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Statement on the gross budget will be set for the Discretionary Social Fund in 1997-98. - Figures given. Details of individual district budgets allocations are in the Library as Dep/3 4864.
Statement on the gross budget will be set for the Discretionary Social Fund in 1997-98. - Figures given. Details of individual district budgets allocations are in the Library as Dep/3 4864.
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Roger Evans
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Social Security
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
20 March 1997
Answered on
20 March 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what gross budget will be set for the discretionary social fund
in 1997-98. [21652]
Mr. Roger Evans: The social fund gross discretionary budget for 1997-98 will be £467.5 million. Some £97 million will be allocated
to community care grants, £370 million to loans and the remaining £0.5 million will be set aside as a contingency reserve. The new
allocations represents an increase of £27 million over the total gross budget for 1996-97.
Details of individual district budgets allocations are in the Library.
Subjects
Community care grants; Finance; Loans; Social Fund
Date
20 March 1997
Reference
21652; 292 c916W
House
House of Commons
If he will make an announcement on the capping arrangements for 1997-98.
If he will make an announcement on the capping arrangements for 1997-98.
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Deben
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of the Environment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
20 March 1997
Answered on
20 March 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an announcement on the capping arrangements for
1997-98. [21655]
Mr. Gummer: All local authorities have now set their budgets for 1997-98. The next step in council tax capping is for the Secretary
of State to announce capping principles for all authorities. However, in view of the announcement of the general election, I
consider it more appropriate that decisions on capping should be taken by the next Administration. This is the approach which was
adopted in 1992.
Subjects
Council tax capping; Expenditure; Local government; Local government finance
Date
20 March 1997
Reference
21655; 292 c693-4W
House
House of Commons
What proposals he has to change the 1996-97 cash limits and external financing limits for which he is responsible. - Inc figs and ref to 284 c346W and "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses", Cm 3607.
What proposals he has to change the 1996-97 cash limits and external financing limits for which he is responsible. - Inc figs and ref to 284 c346W and "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses", Cm 3607.
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Deben
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of the Environment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
20 March 1997
Answered on
20 March 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to change the 1996-97 cash limits and
external financing limits for which he is responsible. [21656]
Mr. Gummer: The DOE/HC--housing corporation cash limit--will be decreased by £5,916,000 from £1,037,868,000 to £1,031,952,000. This
reflects a switch within city challenge expenditure from funding via the Housing Corporation to funding via other single
regeneration budget schemes.
The external financing limit for urban development corporations will be increased by £764,000 from £209,817,000 to £210,581,000.
This reflects a transfer of an underspend of £600,000 to the Black Country Development's grant in aid, from city challenge to Tyne
and Wear development corporation's grant in aid and a transfer of £600,000 from the city challenge and single regeneration budget
challenge fund programmes, both transfers allowing regeneration projects to be brought forward. The transfers will be offset by a
reduction in Plymouth Development Corporation's grant in aid of £436,000, transferred to the urban programme and the single
regeneration budget challenge fund.
The external financing limit for the urban regeneration agency--English Partnerships--will be increased by £52,883,000 from
£158,082,000 to £210,965,000. This reflects a transfer of provision from English Partnerships' derelict land grant of £2,000,000,
and also amends the limit to take account of the increases in grant in aid at the winter supplementary estimates of £30,883,000, and
at the spring supplementary estimates of £20,000,000.
The external financing limit for the housing action trusts will be increased by £457,000, from £89,210,000 to £89,667,000,
consisting of a reduction of £1,550,000 at the spring supplementary estimates and a subsequent increase of £2,007,000, transferred
from estate action, city challenge and the single regeneration budget challenge fund. I draw attention to the figures for the
external financing limit for the housing action trusts in my answer of 4 November 1996 to my hon. Friend the Member (Mr. Day) for
Cheadle Official Report, column 346. This incorrectly showed the limit rising from £878,960,000 to £879,210,000. The correct figures
were £88,960,000 rising to £89,210,000.
The DOE/NT--new towns--non-voted cash limit will be reduced by £4,554,000 from minus £110,000,000 to minus £114,554,000. This
reduction reflects an increase in capital receipts to the Commission for New Towns of £1,750,000 and a technical transfer of
£2,804,000 to the DOE/OES--Other Environmental Services--non-voted cash limit which is described later.
The DOE/OES non-voted cash limit will be increased £2,804,000 from £25,289,000 to £28,093,000. This reflects a transfer from the
DOE/NT--new towns-- non-voted cash limit to provide for supplementary credit approvals to local authorities to cover their capital
contributions to the Commission for the New Towns under road cost sharing arrangements.
