Written Answers to Questions
Monday 9 October 2006
Wales
Agency Staff
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what average hourly rate his Department paid to employment agencies for agency staff in each year since 1999, broken down by agency. [89447]
Mr. Hain: The average hourly rates paid for agency staff each year is as follows:
| £ | |||
| Agency | |||
| Adecco | Acorn | Kelly | |
Departmental Child Care Facilities
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what child care (a) provision and (b) assistance is available to his Department's staff; [89448]
(2) which of his Department's premises have child care facilities on site; [89449]
(3) whether there are waiting lists for places at child care facilities which his Department provides for its employees. [89450]
Mr. Hain: The Wales Office is a small organisation, with 54 staff based in Cardiff and London. It draws its staff from other bodies, namely the National Assembly for Wales and Department for Constitutional Affairs. While it is not practical for the Wales Office to provide its own on-site creche or nursery places, staff can access subsidised child care places or child care vouchers through their employing bodies.
These schemes support parents' own choices about what child care they want for their child.
Olympic Games
Mr. Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions (a) he and (b) his Department has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on maximising benefits to Wales from the 2012 Olympics. [90078]
Mr. Hain: My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State and I regularly discuss these matters with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers.
At official level, my Department is represented on the Assembly Government's Olympic Steering Group.
Wales has an important contribution to make to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We intend to maximise the sustainable economic and commercial benefits to Wales, including those arising from the anticipated increase in tourism. Wales has many excellent training facilities and will offer a warm welcome to visiting teams and supporters.
The games will also produce a significant sporting legacy for Wales with associated health-related benefits.
Prime Minister
Art
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister what the 10 most valuable pieces of art are in 10 Downing street. [87602]
The Prime Minister: The majority of pictures, photographs and sculptures in 10 Downing street are on loan from the Government Art Collection and other institutions. The current monetary value of each work of art in No. 10 could accurately be assessed only by professional valuation, which would usually take place at the time of purchase or sale by the owner.
China
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister (1) what (a) matters were discussed and (b) agreements were made in his meeting with his Chinese counterpart on 13 September; [92388]
(2) what discussions he had with the Chinese delegation on their visit to the UK on 12 to 13 September concerning the welfare of Gao Zhisheng, his family and his friends; what assurances were given by the Chinese about their welfare; and if he will make a statement. [92393]
The Prime Minister: I discussed a wide range of issues with Premier Wen Jiabao during his recent visit. I also refer the hon. Member to the press conference I held with Premier Wen Jiabao on 13 September. A transcript of this is available on the No. 10 website and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
There were no discussions on Gao Zhisheng. However, during the visit the Government handed a list of individual cases of concern to the Chinese delegation, including that of Gao Zhisheng. The Government will continue to monitor the case closely.
Copyright
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Prime Minister whether he has had discussions with ministerial colleagues about extending the number of years performing artists get copyright protection beyond the current 50 year limit. [92644]
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.
Correspondence
Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter of 22 June from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire (Sir Michael Spicer) on World Cup tickets. [89999]
The Prime Minister: My Office wrote to the hon. Member on 27 June informing him that his letter had been passed to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for reply.
Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter of 16 June from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire (Sir Michael Spicer) about nuclear power stations. [90000]
The Prime Minister: My Office wrote to the hon. Member on 22 June informing him that his letter had been passed to the Department of Trade and Industry for reply.
Departmental Expenditure
Grant Shapps: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list for 2001-02 and each subsequent financial year the amount spent by his Office in respect of hotel and other similar privately-provided accommodation abroad for himself. [91908]
The Prime Minister: Since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. Copies of these lists are available in the Library of the House. Information on the number of officials accompanying Ministers on overseas visits is included in the list.
All Ministers’ travel arrangements are in accordance with the arrangements for official travel set out in chapter 10 of the ministerial code, and the accompanying guidance document, “Travel by Ministers”.
Departmental Publications
Mr. Weir: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the publications his Office has issued since 1 July 2005, giving the (a) circulation, (b) cost and (c) title of each publication. [89453]
Dorneywood
Michael Gove:
To ask the Prime Minister whether he plans to offer the use of Dorneywood to (a) a new Minister, (b) the Lord Mayor of London and (c) the US Ambassador under the terms of the Dorneywood Trust Deed. [90496]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the press briefing given by my official spokesman on 20 September. A transcript of this is available on the No. 10 website and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
Engagements
David Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has visited each region of the UK in the last 12 months. [89236]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) on 2 May 2006, Official Report, columns 1385-87W.
Information on visits made in the UK during 2006-07 will be published by means of an annual list as soon as it is ready at the end of the financial year.
Mr. Salmond: To ask the Prime Minister when he last met the Scottish First Minister; and what subjects were discussed. [89388]
The Prime Minister: I have meetings with the Scottish First Minister on a regular basis to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Gifts
Tim Loughton: To ask the Prime Minister what gifts he has given to overseas dignitaries at public cost since becoming Prime Minister; and what the price of each was. [90280]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) on 24 July 2006, Official Report, column 865W.
Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 24 July 2006, Official Report, column 865W, on gifts, why it would not be appropriate to disclose this information; and whether the gift was paid for with public money. [92630]
The Prime Minister: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 24 July 2006, Official Report, column 865W.
Honours
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister how many honours have been awarded to individuals who have funded teaching establishments and programmes since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [90542]
The Prime Minister: Details of all honours are published in the London Gazette, copies of which are available in the Libraries of both Houses.
Iraq
Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what matters were discussed with his Iraqi counterpart at the meeting on 24 July; and if he will make a statement on relations with Iraq. [89492]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the press conference I held with Prime Minister Maliki on 24 July 2006. 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. Andrew Turner: To ask the Prime Minister how many complaints he has received in the last 12 months that the behaviour of a Minister has breached the ministerial code. [89929]
The Prime Minister: Section 1 of the ministerial code sets out the process for handling alleged breaches of the ministerial code.
Ministerial Offices
Sarah Teather: To ask the Prime Minister how many times his ministerial office has been decorated in each of the last five years. [87642]
The Prime Minister: Refurbishment and maintenance at 10 Downing street is part of a continuing programme of work. The Downing street complex is maintained to standards appropriate to its Grade 1/2 listed status in consultation with English Heritage.
The building also fulfils an important representational role.
Muslim Groups
Bob Spink: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the Muslim groups with which he has had contact in the last five years. [91552]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on 7 March 2006, Official Report, column 1254W.
Peerage
Mr. Hayes: To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the nomination forms for peers ennobled since 1997 who take the Labour Whip. [90526]
The Prime Minister: Copies of all nomination forms are confidential.
Stem Cell Research
Mr. Amess: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with President Bush about his veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act 2005; and if he will make a statement. [89705]
The Prime Minister: It is not the practice of the Government to make public details of all discussions with foreign Governments.
Minister for Women
Sexual Orientation Discrimination
Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality when the Government plan to publish their response to their consultation on proposals to outlaw sexual orientation discrimination in the provision of goods and services. [90758]
Meg Munn [holding answer 11 September 2006]: The Government plan to publish the formal response to our consultation on proposals to outlaw sexual orientation discrimination in the provision of goods and services as soon as possible after the House returns from summer recess.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |