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15 Oct 2004 : Column 392W—continued
Pupil Data Registration
Mr. Forth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the advice to schools on the TeacherNet website of 20 July regarding use of wireless technologies for pupil data registration and registering of licences is mandatory; and whether liability rests with (a) the Department and (b) schools. [190291R]
Mr. Charles Clarke: The advice to schools regarding the use of wireless technologies for pupil data registration and the necessity of licences under UK patent EP(GB) 0 664 061 on the TeacherNet website dated 20 July 2004 is just that, advice, and therefore not mandatory. The advice highlights the issue by setting out my Department's interpretation of the judgment in the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, Patent Court dated 17 June 2004.
In common with all products and services, schools are liable for the consequences of their procurement decisions. Before making such decisions, schools are able to seek detailed advice from their relevant service or product supplier, or whoever provides their technical advice, such as their local education authority.
Skill Training
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many adults have achieved Basic Skills Level in each year since 2001 for which figures are available. [190667]
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Mr. Ivan Lewis: "Skills for Life" caters for the literacy and numeracy skills needs of post 16 learners, that is those who are no longer in compulsory education. The national strategy has an initial target to improve the skills of 750,000 adults in England by 2004, with the commitment to improve the skills of 1.5 million adults by 2007 and 2.25 million adults by 2010. Individuals count towards the target if they improve their skills evidenced by achieving a relevant national qualification, including Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number at Levels 1 and 2, and GCSEs in English and Maths.
The following table shows available data on adult learners achieving Skills for Life qualifications between the launch of the strategy in April 2001 to July 2003. Data for 2003–04 are not yet available.
| Annual achievements (thousand) | |
|---|---|
| April 2001—July 2001(2) | 150 |
| August 2001—July 2002 | 204 |
| August 2002—July 2003 | 196 |
(2) Achievements include learning started earlier in the academic year.
PRIME MINISTER
Ministerial Spouses (Security)
Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister what rules govern the public provision of security support for relatives of Ministers when such persons are abroad on personal trips. [191184]
The Prime Minister: It has been the practice of successive governments not to comment on security issues.
TRANSPORT
Access for All Fund
Mr. Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the budget for the Access for All fund is, broken down by rail region; and if he will list the criteria for prioritising its distribution. [190219]
Mr. McNulty: Planned Government expenditure on rail for the next three years will be published in due course. The Strategic Rail Authority expects to consult on a Disability Strategy by the end of this year. The consultation document will propose criteria for prioritising the Access for All fund.
Rail Use
Mr. Drew:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment has been made of the accuracy of figures for rail use; and whether this takes account of non-payment of fares; [191116]
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(2) what plans he has to discuss non-payment of rail fares; and what account is taken of non-payment of fares in planning for future rail use, including the expansion of services; [191117]
(3) how many rail users there were on the Cheltenham to London service in the last period for which figures are available; and what estimate has been made of leakage of usage arising from non-payment of fares. [191129]
Mr. McNulty: The calculation of rail use by passengers does not take account of ticketless travel as it is based on the numbers of tickets sold. In the year to 18 September 2004, figures provided by First Great Western show that there were 191,006 passenger journeys between Cheltenham and London terminals. It is estimated that the fares evasion level on the network is between 3 per cent. and 7 per cent. overall.
The Government are currently engaged in a consultation on ticketless travel and the penalty fare level. The consultation period ends on 26 October.
Renewable Transport Fuels
Mrs. Shephard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to introduce a renewable transport fuels obligation under the Energy Act 2004. [190815]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 14 October 2004]: No decision has yet been taken on whether the Government should introduce any form of renewable transport fuels obligation. It is one of a number of policy options which the Government is currently considering as a way of supporting the development and use of biofuels in the UK. Before introducing any obligation, the Government would consult extensively on how it might operate.
Rolling Stock (Fenchurch Street)
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instruct the Strategic Rail Authority to withhold permission for further removals of rolling stock from the Fenchurch street line. [190746]
Mr. McNulty: The Strategic Rail Authority, working with the rail industry, must have the ability to make decisions on the best deployment of rolling stock across the whole network. However there are currently no plans for any further re-deployment of rolling stock from the Fenchurch street line.
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions the Strategic Rail Authority has had with c2c about the removal of rolling stock from the Fenchurch Street line; and what approvals they have given to c2c. [190747]
Mr. McNulty:
I refer the hon. Member to the written reply given to him on 13 September 2004, Official Report, column 1383W.