The cash limit for class VI, vote 4--local government and planning, England--covering sections A to F of that vote, will be reduced
by £1,250,000 from £31,127,007,000 to £31,125,757,000. The decrease is the cumulative result of reductions in the payments made to
the Valuation Office Agency, and in the expenses of valuation tribunals in section A--valuation services, in the grant payable to
the Local Government Commission in section B--reorganisation of local government; and in the planning and minerals research
programme, section D. This amount will be transferred to the DOE/LGR--local government reorganisation--non-voted cash limit for the
reasons given later.
The DOE/LGR--local government reorganisation-- non-voted cash limit will be increased by £1,250,000 from £105,669,000 to
£106,919,000 to meet a greater than forecast demand for commutation and transitional costs of reorganisation supplementary credit
approvals. The increase will be a met by the transfer from class VI vote 4--local government and planning, England--cash limit
referred to above.
Some of the increases will be offset either by savings or transfers; the remainder is allowed for in the 1996-97 control total
forecast outturn shown in the "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses", Cm 3607, published on Thursday 20 March 1997.
Subjects
External financing limits; Housing Corporation; English Partnerships; Local government; New towns; Urban development corporations; Department of the Environment; Housing action trusts; Cash limits
Date
20 March 1997
Reference
21656; 292 c694-5W
House
House of Commons
To comment on the economy in Wales. (Failed OPQ).
To comment on the economy in Wales. (Failed OPQ).
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Hague of Richmond
(Conservative)
Answering body
Welsh Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
17 March 1997
Answered on
17 March 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the economy in Wales. [18850]
Mr. Hague: The Welsh economy is doing very well. Unemployment is falling fast. Manufacturing output is rising faster than in the UK
generally. Manufacturing productivity is well above the UK average. Industrial disputes are low. Wales is a favoured location for
inward investment. Business confidence is rising faster in Wales than in almost every other UK region, and independent forecasters
say that the Welsh economy will grow faster than that of the UK in the future.
Subjects
Economic situation; Wales
Date
17 March 1997
Reference
18850; 292 c438W
House
House of Commons
1st supplementary on the military situation in Lebanon.
1st supplementary on the military situation in Lebanon.
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 March 1997
Subjects
Politics and government; Middle East; Peace negotiations; Lebanon
Date
12 March 1997
Reference
292 c351-2
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What new initiatives he is planning to assist the Middle East peace process.
What new initiatives he is planning to assist the Middle East peace process.
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Jeremy Hanley
(Conservative)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
12 March 1997
Answered on
12 March 1997
Subjects
Politics and government; Middle East; Peace negotiations; Lebanon
Date
12 March 1997
Reference
292 c351-2; 18313
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
If he has made a decision on the sale of custody services.
If he has made a decision on the sale of custody services.
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Freeman
Answering body
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
11 March 1997
Answered on
11 March 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has made a decision on the sale of custody services.
[20060]
Mr. Freeman: I announced on 16 January 1997, Official Report, column 310, that I had granted Apax Partners and Co., the proposed
acquiror of the support services division of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency--DSSD, exclusive access to further
information about custody services, with a view to their supporting a final bid for the business. I also announced that their final
bid would be compared with the option of retaining the business in the public sector. The offer for custody services from DSSD/Apax
did not represent better value for money than retention in the public sector.
The custody services will, alongside the special services group, remain part of the Security Facilities Executive, the future of
which I announced on 3 December 1996, Official Report, column 602. A competition will be held in due course for a new chief
executive, whose remit will include the development of a robust commercial strategy for improving the competitiveness of the
business.
Subjects
Privatisation; Custody Service
Date
11 March 1997
Reference
20060; 292 c191W
House
House of Commons
To comment about the efficiency and effectiveness of records storage keeping and storing in Government departments. - The efficiency unit and Public Record Office recently undertook a joint study of records storage and management within govt. Have placed a copy of their report in Library (Dep/3 4787).
To comment about the efficiency and effectiveness of records storage keeping and storing in Government departments. - The efficiency unit and Public Record Office recently undertook a joint study of records storage and management within govt. Have placed a copy of their report in Library (Dep/3 4787).
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Freeman
Answering body
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
11 March 1997
Answered on
11 March 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about the efficiency and effectiveness
of records storage keeping and storing in Government departments. [20062]
Mr. Freeman: The efficiency unit and Public Record Office recently undertook a joint study of records storage and management within
government. I have placed a copy of their report in the Library of the House.
