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10 Jan 2005 : Column 261W—continued
Telephone Numbers
Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how much revenue his Department has received from the use of non-geographic 0870 telephone numbers for the period 1 October 2003 to 30 September 2004; [205844]
(2) how many non-geographic 0870 telephone numbers are in use by his Department; and what services can be accessed by calling each of them. [205834]
Mr. Pearson: The Northern Ireland Office does not have any 0870 telephone numbers.
This answer relates only to the Northern Ireland Office and does not include information in respect of the 11 departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.
Tuberculosis/Hepatitis C
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of (a) tuberculosis and (b) hepatitis C have been recorded in the Province in each of the last 10 years. [205990]
Angela Smith: The number of cases of (a) tuberculosis and (b) hepatitis C recorded in the Province in each of the last 10 years is detailed in the table.
| (a) Tuberculosis | (b) Hepatitis C | |
|---|---|---|
| 2003(5507180065) | 57 | 84 |
| 2002 | 67 | 75 |
| 2001 | 57 | 65 |
| 2000 | 57 | 55 |
| 1999 | 57 | 46 |
| 1998 | 66 | 65 |
| 1997 | 70 | 54 |
| 1996 | 66 | 55 |
| 1995 | 75 | 63 |
| 1994 | 81 | 43 |
(5507180065) Figure for 2003 relating to tuberculosis is provisional.
Source:
Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre
10 Jan 2005 : Column 262W
Tyrone County Hospital
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to increase recruitment of professional staff at Tyrone County Hospital. [206122]
Angela Smith: Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust is currently bringing forward plans for modernising service delivery through the implementation of "Delivering Better Services". In keeping with this modernisation programme opportunities are being taken to create more attractive jobs for professional staff.
The Trust continues to recruit locally and nationally and in addition has sought to recruit from the international market for nursing and medical staff.
Water Meters
Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the Government's policy is towards compulsory water metering in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [207209]
Mr. Spellar: It is current policy to meter non-domestic customers and this will continue to be the preferred basis for charging this customer group. Water Service has an ongoing programme of work to extend the scope of metering throughout this sector, although this process will take time and charges for those non-domestic customers who are not yet metered will be based on rateable values. There are no proposals for compulsory water meters for domestic customers.
Works (Greysteel)
Mr. Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what works have been carried out under the auspices of the Department of Regional Development at Clooney Road, Greysteel, Co. Londonderry over the past two years; when these works commenced; and when they are scheduled to be completed. [206056]
Mr. Spellar: The Chief Executive of Water Service (Mrs. Katharine Bryan) has been asked to write to the hon. Member in response to this question.
Letter from Mrs. Katharine Bryan to Mr. Gregory Campbell, dated 23 December 2004:
You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question about what works have been carried out in Clooney Road, Greysteel, Co. Londonderry over the past two years, when the works commenced and when they are scheduled to be completed. I have been asked to reply as Chief Executive of the Water Service. The reply also contains information provided by Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Chief Executive of Roads Service.
Both Water and Roads Services have undertaken work on Clooney Road, Greysteel during the past two years. The work was co-ordinated closely to ensure that the road improvements, including resurfacing of the carriageway, followed immediately on completion of Water Service work and that disruption to the public was minimised. Liaison meetings were held with the local Community Association which welcomed both the investment by Water Service in the area and the introduction of the traffic calming scheme. The Community Association was also appreciative of the efforts made to co-ordinate the work of both agencies and to minimise disruption.
Water Service has commenced extensive works over the past two years, totalling over £2 million, to improve and extend the water and sewerage infrastructure in the vicinity of Greysteel including :-
Replacement of the existing Gortgare Wastewater Treatment Works serving Grey steel. Work commenced in February 2004 and is scheduled for completion next month.
Upgrade of sewers and watermains in Clooney Road. Work commenced in October 2003 and was completed during October 2004.
Provision of first time services to properties on Dunlade Road, Greysteel and the upgrade of an existing sewage pumping station on Clooney Road. Work commenced during August 2003 and is scheduled for completion during March 2005.
