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15 Feb 2006 : Column 2049W—continued
UN Environment Programme
Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Ministers represented the United Kingdom at the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) ninth special session of its governing council on 7th to 9th February in Dubai; what papers were circulated (a) by the United Kingdom delegation and (b) relevant to United Kingdom policies; and if she will place copies in the Library. [50232]
Mr. Morley: I led the UK delegation at the 9.SS of the UNEP GC/GMEF. He also attended the International Conference on Chemicals Management (3–6 February, Dubai). The Secretary of State attended the GMEF as a key note speaker on Energy and the Environment.
The UK did not circulate any documents at the meeting.
Working documents for the session, all of which are relevant to UK policy, can be found at:
Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representation the United Kingdom had at the United Nations Environment Programme's Seventh Global Civil Society (GCE) forum in Dubai on 5–6 February; what decisions were taken which affected United Kingdom policies; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the GCE statement. [50233]
Mr. Morley:
The United Kingdom was represented at official level at the 7th GCE. No decisions were taken. The GCE statement will be placed in the Library.
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INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Aid Distribution
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions his Department has had with non-governmental organisations, charities and civil society organisations on formulating policy on aid distribution. [51360]
Mr. Thomas: DFID officials and Ministers frequently have both formal and informal discussions with civil society organisations both in the UK and overseas on a wide variety of policy issues, including aid distribution. For example in the last year, NGOs have had input to the Commission for Africa report, the formulation of a new humanitarian policy and currently the preparation of DFID's new White Paper.
Departmental Staff
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff in his Department are paid on a performance-related basis. [50491]
Mr. Thomas: Within DFID, pay and performance management for staff in the Senior Civil Service (SCS) is fully compliant with the framework set by the Cabinet Office.
All staff in grades below the SCS require a satisfactory performance rating to progress through the pay scales.
Sudan
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding is being made available by (a) the UK Government and (b) the EU to the new Government in the South of Sudan. [51848]
Hilary Benn: The UK Government are committed to a contribution of £23.5 million over three years to the World Bank Multi Donor Trust Fund for the South (conditional on fund effectiveness). We have established a Basic Services Fund for the sponsorship of non-governmental organisations working in South Sudan on the delivery of basic health, education and water and sanitation. We are also assisting the Government of South Sudan with the setting up of basic institutional structures; the establishment of a functioning police force, and the development of basic legal systems. In addition, the UK Government are also providing early and significant contributions to the UN 2006 Work Plan for all of Sudan, from which the UN Humanitarian Coordinator has allocated some US$40 million for the South.
The European Commission Country Strategy for Sudan (2005–07) allocates a total of €108 million, with the central focus on Food Security and Education. Other areas of focus include assistance with demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration of soldiers; human rights; good governance, rule of law, direct support to the peace process and peace building initiatives, and the strengthening of civil society and health. The Strategy is national in scope and does not allocate specific activities or funds for South Sudan.
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Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial help his Department plans to make available to the representative assembly to be created in Juba, South Sudan; and what financial help his Department has provided to (a) the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and (b) non-SPLM parties. [51849]
Hilary Benn: The UK Government are focusing directly on assisting the Government of South Sudan with the formation of basic institutional structures. We are also a significant contributor to the World Bank Multi Donor Trust Fund for the South (£23.5 million over three years) which includes government capacity building as one of its key objectives. We do not, for the time being, have plans to directly support the representative assembly to be created in Juba, South Sudan. The UK Government provide assistance to the Government of South Sudan as a single entity and does not differentiate between different political parties.
UN Fund for Women
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funds the UK has contributed to the UN Fund for Women in each year since 1997. [51408]
Mr. Thomas: The Department for International Development is the largest donor to the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). Total DFID funding to UNIFEM since 1997 is as follows:
| Total funding (£000) | |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 1,150 |
| 1998–99 | 150 |
| 1999–2000 | 2,000 |
| 2000–01 | 2,122 |
| 2001–02 | 4,900 |
| 2002–03 | 1,950 |
| 2003–04 | 4,695 |
| 2004–05 | 4,999 |
Note:
Overall figures are not yet available for 2005–06. From 2003–04 onwards, the above figures include £3 million per annum in support of UNIFEM's core budget.
TRANSPORT
A27
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on enquiries and consultation exercises relating to improvements on the A27 around Worthing in each of the last 12 years. [51674]
Dr. Ladyman: A number of studies relating to transport in the South East have included consideration of improvements to the A27 around Worthing but the costs cannot be disaggregated in the way requested.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the purpose has been of each of the enquiries and consultation exercises relating to improvements on the A27 around Worthing in each of the last 12 years. [51675]
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Dr. Ladyman: Various enquiries and consultations have addressed transport needs in the South East as well as seeking solutions to traffic congestion both on the A27 and more generally in the town of Worthing. They have included assessment of the contribution which local transport measures can make to the reduction of congestion, as well as road improvements.
Commercial Flights (Hornsey and Wood Green)
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many commercial flights have overflown Hornsey and Wood Green constituency in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [51923]
Ms Buck: This information is not held by my Department. If the hon. Member writes to the Chief Executive of National Air Traffic Services Ltd., they will provide the information requested.
Driving (Bio-optical Spectacles)
Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the use of bio-optical spectacles to facilitate driving for people with imperfect eyesight; and if he will make a statement. [51651]
Dr. Ladyman: The minimum standards of medical fitness to drive are laid down in the second EC directive on driving licences (Directive 91/439/EEC).
The use of bioptic devices has been considered by a Medical Expert Working Group established by the EC Driving Licence Committee to consider conditions affecting vision and their impact on driving. The Working Group acknowledged that bioptic devices might help individual drivers but recognised that, to do so, visual acuity standards would have to be lowered and that this might be at the expense of an adequate field of vision. The general opinion of the Working Group expert members is that on European roads, lowering the acuity standard in this way would be difficult to justify. Further research evidence and technological development of the bioptic devices will be needed.
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