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29 Oct 2003 : Column 278W—continued
Special Constables (West Mercia)
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there were in West Mercia for each year since 1997. [134389]
Ms Blears: The number of Special Constables in West Mercia Constabulary since 1997 are set out in the table:
| At 31 March | Number |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 582 |
| 1998 | 512 |
| 1999 | 515 |
| 2000 | 476 |
| 2001 | 399 |
| 2002 | 339 |
| 2003 | 309 |
We have made clear in the National Policing Plan 2003–06 our commitment to increase the numbers and effectiveness of the Special Constabulary.
Terrorism
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given to the police on publicising the fact that powers under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 are in operation in the local area. [133967]
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Ms Blears: The publicising of the use of section 44 powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 in any particular area is an operational decision for the force concerned. Any decision to publicise the fact that the powers are being used would be made in light of the operational objective, and mindful of the need to ensure that the information released can not be exploited by those intent on committing acts of terrorism.
That said there is a legal requirement under section 45 of the Terrorism Act to inform any individual who is stopped and searched under section 44 that he or she has been stopped and searched under that section of the Act.
TETRA Communications System
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on (a) the refusal of the North Wales police to accept the TETRA communications system and (b) the concerns expressed about the system by the Lancashire force. [133733]
Ms Blears: All police forces in England, Wales and Scotland are committed to Airwave, the new radio communications system based on TETRA technology. The Airwave service will become available in North Wales in December 2004. Airwave is already available to 26 forces and has over 29,000 police users. The rollout is due to complete by mid-2005.
Lancashire Constabulary, the pilot force for Airwave, is satisfied with the service, which has been fully operational since September 2001.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual (a) capital and (b) revenue costs are in 2003–04 of the police TETRA communications system. [133734]
Ms Blears: Airwave is the new radio communications system for the police service in England, Wales and Scotland.
The estimated total capital cost to the Home Office for Airwave in 2003–04 is £78 million. The estimated total revenue cost in 2003–04 is £98 million.
Trafficking for Labour Exploitation
Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to introduce an offence of trafficking for labour exploitation. [134614]
Beverley Hughes: In the White Paper, "Secure Border, Safe Haven", the Government promised to introduce legislation on trafficking for both labour and sexual exploitation. Offences of trafficking for sexual exploitation are contained in the Sexual Offences Bill currently before Parliament. Legislation covering trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation is currently under development and will be introduced when parliamentary time permits. The United Kingdom played a key role in the negotiation of the 2002 EU Framework Decision on Trafficking, which commits all EU member states to the introduction of criminal offences covering trafficking for both sexual and labour exploitation.
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Violent Crime
Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of crimes committed in the last 12 months were violent; [133995]
- (2) what the levels of violent crime were in the London borough of Havering in each year since 1997. [134001]
Ms Blears: In the 12 months to March 2003, violent crime accounted for 17 per cent. of the overall offences recorded in England and Wales. Violent crime is comprised of the following offence classifications, Violence against the person, Sexual offences, and Robbery.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 14 October 2003, Official Report, column 18W.
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Broadcasting Licences
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what organisation is responsible for the issuing of radio broadcasting licences in Northern Ireland; what criteria are used in the issuing of licences; and if she will make a statement. [134823]
Estelle Morris: Responsibility for issuing radio broadcast licences in Northern Ireland lies with the Radio Authority. From 29 December 2003, responsibility will pass to Ofcom.
The criteria used for the award of Independent Local Radio licences are set out in Section 105 of the Broadcasting Act 1990. Independent National Radio licences are awarded on a highest cash-bid basis in accordance with the provisions of Sections 85 and 98–100 of the Broadcasting Act 1990. Section 51(2) of the Broadcasting Act 1996 sets out the criteria for the award of digital multiplex licences. All other licences (i.e. cable, satellite, restricted service licences, digital sound programme licences) are issued in accordance with either Part III of the 1990 Act or part II of the 1996 Act, and the Radio Authority's published guidelines, copies of which I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Communication Media
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the steps her Department is taking to educate older people in the use of communication media. [134733]
Estelle Morris: The Government recognise that, in a rapidly changing media environment, it is important that all citizens are media literate and able to make best use of communication media.
We have therefore, by way of the Communications Act 2003, placed a duty on the new communications regulator, Ofcom, to promote media literacy and to encourage the development of domestic electronic communications apparatus which can be used with ease by the widest possible range of individuals. The Act makes it explicit that, in carrying out these duties, Ofcom must have regard to the needs of older people. The Communications Act also requires Ofcom to set
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up a committee to provide them with advice on the interests of older and disabled people regarding communications matters.
In addition, the Department for Education and Skills, in partnership with industry, the voluntary sector and other groups, has set up 6000 'UK online' centres to provide information and communications technology (ICT) access for adults with low or no ICT skills. This Government initiative, announced by the Prime Minister in September 2000, aims to help people develop the skills needed to use the Internet to access information, to send e-mail using a variety of communications media and to explore the opportunities that new technologies offer such as further learning and updating skills. The centres are asked to target potential users from six socially excluded groups including people aged 65 and over.
Cultural Diversity
Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on progress towards international standards on cultural diversity at the recent UNESCO conference. [134541]
Estelle Morris: It was agreed at the recent UNESCO General Conference that an international standard-setting instrument on cultural diversity would be prepared. The Director General of UNESCO would like to adopt a new draft instrument at the next General Conference in the autumn of 2005. He has also undertaken to consult other UN agencies with interests in cultural diversity. The UK will await the result of this and any internal consultations before deciding whether to become a party to the convention.
Digital Terrestrial Television
Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure that digital terrestrial television access is available in all areas of Northern Ireland before analogue services are switched off. [134157]
Estelle Morris: The Government are committed to ensuring that terrestrial analogue broadcasting signals are maintained until: everyone who can currently get the main public service broadcasting channels in analogue form (BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4/S4C and Five) can receive them on digital systems; switching to digital is an affordable option for the vast majority of people; and as a target indicator of affordability, 95 per cent. of consumers have access to digital equipment. A Digital Television Action Plan is already in place, designed to deliver these pre-conditions for switching off analogue terrestrial transmissions. A copy of the action plan is available at www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk.
Football Pitches
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance is given to the National Lottery regarding the use of timber and sustainable sources in lottery-funded projects; and if she will make a statement. [135073]
Estelle Morris: While it remains a fundamental principle that lottery distributors make decisions independently of Government on considering applications for grants for
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lottery-funded projects, the Government have issued them with a number of Policy Directions. One of these encourages the distributors to take into account 'the need to further the objective of sustainable development'. This would include, although does not specifically relate to, the use of timber.
The Department is aware of the importance of procuring timber from responsibly managed and sustainable sources and actively encourages all of its non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) to take account of the principles of sustainable development in making grants.
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