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12 Dec 2005 : Column 1683W—continued

IT Projects

Mr. Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many IT projects have been developed for his Department since 2001; and whether he has agreed to make public the Gateway Reviews for these projects (a) in full and (b) in part. [23514]

Mr. Jim Murphy: According to available records, the number of information technology projects developed for my Department since 2001 is 120. The figure is based on IT projects developed or enhanced since April 2001 and includes corporate and business unit specific IT projects.

I have not agreed to make public either in full or in part, the Gateway Reviews for those IT projects which have gone through the Gateway Review process.

Nuclear Power (Birt Report)

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will place in the Library a copy of the report produced by Lord Birt on nuclear power. [36588]

Mr. Jim Murphy: There is no such report.
 
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PRIME MINISTER

Appointments

Mr. Wallace: To ask the Prime Minister when he will appoint a Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. [36242]

The Prime Minister: The appointment of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will be announced in due course.

Broadcasting (Illegal Jamming)

Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Prime Minister whether in his bilateral discussions with President Colonel Gadaffi he (a) sought and (b) obtained assurances that access to Libya and the region by Western television and radio services via satellite communication would not be impeded by Libyan authorities or official agencies; and if he will make a statement. [34919]

The Prime Minister: I have discussed a number of bilateral and international issues with Colonel Gadaffi. Internationally the Government continue to work to eliminate barriers to freedom of expression and information and to create an environment in which free
 
12 Dec 2005 : Column 1685W
 
speech and a free media flourish. The British ambassador in Tripoli has also raised the issue with the Libyan authorities at a senior level.

Citygate Public Affairs Ltd

David T.C. Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what meetings his Office has held with Citygate Public Affairs Ltd. since July. [36754]

The Prime Minister: My Office does not maintain a central list of such contacts. Ministers and civil servants, including special advisers, meet many people as part of the process of policy development and business delivery. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code, Civil Service Code, Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and Guidance for civil servants on contacts with lobbyists and people outside Government.

Departmental Expenditure

Martin Horwood: To ask the Prime Minister how much the office and its agencies have spent on (a) the design and production of new logos and (b) employing external (i) public relations and (ii) graphic design agencies in each year since 2000, broken down by project. [33201]

The Prime Minister: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr.Murphy) today.

Departmental Property

Mr. Weir: To ask the Prime Minister how much was paid by his Department in 2004–05 in rent for properties. [36000]

Angus Robertson: To ask the Prime Minister how much his Office paid in rates in 2004–05. [36013]

The Prime Minister: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Jim Murphy) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Energy Review

Peter Law: To ask the Prime Minister what considerations underpinned his decision to launch the energy review at the Confederation of British Industry conference. [35805]

The Prime Minister: I made my speech at the Confederation of British Industry conference following the written ministerial statement made earlier that morning by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Alan Johnson), 29 November 2005, Official Report, columns 12–13WS.
 
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Extraordinary Renditions

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Prime Minister when he was first informed that the United States was conducting international renditions of terrorist suspects; and what representations he has made to the US administration on such renditions. [36442]

The Prime Minister: I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answers I gave the right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber (Mr. Kennedy) at Prime Minister's Questions on 7 December 2005, Official Report, column 862–63.

I also refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary (Jack Straw) today.

Guantanamo Bay

Peter Law: To ask the Prime Minister what reports he has received on the compliance with the Geneva human rights accords in respect of the United States detention camp at Guantanamo Bay. [35784]

The Prime Minister: The United States Government regard the detainees at Guantanamo Bay as enemy combatants" under the Laws of War and not as Prisoners of War under the Geneva Convention.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr.Winnick), at Prime Minister's Questions on 7 December 2005, Official Report, column 867.

Invoice Payments

Mr. Amess: To ask the Prime Minister on what occasions his office did not pay valid invoices (a) within 30 days and (b) after the agreed credit period within financial year 2004–05. [35971]

The Prime Minister: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Ethiopia

Tim Farron: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make representations to Meles Zenawi on the human rights situation in Ethiopia. [37141]

The Prime Minister: I, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development (Hilary Benn) and my noble Friend the Foreign Office Minister for Africa (Lord Triesman) have raised concerns about the current situation in Ethiopia with Prime Minister Meles over recent months.

I have also asked Lord Triesman to reiterate my concerns to Prime Minister Meles when he visits Ethiopia later this month.

Ministerial Travel

Mr. Hands: To ask the Prime Minister (1) pursuant to his answer of 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1661W, on ministerial travel, which aspects of travel on the London Underground are covered by the code; [36634]
 
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(2) pursuant to his answers of 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1661W and 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 1038W, on ministerial travel, what account he takes of the guidance document Travelby Ministers in deciding whether to travel by underground on official business. [36635]

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1661W and 5 December 2005, Official Report, column 1038W.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Hoon) during the Business Statement on 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1006.

Opinion Research/Public Relations

Mr. Weir: To ask the Prime Minister what the total value was of (a) public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts awarded by his Department in 2004–05 in (A) each (i) nation and (ii) region of the UK and (B) London. [36001]

The Prime Minister: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Jim Murphy) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

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