.
Homelessness
Dr. Murrison: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on trends in homelessness among young people (a) in the South West, (b) in Wiltshire and (c) in West Wiltshire. [121330]
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Yvette Cooper: Information reported by local authorities to end March 2002 included the number of applicants accepted as homeless and in priority need by virtue of being 'vulnerable young people'. The priority needs order which came into force in July 2002 extended the categories of homeless groups who have a priority need for housing, and separately identified 16 and 17-year-olds, and young people aged 18 to 20 previously "in care". A summary of available information is presented in the table.
| South West region | UA/DCs in former County of Wiltshire | West Wiltshire DC | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in priority need | of which: Vulnerable Young Person | Total inpriority need | of which: VulnerableYoung Person | Total in priority need | of which: Vulnerable Young Person | |
| 2000–01 | 11,360 | 550 | 1,366 | 47 | 332 | 13 |
| 2001–02 | 11,270 | 640 | 1,237 | 46 | 231 | 15 |
| August-December 2002 | 6,520 | (16)380 | 627 | (16)32 | 104 | (16)21 |
(16) 16/17-year-olds and ex-Care 18 to 20-year-olds identified from August 2002.
Note:
Local authorities only record applicants against the priority need category which was deemed most relevant. Young people may also have been accepted, but not identifiable, within other categories for example "household member pregnant" or "other special reasons".
Source:
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister P1(E) quarterly housing returns.
In 2002–03 West Wiltshire received £28,000 from the Homelessness Directorate to help them implement the priority needs order. It also received £50,000 in 2003–04 in support of the Government's action to end the use of B&B hotels for homeless families, except in short-term (less than 6 weeks) emergencies by March 2004, and a further £28,000 this year to support it's homelessness prevention services which include debt counselling/mediation and extending the use of rent deposit schemes.
Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what agreements have been reached with Castle Point borough council over the last two years on the reduction of homelessness in the borough; and what (a) targets have been set and (b) funds have been made available. [120930]
Yvette Cooper: In accordance with the Homelessness Act 2002, Castle Point borough council have produced a Homelessness Strategy which addresses the needs of the borough. The Strategy also addresses service and performance improvements that the council will need to implement. I am advised that this Strategy will be put to the full council and is expected to be adopted this summer.
As part of its strategy, the council has entered into an agreement with a local estate agent who procures properties for the council to assist in the accommodation of homeless families. In addition, the council has expanded its housing stock to provide for homeless families: 32 properties are now in use for this purpose. The council proposes to end the use of B&B accommodation for the homeless by the end of 2003–04. I am advised that the council is confident that these measures will result in no homeless families using Bed and Breakfast accommodation, well before March 2004.
Castle Point borough council has been allocated £25,000 in 2003–04 specifically to help it reduce the number of homeless families with children in Bed and Breakfast hotels. This is in addition to £20,000 to deliver the new Homelessness Need Priority Order and £20,000 from the Homelessness Directorate, to assist in delivering an effective homelessness service.
The measures and funding detailed above are to assist the authority in meeting the national commitment of ensuring that by March 2004, no homeless family with children is placed in B&B other than in an emergency and even then for no more than six weeks.
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