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21 Oct 2004 : Column 852W—continued
Iraq
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many Iraqi nationals are employed in reconstruction programmes funded by (a) UK and (b) EU aid. [191002]
Hilary Benn: DFID's reconstruction programme in the south has employed a number of Iraqi nationals. For example the Emergency Infrastructure Programme employed 3,000 workers to carry out the manual excavation of trenches for 120 kilometres of water mains in Basra city. DFID's Southern Iraq Employment and Services Programme (SIESP) aims to generate up to 1.75 million days of employment in Iraq's southern governorates by February 2005. DFID also finances the work of a number of non-governmental organisations (NGO's), which employ Iraqis.
The EU has provided its contribution to Iraq through mechanisms such as the International Reconstruction Fund Facility for Iraq and NGOs. DFID does not have information on how many Iraqis have been employed as a result of these contributions.
Land Mines
Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department provides to countries seeking to clear land mines within their borders; and in which countries de-mining programmes financially supported by his Department are operating. [192675]
Hilary Benn: DFID's support to international humanitarian mine action is focused on:
Support to mine action in poor countries
Improving the international response to mine pollution
Developing new technologies to improve mine clearance
Promoting the globalisation of the Mine Ban Convention
In Financial Years 2002–03 and 2003–04 the following countries received bilateral support from the UK for mine action: Angola, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Georgia, Iraq, Northern Caucasus, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka and Sudan. In addition we are also providing support to international mine action through the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) the United Nations Development Programme (UNMAS) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
DFID's total spend on humanitarian mine action, including research and other knowledge provision projects, was £14,124,712 in 2002–03 and £13,734,582 in 2003–04.
PRIME MINISTER
Information and Communication Specialists
Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Prime Minister how many information and communication technology specialists are in full-time employment in his office. [189593]
21 Oct 2004 : Column 853W
The Prime Minister: For these purposes my office is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office gave today at column 895W.
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Council Tax
Mr. Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will rank the counties of England by level of council tax rises, for the periods (a) 1997–2001, (b) 2001–05, (c) 1997–2005; and if he will make a statement. [192072]
Mr. Raynsford: Tabled as follows are ranked percentage increases in the average area B and D council tax for county areas between (a) 1997–98 and 2001–02; (b) 2001–02 and 2004–05; and (c) 1997–98 and 2004–05.
For those county areas that were affected by local government reorganisation on 1 April 1998, the figures used for each year relate to the current county area. For example, the figures used for Essex for each year cover only the area currently covered by Essex county council, and not the areas of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock, where there are now unitary authorities.
| Percentage increase in average area Band D council tax | |
|---|---|
| Cambridgeshire | 43.9 |
| Norfolk | 43.3 |
| Worcestershire | 43.2 |
| Devon | 41.6 |
| Oxfordshire | 41.0 |
| Gloucestershire | 40.3 |
| Essex | 40.1 |
| Wiltshire | 39.9 |
| Staffordshire | 39.4 |
| North Yorkshire | 37.9 |
| Kent | 37.5 |
| Northumberland | 37.3 |
| Cheshire | 37.2 |
| Nottinghamshire | 37.0 |
| East Sussex | 36.7 |
| Shropshire | 36.7 |
| Hertfordshire | 36.5 |
| Buckinghamshire | 35.9 |
| Surrey | 35.2 |
| Derbyshire | 34.6 |
| Suffolk | 34.1 |
| Lincolnshire | 33.5 |
| Cornwall | 33.4 |
| Somerset | 33.3 |
| Lancashire | 32.1 |
| Dorset | 32.0 |
| Hampshire | 31.3 |
| West Sussex | 30.7 |
| Northamptonshire | 30.5 |
| Leicestershire | 29.7 |
| Warwickshire | 29.4 |
| Bedfordshire | 28.4 |
| Cumbria | 27.0 |
| Durham | 25.7 |
21 Oct 2004 : Column 854W
| Percentage increase in average area Band D council tax | |
|---|---|
| Surrey | 39.9 |
| North Yorkshire | 39.4 |
| Suffolk | 39.3 |
| West Sussex | 38.4 |
| Devon | 38.0 |
| Shropshire | 37.2 |
| Hertfordshire | 36.6 |
| Norfolk | 35.7 |
| Dorset | 35.5 |
| East Sussex | 35.3 |
| Buckinghamshire | 35.1 |
| Oxfordshire | 34.6 |
| Somerset | 34.4 |
| Cambridgeshire | 34.3 |
| Gloucestershire | 34.1 |
| Essex | 33.9 |
| Worcestershire | 33.2 |
| Hampshire | 32.8 |
| Kent | 32.5 |
| Northamptonshire | 32.5 |
| Staffordshire | 31.9 |
| Durham | 31.5 |
| Bedfordshire | 31.1 |
| Warwickshire | 30.7 |
| Cornwall | 30.6 |
| Wiltshire | 30.1 |
| Leicestershire | 29.5 |
| Cumbria | 28.4 |
| Nottinghamshire | 27.7 |
| Lincolnshire | 27.2 |
| Lancashire | 24.8 |
| Northumberland | 24.7 |
| Derbyshire | 24.6 |
| Cheshire | 22.4 |
21 Oct 2004 : Column 855W
Equi Save Project
Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what information his Department has received about the EU's Interreg Equi Save Atlantic Area Project; and if he will make a statement; [190925]
(2) what discussions he has had with agriculture Ministers in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland on eligibility of breeders of rare equine species for the EU's Interreg Equi Save Project; and if he will make a statement; [190927]
(3) what steps have been taken to consult breeders of rare equine species in the United Kingdom about the EU's Interreg Equi Save Project; and if he will make a statement. [190929]
Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which helps to co-ordinate UK interests in the European-funded Interreg initiative, received a copy of an application for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support under the Interreg IIIB Atlantic Area Programme from the French lead partner, Les Haras Nationaux (French public sector body charged with promoting and developing equine interests at regional level).
The application indicated that there were no UK partners who would derive any financial support. There were two English associate partners with minor engagement (Exmoor Pony Society and Exmoor Ponies in Conservation).
It is normal practice for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to liaise at official level with the Devolved Administrations over any such applications which have partners in either Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland and, where appropriate, with Government Offices and other Government Departments. In the case of the Equi Save project, there were no ERDF beneficiaries in any of the UK countries. The project has now been approved by the programme.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister sought clarification on the eligibility of rare equine species from the programme authorities who confirmed that they are eligible.
Breeders of rare horses in the United Kingdom were not consulted as there were no UK ERDF beneficiaries.
Gypsies (Housing Provision)
Mr. Luff: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether (a) he and (b) planning inspectors will require applicants for Gypsy site provision to demonstrate (i) local need, (ii) local connections with the area and (iii) both (i) and (ii) to overturn a decision against them by a local planning authority. [193121]
21 Oct 2004 : Column 856W
Keith Hill: Both the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and planning inspectors will consider appeals from Gypsies on a case by case basis taking account of material considerations such as the local assessment of the need for sites in the area and policies in the local development framework. Local connections are a lesser consideration because of changing work patterns. Local planning authorities should consider applications on the same basis and grant planning permission if appropriate.
Mr. Luff: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether it is his policy that a local authority's record in making provision for Gypsies should be taken into account when considering the need to make further provision. [193136]
Keith Hill: Where needs have been identified in a particular area through the Local Housing Needs Assessment process, local authorities will be required to formulate a strategy on how that need may be met, whether or not they have already made provision for Gypsies and Travellers in the past.
Mr. Luff: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether it is his policy that local authorities which have made little or no provision for Gypsies should be required to make significant provision in the future. [193137]
Keith Hill: The need for Gypsy and Traveller sites in a particular area will be determined through the Local Housing Needs Assessment process and, where a need has been identified, local authorities will be required to formulate a strategy which will set out how those needs will be met. Provision should be related to need, not necessarily levels of past provision.
Mr. Luff: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what the time scale is for publication of a replacement for Circular 1/94; [193111]
(2) whether the replacement for Circular 1/94 will put a duty on local authorities to make adequate provision for gypsy sites; [193112]
(3) whether the replacement for Circular 1/94 will require all local authorities (a) to have policies relating to Gypsies in their development plans and (b) to ensure that they each make provision for Gypsies. [193114]
Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will consult on a revised circular later this year. We will then meet stakeholders to discuss the responses received. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister aims to bring the new circular into force in April 2005. The circular will require each local planning authority to have policies relating to Gypsies in their development plans and will also reflect changes that are being introduced as part of the Housing Bill. These place a duty on local authorities to assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers in their area and to produce a strategy setting out how those needs will be met.
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