Miss Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the timetable is for the public consultation on Article 8.2 of Council Directive (EU) 338/97. [270]
Jim Knight: The Government plan to go out to public consultation on their proposals regarding the use of the powers under Article 8.2 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 by the end of July.
Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her timetable is for public consultation on Article 8.2 of Council Directive (EU) 338/97, with particular reference to the (a) conservation and (b) animal welfare implications of the trade in primates as pets in the UK; and if she will make a statement. [338]
Jim Knight: The Government plan to go out to public consultation on their proposals regarding the use of the powers under Article 8.2 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97 by the end of July. The Regulation is essentially a conservation measure and its powers cannot be used to address animal welfare issues. Although we shall certainly consider whether it would be appropriate to use these powers to restrict the keeping of primates, the purpose of the consultation exercise is to seek views on how these powers should be used, rather than presenting a detailed list of protected species at this stage.
Mr. Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will take steps to provide licence fee evasion rates on a local authority area basis. [352]
James Purnell:
The BBC is responsible for the administration of the television licensing system and maintains the statistical model used to estimate licence evasion. As explained in response to previous Questions from the hon. Member on this subject including 20 January 2005, Official Report, column 1053W, the BBC has indicated that the data required to produce accurate evasion estimates includes external sources which are unavailable at local levels. The BBC has also indicated that information on evasion rates by local authority area is in any case not required for the efficient
23 May 2005 : Column 4W
and effective enforcement of the licensing system. The Government have no plans to collect such information separately.
Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received from sporting clubs about the changes to licensing fees in relation to serving alcohol; and if she will make a statement. [160]
James Purnell: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, and my Department, have received many representations on this subject from amateur sports clubs, the organisations which represent their interests, and Members of this House.
As has been demonstrated by the tax and other financial benefits introduced over recent years for Community Amateur Sports Clubs, and the significant sums in Lottery support for them which is channelled through sport's governing bodies, the Government continues to support the estimated 140,000 amateur clubs across England and Wales. In introducing the new licensing regime, there is no intention to penalise those involved in running clubs, or to affect the important roles such clubs play in local communities. This was made clear during the passage of the Act, and thereafter.
My Department is working closely with the Central Council of Physical Recreation, and other sports bodies, as implementation continues. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made a commitment to an independent review of fee levels and associated costs, within a reasonable period after the new framework is fully introduced. The results of that review will inform any necessary adjustments to the levels of fees introduced under the Act.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Prime Minister whether the Deputy Prime Minister has responsibilities in Government for matters other than those for which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is responsible. [526]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the press notice issued on 6 May 2005, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Fallon: To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons the comprehensive press briefing on the content of the Queen's Speech was not made available to hon. Members in the Vote Office at the start of the debate on 17 May. [388]
The Prime Minister:
Information relating to the Queen's Speech was made available almost immediately at the website of the Leader of the House of Commons, www.commonsleader.gov.uk. However, I have noted Mr. Speaker's comments and copies of the information referred to have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. I shall ensure that this is the practice in future years.
23 May 2005 : Column 5W
Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the likely impact on academic standards of the academic boycott on Israel proposed by the Association of University Teachers; and if she will make a statement. [418]
Bill Rammell: The Government have made clear that they are opposed to academic boycotts.
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average amount spent per pupil in (a) secondary and (b) primary schools in Cheshire was in each year between 2001 and 2005. [120]
Jacqui Smith: The information requested for the years 200102 to 200304 is given in the table.
The information for 200405 is not due to be collected until October 2005.
School based expenditure per pupil | ||
---|---|---|
Primary | Secondary | |
200102 | 2,060 | 2,890 |
200203 | 2,340 | 2,990 |
200304 | 2,540 | 3,280 |
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils from Wales attended schools in Cheshire in each year since 2001. [122]
Jacqui Smith: The information requested is shown in the following table:
Primary | Secondary | |
---|---|---|
2005 | 292 | 421 |
2004 | 299 | 340 |
2003 | 226 | 356 |
2002 | 247 | 370 |
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