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23 Mar 2004 : Column 746W—continued

Pensioner Incomes

Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will update his estimates based on the Family Resources Survey 2001–02 of (a) median pensioner incomes, excluding means-tested benefits, by

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(i) age, (ii) sex and (iii) marital status and (b) the size of each group, consistent with his Answer of 27 June 2002, Official Report, column 1060W. [162649]

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Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is in the table.

	Age 60–64	Age 65–69	Age 70–74	Age 75–79	Age 80+
Single males
Median income (£)	n/a	161	155	145	135
Number	n/a	230,000	260,000	250,000	310,000
Single females
Median income (£)	137	142	125	118	117
Number	410,000	480,000	600,000	640,000	950,000
Couples
Median income (£)	n/a	309	264	241	224
Number	n/a	990,000	800,000	550,000	390,000

Notes:

1. The definition of income used here is gross income that is income gross of the following items: income tax payments, national insurance contributions, contributions to occupational and personal pension schemes, local taxes, maintenance, child support payments ands parental contributions to students living away from home.

2. "Median income" represents the income of the person or family exactly in the middle of the range of ranked incomes of the age group. For each age group there is a wide range of incomes.

3. The data from the Family Resources Survey 2001–02 are rounded to the nearest £1 are 10,000, money amounts are expressed in 2001–02 prices to be consistent with latest published pensioners' income series.

4. These estimates are based on a small sample size and comparisons with 2000–01 figures given in the previous answer should therefore be made with caution.

5. Pensioner units are allocated to age categories according to the age of the head of the unit.

6. Estimates have not been split by gender for couples as the extent of income sharing within pensioner units is unknown.

7. Means tested benefits refer to minimum income guarantee, working families tax credit, housing benefit and social fund grants.

8. These results are based on survey respondents' identification of different elements of benefit income and are therefore subject to misreporting.

9. The pensioners income series 2002–03 will be published in May 2004 which will update these figures.

Pensions

Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research his Department has (a) carried out and (b) commissioned into the benefits of (i) compulsory and (ii) opt-out pension scheme membership for employees. [161206]

Malcolm Wicks: We have established the independent Pensions Commission to monitor and keep under review the voluntary system of private pensions and long term savings. Its interim report, which will describe in detail the present situation, current trends, and the challenges to be met, will be published in September. Their first full report, expected in mid 2005, will include recommendations as to whether there is a case to move beyond the current voluntary system.

International research suggests that automatic enrolment, where new employees automatically become members of their employer's pension scheme unless they choose to opt-out, is a very effective tool for increasing pension scheme membership for employees. Over the next year we aim to research the effectiveness of this approach in delivering increased pension savings in the UK.

Worktrain Scheme

Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have (a) found employment and (b) enrolled on training courses through the Worktrain scheme online in each year since the service became available. [158013]

Mr. Browne: The requested information is not available.

Worktrain is an internet service for people looking for information on job vacancies, training courses, careers, childcare providers and voluntary opportunities. It is a popular service and is one of the most used government websites. It currently receives around 250,000 visitors a month. The website offers users access to the Jobcentre Plus database of 400,000 job vacancies and the learndirect database of 500,000 training opportunities.

It is not possible for the Worktrain service to track if visitors to the site have been successful in finding a job or enrolling on a training course. An online questionnaire asks visitors if they have applied for job vacancies or training courses as a result of using the site. In 2002–03, 68 per cent. of repeat visitors who replied to the questionnaire had applied for a job and 12 per cent. applied for a training course.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Bodies/Associations

Mr. Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost to public funds, including staff, is of the (a) Great Britain-China Centre, (b) British Association for Central and Eastern Europe and (c) Britain-Russia Centre in the current financial year; and when the cost of each will next be reviewed. [162733]

Mr. Straw: Budgets for 2003–04 are:

	£
(a) Great Britain-China Centre	300,000
(b) British Association for Central and Eastern Europe	252.000
(c) British-Russia Centre	70,000

The next reviews are scheduled to take place in 2006. The budgets for 2004–05 will remain the same as this year.

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Cameroon/Nigeria

Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support he intends to provide in the delineation of the Cameroon/Nigeria border. [161225]

Mr. Mullin: We welcome the efforts of the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative, supported by Cameroon and Nigeria, to take forward the 2002 International Court of Justice ruling on the border between Cameroon and Nigeria. HMG is actively considering a contribution to the present demarcation exercise.

European Radio Asia

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise with his EU counterparts the possible establishment of a European Radio Asia to broadcast to North Korea, China, Tibet and Burma. [161496]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: I have no plans at present to raise with EU partners the establishment of a European Radio Asia.

Radio broadcasters in the UK and other EU Member States already transmit programmes into Asia, notably the BBC World Service.

Guantanamo Bay Detainees

Mr Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government will afford to UK nationals formerly detained in Guantanamo Bay who have since been freed without charge in the UK to obtain redress and compensation from the US Administration; and if he will make a statement. [162067]

Mr. Mullin: I am aware of reports that the British nationals recently released from Guantanamo Bay may be intending to seek redress and compensation from the US Administration. The question of how they proceed, and whether they pursue legal action, is a matter for the men and their legal representatives.

Kosovo

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in (a) Kosovo and (b) Serbia and Montenegro. [163257]

Mr. MacShane: The situation in Kosovo is calm but tense. It is important now that the leaders in Pristina and Belgrade work with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and Kosovo Force (KFOR) to ensure that there is no repetition of last week's violence. Inter-ethnic violence is not acceptable and the perpetrators of these criminal acts must be brought to justice. We will continue to work for a stable, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo. UNMIK and KFOR will have our complete support in working towards this end.

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There were demonstrations in Belgrade and Nis in Southern Serbia following the outbreak of violence in Kosovo. But the situation is now calm. The situation in Montenegro remained calm throughout.

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the final determination of the status of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [163258]

Mr. MacShane: Our policy is based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) and the formal review process of standards as endorsed by the UN in December 2003. The UK, with the rest of the international community, will work with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, Kosovo Force and the local authorities to ensure a stable, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo.

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) meetings have been held and (b) initiatives have been undertaken by (i) NATO, (ii) the EU and (iii) the United Kingdom bilaterally to achieve a settlement in Kosovo in the past two years, broken down by date; and if he will make a statement. [163259]

Mr. MacShane: There have been constant discussions formally and informally in Nato, EU and bilaterally on Kosovo. I take every opportunity on visits to the region or in meetings with relevant partners in the UK or elsewhere in Europe to keep UK and international policy on Kosovo under review. My most recent discussions with Kosovan leaders took place at the recent funeral of President Trajkovski of Macedonia. I will be visiting Pristina and Belgrade again next month for further talks on finding a solution to the Kosovo question. My officials play a leading role in shaping the EU-Nato policy towards Kosovo based on the need for Kosovans to abide by international legal and human rights norms.

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