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17 Nov 2004 : Column 1468W—continued
Key Worker Scheme
Mr. McWalter: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to expand the key worker scheme; and if he will include in the scheme essential personnel such as mental health support workers. [198851]
Keith Hill: The Key Worker Living programme aims to keep the skills needed in frontline public services, in areas where there are significant recruitment and retention needs.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recognises that all key worker groups provide a valuable service, however resources are finite and decisions prioritising those eligible for assistance from the scheme have been made following discussions with key worker sponsor departments to set the key worker groups and areas where the assistance will be targeted. Based on current evidence, we have no plans to extend the scheme.
Key workers who are not eligible for the Key Worker Living programme may benefit from shared ownership and Homebuy programmes funded by the Housing Corporation to help existing social tenants and those on waiting lists into home ownership.
Ministerial Meetings
Miss Kirkbride: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what meetings (a) he, (b) his departmental Ministers and (c) advisers and officials have held with representatives of (i) Sun City International, (ii) MGM Mirage, (iii) Mandalay Resort Group, (iv) Kerzner International, (v) Las Vegas Sands, Inc.,(vi) Harrah's Entertainment, (vii) Caesar's Entertainment and (viii) other foreign casino firms; what the (A) dates and (B) venues of the meetings were; and which individuals were present; [193764]
(2) how many recent meetings (a) officials and (b) special advisers of his Department have had with representatives of (a) Sun International, (b) MGM Mirage, (c) Kerzner International, (d) Caesar's Entertainment and (e) the British Casino Association. [193899]
Mr. Gray: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how many recent meetings he has had with representatives of (a) Sun International, (b) MGM Mirage, (c) Kerzner International, (d) Caesar's Entertainment and (e) the British Casino Association; when those meetings took place; and if he will list the representatives whom he met from each organisation; [193898]
(2) which (a) UK and (b) international organisations have submitted written representations to the Department concerning the Government's proposals for changes to legislation on gambling; and on what dates each representation (i) was received and (ii) was given a substantive response; [194511]
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(3) what dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the Department have held meetings with representatives of the UK gambling industry to discuss proposed changes to legislation on gambling; [194518]
(4) if he will list the overseas visits made by (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the Department in relation to proposed changes to legislation on gambling; what the itinerary was for each visit; how long each visit lasted; which hotels were used; what the cost was in each case; and how each visit was funded. [194542]
Phil Hope: Since the publication of the report of the Gambling Review Body (Cm 5206) in July 2001, the Department has undertaken a very extensive programme of consultations with interested bodies about options and proposals for changes to gambling law in Great Britain. There have been two formal public consultations, the first on the Review Body's report and the second on the draft clauses published for pre-legislative scrutiny in November 2003. In addition to these consultations the relevant Government Departments have corresponded with and met-individual companies, trade associations, charities and other bodies concerned with problem gambling or who benefit from lotteries, local authorities, trade unions, law enforcement agencies, academics and many other bodies and individuals, including members of the public, with an interest. These contacts, designed to ensure that the Government's policy proposals are sound and take full account of all relevant benefits, costs and risks, have involved both Ministers and officials. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Code.
Ministerial Visits
Mr. Gray: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has visited (a) Las Vegas and (b) Atlantic City in his official capacity. [193900]
Phil Hope: Since 1999 this Government has published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government has also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House.
Information on travel by officials is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate costs.
All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code, Travel by Ministers and the Civil Service Management Code copies of which are available in the Library of the House.
New Deal for Communities
Mr. McLoughlin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of the New Deal for Communities in (a) West Derbyshire and (b) the east midlands on (i) reducing crime, (ii) creating jobs and (iii) raising standards in education since 1998. [198357]
Phil Hope:
The information is as follows:
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(a) There are no New Deal for Communities (NDC) partnerships in West Derbyshire so there is no direct benefit to West Derbyshire from New Deal for Communities programme.
(b) In the east midlands, there are three NDC partnerships, in Leicester (Braunstone), Derby (Derwent) and Nottingham (Radford and Hyson Green).
The NDC programme is scrutinised and reviewed using two, complementary and linked streams of work:
a performance management system, which drives annual and mid-year reviews, lead by the Government Offices for the Regions. Partnerships reviewed their own performance and the results that they are starting to achieve.
the NDC National Evaluation, providing external assessment at partnership, programme and theme level, lead by Sheffield Hallam University.
The evidence provided in these reviews by the NDC partnerships show that partnerships in the east midlands are beginning to make an impact in reducing crime, creating jobs and raising standards in education. For example:
Nottingham NDC's achievements on reducing crime include target hardening, street lighting, extra policing and neighbourhood wardens;
In the Braunstone area of Leicester, burglary has fallen by 40.6 per cent. and theft of and from vehicles reduced by 48.6 per cent.
A national evaluation has been commissioned to examine the impact and effectiveness of the New Deal for Communities. A number of reports have already been published and a full interim report will be made available in autumn 2005.
Mr. McLoughlin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to (a) continue and (b) develop New Deal for Communities schemes in (i) West Derbyshire and (ii) the East Midlands. [198358]
Phil Hope: The information is as follows:
(i) There are no New Deal for Communities (NDC) schemes in West Derbyshire. There are no plans to develop any NDC schemes in West Derbyshire.
(ii) In the East Midlands, there are three NDC schemes, in Leicester (Braunstone), Derby (Derwent) and Nottingham (Radford and Hyson Green). The Leicester programme is scheduled to complete in seven years (in 2006–07), the Nottingham programme is scheduled to run over 10 years and will continue until 2009–10 and the Derby Partnership, also over 10 years, until 2010–11. There are no plans to develop any further rounds of NDC.
Mr. McLoughlin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the (a) schemes and (b) funding made available to West Derbyshire since 1998 under the New Deal for Communities. [198359]
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Phil Hope: There are no New Deal for Communities (NDC) schemes in the West Derbyshire district and so no funding has been made available in the area under the NDC scheme.
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