Written Statement of 30 April 2004

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Prison Service
  (Mr. Ian Pearson)
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland I have placed copies of the "Northern Ireland Prison Service's Corporate and Business Plan for 2004–2007" in the Libraries of both Houses.

  The Corporate and Business Plan contains key performance targets I have set for the service for 2004–05. These are:

  No escape for top and high-risk prisoners.

  No more than three escapes per 1,000 medium and low risk prisoners.

  The number of staff assaulted by prisoners is less than a ratio of five per 100 prisoners.

  The number of prisoners assaulted by prisoners is less than a ratio of six per 100 prisoners.

  An average of at least 18 hours constructive activity per week for each sentenced prisoner.

  An average of at least nine hours constructive activity per week for each remand prisoner.

  To ensure 82.5 per cent. of prisoners serving six months or more are working to a resettlement plan and that 95 per cent. of lifers work to a resettlement plan, including preparation of the plan, in the first six months from sentence.

  Deliver at least 85 per cent. of the planned training days associated with the agreed corporate training priorities.

  Reduce the rate of absenteeism to an annual average of no more than 19 days per head.

  Lay the annual report and audited accounts before Parliament prior to the summer recess.

  Ensure the average cost per prisoner place does not exceed the target to be agreed with HM Treasury.

  The Government have committed substantial resources to implementing the Steele report, so that staff remains in full control. This does not mean any reduction in the need to tackle the other costs that make for an excessively high cost per prisoner place.

  Also, in light of developments following the Steele report, and to support the development of partnerships with a wider range of statutory and voluntary agencies beyond the criminal justice system, I have agreed some adjustments to the service's statement of purpose, which now reads as follows:
  "The Northern Ireland Prison Service, through our staff, serves the community by keeping in secure, safe and humane custody those committed by the courts; by working with prisoners and with other organisations seeks to reduce the risk of re-offending; and in so doing aims to protect the public and to contribute to peace and stability in Northern Ireland."

TRANSPORT

  Departmental Annual Report
  (Mr. Alistair Darling)
  The Secretary of State for Transport I have today published my Department's Annual Report for 2004. Copies have been laid before Parliament and placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  The report sets out the Department's work over the last year and it shows that progress has been made. It also describes the Department's future expenditure plans for the period of the spending review 2002.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate
  (Mr. Ben Bradshaw)
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs I have set the veterinary medicines directorate the following performance objectives for 2004–05.

  Objective 1: Authorise veterinary medicines efficiently, using good science, thus ensuring their safety, quality and efficacy.

  Objective 2: Ensure the field-use of veterinary medicines is safe and effective, principally through the use of best practice in pharmacovigilance.

  Objective 3: Ensure the safe use of veterinary medicines authorised in the UK through surveillance of residues and follow-up action where misuse is detected.

  Objective 4: Develop policy to ensure that veterinary medicines can be used effectively and safely, offering protection to human health, animal health and welfare and the environment.

  Objective 5: Seek to encourage the proper use of veterinary medicines and actively discourage improper use.

  Objective 6: Develop the VMD to ensure it is fit for purpose and its vision, aim and objectives are contributing to DEFRA's PSA VI as well as the Department's overall vision and values.

TREASURY

  Valuation Office Agency
  The Paymaster General (Dawn Primarolo)
  I have today set the following key performance indicators for the Valuation Office Agency for 2004–05:

  Valuation Accuracy
  Contain reductions in 2,000 local rating lists to less than 7.5 per cent. in respect of compiled list appeals settled in 2004–05, and to a maximum of 4.7 per cent. of the total compiled list rateable value over the entire life of the 2,000 rating lists.

  Rating Revaluation
  Prepare for the forthcoming revaluation of non-domestic properties in England and Wales by producing draft rating lists by 30 September 2004 and compiled rating lists by 31 March 2005.

  Council Tax Revaluations
  Prepare for the forthcoming revaluation of domestic properties in Wales by producing draft valuation lists by 1 September 2004 and compiled valuation lists by 31 March 2005.
  Prepare for the forthcoming revaluation of domestic properties in England by digitising data for 97.5 per cent. of properties by 31 March 2005 and, by 31 July 2004, evaluating

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  whether the automated valuation model can be utilised effectively for the banding of a minimum of 60 per cent. of dwellings.

  customer satisfaction
  Maintain customer satisfaction, based on annual surveys, at 86 per cent.

  Value for money
  Improve productivity by 2.5 per cent. in 2004–05 and achieve improvements of at least 15 per cent. by 2007–08.

