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PRIME MINISTER

Special Advisers

Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Prime Minister (1) whether his special advisers have been responsible for authorising instances of departmental spending since May 1997; [203914]

(2) whether his special advisers have given instructions to permanent civil servants without the explicit authorisation of Ministers since May 1997. [203975]

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Miliband) today.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Charities Bill

Mrs. Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will respond to the report of the Committee on the draft Charities Bill. [202725]

Fiona Mactaggart: The Government will respond shortly to the report of the Joint Committee on the draft Charities Bill.

Departmental Advertising

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which Muslim newspapers the Department advertises; and what kinds of advertising the Department places in Muslim newspapers. [201696]

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office places adverts in the publications considered most appropriate for reaching the key target audience for a particular campaign. This is decided on a campaign by campaign basis on the advice from specialist media strategy agencies.

Over the last year the Home Office has placed recruitment adverts in the Muslim News as part of the "Could You police" campaign.

Social Cohesion

Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated public expenditure on the (a) regional social inclusion partnerships and (b) Regional Community Cohesion Network was in England in the latest year for which figures are available. [203561]

Ms Blears: The information is as follows:

(a) Neither the Home Office, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister nor the Regional Coordination Unit directly funds "Regional Social Inclusion Partnerships'. The Government Offices for the Regions may in some areas, have established partnerships as part of their wider role in tackling disadvantage at local level. The circumstances under which they are established and resourced will differ in each region.

(b) The Home Office does not directly fund community cohesion networks in England. The Government Offices for the Regions will in many areas,
 
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have established community cohesion networks with their partners as part of their wider role in tackling community cohesion at local level. The circumstances under which they are established and resourced will differ in each region.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Caribbean Sugar Producers

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if the Government will take steps to explain the likely social and economic impact of the EC's proposed cuts in price paid to ACP Caribbean sugar producers to the Caribbean community in the United Kingdom. [204065]

Hilary Benn: The Government are conscious that substantial reform will give rise to transitional problems for the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, and for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) seeking to develop an export trade to Europe under the Everything But Arms initiative. In order to help inform the debate and ensure the impact on developing countries is taken sufficiently into consideration, DFID commissioned a study last year with LMC International and Oxford Policy Management, "Addressing the Impact of Preference Erosion in Sugar on Developing Countries". It assessed the economic and social impact on the ACP Sugar Protocol countries of the various reform scenarios suggested by the European Commission, and the alternative options for addressing the impact of preference erosion in sugar, for consideration by the ACP and the EU.

The European Commission has promised to initiate dialogue with the affected ACP suppliers on the basis of an Action Plan, which it will produce within the next month. This will set out possible measures to mitigate the impact of the price changes, including financial assistance and help with diversification where restructuring and improvements in competitiveness in the sugar sector are not sustainable. We attach the highest priority to ensuring that the proposed Action Plan is a success and delivers the support and assistance that ACP countries need.

DFID has also commissioned the Overseas Development Institute to produce a study on "Forthcoming changes in EU sugar/banana markets: a menu of options for an effective EU transitional assistance package". This should be finalised by early next year. It should help those countries affected by reform determine their priorities for a transitional package, including analysis of alternative uses for sugar.

We are now following up this work by commissioning a series of country profiles for those Caribbean countries that will be affected by the change in the EU trade regime. This will assess the impact of sugar reform at both the national and the household level, help each country elaborate their own strategy to cope with the reforms which will occur, an identify options for transitional assistance.

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will undertake a study of the relationship between the capacity of the Jamaican
 
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sugar industry to develop its industry in a manner that adds value through the production of bio-ethanol, refining and co-generation, and development. [203563]

Hilary Benn: DFID is working with the Government of Jamaica to manage the transition from the export of raw cane sugar, necessitated by the reform of the EU sugar regime. We are doing this in two ways: DFID supported a "Foresighting Seminar" held last week by the Government of Jamaica. Participants included representatives from the private sector and civil society, who looked at the medium to long-term future of the sugar industry including alternative options for land use. We understand that a number of proposals were presented, and these will now be submitted to the Jamaican Government for its consideration. The workshop was informed by a number of existing studies of the technical feasibility of new technologies, including ethanol production. More broadly, DFID is working with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and in partnership with the "German Technical Assistance Agency" (GTZ) to produce country profiles for Caribbean sugar producing countries which will help inform their diversification or restructuring plans. The profiles may include an assessment of the feasibility of bio-ethanol.

China (HIV/AIDS)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have had with (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Government of China concerning the access and cooperation granted to (A) international organisations, (B) non-governmental organisations and (C) private companies seeking to identify and treat HIV/AIDS infected people in (1) China and (2) Chinese prisons; how these discussions have progressed since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [204644]

Hilary Benn: During my visit to China in May 2004, I discussed China's response to HIV with the Governor of Yunnan. DFID officials have regular discussions with representatives of the Government of China on this issue. This includes stressing the importance of international co-operation on HIV, and highlighting the important role for civil society and private sector organisations.

DFID is working to improve voluntary counselling and testing and subsequent care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS in China, particularly in Yunnan and Sichuan. This is an important part of the China-UK HIV and AIDS Prevention and Care Project that began in 1999. DFID has also offered advice and support to the development and implementation of China's HIV programmes supported by the Global Fund. These programmes include identifying and treating people living with HIV and strengthening the role of civil society organisations in China's response to HIV. There have been no specific discussions concerning the identification and treatment of people living with HIV and AIDS in prison.
 
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Christmas Cards

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many hours of staff time were taken up in preparation of Christmas cards in 2004. [205100]

Hilary Benn: DFID has produced its own 'Season's Greetings' card this year. UK based teams have been asked to pick up cards from headquarters in London and East Kilbride. Cards have been sent out to offices overseas on request. Individual teams have been responsible for sending out cards to stakeholders and contacts. As these cards have not been sent out centrally the cost of obtaining the information required would be disproportionate.

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many Departmental staff have responsibility for preparing Christmas cards. [205101]

Hilary Benn: One member of staff was responsible for production of DFID's "Season's Greetings" card. A second member of staff oversaw distribution to DFID staff. UK based teams picked up cards from headquarters in London and East Kilbride. Quantities of cards were sent to overseas offices on request. To date 60 UK based teams and 31 overseas teams have requested quantities of cards. Quantities have ranged from five to 250.

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