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1 Apr 2004 : Column 1652W—continued
Robson Brown
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the activities being undertaken by Robson Brown for his Department. [164830]
Yvette Cooper: To date Robson Brown have undertaken the design of the "Your Say" Elected Regional Assemblies logo and supporting material.
They are also advising the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the 'Your Say' information campaign.
Staff from Robson Brown have been assisting with the mounting of events and hearings associated with the campaign throughout the three regions.
Shell Haven Port
Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to make a statement on the recommendations of the public inquiry into the proposed Shell Haven Port in the Thames Estuary. [162197]
Mr. Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
As the application for the proposed London Gateway port at Shell Haven is for my Department to determine. The Inspector's report of the public inquiry has been recently received in my Department and is now under consideration.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
Joan Ruddock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what resources his Department makes available to local authorities for sites of special scientific interest; and how much was made available in 2003–04. [164970]
Phil Hope: Local authorities, along with all public bodies have a duty under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW) to take reasonable steps, consistent with the proper exercise of their functions, to further the conservation and enhancement of SSSIs. Local authorities also have responsibilities in respect of SSSIs, especially as planning authorities and as SSSI landowners.
Most funding for local authorities' revenue expenditure, including for example support for education, social services and their responsibilities in this area, is met through general grant which is made up of Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domestic Rates. General grant totalled £43.894 million in 2003–04, which is an increase of £2.449 million or 5.9 per cent. Decisions on spending priorities are a matter for individual authorities taking into account their statutory responsibilities.
Street Furniture
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proposals he has to protect areas of high environmental value from the impact of street furniture. [165312]
Keith Hill: Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 recognises that the appearance of historic streets can be improved by preserving or reinstating street furniture of historic or architectural interest.
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A review of permitted development rights was carried out on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners last year. It recommended several changes to the restrictions placed on development using permitted development rights in sensitive areas and those used to install street furniture by statutory undertakers and local authorities. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expect to consult on changes in the summer.
As part of our on-going work across Government taking forward "Living Places: Cleaner, Safer, Greener" the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is exploring tools that assist local authorities in managing the street environment, recognising the need or co-ordination between a number of organisations and the involvement of local people.
Your Say Campaign
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what spending limit was placed upon the value of the contract for the Your Say campaign when it was put out for tender. [164829]
Mr. Raynsford: The contract was placed on a fixed cost, quotation basis. Each component of the work has been costed separately to ensure best value for money.
CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
Anti-social Behaviour Orders
Vera Baird: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what training is given to district judges (crime) for dealing with (a) anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) and (b) breaches of ASBOs. [164449]
Mr. Leslie: Training for the professional judiciary is the responsibility of the Judicial Studies Board (JSB).
The JSB has not provided any dedicated training events on ASBOs, but the programme for the core seminars for both full and part-time district judges (magistrates courts) allows scope for discussions on the issues arising in sentencing and breach of orders.
Professional judges have access to legislation and Home Office guidance relevant to this area of law, and in addition will refer to any developing law. Detailed guidance on ASBOs was issued to magistrates courts by the Home Office in November 2002. Preliminary Home Office guidance on the new Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 has been issued to all magistrates courts in January 2004.
Correspondence
Mr. Kaufman: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when he intends to reply to the letter to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 8 January with regard to Mrs. V. Bromage, sent to the Cabinet Office and transferred to his Department. [164936]
Mr. Leslie: A reply to my right hon. Friend was signed by Lord Filkin and sent on 22 March.
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Departmental Buildings
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what (a) renovation and (b) maintenance projects on buildings (i) owned and (ii) rented by the Department were undertaken in each of the last five years; and what the associated costs were of each. [163942]
Mr. Leslie: The information on all projects is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
However, details are available of all schemes with a total project cost of £250,000 and above and these are tabled as follows.
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District Judges (Vacancies)
Vera Baird: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether vacancies for district judges (crime) are advertised with reference to a particular work location. [164446]
Mr. Leslie: Vacancies for district judges (magistrates courts) are not advertised with reference to a particular work location as district judges have had a national jurisdiction, since the unification of the stipendiary bench in 2000.
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