Subjects
Government departments; Management; Public records
Date
11 March 1997
Reference
20062; 292 c191W
House
House of Commons
If he will list his official engagements for Thursday 6th March. -
If he will list his official engagements for Thursday 6th March. -
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
John Major
(Conservative)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
6 March 1997
Answered on
6 March 1997
Subjects
Pensions; State retirement pensions; State earnings related pension scheme
Date
6 March 1997
Reference
291 c1017-8; 17575
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
1st supplementary on basic pensions plus proposals.
1st supplementary on basic pensions plus proposals.
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
6 March 1997
Subjects
Pensions; State retirement pensions; State earnings related pension scheme
Date
6 March 1997
Reference
291 c1017-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What assessment he has made of the mechanisms required for the introduction of a separate system of income taxation in Scotland. - Ref to 291 c892W. (Failed OPQ).
What assessment he has made of the mechanisms required for the introduction of a separate system of income taxation in Scotland. - Ref to 291 c892W. (Failed OPQ).
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Forsyth of Drumlean
(Conservative)
Answering body
Scottish Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
5 March 1997
Answered on
5 March 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the mechanisms required for the
introduction of a separate system of income taxation in Scotland. [17350]
Mr. Michael Forsyth: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Dover. (Mr. Shaw).
Subjects
Income tax; Scotland
Date
5 March 1997
Reference
17350; 291 c646W
House
House of Commons
1st supplementary on national lottery funding and decision on redevelopment of the south bank centre.
1st supplementary on national lottery funding and decision on redevelopment of the south bank centre.
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of National Heritage
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
3 March 1997
Subjects
Industry; National Lottery; Tourism; Southbank Centre
Date
3 March 1997
Reference
291 c614-5
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What responses she has received to her strategy document, Success through Partnership.
What responses she has received to her strategy document, Success through Partnership.
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of National Heritage
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
3 March 1997
Answered on
3 March 1997
Subjects
Industry; National Lottery; Tourism; Southbank Centre
Date
3 March 1997
Reference
291 c614-5; 16708
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
What plans he has to celebrate the millennium in Northern Ireland. (Failed OPQ).
What plans he has to celebrate the millennium in Northern Ireland. (Failed OPQ).
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Marquess of Lothian
(Conservative; Conservative)
Answering body
Northern Ireland Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
27 February 1997
Answered on
27 February 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to celebrate the millennium in Northern
Ireland. [16373]
Mr. Ancram: The Government's aim is to ensure that people throughout the community can be involved and participate in both local and
UK-wide events. No specific plans have yet been finalised.
Subjects
Northern Ireland; Millennium
Date
27 February 1997
Reference
16373; 291 c330W
House
House of Commons
If he will comment on the progress of Malta's application to join the European Union. (Failed OPQ).
If he will comment on the progress of Malta's application to join the European Union. (Failed OPQ).
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
David Davis
(Conservative)
Answering body
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
12 February 1997
Answered on
12 February 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of
Malta's application to join the European Union. [13978]
Mr. David Davis: Malta has suspended its application to join the European Union. But the new Maltese Government have made clear that
they want to continue to develop close links with the EU and they are discussing with the European Commission how to take this
forward. We welcome this.
Subjects
EU accession; Malta
Date
12 February 1997
Reference
290 c231-2W; 13978
House
House of Commons
What progress has been made in reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease in Scotland over the last 10 years. (Failed OPQ). - Includes figures for deaths.
What progress has been made in reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease in Scotland over the last 10 years. (Failed OPQ). - Includes figures for deaths.
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Selkirk of Douglas
(Conservative)
Answering body
Scottish Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
5 February 1997
Answered on
5 February 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in reducing the incidence of coronary heart
disease in Scotland in the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [12909]
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The information is not available in the form requested. The number of deaths from the disease has
decreased from 18,483 in 1981 to 14,874 in 1995. If present trends continue, Scotland is likely to meet its target of a 40 per cent.
reduction between 1986 and the year 2000 in the number of deaths from coronary heart disease in those under 65.
