House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 30 Oct 2000 (pt 17)

Low Flying Aircraft

Mr. Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review procedures for the regulation of

30 Oct 2000 : Column: 278W

low-flying aircraft following the report of the UK Airprox Board into incidents over Northumberland in October 1999. [135126]

Dr. Moonie: As the third UK Airprox Board report makes clear, the military low flying adviser to the Board briefed members on a number of trial measures, agreed between military and civil bodies, following three Airprox involving military aircraft over Northumberland in October 1999. These measures aim to enhance flight safety in this area, minimise the risk of recurrence, and will be reviewed towards the end of the year.

Army Base, Pirbright

Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Army base at Pirbright. [134419]

Mr. Spellar [holding answer 26 October 2000]: The Army base at Pirbright comprises an Army Training Regiment (ATR), a Recruit Selection Centre (RSC) and a Regular Army Battalion. Although we are currently undertaking several Army-wide reviews, there are currently no plans to dispose of the site.

PRIME MINISTER

Annual Report

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Prime Minister (1) pursuant to his answer of 27 July 2000, Official Report, column 809W, on the Common Agricultural Policy, when he was first informed of the drafting errors on page 15 of the Government's Annual Report; what steps he is taking to publish a correction; and when the errors were corrected on the Government's website; [134067]

(3) pursuant to his answer of 27 July 2000, Official Report, column 809W, on the Common Agricultural Policy, if he will make a statement on how the drafting error on page 15 of the Government's Annual Report occurred. [134068]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 23 October 2000]: Several factual errors occurred in this year's Annual Report 1999-2000, all of which were the result of oversights in the drafting and editorial process. The errors are as follows:

p3, column 1, para 6:

There are nearly 5,000 more doctors and 1,000 more nurses.

should read:

There are nearly 5,000 more doctors and 10,000 more nurses.

p7, column 1, para 1:

Interest rates were at 6.25 per cent. and mortgage rates at 6.9 per cent.

should read:

Interest rates were at 6 per cent. and mortgage rates at 6.9 per cent.

30 Oct 2000 : Column: 279W

p15, column 2, para 2:

Thanks to the latest EU 'Agenda 2000' budget reforms negotiated this year, the monthly bill for a family of four will fall on average by £50.

should read:

Thanks to the latest EU 'Agenda 2000' budget reforms negotiated this year, the annual bill for a family of four will fall on average by £65.

p37, caption with map:

The Forensic Science Service has six operational laboratories in England

should read:

The Forensic Science Service has six operational laboratories in England and Wales

p47, column 1, para 4:

As part of the delivery of this vision, this year saw the opening of the UK Sports Institute, providing world-class facilities, coaching and support in Sheffield and national and regional centres around the UK.

should read:

As part of the delivery of this vision, this year saw the opening of the UK Sports Institute, which will provide world-class facilities, coaching and support in Sheffield and national and regional centres around the UK.

All these errors have been corrected in the internet version of the Report; and an erratum slip included with the printed version wherever possible, including in the bound version held by the House.

Medical Treatment

(Withholding and Withdrawal)

Mr. Kidney: To ask the Prime Minister from whom he has received representations on the legality of the British Medical Association's guidelines for the withholding and withdrawal of treatment. [134465]

The Prime Minister: As far as I am aware I have not received any representations on this issue.

Euro

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister what factors other than economic ones he would take into account in deciding whether to support the replacement of the pound by the single European currency. [135003]

The Prime Minister: The determining factor underpinning any Government decision on joining the single currency is whether the economic case for UK joining is clear and unambiguous.

Engagements

Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list his official engagements on 17 September; [135018]

The Prime Minister: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence represented the Government at the Battle of Britain Memorial Service in Westminster Abbey. I paid my respects at a private church service with my family. I had no public engagements.

30 Oct 2000 : Column: 280W

Summer Adjournment (Recall)

Mr. Wigley: To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he received from hon. Members during the summer adjournment calling for a recall of Parliament because of the fuel crisis. [134571]

The Prime Minister: In accordance with convention, correspondence received by Departments from hon. Members is treated in confidence.

EU Employment Directive

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Prime Minister how many letters he has received alleging that there was a threat to religious freedom posed by the EU directive on employment agreed between the Governments of the EU on 17 October. [135065]

The Prime Minister: The information is not held in the form requested.

Iraq Hijack

Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will hold discussions with the Iraqi Government concerning the recent hijack of an aircraft in Iraq. [135706]

The Prime Minister: The Government welcome the peaceful resolution of the recent hijacking of a Saudi Arabian aircraft and the safe return of all British citizens to the UK. We have no plans to hold discussions with the Iraqi Government on this subject.

WALES

GDP

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his calculation is of the percentage contribution made in the current financial year by each industry and service to the gross domestic product of Wales after deduction of the subsidies paid from UK Government and European sources. [134498]

Mr. Paul Murphy: No estimates have been made for the current year. In 1997, the most recent year for which figures are available, the contribution to GDP of each major sector was as set out in the table:

Sector Percentage of GDP

Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing 1.8

Mining and quarrying, including oil and gas extraction 0.2

Other mining and quarrying 0.3

Manufacturing 27.3

Electricity, gas, and water supply 2.2

Construction 5.3

Wholesale and retail trade 10.2

Hotels and restaurants 3.4

Transport and communication 6.0

Financial intermediation 3.5

Real estate, renting and business activities 14.2

Public administration and defence 6.2

Education 6.0

Health and social work 8.6

Other services 4.7

Sector	Percentage of GDP
Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing	1.8
Mining and quarrying, including oil and gas extraction	0.2
Other mining and quarrying	0.3
Manufacturing	27.3
Electricity, gas, and water supply	2.2
Construction	5.3
Wholesale and retail trade	10.2
Hotels and restaurants	3.4
Transport and communication	6.0
Financial intermediation	3.5
Real estate, renting and business activities	14.2
Public administration and defence	6.2
Education	6.0
Health and social work	8.6
Other services	4.7

There are no readily available estimates of direct subsidies across all sectors.

30 Oct 2000 : Column: 281W

Ministerial Visits

Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many times he visited for official engagements the counties of (a) Gwynedd, (b) Ynys Mon, (c) Conwy, (d) Denbigh, (e) Flint, (f) Wrexham, (g) Powys, (h) Ceredigion, (i) Carmarthenshire and (j) Pembroke, between 1 August and 30 September. [135805]

Mr. Paul Murphy: Between 1 August and 30 September 2000 the Secretary of State for Wales made visits to Conwy, Denbigh and Pembroke.

Over the same period the Under-Secretary visited Gwynedd, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Carmarthenshire.

National Assembly Legislation

Mr. Wigley: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the legislation enacted during the present session which has made specific provisions for Wales arising from representations made by the National Assembly for Wales. [135742]

Mr. Paul Murphy: I take very seriously my duty to consult the National Assembly on the Government's legislative programme. In addition to formal participation in an Assembly plenary session each year, this involves ongoing dialogue at both ministerial and official levels. It is largely by this means, rather than through representations, that we are able to take account of the Assembly's interests in current or forthcoming Bills.

To date, the following Acts have included specific provisions for Wales which emerged from this partnership approach:

Care Standards Act 2000

Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000

Electronic Communications Act 2000

Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000

Learning and Skills Act 2000

Local Government Act 2000.

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