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25 Mar 2009 : Column 393W—continued
| Company | Venue |
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Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd (trading as Morrison Construction) | |
The Tier One contractors for Eton Dorney and the shooting venue are yet to be confirmed.
To the end of January 2009, 881 businesses had won over £3.5 billion of work supplying the Olympic Delivery Authority; 98 per cent. are UK-based businesses, and just under half are based outside of London (45 per cent.).
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what recent discussions she has had with the Minister responsible for horticulture on landscaping projects for the London Olympics 2012. [263875]
Tessa Jowell: The Landscape and Public Realm project has developed through extensive planning, consultation and design work involving local, metropolitan and national stakeholders, as well as the expertise of internationally recognised individuals and organisations.
As part of this consultation programme, the Olympic Delivery Authority has consulted regularly with Natural England—the Government body tasked with the promotion of nature conservation and the enhancement of the natural landscape—and other stakeholders including the Environment Agency, British Waterways, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, the GLA’s Biodiversity Unit and the Forestry Commission. The ODA, with the latter two organisations, has funded research into species selection in relation to climate change.
We are committed to inclusive consultation and have encouraged as many people as possible to take the opportunity to contribute to the design of the emerging Olympic Park.
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many non-UK European Union nationals are employed in the construction of the venues for the London 2012 Olympics. [263899]
Tessa Jowell: The figures for the contracted workforce at the end of October 2008, and released by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) in December 2008, show that 86 per cent. of those employed on the Olympic Park were EU nationals, 63 per cent. of these were British and 8 per cent. were Irish. The number of non-UK European nationals employed on the Olympic Park at that time was therefore 23 per cent. These figures are a snap shot of the workforce at a particular point in time. All vacancies are advertised locally. The ODA and its partners have a range of measures in place to ensure local people can benefit from the employment and training opportunities that arise on the park.
Olympic Games 2012: Cumbria
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what assessment the Government Olympic Executive has made of the economic effects of the London 2012 Olympics on (a) Cumbria and (b) Copeland constituency. [263705]
Tessa Jowell: We are fully committed to maximising the economic benefits of the London 2012 Games across the UK particularly in these challenging economic times.
We aim to do this through direct business opportunities from the London Organising Committee and Olympic Delivery Authority’s (ODA) procurement. London 2012 expects to procure directly in the region of £6 billion worth of contracts, which will generate 75,000 supply chain opportunities.
The London 2012 Business Network was specifically set up to provide businesses across the UK with access to contracts in the London 2012 supply chains, and any support they need to compete for them.
I would encourage my hon. Friend to urge businesses in his constituency to register on CompeteFor, the electronic brokerage service for buyers and suppliers. Encouraging more businesses to register will ensure that they are in the running for Games related business. To the end of January 2009, 35 businesses registered in the North West had won a contract directly supplying the ODA. This includes one business registered in Cumbria. To date, no businesses registered in Copeland have won direct contracts.
There are also wider opportunities for businesses beyond those in the construction supply chains, such as those arising in the tourism and media sectors and through inward investment and export.
In addition, there will be skills initiatives such as the Personal Best programme which uses Games-inspired volunteering to help people to develop their skills for work. Building on the success of London, the North West will be one of the first regions to benefit by introducing this programme.
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what plans she has to involve schools (a) in Copeland constituency, (b) in Cumbria and (c) elsewhere in the UK in events organised in as part of the London 2012 Olympics. [263709]
Tessa Jowell: We committed in our Legacy Action Plan to get thousands of schools and colleges throughout the country inspiring young people through the Olympic and Paralympic values and taking part in sport and other activities.
We are creating a world class PE and sport system, able to offer every child five hours per week of quality sporting opportunities, including a broader range of non-traditional activities. Schools are central to our offer, and School Sports Partnerships—such as Copeland SSP, where 92 per cent. of pupils now participate in at least two hours per week—are playing a leading role in expanding the numbers of young people participating in sport.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has developed ‘Get Set’, the London 2012 Education programme which
was launched in September 2008. This provides a variety of online resources for teachers and schools to use, as well as information on getting involved in Olympic-related events, such as last year’s ‘Make Your Mark’ challenge which involved some 56,000 young people. LOCOG has also just launched a national competition for 16 to 21-year-olds in full or part-time education to create a new design to infill the London 2012 brand, creating a new official London 2012 education logo.
According to LOCOG’s latest figures, 3,676 schools, colleges and other education providers throughout the UK have registered to be part of ‘Get Set’. 300 of these are based within the north-west region, and 47 within Cumbria itself. Statistics are not collated on a constituency basis. A full list of registered schools, and of activities, is available at
Olympic Games 2012: Expenditure
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how much had been spent on the Olympic stadium at the latest date for which figures are available; and what the estimated final cost of the stadium is. [256585]
Tessa Jowell: At the end of December 2008 £72 million had been spent on the Olympic Stadium project.
The budget announced at the end of 2007 for the Olympic Stadium was £496 million. This was increased to £504 million to include £8 million of structural enhancements to the roof in relation to loading requirements for the opening and closing ceremonies.
A number of potential cost pressures, estimated at £43 million, have been identified arising from:
Possible scope requirements, including separate amendments to roof loading and provision for an external wrap;
Contract negotiations and the development of the design.
