§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 818W, on the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, what were the issues that led to his decision that substantial public funds could not be justified to support the Global Cultural Diversity Congress which he became aware of after 7 February. [115054]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe issues that related to my and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's decisions were value for money and whether it was appropriate to inject public funds into a private company in serious difficulties.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 817W, on the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, what undertaking that additional funding would be provided to Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd. by his Department was 376W given by his Department before the Commission for Racial Equality's meeting on 7 February; and if he will make a statement. [115056]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI do not accept that an undertaking was made that additional funding would be provided.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 March 2000,Official Report, column 288W, on the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, (a) for what reasons he will not place the accountants' report into Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd. in the Library and (b) what was the cost to public funds of the accountants' report into Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd.; and if he will make a statement. [115058]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe accountant's report was requested to inform consideration by Ministers of the policy issues and never intended for publication.
The final invoice was £31,824.72.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 818W, on the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, from what source he understood the additional funding for the Global Cultural Diversity Congress which was to be discussed at the Commission for Racial Equality's meeting on 7 February would be provided; and if he will make a statement. [115065]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienI understand the potential sources discussed were from the Commission for Racial Equality and Government funds.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2000,Official Report, column 818W, on the Global Cultural Diversity Congress (a) when Mr. Gurbux Singh will take up his duties as Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality; (b) if the discussions with Mr. Gurbux Singh on the timetable for the review which was announced on 22 February have been completed; and (c) if the review will commence before Mr. Gurbux Singh formally takes up his duties as the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality; and if he will make a statement. [115055]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienMr. Singh officially takes up his position as Chairman in mid May 2000.
The discussions with Mr. Gurbux Singh on the timetable for the review which was announced on 22 February have not been completed.
The review will commence before Mr. Gurbux Singh formally takes up his duties as the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) of 6 March 2000,Official Report, column 548W, on the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, if the full text of the review conducted by Mr. Gurbux Singh will be placed in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [115057]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe are assured that the review by Mr. Gurbux Singh will be thorough. He shall review the events that led to the cancellation of the Global Cultural 377W Diversity Congress, including possible implications for the corporate governance of the Commission for Racial Equality and to make recommendations.
The text of the review will be placed in the Library.