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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 14 June 2005
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Acts of Parliament (Internet Access)
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will take steps to make all Acts of Parliament published before 1988 for which her Department is responsible available on-line. [3716]
Mr. Caborn: The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) within the Cabinet Office is the Queen's Printer of Acts of Parliament, and responsible for the publication of Acts of Parliament. HMSO has considered the publication of Acts prior to 1988, which is the earliest date when these were available electronically, but has decided not to do so as many have been heavily amended and to publish them in their original form would be misleading for many users. The Government are, however, taking forward development of a Statute Law Database which will contain the fully revised and updated text of all legislation from 1275. It is expected that this will be made available to the general public during 2006.
British Museum Act
Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will bring forward amendments to the British Museum Act 1963 following the judgment of the High Court in the case of works of art formerly owned by Arthur Feldman and now in the British Museum; and if she will make a statement. [3209]
Mr. Lammy: We are carefully considering the recent recommendation of the Spoliation Advisory Panel that legislation should be introduced to permit the return of items where possession was lost during the Nazi era. The Vice Chancellor's judgment of 27 May provides clarity in this important area and will contribute to our consideration of the Panel's recommendation.
Civil Servants
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what value-for-money procurement savings were identified and what reduction in civil service posts occurred in her Department in 2004–05. [4551]
Mr. Caborn: DCMS will complete its assessment of the value-for-money procurement savings in July. Last year's savings for DCMS were £5.88 million and this year's return is expected to be a similar figure. I will write to the hon. Member with the 2004–05 savings as soon as they are available. Civil service posts in DCMS increased by 4.6 full-time equivalents in 2004–05.
Licensing Act
John Cummings:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications have
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been received to date by Easington district council from licensees for a new licence under the Licensing Act 2003; and what percentage of licences held this represents. [3800]
James Purnell: Information on the number of applications for converting existing licences received to date by Easington district council licensing authorities under the Licensing Act 2003 and the percentage this represents of existing licences is not kept by my Department. Information on local licence application levels should be available from the respective district or borough council. Licensing authorities are the main local authorities responsible for administering and enforcing the new regime that comes into effect in November.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the likely consequences of the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 on the income of village halls; and if she will make a statement. [2654]
James Purnell [holding answer 9 June 2005]: There is no cost to village halls applying for a premises licence for the provision of public entertainment. Only where they wish to add the supply of alcohol to their licence will the vast majority pay no more than £190 on initial application and £180 as an annual fee. For many halls the fees would be £100 and £70 respectively. Once granted a premises licence, village halls will have the flexibility to provide licensable activities on their premises to a wide variety of users.
London Eye
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the effect of the London Eye on the 2012 Olympic bid. [1230]
Tessa Jowell: The London Eye is now a much loved and iconic London landmark, as such it is a first class tourist attraction—all of which helps to support London's bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
National Lottery
Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money in each year has remained unclaimed since the National Lottery started; and what has happened to this money. [4584]
Mr. Caborn: All prizes that are unclaimed 180 days after the date of the relevant draw are passed, together with any interest accrued, to the National Lottery Distribution Fund. The amount passed in every year, in £ million, since the National Lottery began is:
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1994–95 | 0 |
| 1995–96 | 34 |
| 1996–97 | 48 |
| 1997–98 | 74 |
| 1998–99 | 78 |
| 1999–2000 | 71 |
| 2000–01 | 76 |
| 2001–02 | 81 |
| 2002–03 | 85 |
| 2003–04 | 73 |
| 2004–05 | 100 |
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Sport Administration Costs
Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total administration costs of (a) the Sport and Recreation Division of her Department, (b) Sport England, (c) regional sports boards and (d) county sports partnerships were in 2004–05 (i) in total and (ii) as a percentage of the overall budget of each. [3606]
Mr. Caborn: The information requested is shown in the following table:
(1) Includes costs of Sports Division and Director of Sport (Group Head). Includes pay and other general administration.
(2) Excludes the direct costs of running National Centres and Regional Offices
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Agents
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures UK Trade and Investment staff take to ensure that the lists of agents they provide to British companies include only agents committed to non-bribery principles. [2557]
Ian Pearson: The onus remains with UKTI customers to satisfy themselves as to the business standing and integrity of potential agents.
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many agents were removed from the list of agents provided by UK Trade and Investment to British companies, in each year since 2000; and from which countries. [2345]
Ian Pearson: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) do not hold a central list of agents or any other potential business partners. Bespoke lists of agents and other potential business partners can be provided direct to UKTI customers at their request.
Arms Sales (Indonesia)
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is being taken to prosecute Alvis plc for the payment made to Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana in order to secure the contract from the Indonesian Government to supply Scorpion armoured fighting vehicles; and if he make a full statement. [557]
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Ian Pearson: The Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD) provided support for the contract referred to. ECGD does not have investigatory powers, but I understand that the above matter has been referred to the Serious Fraud Office, which has primary responsibility for deciding whether such allegations should be investigated.
Citizens Advice Bureaux
Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department gave in grant to Citizens Advice Bureaux in each London borough in the last year for which figures are available. [2533]
Mr. Sutcliffe: The Department does not provide grant to local Citizens Advice Bureaux.
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