| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
5 Mar 2009 : Column 1735W—continued
to get these messages across to graduates and to offer detailed advice and information on graduate options. We are also working in partnership with the National Union of Students to produce further guidance in time for the spring graduate fairs.
Work Experience
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills which companies have agreed to take part in the National Internship Scheme in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10, (c) 2010-11 and (d) 2011-12; and (i) how much the Government plans to spend on the scheme for internships in the (A) private and (B) public sectors and (ii) how many graduates are expected to take part in the scheme in each of those years. [260606]
Mr. Lammy: The Government are committed to helping new graduates to improve their prospects for work in these challenging economic times. We are encouraging graduates to consider the range of opportunities available to them including internships which will help them to build the work ready skills they will need for permanent employment. We are currently talking to key stakeholders in the public, private and charitable sectors about the best way to increase internships this autumn and it is too early to confirm any details.
House of Commons Commission
Standard Employment Contract
4. David Taylor: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what representations the House of Commons Commission has received on the merits of a standard employment contract for the staff of hon. Members; and if he will make a statement. [260753]
Nick Harvey: The issue of a standard employment contract for hon. Members’ staff was considered in the Members Estimate Committee’s Review of Allowances last year (HC 578). Discussions were held with a number of Members on employment arrangements for staff. The MEC concluded that the current arrangements, whereby a standard contract is provided by the Department of Resources, continued to be the most appropriate employment model for Members’ staff. No additional representations have been received.
Energy Efficiency
5. Simon Hughes: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what steps the House authorities have taken to improve the energy efficiency of the Palace of Westminster in the last 12 months. [260754]
Nick Harvey: The House authorities have, in the last 12 months, reconfigured building management systems; installed new remote energy meters, kitchen ventilation and lighting controls, energy efficient lighting and movement sensors; developed design standards for energy consuming services and conducted building energy surveys.
A feasibility study of energy supply options is under way as part of the mechanical and electrical services upgrade project and insulation will be targeted during the imminent roof overhaul project. In addition, a new post of head of fire safety and environment has been created and filled.
Electricity Expenditure
6. Mr. Hollobone: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if the House of Commons Commission will make an estimate of the potential effect on House of Commons expenditure on electricity of the installation and use of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. [260755]
Nick Harvey: The House authorities are not yet in a position to be able to estimate the potential effect on House of Commons expenditure on electricity of the installation and use of light emitting diode (LED) lighting.
Several trials of LED technology are under way including the lower waiting hall, nurses’ offices and maintenance offices. The trials will inform Parliament’s lighting programme for the future.
Members’ Expenses
Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission when the most recent analysis of hon. Members’ expenses will be published. [260756]
Nick Harvey: Annual totals for 2007-08, using the 10 main headings of previous annual publications, will shortly be sent to Members for checking, and will be published before the Easter recess.
Leader of the House
Parliamentary Scrutiny
8. Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Leader of the House what plans she has to improve the House’s ability to scrutinise those Government Bills where many different groups of new clauses and amendments are selected for consideration at Report stage. [260757]
Chris Bryant: The number of groups of amendments and new clauses selected for debate is not usually known until the day of the debate itself.
The Government will always try to ensure that adequate time is available for debate at Report stage, especially where new matters of substance are to be introduced into the Bill.
Procedure Committee
9. Philip Davies: To ask the Leader of the House if she will bring forward proposals to merge the Procedure Committee and the Modernisation of the House of Commons Committee. [260758]
Chris Bryant: I have always been committed to a strong Select Committee system. Important work is done every week by all of the committees of the House and the Modernisation Committee has made a number of recommendations in the past on which the House has acted.
The Modernisation Committee has yet to complete its inquiry into recall and dissolution. Once that work is complete, my right hon. Friend and I will give further consideration to the best way to take forward the Modernisation agenda.
Debates
John Robertson: To ask the Leader of the House what plans she has to make debates on the floor of the House more understandable to the general public. [260750]
Chris Bryant: If the House is to retain its place at the heart of our national political life, it is vital that we continue our work to engage more effectively with the public. Promoting public knowledge and understanding of Parliament through the provision of information and access is a high priority for my right hon. Friend and one of the House of Commons Commission’s three primary objectives.
Culture, Media and Sport
Departmental Art Works
Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which works of art from the Government Art Collection each Minister in his Department has selected for display in a private office. [259436]
Barbara Follett: The following works are displayed in DCMS Ministers’ private offices.
Departmental Consultants
Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on management consultants in 2007-08. [260884]
Mr. Sutcliffe: According to the Department’s financial records the expenditure attributed to management consultants in 2007-08 was £31,339.
Departmental Data Protection
Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether his Department uses WPA2 encryption protocol on all its wireless networks. [259788]
Mr. Sutcliffe: My Department has no wireless networks connected to the main corporate network. Those wireless networks used by visitors and for testing are set up to use WPA2.
Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what auditing his Department undertakes to ensure that IT security policies are being followed; and on how many occasions (a) IT security policies have been breached by employees and (b) a member of staff has been sanctioned for a breach of such policies in the last 12 months. [259789]
Mr. Sutcliffe: My Department undertakes both internal and independent external auditing of compliance. No members of staff have been sanctioned for breaches of our IT security policies in the last 12 months nor have any such breaches been reported.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |