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15 Jun 2006 : Column 1371W—continued
Individual projects supported by the London RCE are listed at:
http://www.lcpe.gov.uk/workstreamsexemplars/List_of_Current _Projects.asp
The Spending Review 2004 set out the expectation that local government (including councils, schools, police and fire authorities) would make at least £6.45 billion efficiency gains by 2007-08. This target is based on the achievement of annual gains equivalent to 2.5 per cent. of 2004-05 baseline expenditure. Local authorities have responded well to this challenge and councils are expecting to deliver £1.9 billion of efficiency gains by end 2005-06 against the target of £l.0 billion.
Private Office Staff
David Simpson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been paid in (a) salary, (b) travelling expenses, (c) subsistence allowance and (d) removal expenses to special advisers in his private office in each of the last five years. [69054]
Angela E. Smith: I have been asked to reply.
Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and overall cost of special advisers and the number in each payband. For information relating to the last financial year I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, on 21 July 2005, Official Report, columns 158-61WS. Information on special advisers for this financial year is currently being collected and will be published in the normal way when available.
This information prior to 2003 is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
All official travel by special advisers is undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.
Small Change Big Difference
Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department and its agencies have taken following the launch of the Government’s Small Change Big Difference Campaign. [72006]
Angela E. Smith: The Department and its agencies have introduced a number of initiatives which support the Government’s Small Change Big Difference Campaign. These are aimed at encouraging staff to make choices which increase physical activity and improve diet.
The Department provides healthy options in the restaurants and has made available a series of “lunch time walks”. Awareness of national campaigns is raised using the Department’s intranet and staff are encouraged to participate in annual Sports Days and take exercise at departmental sports clubs.
As the programme of work develops the Department of Health will be working across all of Government to ensure the programme joins up to promote maximum impact. DH is leading the implementation for this initiative as part of its cross-Government commitment to deliver the public health White Paper “Choosing Health”.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Ascension Island
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many guided missiles (a) have been launched from Ascension Island and (b) have landed on Ascension Island since 1976 as permitted in article 2 (General Description of Rights), point 1a of the Bahamas Agreement 1956; and on what dates. [75465]
Mr. Hoon: No guided missiles have been launched from Ascension Island or landed on Ascension Island since 1976 as permitted in article 2 (General Description of Rights), point 1a of the Bahamas Agreement 1956.
Bahamas Agreement
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what payment has been made in each year since 1976 by the United States Administration towards the maintenance of the services listed in article X (public services) of the Bahamas Agreement 1956. [75456]
Mr. Hoon:
Regular payments by the United States Administration towards the maintenance of the services listed in article X (public services) of the
Bahamas Agreement 1956 have only been made since the introduction of a system of taxation in April 2002. Since that time the US has paid contract employee income tax and import duty as follows:
| GBP (£) | ||||
| 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | |
| (1) 2005-06 subject to assessment. | ||||
Prior to April 2002, contributions were made on an ad hoc basis. These contributions continue in addition to the tax the US pays.
Bonuses
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many non-pensionable bonuses were awarded to members of her staff in each of the last three years; and at what total cost. [73035]
Mr. Hoon: The following table sets out the number and value of non-consolidated, non-pensionable bonus payments made to UK-based Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff over the last three years in relation to salary.
| 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | |
British Passport Holders
Mr. Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British passport holders she estimates live abroad, broken down by country. [77479]
Dr. Howells: I estimate that there are approximately 4,500,000 British passport holders living overseas. The following table provides a breakdown by country.
| Passport issuing post | Country | Estimated number of British passport holders |
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