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14 Mar 2006 : Column 2099W—continued
Regional Development Agencies
Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) names and (b) salaries are of the chief executives of regional development agencies. [57810]
Alun Michael [holding answer 13 March 2006]: The name and salary details of the chief executive for each regional development agency are shown in its annual report. Copies of regional development agency annual reports are placed in the Libraries of the House and are available on the internet.
The website addresses for the agencies are as follows. The websites will also provide the names of any newly appointed chief executives.
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Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total cost of employing each director of the South West Regional Development Agency has been in each of the last five years. [55184]
Alun Michael: Information concerning employment costs is shown in annual reports of the South West of England Regional Development Agency. Copies of the annual reports are placed in the Libraries of the House and are available on the internet.
The website address for the agency is www.southwestrda.org.uk
Waste Directive
Mr. Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the names of the staff in his Department working on the review of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive which he announced in December; how many staff hours a week are being spent on the review; which stakeholders have been consulted; whether records are available of meetings that have been carried out in relation to the review; what the terms of reference are of the review; whether a date has been set for the consultation period; and whether it is policy that staff working on the WEEE review take email inquiries only. [58042]
Malcolm Wicks: As I announced on 14 December 2005, the Review on the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive will seek to establish the best way to implement the directive taking into account the concerns of businesses and stakeholders, and will be followed by a full consultation exercise in the spring. A number of officials, totalling around 280 staff hours a week, are currently working on various aspects of the review, and a wide range of stakeholders have been consulted to ensure that as many views as possible are taken into account. Records of meetings have not been prepared for publication. To ensure that proper consideration can be given to all the issues raised by the large number of stakeholders, we prefer them to inform the Department of their concerns in writing.
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
Bexley
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the itinerary was for her recent visit to Bexley borough. [57078]
Tessa Jowell
[holding answer 9 March 2006]: On the evening of Tuesday 7 February, I visited Bexley borough to take part in a community meeting.
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Digital Television
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government have allocated for support for individuals on low incomes to purchase equipment in preparation for the switch to digital television in each year leading up to the switchover; and if she will make a statement. [57105]
James Purnell: We recognise that many vulnerable consumers will need help in adapting to the change, but evidence, including research carried out by Scientific Generics has shown that the main issue is about practical help for specific groups rather than affordability. The Government therefore decided specific assistance will be available to households where someone is aged 75 or over; and households with people with severe disabilities. This will consist of providing the necessary equipment to convert one TV set and the relevant support to install and use such equipment.
Help will be available free of charge to those eligible for the scheme who are also receiving pensions credit, income support or job seeker's allowance. Others will have access to the same help but will pay a modest charge.
We are working closely with the BBC, DWP and with leading charitable and voluntary groups on detailed scheme design.
We are conducting a trial in the Bolton area in association with the BBC. The conclusions of the trial and other research will help us to refine the cost of providing assistance.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure that all licence fee payers will be able to take advantage of digital switchover regardless of (a) technical expertise, (b) income level, (c) age and (d) geographical features of their local area; and what estimate she has made of when digital switchover will be implemented in the area in which Vale of Clwyd constituency is located. [57384]
James Purnell [holding answer 10 March 2006]: Digital Switchover will enable digital terrestrial coverage to match current analogue levels. Switchover for the Wales region will happen in the second half of 2009.
Digital UK will provide extensive information to ensure everyone knows what is happening, what they need to do, and when. Their activities will include major communication campaigns, direct mail and a call centre giving practical advice on how to prepare for switchover.
In addition, specific assistance will be available to households where someone is aged 75 or over; and households with people with severe disabilities. This will consist of providing the necessary equipment to convert one TV set and the relevant support to install and use such equipment.
Help will be available free of charge to those eligible for the scheme who are also receiving pensions credit, income support or job seeker's allowance. Others will have access to the same help but will pay a modest charge.
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Gaming Machines
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the implementation of the new licensing regime for gaming machines in pubs and other alcohol licensed premises from 24 November 2005. [58265]
Mr. Caborn: On 24 November 2005, responsibility for issuing permits under Section 34 of the Gaming Act 1968 (authorising gaming machines in alcohol licensed premises) transferred from licensing justices to licensing authorities. Aside from this transfer of functions, the substance of the permit regime remained the same.
DCMS issued guidance to licensing authorities on their new responsibilities on 10 October 2005, and has been working closely since then with Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) to respond to any additional inquiries emerging from licensing authorities.
While no formal evaluation has been made, no widespread issues arising from the transfer of functions have been identified.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the local authorities who (a) have introduced and (b) are yet to introduce policies for the granting of permits for pubs and other licensed premises to have gaming machines following the introduction of the new licensing regime on 24 November 2005. [58266]
Mr. Caborn: There is no requirement for local authorities to develop policies in relation to their new responsibility for issuing permits under Section 34 of the Gaming Act 1968 authorising gaming machines in alcohol licensed premises. Local authorities are required to grant or refuse applications on a case by case basis.
Local authorities can resolve not to grant or renew Section 34 permits for classes of premises in their area, or to limit the number of machines in particular classes of premises. However, this power does not apply to alcohol licensed premises or amusement arcades.
Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of local authorities have issued new permits for gaming machines in pubs and other licensed premises since 24 November 2005. [58267]
Mr. Caborn: This information is not collected centrally.
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