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19 Jan 2006 : Column 1541W—continued
Zimbabwe
Mr. Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the treatment of (a) dissidents and (b) pro-democracy campaigners in Zimbabwe. [42438]
Ian Pearson: We and our EU partners judged the March 2005 presidential elections as neither free nor fair. In addition to the human rights situation, we held reservations about the election environment. We therefore commend the 5 December 2005 African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights resolution on human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, available at http://www.zlhr.org.zw/media/releases/jan_02_06.htm.
Until there is the full restoration of democratic accountability, respect for human rights and the rule of law, the Government will continue to support those working for peaceful change in Zimbabwe.
Mr. Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Zimbabwe; and what assessment he has made of the prospects for the restoration of democracy in that country. [42439]
Ian Pearson: The political situation remains dire. Mugabe's ZANU(PF) Government continues to tighten its grip on power, including by clamping down on political and social challenge through the illegal confiscation of passports and the harassment of journalists and the trade unionists.
Until Mugabe changes his policies, Zimbabwe will continue to suffer and ordinary citizens will be denied their basic and fundamental rights. Pressure to reform from within Africa is growing, and frustration within Zimbabwe is building. We will continue to support all those who are working towards the restoration of good governance in Zimbabwe.
CABINET OFFICE
Christmas Celebrations
David T.C. Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures his Department took to celebrate Christmas in 2005. [42379]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Cabinet Office provided decorated Christmas trees in some buildings. The Department had a corporate greeting card which was sent to people with whom we had worked during 2005. 100 per cent. of the material of the card was from sustainable managed forests, and 40 per cent. of its cost went to charity.
A number of Cabinet Office employees attended and participated in the Whitehall Carol Service organised by the Whitehall-wide Christian Network. Participants included myself and Sir Gus O'Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary, who gave a reading at the service.
Employees organised their own work unit celebrations in the form of meals or parties and some employees decorated their work areas as agreed with their management unit at their own cost. Christmas themed meals were sold on set days in departmental employee canteens.
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Departmental Expenditure
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent by his Department on refreshments in each year since 1997. [41258]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The information requested for the Cabinet Office is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Vehicles
Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many cars are (a) owned and (b) leased by his Department; what models the cars are; what type of petrol each model requires; and what the fuel efficiency is of each model. [41347]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The number of cars owned by the Cabinet Office; what models the cars are; what type of petrol each model requires; and what the fuel efficiency is of each model, is shown in the table.
For vehicles provided to Government Departments by the GCDA, my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Transport has asked the Chief Executive of the GCDA to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
All cars owned and leased are used whilst undertaking official business/duties.
Identity Fraud
Mike Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what training the Department has provided for (a) front desk and (b) administrative staff in relation to identity fraud. [41281]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Cabinet Office does not deliver services directly to the public which may be open to identity fraud. Therefore the Department does not provide this training for their front desk or administrative staff.
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
Departmental Estate
Mr. Amess: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) land and (b) property his Department owns in the Southend West constituency. [41754]
Jim Fitzpatrick:
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not own any land or property in the Southend West constituency.
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Departmental Estate (Gravesham)
Mr. Holloway: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) land, (b) property and (c) other assets his Department owns in Gravesham constituency. [43279]
Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not own any land, property or other assets in the Gravesham constituency.
Departmental Land/Property
Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) land and (b) property is owned by his Department in Castle Point. [42897]
Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not own any land or property in the Castle Point constituency.
Electronic Government
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what provisions the Government has made in relation to Implementing Electronic Government to facilitate (a) electronic exchange of property information between local authorities and the Valuation Office Agency and (b) extend the use of geographical information systems by local authorities. [42603]
Mr. Woolas: One of the 22 Local e-Gov National Projects was Valuebill, which examined ways of effectively and efficiently linking local government and the Valuation Office Agency. This project has now been completed and is being rolled out by London Connects. With regard to geographical information systems, these are readily available commercial products, which local authorities have been able to procure in the same way as any other business software package, according to business need. Local e-government priority outcome G14 requires all local authorities in England to provide
GIS-based presentation of information on roadworks in the local area, including contact details and updated daily".
This outcome is required to be implemented by the end of March 2006.
English Partnerships
Mr. Benton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria English Partnerships used in deciding to end support for housing market renewal land remediation schemes in South Sefton. [41243]
Yvette Cooper: English Partnerships (EP) is continuing to support housing market renewal schemes in Merseyside.
In Sefton, English Partnerships has already invested in acquiring properties in the Bootle area for a combination of refurbishment, new building and some demolition. Planning permission has been granted for two housing association projects providing affordable homes and work is expected to begin in February 2006.
English Partnerships has also provided funding for the acquisition of four former industrial sites and the remediation of one of those sites.
Any further investment by English Partnerships in Sefton will be dependent upon the identification of projects which deliver strategic and transformational
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physical change which could not be otherwise achieved, and the availability of funding (in addition to Housing Market Renewal Fund allocations, of which some £9 million has been allocated to Sefton in 2005–6).
Funding for housing market renewal areas has been increasing year by year, and against that background and an updated agenda for English Partnerships, English Partnerships is now taking a more strategic role in housing market renewal areas going forward.
In such areas, English Partnerships is no longer providing general funding to assist land assembly and demolition. It is intended that core housing market renewal funding will be used for these purposes. Instead, English Partnership will focus on a limited number of major strategic interventions which fit English Partnerships role in delivering and supporting regeneration projects of national significance, and which would not otherwise be achievable. By definition these projects will be large scale, complex in nature and involve transforming rundown urban areas.
English Partnerships is also continuing to offer valuable advice and support to pathfinders, including on masterplanning, delivery models and best practice drawn from other national programmes.
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