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6 May 2004 : Column 1690W—continued

Scottish Power

Ann Winterton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he last met representatives of Scottish Power Plc; who was present; and what was on the agenda for discussion. [167338]

Yvette Cooper: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member on 5 May 2004.

Starter Homes Initiative (South Ribble)

Mr. Borrow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on how the Starter Homes Initiative has affected the residents of South Ribble. [171284]

Keith Hill: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bootle (Mr. Benton) on 29 April 2004, Official Report, column 1228W.

Sustainable Communities Plan (Milton Keynes/South Midlands)

Mr. Boswell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what studies he has commissioned in connection with the Milton Keynes/South Midlands sustainable communities plan
 
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concerning (a) impacts on (i) stocks of aggregates, (ii)   flooding and (iii) water supply and (b) other environmental impacts. [170098]

Keith Hill: In July 2001 the Government, along with the three Regional Assemblies covering the Milton Keynes-South Midlands sub-region: East of England, East Midlands and South East, commissioned the Milton Keynes-South Midlands Study. This study considered in detail a range of issues, including the impact of growth on natural resources and the environment. Supporting the sub-regional study are more detailed local area assessments and further environmental assessments will be carried out as part of the Local Development Framework process. In addition work on these issues is being taken forward through the Inter-Regional board for Milton Keynes-South Midlands, where a Utilities sub-group and an Environment and Quality of Life sub-group have been established.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Community Events

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of (a) the impact of changes in the cost of public liability insurance on community events and (b) the ability of community organisations to pay for public liability insurance; [169898]

(2) what representations his Department has received from community organisations about changes in the cost of public liability insurance. [169900]

Fiona Mactaggart: I am aware of the problems being experienced by those in the voluntary and community sector, as a result of the volatility in the insurance market since 11 September 2001. It is deeply worrying that small groups of volunteers who are making a real contribution to their communities are being faced with such difficulty.

The Active Community Unit in my Department set up the "Insurance Cover Working Group (ICWG)" to look into the situation and advise on practical solutions. A study was undertaken into the current position regarding the provision of insurance for the voluntary and community sector, including public indemnity liability, which made suggestions as to possible solutions.

A response to these possible solutions will be made in May following close working with other Government Departments, as a number of initiatives are already being taken forward by the Government to understand better and tackle the difficulties being experienced. In that context, the Government welcomes the current study being undertaken by the Better Regulation Task Force on litigation and compensation. This work will contribute to the analysis of pressures in this area, as other studies have already, for example; The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) undertook a review of the operation of Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI), and published a first stage report on 3 June 2003, and the second stage and final report on 4 December 2003. Following that
 
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initiative the DWP is at present holding a review of the requirement for Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance for Limited Companies that employ only their owner. Also, the Office of Fair Trading conducted a fact-finding study into the UK Liability Insurance reporting in June 2003, and the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA), is working to ensure that legal costs are proportionate and that meritorious claims are resolved quickly and at minimum cost.

I am very much aware that the increasing costs for the provision of liability insurance have impacted on the ability of voluntary and community groups to deliver services and community events. Therefore the outcomes of the work across Government will have important implications for the Voluntary and Community Section (VCS) as practical solutions are being sought in partnership with the voluntary and community sector, the insurance industry, local authorities and government departments.

Animal Experiments

Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government take to tackle intimidation of workers and firms providing services to companies and universities carrying out research on animals. [167400]

Caroline Flint: We have made a number of changes to strengthen the law to deal with extremists. The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 strengthened police powers to deal with smaller, intimidatory protests and office occupations by extremists. The police are using these new powers effectively. A new police unit has been set up with Government funding to provide tactical guidance on policing extremists. The new unit complements work already going on in local forces and nationally.

A National Forum on policing and prosecution of animal rights cases has been established in order to pull together individual areas of expertise within the police, Crown Prosecution Service and the courts to create a national strategic approach to dealing with animal rights extremists.

We have produced guidance for security managers of companies who might be targeted by extremists, to help ensure their employees' personal safety. A ministerial committee is meeting regularly to look at the problem of animal rights extremism.

Animal Rights Activists

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to limit the activities of animal rights activists. [168981]

Caroline Flint: The Government are determined to ensure that business activities in this area are not prevented by the unlawful activities of a small number of people. A ministerial committee is meeting regularly to look at the problem of animal rights extremism.

There are extensive powers available to the police in the general law. In addition we have made a number of changes to strengthen the law to deal with extremists. The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 strengthened police powers to deal with smaller, intimidatory protests and
 
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office occupations by extremists. A new police unit has been set up with Government funding to provide tactical guidance on policing extremists. The new unit complements work going on in local forces and nationally.

A National Forum on policing and prosecution of animal rights cases has been established in order to pull together individual areas of expertise within the police, Crown Prosecution Service and the courts to create a national strategic approach to dealing with animal rights extremists.

We have produced guidance for security managers of companies who might be targeted by extremists, to help ensure their employees' personal safety.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been subject to antisocial behaviour orders in Wandsworth since 1 January 2002; and how many breaches of anti-social behaviour orders have resulted in court action in the London borough of Wandsworth since 1 January 2002. [169769]

Ms Blears: Three Anti-social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) have been issued within the London borough of Wandsworth, as notified to the Home Office, from 1 January 2002 up to 31 December 2003 (latest available).

Data on breaches of ASBOs are currently available up to December 2002. The Home Office Court Proceedings Database, from 1 January 2002 up to 31 December 2002, does not show any court proceedings for breaches of ASBOs in the London borough of Wandsworth.

Asylum Seekers

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 on female asylum seekers; and what assessment he has made of the number that are forced into prostitution. [171041]

Mr. Browne: Assessment of the impact of section 55 on female asylum seekers is integral to the close monitoring of the operation of the policy since implementation on 8 January 2003. As part of these arrangements the National Asylum Support Service maintains an open dialogue with the voluntary sector agencies, local government and other stakeholders. The Government have reviewed section 55 in the light of experience of its operation, the changing pattern of asylum applications since implementation and concerns raised about the impact of the policy.

The Government believes that these arrangements for monitoring and reviewing the operation of section 55 and working with stakeholders, together with the statutory safeguards and the adjustments that have been made to section 55 processes, provide a balanced but firm policy that discourages economic migration, while continuing to offer refuge to those seeking asylum, and providing support for those who qualify or who are vulnerable.
 
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No evidence has been produced to indicate that female asylum seekers have been forced into prostitution as a result of section 55.

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