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24 July 2006 : Column 864W—continued
Correspondence
Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 6 June about whaling and global warming. [87934]
The Prime Minister: My Office had no record of receiving this correspondence at the time this question was tabled. However, my Office has since received copies of the letters. These have been forwarded to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for reply.
Declaration of War (Parliamentary Vote)
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister whether it is his policy that in future the House will be asked to vote before the UK declares war on another country; and if he will make a statement. [87599]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 15 February 2006, Official Report, column 2033W.
Gifts
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Prime Minister where he purchased the sweater recently given as a gift to the President of the United States; how much the item cost; and where it was made. [87265]
The Prime Minister: It would not be appropriate to disclose this information.
Intelligence and Security Committee
Lynne Jones: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to Paragraph B of the Government's Response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's Annual Report 2005-06, Cm 6865, what arrangements are in place under the Joint Intelligence Committee Chairman which are intended to ensure the opportunity for challenge and dissent at all levels across the intelligence community. [87535]
The Prime Minister: At each stage in the preparation of Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) Assessments (the drafting of a paper, its consideration by the Current Intelligence Group, its review prior to circulation to the JIC, in discussion at JIC itself), there is careful testing of assumptions, inferences and judgements and encouragement of active debate about them. The challenge function within the Assessments staff itself has been strengthened.
Middle East
Mr. Amess: To ask the Prime Minister what representations he (a) has made and (b) plans to make to the (i) Government of Lebanon, (ii) Government of Syria, (iii) Government of Iran and (iv) United Nations about the honouring of the agreement brokered by the United Nations to protect the Northern Border of the state of Israel; and if he will make a statement. [87340]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to my statement of 18 July 2006, Official Report, columns 151-54, and to the debate in the House on International Affairs on 20 July 2006, Official Report, columns 510-67.
Millennium Dome
Mr. Swire: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had with (a) the Deputy Prime Minister and (b) officials from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in relation to the sale of the millennium dome. [86021]
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.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Prime Minister (1) when the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the sale of the millennium dome was (a) created and (b) dissolved; [85661]
(2) which Minister chaired the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the sale of the millennium dome. [85662]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the then Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Robin Corbett) on 19 December 2000, Official Report, column 108W. The Ministerial Group on the Millennium Dome (MISC10) was dissolved in September 2003.
Ministers (Criminal Inquiries)
Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Prime Minister what his policy is on informing the House when a Minister is questioned by the police in connection with a criminal inquiry. [86577]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the press briefing given by my Official Spokesman on Friday 14 July. A transcript of this is available on the No. 10 website and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
Ministerial Code
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make is his policy to strengthen the ministerial code to ensure that Ministers’ taxation declarations and assessments are up-to-date. [87588]
The Prime Minister: Ministers’ personal taxation declarations and assessments are subject to the same rules as other citizens.
Ministerial Payments
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to ensure that a public register is maintained of all ministerial payments to charity in respect of free or subsidised overnight accommodation which is made available to them or their families. [87586]
The Prime Minister: Hospitality received by Ministers, including when a charitable donation has been made, is declared in the Register of Members’ Interests as appropriate.
Ministerial Visits
Mr. Swire: To ask the Prime Minister what plans he had (a) to visit America in July 2005 and (b) to visit Mr. Anschutz's ranch in Colorado. [86285]
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit the Middle East. [87122]
The Prime Minister: For security reasons, my future engagements are announced as and when appropriate.
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Prime Minister which constituencies the Prime Minister has visited since 1997; and on how many occasions in each case. [88199]
The Prime Minister: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) on 2 May 2006, Official Report, columns 1385-1387W.
Official Gifts
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister how (a) the Segway transporter, (b) jewellery, watches and costumery, (c) the electric Ferrari, (d) the two daggers, (e) wine and (f) the archaeological artefacts gifted to his Office by the State of Israel and listed on the Donated Asset Reserve are displayed. [87597]
The Prime Minister: The arrangements for the handling of gifts are set out in chapter 5 of the Ministerial Code.
Privy Council
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister what the mechanism is by which Ministers may sponsor potential candidates for the Privy Council; and if he will make a statement. [87595]
The Prime Minister: I submit nominations to the Queen seeking her approval.
Red Tractor Day
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Prime Minister who provided the tractor that the Prime Minister used to launch Red Tractor Day, in Downing Street on 20 April; and where it was manufactured. [87421]
The Prime Minister: The Red Tractor Day launch was organised by Assured Food Standards (AFS), who administer the Red Tractor logo.
Sir David Varney
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Prime Minister whether he was consulted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the appointment of Sir David Varney as a senior adviser on Transformational Government. [88216]
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.
Work and Pensions
Advertising Campaigns
Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what advertising campaigns the Department has run between 2000 and June 2004; and what the (a) date and (b) cost was of each. [87051]
Mrs. McGuire: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed on 8 June 2001 from parts of the former Department for Social Security, the former Department for Education and Employment, and the Employment Service. Information prior to 2001 is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
The Department runs a number of promotional campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of rights and responsibilities. The dates and costs are given as follows.
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