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Library/Leisure Facilities

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State forCulture, Media and Sport what the total library service book stock was in Lancashire in each year since 1997. [45101]

Mr. Lammy: The total bookstock held by Lancashire County Libraries for each year between 1997–98 and 2003–04 is shown in the table. These figures are drawn from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's annual Public Library Statistics (Actuals). Copies are kept in the House of Commons Library.

	Total bookstock
1997–98	3,113,918
1998–99	2,486,056
1999–2000	2,386,475
2000–01	2,316,941
2001–02	2,309,223
2002–03	2,184,021
2003–04	2,107,879

 
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John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on the demand for (a) libraries and (b) leisure facilities arising from the planned housing expansion in Aylesbury Vale. [45346]

Mr. Lammy: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any discussions with my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on the demand for libraries and leisure facilities in Aylesbury Vale. The Department has, however, been taking steps to ensure that adequate cultural infrastructure forms part of new developments across all of the growth areas including that covering Milton Keynes South Midlands (MKSM) The Department and its non-departmental public bodies have, for instance, been contributing to the work of the MKSM inter-regional board to ensure that the requirements of the cultural sector are reflected in proposals for development in the sub region and this led to the publication of the Living Spaces Culture and Sustainable Communities in the MKSM, guide for Local Delivery Vehicles" consultation document, launched in March 2005.

Pornography

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 19 December 2005, Official Report, column 2536W, on pornography, what measures are in place to ensure that vulnerable groups, with particular reference to children, are not harmed by this material. [45467]

Mr. Lammy: There are a number of relevant pieces of legislation which have an impact on the dissemination of pornographic material, including the Obscene Publications Act, the Indecent Displays Act, the Communications Act, the Video Recordings Act, and the Protection of Children Act.

Sustainable Development

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what parts of her Department's estatewill not be covered by the commitments set out in the framework for sustainable development on the Government estate. [45438]

Mr. Lammy: All parts of the Department's estate are covered by the framework for sustainable development on the Government estate.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

International AIDS Vaccine Initiative

2. Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution his Department has made to the budget of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) for 2005–06; and what proportion of IAVI's total budget that represents. [45075]

Mr. Thomas: The Department for International Development has committed £8 million to the International Aids Vaccine Initiative, for the financial year 2005–06. IAVI financial years coincide with calendar years.
 
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The £8 million committed for 2005–06 is accounted for in IAVI's 2005 accounts where it represents 31 per cent. of the total funds received.

World Trade Organisation (Hong Kong Talks)

6. Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the implications for developing countries of the outcome of the World Trade Organisation trade talks in Hong Kong. [45079]

Hilary Benn: We did not make substantial progress in negotiations in Hong Kong, although conditional agreements were reached on ending export subsidies by 2013; agreeing new controls on food aid; and providing duty and quota free access for the world's Least Developed Countries for most, though not all products. Increased Aid for Trade is now included, for the first time, in the Hong Kong Declaration.

However in the key areas of agricultural market access and trade distorting domestic support the outcome was disappointing. There is now a great deal of work to be done to reach an outline agreement ("modalities") by the new deadline of 30 April, and schedules of commitments based on this outline by 31 July.

Disaster Relief

7. Ms Barlow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of his Department's budget for 2005–06 is allocated to preparedness and risk reduction for natural disasters; what proportion is allocated to disaster relief; and if he will increase the funds available for disaster preparedness and risk reduction. [45080]

Mr. Thomas: Our spending on humanitarian assistance including response to disasters increased from £186 million in 1997–98 to £370 million in 2004–05. We are committed to give a higher priority to disaster risk reduction.

14. Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures he proposes to improve the humanitarian response to natural disasters and long-term reconstruction thereafter. [45088]

Hilary Benn: I made proposals in a speech in New York on 23 January. We have worked with the UN to establish a new Fund which will channel money to disasters quickly. We are calling for a strengthened role for UN humanitarian co-ordinators; improvements to the UN Flash Appeals system; and for the UN to develop proposals to increase staffing capacity.

The UK supports a clear role for the World Bank to support and co-ordinate longer-term recovery and reconstruction following natural disasters, properly co-ordinated with the UN. The Bank should ensure it has mechanisms in place for prompt and sustainable response to changed country needs.

East Africa

8. Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on good governance in East Africa. [45081]

 
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Hilary Benn: The picture is mixed. I am encouraged by the recent constitutional referendum in Kenya, and the recent presidential and the parliamentary elections in Tanzania. The first multi-party elections for more than 20 years in Uganda next month will also be an important test of democracy but I am concerned about what has been happening there recently. I am also worried about corruption in Kenya, which I raised with President Kibaki last week, including the latest allegations in the Kenyan and UK press. It is essential that these are fully and swiftly investigated.

Developing World (Conflict)

9. Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to address the humanitarian consequences of conflict in the developing world; and if he will make a statement. [45082]

Mr. Thomas: Conflict is one of the biggest obstacles to poverty reduction. DFID has taken a number of steps to address the humanitarian consequences of conflict. In 2005 DFID provided more than £29 million to support the work of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and in 2004 £36.5 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross. We expect to spend £175 million in Africa this year on humanitarian relief, including in conflict affected countries. A draft humanitarian policy will be available for consultation this week. DFID also works on preventing conflict, so as to reduce the humanitarian consequences, including through the Africa and Global Conflict Prevent Pools and the Post Conflict Reconstruction Unit.

Trade Barriers

10. Mr. Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to encourage the reduction of barriers to trade between the EU and developing countries. [45083]

Hilary Benn: Increased trade has the potential to help developing countries grow economically and therefore help them tackle the problems of poverty. We will continue to make the case in Europe that a more open import regime can be good for developing countries as well as helping the EU itself become more competitive and prosperous. We will continue to assist developing countries in formulating their own trade policies and priorities, help them to negotiate these priorities, and help them to capture the potential benefits of increased trade.

Since 1998 we have spent £181 million through our trade related capacity building programmes to help developing countries, and we have announced our intention to increase the amount we spend on so-called Aid for Trade to £100 million per year by 2010.

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