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Jeremy Corbyn (Islington, North) (Lab): Further to that response, may I ask whether we could have a
 
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statement, when the House returns after the recess, from the appropriate Foreign Office Minister on the treatment of Peter Hounam, the circumstances in which he was arrested and the representations that have been made by the UK Government to Israel to lift the ludicrous restrictions on Mordecai Vanunu, who has already served 18 years in prison and is now under virtual house arrest in the Anglican cathedral in Jerusalem? We pay tribute to the cathedral for being prepared to help and support him, but he should be a free man, free to travel wherever he wishes, anywhere in the world, and not under house arrest.

Mr. Hain: As someone who had many friends placed under house arrest in the old apartheid South Africa, I understand the point that my hon. Friend makes. The treatment of Mr. Vanunu is unacceptable and we have made representations about it throughout his detention, and subsequently.

Mr. Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge) (Con): In October, 14 million people in the three northern regions will be asked to vote in a referendum on elected regional assemblies. The Government have already recognised that it is essential that those people understand precisely what the powers of those assemblies will be, but the Deputy Prime Minister has already created some doubt about those powers by speculating that they might be extended. It is important that a draft Bill be published, but that will not be enough. It is essential that we debate this matter in the House, preferably before the summer recess, but certainly before the referendums take place, so that we can probe the Government on their precise intentions. Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance on that?

Mr. Hain: The assurance that I can give to the hon. Gentleman is that the Bill will be published before the referendums take place. That is important so that people know what they are voting on. Equally, it is important to note that the House should welcome the attempt by the Government to hand power back to the people and empower regions of England, just as Wales and Scotland have been empowered, through devolution of decision making. The Government are committed to that policy, which we will continue to roll out.

Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Lab): The Government office for the north-west has recently appraised 20 bids for objective 2 sub-regional funding, and has given top rating to a £3 million bid for circus skills training, while a bid by Lancashire constabulary affecting my constituency, which related to social exclusion, crime prevention, economic and environmental concerns, was rated bottom. I find that completely incomprehensible and I suspect that most ordinary people will also find it so. Can we therefore have an early debate on the decision-making procedures and criteria associated with such bids?

Mr. Hain: On the basis of my hon. Friend's account, I agree that it is baffling.

Mr. John Gummer (Suffolk, Coastal) (Con): Does the Leader of the House agree that it is important to have
 
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the debate on the European Union? I welcome such a debate. Currently, two areas are under consultation: both the cross-compliance arrangements and the excellent arrangements for the EU water directive. Everyone else will have an opportunity to put their views. Is it not time that the House had an opportunity to discuss the EU water directive and cross-compliance, because every farmer in the country will be affected? We ought to have a full day's debate in Government time on those matters.

Mr. Hain: I will certainly take account of what the right hon. Gentleman says, particularly given his long involvement and expertise in this area, both in government and subsequently. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will want to note carefully his points and take them into account.

Mrs. Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op): Will the Leader of the House ask the Home Secretary to make a statement to the House after the recess on the position in the Sussex police authority? Five police officers involved directly in the unlawful killing of my constituent, James Ashley, in January 1998, are apparently now to sue the Sussex police authority for £50,000 each for their treatment. The Ashleys have lost a son. A year ago, the new chief constable of Sussex made an apology to the family saying that James's wrongful death came about because of the cumulative effect of policy errors and operational mistakes. Does my right hon. Friend accept that this situation is deeply distressing to my constituents, the Ashleys, and will he ensure that the Home Secretary investigates the matter and makes a statement to Members on it?

Mr. Hain: It is indeed a distressing and tragic incident and our sympathies go to the family. They will undoubtedly be pleased that my hon. Friend has raised the matter on the Floor of the House so that the whole House is aware of it. The Home Secretary will of course want to take careful note of what she has said and to progress the matter.

Dr. Julian Lewis (New Forest, East) (Con): It is now more than four months since I raised on a point of order the question of the volume of noise from the permanent demonstration in Parliament square. In response, Mr. Speaker, you expressed sympathy with my point and the Leader of the House said that he would try to deal with the matter as quickly as possible. In fact, the volume of noise continues unabated. It is not relevant that there was a court case that allowed the protest to continue—that was not related to the volume of noise—and we must consider that the police, who have the duty of being in the front line of any sort of attack that might be made on the House from outside, are being constantly distracted and disturbed by this incessant noise. The police say that it is a matter for the council, and the council says that it is a matter for the police. Why cannot the police cross the road and remove the amplification equipment once and for all?

Mr. Hain: Mr. Speaker, I know that you feel equally strongly about this matter because you have told me so
 
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in no uncertain terms. The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Government are anxious to deal with the situation, which is why we responded as we did recently to the Procedure Committee report. Action will follow, after consultation with the Home Secretary and the police, to sort the situation out.

Brian White (Milton Keynes, North-East) (Lab): May I draw my right hon. Friend's attention to early-day motion 1295, which highlights the situation of a company in my constituency that has had to lay off workers because of the actions of a large company nearby, Hyundai, that refuses to pay outstanding debts?

[That this House notes that small businesses, such as Motor Sports Developments Ltd based in Milton Keynes, have for many years meant that the UK has led the world in designing, developing, preparing, operating and promoting motor sports vehicles for international motor sport, notably the World Rally Championship; further notes that these companies enter into long-term contracts to develop the skills and experience to operate a world rally programme on behalf of a major car manufacturer; is therefore outraged that due to a unilateral decision made by the Hyundai Motor Company in Korea to use its economic power and not to make outstanding payments due to Motor Sports Developments Ltd, the company faces possible closure with the loss of 150 highly skilled employees; condemns Hyundai for acting in bad faith; believes that such a company is not fit to sponsor Euro 2004; and calls on the Government to ensure that where UK small businesses find themselves in this position, they are supported in their legal action against large foreign multi-nationals.]

In thanking the staff at our embassy in Seoul for their efforts, may I ask the Leader of the House to ensure that, across Departments, the Government respond to give small businesses in this situation all the help that they can get?

Mr. Hain: I am sure that my right hon. Friends will want to do that and I am concerned to hear about the plight of Motor Sports Developments Ltd., not least because I am a motor sports fan. I know that it is a company involved in high-performance engineering, in which Britain has a world lead, and we want to make sure that such businesses are safeguarded and able to compete effectively in future.

Rev. Martin Smyth (Belfast, South) (UUP): May I press the Leader of the House on the question of doubt about the legal situation of the Continuity IRA and the Real IRA? The learned judge who made the decision is very able. If that is not cleared up before Parliament resumes in a week's time, will he assure me that legislation will be introduced in the House to tighten the net rather than leaving the ambiguity that seems to favour the IRA who, under whatever guise, continue to terrorise?

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