Provision of first time services to properties on Foyle Avenue, Greysteel including a new sewage pumping station. Work commenced during January 2003 and was completed during October 2004.
Roads Service is currently installing traffic calming measures and carriageway improvements on Clooney Road at a cost of approximately £400,000. Work commenced on 6 October 2004 and is scheduled for completion by the end of March 2005. Work will include the provision of the following features:
HOME DEPARTMENT
Coroners Courts
Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of coroners courts. [200060]
Paul Goggins [holding answer 30 November 2004]: Our Position Paper "Reforming the Coroner and Death Certification Service" was published in March 2004. This set out our plans for the comprehensive reform of the arrangements for the investigation and certification of deaths. The Paper indicated that we would issue a more detailed White Paper within a year and we remain committed to doing so.
"Preparing for Emergencies"
Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Preparing for Emergencies leaflets were (a) printed and (b) distributed. [204454]
10 Jan 2005 : Column 264W
Mr. Miliband: I have been asked to reply.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the then Minister for the Cabinet Office to the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson) on 11 October 2004, Official Report, column 59–60W.
2 Marsham Street
David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much public expenditure has been allocated for external consultants in relation to the 2 Marsham street private finance initiative. [205345]
Mr. Charles Clarke: As noted in the National Audit Report "PFI The New Headquarters for the Home Office" (HC954 Session 2002–2003 15 July 2003) £8 million was spent on consultants for the procurement phase. Since then approximately £7 million will have been spent on providing professional support for developing the project and monitoring its construction and successful commissioning in the three years up to occupation.
David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated expenditure on chairs in the new Home Office buildings in 2 Marsham Street is. [205348]
Mr. Charles Clarke: The contract with Anne's Gate Property plc included the selection and provision of task chairs by the developer. It required that the chairs would:
be sourced from suppliers that demonstrate environmental standards and sustainable use of resources.
From a short list of seven, the award winning Herman Miller Mirra model was chosen in a two stage process after consultation with the Department including the staff User Group.
The price paid by the developer to the supplier is confidential under the terms of the agreement between them. It took account of the extended warranty period and long-term maintenance costs. The developer decided that for the price paid the Mirra chairs represented the best value for money to deliver their commitment, at their cost risk, to provide and maintain office furniture for the 26 year operating period of the PFI contract.
David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to public funds was of the demolition of the former Department of the Environment buildings in 2 Marsham Street. [205349]
Mr. Charles Clarke:
The demolition of the former Department of the Environment buildings, including the wartime bunkers, was an integral part of the private finance deal with Anne's Gate Property plc (AGP), who took the cost and programme risk. It was believed at the time to be the largest city centre demolition in Europe.
10 Jan 2005 : Column 265W
The indicative cost of the demolition provided by AGP was approximately £18.8 million (March 2002 prices) but the actual cost incurred by them is commercially confidential.
David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the contract period is of the agreement with Anne's Gate Property plc for the redevelopment on the site of the former Department of Environment offices at Marsham street; what the estimated yearly payment from public funds to Anne's Gate Property plc is for the duration of the contract; and what the net present cost of the contract is at current prices. [205346]
Mr. Charles Clarke: The contract with Anne's Gate Property plc (AGP) for the re-development and operation of 2 Marsham street runs from 26 March 2002 to 2 April 2031, a period of 29 years. Payment will commence when the Home Office takes possession of the building which is planned for 26 January 2005.
The first estimated full-yearly payment to AGP is at the rate of £32.3 million provided full operational performance is delivered. This payment will be at a reduced rate until the building is fully occupied. It excludes costs of on demand services such as reprographics and official hospitality. The payment increases annually at about 76 per cent. of the rate of inflation. The annual charge was noted by the NAO Report ("PFI the New Headquarters for the Home Office"—HC954 Session 2002–2003 15 July 2003), to be, if anything, a better deal then would have been secured through commercial rent and procurement of service.
The net present cost of the contract was modelled at £311 million at financial close in March 2002. This has not been remodelled to take account of the various changes since then including the revised Treasury guidance on such calculations.
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