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National Archives Website

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will take steps to ensure that the National Archives History National Curriculum website makes it clear for teachers and pupils that Schedule 5 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 abolished the Lord Chancellor's Instrument No. 12 of 1966 and the 100-year Census closure rule as of 1 January 2005. [65186]

Ms Harman: The relevant section of the Learning Curve website run by The National Archives has now been amended to make it clear that Government policy is the basis for the 100-year closure period that applies to decennial census returns.

Sentencing

Mr. Amess: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what training judges receive on consistency in sentencing; what steps she (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to encourage consistency in sentencing; and if she will make a statement. [64597]

Ms Harman: Following the recent constitutional reforms, the responsibility for judicial training lies with the Lord Chief Justice as head of the judiciary, rather than with Ministers. This responsibility is exercised through the Judicial Studies Board (JSB), an independent body chaired by Lord Justice Keene.

The JSB provides sentencing exercises for the Crown court judiciary at a variety of training events, including continuation seminars that are attended every three years and annual circuit events. All magistrates have been issued with an Adult Court Bench Book, published by the Judicial Studies Board. This bench book includes a structured decision-making guide for use when making sentencing decisions and also includes a copy of the Magistrates' Court Sentencing Guidelines.

Judges are responsible for sentencing in individual cases and are governed by the statutory framework laid down by Parliament. Judges will also consider any relevant case law, Court of Appeal decisions and guidelines issued by the Sentencing Guidelines Council, which was introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 partly with the aim of increasing consistency in sentencing.

Tribunals Service

Dr. Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps are being taken to raise public awareness of the Tribunals Service. [65713]

 
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Bridget Prentice: In addition to the public launch events attended by stakeholders held on 3 April at five major cities across Great Britain, the following steps are being taken to raise awareness of the new Tribunals Service:

individual tribunals are continuing to work with their existing stakeholders and user groups to promote awareness of the new Service;

prominently displayed links to the Tribunals Service website www.tribunals.gov.uk have been and are being established for example from the 'Direct Gov', Department for Constitutional Affairs and HMCS websites www.direct-gov.uk, www.dca.gov.uk and www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk) respectively; and

public Tribunals Service signage has been displayed on some buildings and will continue to be as local hearing centres become increasingly shared by the tribunals.

PRIME MINISTER

Children's Services

Mr. Kemp: To ask the Prime Minister how many nursery and crèche places are provided for people working in his Office and employees of other Departments working in Downing street; what charges are made for the provision of such services; and what other facilities are provided for children of such employees. [67373]

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.

Civil Servants

Derek Conway: To ask the Prime Minister what advice has been issued to Ministers on the presence of civil servants at Labour party events during elections. [67798]

The Prime Minister: Guidance to civil servants on their conduct during both the general election and local elections is available in the Libraries of the House.

Corporate Hospitality

David Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has accepted corporate hospitality in the last 12 months. [67532]

The Prime Minister: Paragraph 5.28 of the Ministerial Code sets out the rules on the registration of hospitality.

Departmental Estate

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Liddell-Grainger), of 16 March 2006, Official Report, column 2393W, on the departmental estate, how much of the sum was spent on (a) the 10 Downing street flat, (b) 10 Downing street other than the flat, (c) the 11 Downing street flat, (d) 11 Downing street other than the flat and (e) 12 Downing street, apportioning common works proportionately where applicable. [65365]

 
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The Prime Minister: The figures are not held in the format requested. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 March 2006, Official Report, columns 1836–37W, and to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Liddell-Grainger) on 16 March 2006, Official Report, column 2393W.

Departmental Websites

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list (a) the websites operated by 10 Downing street and (b) the reports placed on the internet in March 2006, indicating in each case whether paper copies were also made available. [65217]

The Prime Minister: My Office operates the 10Downing street website www.pm.gov.uk". Reports and other publications are regularly placed on the site. Paper copies are made available as and when necessary.

E-communication

Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Prime Minister what guidance he has issued to Ministers who may wish (a) to podcast and (b) to blog. [67559]

The Prime Minister: Ministers who may wish to podcast or blog should take account of the requirements of the Ministerial Code.

Home Secretary

Nick Herbert: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library (a) a copy of the letter from the Home Secretary offering his resignation and (b) his response. [67855]

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the press briefing given by my Official Spokesman on 2 May, a copy of which is available on the No. 10 website.

Honours (Prevention of Abuses ) Act

Mr. Amess: To ask the Prime Minister (1) when he last met (a) the Lord Chancellor, (b) the Secretary of State for the Home Department and (c) the Attorney-General to discuss the operation of the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925; and if he will make a statement; [66177]

(2) what discussions he has had with (a) the First Minister of Scotland and (b) the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about the operation of the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 in those countries; and if he will make a statement; [66179]

(3) whether he has discussed the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 with (a) junior and (b) Cabinet Ministers; and if he will make a statement. [67938]

The Prime Minister: I have regular meetings and discussions with ministerial colleagues and others on a wide range of subjects. Information relating to internal meetings, discussion and advice is not disclosed as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.
 
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Mr. Amess: To ask the Prime Minister how many (a) males and (b) females have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted of an offence under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 in each year since 1976. [66178]

The Prime Minister: The information requested is not held centrally.

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