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20 Dec 2004 : Column 1383W—continued
Science Budget
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the change in the level of the science budget has been since 1997 in (a) cash and (b) percentage terms. [206294]
Ms Hewitt: Between 1996–97 and 2004–05 the science budget will have risen by (a) £1.263 billion in cash terms and (b) 96 per cent. in total, in percentage terms. The following table sets out science expenditure since 1996–97, including planned spend in 2004–05.
Following the Spending Review 2004 science budget expenditure is planned to rise to £3.282 billion by 2007–08.
UK Trade and Investment
Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of UK Trade and Investment's budget is directed towards (a) inward investment and (b) trade promotion; and what plans she has to change each percentage. [203894]
Mr. Alexander:
Figures from UKTI's published 2003–04 Resource accounts show UKTI's total resources at just under £289 million, of which some £250 million, (86 per cent.) was spent on trade development and the remainder, 14 per cent., on inward investment. UK Trade and Investment's existing corporate strategy provides for a strengthening of particular areas of activity, including inward investment. Subject to further work to determine the optimum distribution of resources, the terms of the SR2004 settlement envisage a larger proportion of spending on inward investment work by 2008.
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CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
"Representative Claims: Proposed New Procedures"
Ross Cranston: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the outcome was of the consultation on "Representative Claims: Proposed New Procedures". [201652]
Mr. Lammy: The post-consultation report on 'Representative Claims: Proposed New Procedures' was published in April 2002. It showed overall support for the principles of representative claim. However, following a detailed analysis of the replies, it was concluded, that a generic provision would not meet the needs of the diverse areas where representative claims might be pursued.
Consequently, the Department for Constitutional Affairs has been working with other Government Departments and stakeholders on a more targeted approach. Specific provision can be made where this is required by EU legislation or where it would otherwise be beneficial to allow representative organisations and third parties to act and there is evidence to support the introduction of such a provision.
Absent Voters
Mr. Heald: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the Department's policy is on political parties being supplied with absent voting lists outside an election period; and if he will make a statement. [204956]
Mr. Leslie: Electoral law provides for the list of absent voters for an indefinite or specified period to be made available for inspection by anyone at any time at the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)'s office. Further, EROs shall on request supply free of charge to each candidate or his election agent the list of absent voters for a particular election and those for an indefinite or specified period. The Representation of the People Act 1983 defines when a person can become a candidate which may be on the date of the dissolution of Parliament or, at a local election, on the last day for publication of notice of the election.
Christmas Cards
David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many hours of staff time were taken up in preparation of Christmas cards in 2004. [205138]
Mr. Lammy: My Department does not record staff time spent arranging and distributing Christmas cards. This information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many Departmental staff have responsibility for preparing Christmas cards. [205139]
Mr. Lammy:
A number of my Department's staff are responsible for ordering and distributing official Christmas cards. These staff are located in departmental offices and this information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
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David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what percentage of official Departmental Christmas cards included a contribution to charity in their cost; and which charities benefited from such a contribution. [205140]
Mr. Lammy: The cost of my Department's official Christmas card includes a 10 per cent. contribution to a registered charity. My Department's charity for 2004 is Shelter.
David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost of postage was for official Departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004. [205141]
Mr. Lammy: My Department does not separately record postage costs for distributing official Christmas cards.
David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost was of purchasing official Departmental Christmas cards in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004. [205142]
Mr. Lammy: The costs of purchasing official Departmental Christmas cards are:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2,107.50 |
| 2004 | 2,502.91 |
David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many official Christmas cards were sent out by the Department in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004. [205143]
Mr. Lammy: The numbers of Christmas cards sent officially by the Department for Constitutional Affairs were as follows:
| Number of cards | |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2,371 |
| 2004 | 2,620 |
Departmental Advertising
Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs in which Muslim newspapers the Department advertises; and what kinds of advertising the Department places in Muslim newspapers. [201697]
Mr. Lammy:
Recruitment advertising within my Department takes place within Cabinet Office guidelines which ensures fair and open competition. In addition to local job centre adverts some campaigns are advertised in local newspapers, which proves effective in reaching all ethnic groups including Muslims. In addition adverts including some Senior civil service posts are placed in publications aimed specifically at different ethnic groups; The Asian Times, Eastern Eye, New Nation and Caribbean Times as well as being promulgated to Ethnic Minority Centres. Liaison and promotion of recruitment opportunities to Muslims (and other ethnic groups) within the Department also takes place via the Outreach scheme which involves visits to schools and
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local community groups. This and other linked work ensures that every effort is made to engage with all sections of the community including Muslims.
Devolution
Mr. Pike: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment he has made of the benefits of devolution to the people of (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland. [204979]
Mr. Lammy: The aim of the Government's programme of devolution in Scotland and Wales was to decentralise power and to allow people to take decisions on important matters at a local level. Devolution has achieved this and has improved democratic accountability. As the devolved institutions bed down, the benefits of the distinctive opportunities, choices and results of devolution will continue to be realised across a broad range of areas in Scotland and Wales.
In Northern Ireland, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Irish Government are engaged with the political parties in a continuing effort to restore the devolved institutions on a stable and inclusive basis.
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