Subjects
Heart diseases; Scotland
Date
5 February 1997
Reference
12909; 289 c624W
House
House of Commons
If she will comment on the impact of the National Lottery on the British film industry. (Failed OPQ)
If she will comment on the impact of the National Lottery on the British film industry. (Failed OPQ)
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of National Heritage
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
3 February 1997
Answered on
3 February 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the impact of the national
lottery on the British film industry. [12238]
Mrs. Bottomley: The National Lottery has had a huge impact on the British film industry. Already, more than £66 million has been
awarded to some 164 projects. This includes nearly £39 million for 106 film productions, 24 of which went into production last year.
This is a tremendous achievement in so short a time which I know is welcomed by the film industry.
Subjects
Film; Industry; National Lottery
Date
3 February 1997
Reference
12238; 289 c488-9W;289 c488W
House
House of Commons
What reports she has received on the United Kingdom sports sponsorship market for 1996. - Includes figures and reference to "Sport; Raising the Game".
What reports she has received on the United Kingdom sports sponsorship market for 1996. - Includes figures and reference to "Sport; Raising the Game".
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Iain Sproat
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of National Heritage
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
30 January 1997
Answered on
30 January 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what reports she has received on the United Kingdom sports
sponsorship market for 1996; and if she will make a statement. [13996]
Mr. Sproat: The Department's sports sponsorship consultant has recently submitted his annual report on the condition of the UK
sports sponsorship market. This report confirms that sports sponsorship in the UK generated more than £300 million in 1996, a real
terms increase of some 19.3 per cent. over the corresponding figure for 1995. Most people are well aware of the major sponsorship
deals agreed by football, rugby, and cricket, but I am particularly pleased to see from this report that there were a large number
of sponsorships agreed in 1996 involving schools and young people, most notably British Telecom's support of school sports worth
£750,000. This is an excellent example of the links called for in the Government's policy statement, "Sport: Raising the Game",
issued in July 1995.
The expansion in the UK sports sponsorship market is extremely good news for the sports sector, particularly given that this is
additional to the thousands of national lottery projects being supported up and down the country.
Furthermore, the sportsmatch partnership between sport, business and Government continues to flourish, and was responsible for an
additional £6.4 million to the overall sponsorship market. A wide range of sports have benefitted from this excellent scheme.
Subjects
Sports; Sponsorship
Date
30 January 1997
Reference
13996; 289 c315W
House
House of Commons
Statement on when he proposes to announce the outcome of his recent consultation exercise on possible changes to the permitted development rights for satellite and other antennas.
Statement on when he proposes to announce the outcome of his recent consultation exercise on possible changes to the permitted development rights for satellite and other antennas.
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Robert B Jones
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of the Environment
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
21 January 1997
Answered on
21 January 1997
Mr. Simon Coombs: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to announce the outcome of his recent
consultation exercise on possible changes to the permitted development rights for satellite and other antennas. [12303]
Mr. Robert B. Jones: Last year, we consulted on some possible minor amendments to the present rights to install satellite dishes and
other antennas without the need to submit a planning application. The changes were intended to keep the legislation up to date with
developments in telecommunications. They attracted considerable support and we have therefore decided to proceed with them.
The main change is bringing the permitted size of satellite dishes in the south and east of the country into line with the rest of
the country. The slight increase in permitted dish size in the south and east will then enable householders in these areas to access
more readily the choice of satellite channels currently enjoyed by the rest of the UK and allow the different satellite TV companies
to compete on a more equal basis.
We will also be giving a new freedom to telephone users who wish to change to a radio fixed-link service enabling them to install a
small antenna on their building--or two in the case of a large building. This will widen the choice of telephone services available
to the consumer. And finally, there will be a new flexibility to install a satellite antenna rather than a terrestrial antenna on
large buildings, helping businesses to communicate more easily.
These changes will increase consumer choice and promote further competition in the telecommunications industry, but will have a
minimal impact on the appearance of towns and the countryside. Planning applications will continue to be required in a range of
circumstances in conservation areas, national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty. We are now preparing the necessary
order.
Subjects
Aerials; Satellite broadcasting; Permitted development rights
Date
21 January 1997
Reference
12303; 288 c525W
House
House of Commons
What is the current level of unemployment in Wales, relative to that in (a) the United Kingdom as a whole and (b) the European Union. - Includes figures. -
What is the current level of unemployment in Wales, relative to that in (a) the United Kingdom as a whole and (b) the European Union. - Includes figures. -
Asked by
Simon Coombs
(Conservative)
Answered by
Gwilym Jones
(Conservative)
Answering body
Welsh Office
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
20 January 1997
Answered on
20 January 1997
Subjects
Germany; Wales; Unemployment
Date
20 January 1997
Reference
288 c612-3; 9915
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons