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Zimbabwe

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) other members and representatives of the Government have had with (i)   representatives of the World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), (ii) members and representatives of the Government of Zimbabwe and (iii) members and representatives of the Government of South Africa concerning the WFP and FAO's crop assessment missions recently cancelled by Zimbabwe officials; what assessment his Department has made of this incident; and if he will make a statement. [174641]

Hilary Benn: The Government of Zimbabwe's recent decision to cancel the crop assessment mission has been discussed extensively in numerous meetings in Harare involving DFID Zimbabwe, the British embassy, United Nations agencies, and other donors. Officials from DFID and the embassy, as well as the UN, have expressed concerns to the Zimbabwean Government. DFID and embassy officials have also discussed this issue with South African officials.

The Government of Zimbabwe's cancellation of the mission means that there is no internationally accepted estimate of Zimbabwe's harvest, and their decision not to request international food aid means that normal advance planning processes will not take place. The Zimbabwean claim that they have produced 2.4 million metric tonnes (MT) of maize this year is simply not credible. The actual harvest is probably below 1.2 million MT, compared to a requirement of about 1.8 million MT. Given the significant shortage of foreign exchange in Zimbabwe, it will be difficult for the Government to import enough grain to fill this gap. Many poor and vulnerable people may therefore go very hungry, if not worse, as a result of these decisions.

DFID Zimbabwe, in collaboration with other major donors and the UN system, will monitor the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe closely, while continuing to provide targeted food assistance and other humanitarian support to the most vulnerable sections of Zimbabwe society through NGO programmes which DFID is able to fund directly. DFID will press the Government of Zimbabwe to
 
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recognize the humanitarian need within the country and to collaborate with the international community to provide an apolitical and co-ordinated response.

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the continuing need for international food aid to Zimbabwe. [174776]

Hilary Benn: The Government of Zimbabwe have decided to cancel the joint crop assessment mission with the UN which had started in late April. This means that there is no internationally accepted estimate of Zimbabwe's harvest. Their separate decision not to request international food aid means that normal advance planning processes for delivery of food aid will not take place. The Zimbabwean claim that they have produced 2.4 million metric tonnes (MT) of maize this year is simply not credible. The actual harvest is probably below 1.2 million MT, compared to a requirement of about 1.8 million MT. Given the significant shortage of foreign exchange in Zimbabwe, it will be difficult for the Government to import enough grain to fill this gap. Many poor and vulnerable people may therefore go very hungry, if not worse, as a result of these decisions.

The UN and donors, including the UK, have expressed our concern to the Zimbabwean Government about their handling of the humanitarian situation. DFID, in collaboration with other major donors and the UN system, will monitor the position in Zimbabwe closely, while continuing to provide targeted food assistance and other humanitarian support to the most vulnerable sections of Zimbabwe society through NGO programmes which we are able to fund directly. DFID will press the Government of Zimbabwe to recognize the   humanitarian need within the country and to collaborate with the international community to provide an apolitical and coordinated response.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

VAT

26. Claire Ward: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what response he has received from churches to the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the extension of VAT for listed places of worship. [174918]

Sir Stuart Bell: I and my colleagues in the Churches receive many indications of appreciation from parishes for the Chancellor's extension of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme to repay the full amount of VAT paid on repairs to listed church buildings after 1 April 2004.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

Museums and Galleries Month

10. Linda Perham : To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on activities and events that have taken place and are taking place in museums and galleries month. [174900]

 
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Estelle Morris: Museums and Galleries Month comprises more than 1,100 special events that will attract an estimated 10 million people during May. The month shows that museums and galleries are becoming ever more interesting and accessible to all sections of society, and I congratulate the organisers and all those taking part.

Cinema

11. Mr. Rendel : To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to improve access to the cinema for small towns and rural communities. [174901]

Estelle Morris: The UK Film Council, the Government's strategic agency for film, oversees several strategies to improve access to cinema, including in small towns and rural areas.

These include the establishment of a Digital Screen Network; the installation of audio-descriptive captioning in 78 cinemas to enhance the cinema-going experience of visually impaired people; continued funding for film societies; and a fund to help film clubs, societies and community groups to buy digital projection equipment.

Amateur Sports Clubs

12. Tony Cunningham : To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the take-up of rate relief support for amateur sports clubs. [174902]

Tessa Jowell: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I   gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Parmjit Dhanda), Official Report, column 1293.

Landmark Buildings

13. Bob Spink : To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance is available for the preservation of landmark buildings within small communities. [174903]

Estelle Morris: English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund run a number of grant schemes which provide assistance for the preservation of listed buildings of historic or architectural importance in both large and small communities. Additionally, English Heritage and local authorities provide advice on practical measures with preservation.

Ofcom (Television Access)

14. Tom Levitt : To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects Ofcom to publish its code on television access services for people with hearing or sight difficulties. [174904]

Tessa Jowell: I understand from OFCOM that they expect to publish the code in the summer.

Olympics 2012

15. Sir Sydney Chapman : To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will report progress on London's bid for the 2012 Olympics. [174905]

 
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19. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on progress on the Olympics bid for 2012. [174910]

Tessa Jowell: On 18 May the International Olympic Committee announced that London had been accepted as a Candidate City for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, together with Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow.

London 2012 is now working on the completion of the Candidate files, which will be submitted to the IOC by 15 November 2004,

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans there are to hold Olympic events in Wales. [174907]

Tessa Jowell: The bidding company, London 2012 announced the venues for the bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games on 16 January. The Olympic football competition will be held in stadia in Cardiff, Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and London. There will be opportunities for sporting facilities across the UK to be used by national teams for training camps.

In addition the Cultural Olympiad will take place across the UK over the four years up to and including 2012 and the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay is likely to involve every major city and town throughout the UK over several months.

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