Olympic Games 2012: Job Creation
Mr. Jamie Reed: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what her most recent estimate is of the number of permanent full-time jobs likely to result from the London 2012 Olympics. [263719]
Tessa Jowell: The latest stage of the Legacy Masterplan Framework (which will provide the blueprint for the regeneration of the Olympic Park and its surroundings) indicates that as a direct result of the London 2012 games the Olympic Park site has the potential to deliver 9,000-10,000 permanent jobs after the games. This is part of wider regeneration plans contained in the Lower Lea Valley Opportunity Area Planning Framework to deliver 50,000 jobs in the Lower Lea Valley area.
Additionally, we anticipate significant employment opportunities during the lifetime of the programme. The Olympic Delivery Authority expects that 30,000 people will be employed on the Olympic Park and the Village over the life of the build project. This number will peak at 11,000 in 2010.
Prime Minister
Future Aircraft Carriers
Q12. Dr. Julian Lewis To ask the Prime Minister what factors he has identified as causing delays in the construction of the future aircraft carriers.
Ms Harman: I have been asked to reply.
I refer the hon. Member to the written statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 11 December 2008, Official Report, columns 65-66WS.
International Development
Darfur
6. Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Darfur; and if he will make a statement. [266029]
Mr. Ivan Lewis: The humanitarian situation in Darfur remains critical. The expulsion of 13 international NGOs and the closure of three national NGOs risks having a devastating impact. The UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs initially estimated that up to 1 million people could lose access to drinking water and sanitation, and up to 1.5 million will lose access to healthcare. We believe the Government of Sudan should reconsider this decision for the sake of their own people.
Gaza
7. Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. [266030]
8. Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he made of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza strip upon his recent visit to the region. [266031]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: I was horrified by what I saw in Gaza. It is clear that the humanitarian situation remains dire. Even now, nine weeks after the conflict ended, 97 per cent. of the population receive food aid, 50,000 people remain without running water and 10 per cent. of people still have no access to electricity. Over 15,000 homes have been destroyed or badly damaged and some families are housing up to 40 people in their homes.
12. Lynda Waltho: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Gaza. [266036]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. According to United Nations (UN) figures, even now, nine weeks after the conflict ended, 97 per cent. of the population receive food aid, 50,000 people remain without running water and 10 per cent. of people still have no access to electricity. Over 15,000 homes have been destroyed or badly damaged, as well as businesses and farms.
I have pledged £30 million to support the first phase of reconstruction, known as ‘early recovery’. This will help the most vulnerable people in Gaza rebuild their lives and ensure delivery of basic services.
G20 Summit
10. Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the Government’s approach to the development agenda for the G20 summit. [266034]
Mr. Douglas Alexander: I have regular discussions with the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other members of the Cabinet as part of our ongoing preparations for the April 2 London summit. These discussions include international development issues.
Our goal for the London summit is for leaders to agree to immediate action to support the global economy, safeguard jobs and protect the poorest. We know from past crises that it is the poorest who suffer most. The Government are working hard to make sure that the London summit agrees concrete actions to protect the poorest countries and most vulnerable people.
China
11. Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding his Department has allocated to its bilateral aid programme for China for the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [266035]
Mr. Michael Foster: The allocations to China in 2009-10 and 2010-11 are £30 million and £20 million respectively. Any allocations for subsequent years will be determined during the next comprehensive spending round.
13. Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding his Department has allocated to its bilateral aid programme for China for 2009-10; and if he will make a statement. [266037]
Mr. Michael Foster: The allocation for China in 2009-10 is £30 million.
Aid Distribution Mechanisms
14. Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps his Department has taken to improve its mechanisms for public accountability for its distribution of aid; and if he will make a statement. [266038]
Mr. Douglas Alexander:
In line with the 2006 International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Act, the Department for International Development (DFID) provides annual reports to Parliament on the provision and use made of aid, and on aid-effectiveness and transparency. DFID has also established the Independent Advisory Committee on Development Impact to ensure independent, open, and transparent scrutiny of our development assistance. DFID is also committed to the International Aid Transparency Initiative, launched
at the Accra High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in September 2008, which will make information about aid more available and accessible, helping the public to hold donors and Governments to account for the effective use of aid.
Burma: EU Aid
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the amount of EU cross-border aid to Burma in (a) 2007 and (b) 2008; and if he will make a statement. [265453]
Mr. Michael Foster: Comprehensive information on cross-border aid to Burma is not available.
In 2007 the Department for International Development (DFID) agreed that its funding to the Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC) may be used for cross-border programmes of support to internally displaced people in eastern Burma. DFID’s contribution to TBBC was £770,000 in 2007-08 and £1 million in 2009-09. DFID has not stipulated what proportion of these contributions should be allocated to cross-border programmes. DFID plans to give £1.1 million to TBBC in 2009-10, a 10 per cent. increase over 2008-09.
Several other EU member states, as well as the European Commission, give funding to TBBC. Overall the EU contributed about 55 per cent. of TBBC’s income in 2008. The Commission does not allow its contributions to be used for Thailand Burma cross-border programmes. Other member states have their own individual policies on how their funding to TBBC may be used.
DFID and the European Commission both contribute to cross-border health care provision from China to Kachin and Shan States in Burma. We estimate that spending on this programme, by UK financial year, was approximately:
2007-08—£571,000 (£235,000 from the Commission; and £336,000 from DFID)
2008-09—£426,000 (£204,000 from the Commission; and £222,000 from DFID)
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