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INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CDC
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to his answer of 3 March 2004, Official Report, column 916W, on CDC, what proportion of CDC-funded travel involved an overnight stay in each year since 1999. [190514]
Hilary Benn: CDC does not keep a record of this information, and to obtain it would incur a disproportionate cost.
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list CDC/Actis Capital funded agribusiness (a) new investments and (b) disposals since June 2003 broken down by (i) country, (ii) investment fund and (iii) investment size. [190515]
Hilary Benn: New investments and disposals by CDC in the agribusiness sector by country and fund since June 2003 are as follows:
| Country | Fund | |
|---|---|---|
| New agribusiness investments | ||
| Fertisa Port | Ecuador | Latin America |
| Middle East Food and Trade Company SAE | Egypt | Africa |
| Kilombero Valley Teak Company Ltd. | Tanzania | Assets |
| Tanzania Tea Packers | Tanzania | Assets |
| Agribusiness disposals | ||
| Favorita Fruit Company Ltd. | Ecuador | Latin America |
| Agro Tech Foods Ltd. | India | Assets |
| Mumias Sugar Company Ltd. | Kenya | Assets |
| Ramu Sugar | Sri Lanka | Assets |
| Mah Boon Krong Sirichai | Thailand | Assets |
The total value of new investments at cost was US$17 million, while disposals amounted to US$22 million.
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Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list non-CDC third-party capital under Actis Capital's management broken down by (a) investor, (b) country, (c) investment fund and (d) amount. [190516]
Hilary Benn: The following table sets out the various Actis funds and details (by fund), the country/region, the size of the fund, the number of non-CDC investors and the percentage investment in each fund by them.
The amounts invested by non-CDC third party investors are confidential and is commercially sensitive and are therefore confidential.
| Fund name | Country/ region | Fund size (US$m) | Number of investors (excluding CDC) | Percentage invested by non-CDC investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actis Malaysia Fund 1 LP(3) | Malaysia | 60 | 1 | 33 |
| CGU-CDC China Investment Company | China | 100 | 1 | 50 |
| Comafin | Africa | 60 | 7 | 58 |
| South Asia Regional Fund (SARF) | South Asia | 105 | 15 | 46 |
(3) First close
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list investors in CDC's Aureos fund broken down by (a) amount and (b) proportion. [190517]
Hilary Benn: The following table gives information on the size of the various Aureos funds, the number of non-GDC investors and the percentage investment in the fund by them The amounts invested by non-CDC third party investors are commercially sensitive and therefore, confidential.
| Fund name | Fund size (US$ million) | Number of investors (excluding CDC) | Percentage invested by non-CDC investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aureos East Africa Fund (2003) | 40.0 | 7 | 80 |
| Aureos West Africa Fund (2003) | 50.0 | 6 | 69 |
| Aureos Southern Africa Fund (2003) | 50.0 | 4 | 70 |
| Aureos Central America Fund (2002) | 36.3 | 4 | 73 |
| Acacia Fund (Kenya) | 19.6 | 7 | 75 |
| Ayojana Fund (Sri Lanka) | 6.0 | 1 | 50 |
| Zambia Venture Capital Fund | 12.5 | 4 | 80 |
| Ghana Venture Capital Fund | 5.8 | 4 | 66 |
| Takura Ventures, Zimbabwe | 6.9 | 3 | 69 |
| Indian Ocean Regional Fund | 12.5 | 3 | 61 |
| Mauritius Venture Capital Fund | 7.5 | 3 | 80 |
| Fedha Fund, Tanzania | 11.9 | 5 | 69 |
| Mozambique Investment Company | 5.3 | 6 | 74 |
| Tanzania Venture Capital Fund | 7.6 | 5 | 67 |
| Kula Fund, Pacific | 16.9 | 5 | 68 |
| NDB Venture Investments (Portfolio A), Sri Lanka | 4.7 | 1 | 100 |
| NDB Venture Investments (Portfolio B), Sri Lanka | 6.0 | 1 | 50 |
| Central American Investment Facility | 26.4 | 5 | 62 |
15 Oct 2004 : Column 397W
Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether there are plans to develop CDC/Actis Capital funds strictly devoted to the agribusiness sector. [190518]
Hilary Benn: There are no proposals currently under discussion between CDC and Actis for a fund or funds strictly devoted to the agribusiness sector. However, there is scope for agribusiness investment within all of the regional funds currently managed by Actis.
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