  Land Services
  Achieve an increased fee income of £19.2 million ensuring that its share of VOA costs is covered.

  People satisfaction
  Improve staff satisfaction in working for the VOA in comparison with other places of work, based on annual surveys, by 1 per cent.

  Financial "break even"
  Recover full resource costs within Parliamentary approved estimates, including a return on capital of 3.5 per cent., from fees and charges.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Annual Report and Corporate Plan
  (Mr. David Blunkett)
  The Secretary of State for the Home Department We have today published the Home Office's 2004 Annual Report and 2004–05 Corporate Plan. Copies are available in the House Library and on the Home Office website. Both describe how the Home Office builds trust and security, by promoting cohesive communities and active citizenship; and through the effective enforcement of law, order and our borders. Both the report and the plan describe how these themes provide the context for all that we do, and contribute towards civil renewal. The report is primarily focused on 2003–04, setting out our performance against key targets and describing how our activities contributed towards them. The plan is focused on the present financial year, explaining how we will deliver better public services and how the Department is organising itself to deliver these.

  Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal center
  (Mr. Desmond Browne)
  The Minister for Citizenship and Immigration The Government have today published the report of Stephen Shaw, the prisons and probation ombudsman, into the allegations of racism and abuse at Yarl's Wood immigration removal center, which were reported by the Daily Mirror in December. The report is available on the immigration and nationality directorate (IND) website at http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.asp?pageid = 4903. Copies of the report have been placed in the House Library.

  We are very grateful to Stephen Shaw for the speed and thoroughness of his investigation and for the comprehensive nature of his report.

  The investigation of this matter has revealed a number of disconcerting incidents at Yarl's Wood and confirmed that the principal allegations published by the Daily Mirror were correct. However, Stephen Shaw was able to establish that the remarks reported by the Daily Mirror were made by a small number of people at Yarl's
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  Wood and that there was no evidence to indicate a general culture of racism or the improper use of force at the center.

  Stephen Shaw's investigation was preceded by an internal investigation by Global Solutions Ltd. (GSL), the company contracted by IND to operate Yarl's Wood. This investigation resulted in the dismissal of one member of staff and the suspension of another, followed by his resignation. Stephen Shaw satisfied himself as to the thoroughness of the GSL investigation and the appropriateness of the action taken by the company thereafter.

  Stephen Shaw's report, which also covers the security implications of the journalist's undercover activity, contains 19 recommendations directed at GSL and ten recommendations directed at IND and the independent monitoring board (IMB) at Yarl's Wood. GSL have responded positively to the recommendations made to them. We have accepted all the recommendations, including that relating to the need to investigate an historical allegation of assault on a detainee, and IND officials will be working closely with GSL and the IMB to implement them.

DEFENCE

  Service Children's Education
  (Mr. Ivor Caplin)
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence The Chief Executive of Service Children's Education has been set the following Key Targets for 2004–05.

  KEY TARGET 1
  Sustain threshold level performance at each of the Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 by remaining at least 3 per cent. ahead of national (England) achievement.
  Sustain the percentage of pupils obtaining A*-C at GCSE as a three-year rolling average.
  Sustain the percentage of students obtaining A-E at "A" Level as a three-year rolling average.

  KEY TARGET 2
  Sustain SCE's notional position in the English Local Education Authority league tables, within the leading 25 (of 150) LEAs at each of Key Stages 1, 2 and 3.

  KEY TARGET 3
  At the higher levels of attainment (i.e. level 3+ at Key Stage 1, level 5+ at Key Stage 2, level 6+ at Key Stage 3) match national level of performance in 50 per cent. of the 12 subject elements in 2004, rising in equal steps to 66 per cent, in 2006.

  KEY TARGET 4
  For GCSE, show improvement in Average Points' scores by achieving at least the England "capped" upper quartile figure (38.8).

  KEY TARGET 5
  To achieve Grade 4 or above (on the OfSTED seven point scale) in at least 85 per cent. of schools inspected, in each of the following areas:

  Overall effectiveness of the School

  Overall standards achieved

  Pupils' attitudes, values and personal qualities

  The quality of education provided by the school

  The leadership and management of the school

  KEY TARGET 6

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  To demonstrate customer satisfaction with a survey result of 69 per cent. satisfaction or more from Army Continuous Attitude Surveys.

  Armed Forces Pension Scheme
  (Mr. Ivor Caplin)
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence During Standing Committee consideration of the Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill in February, concern was expressed that the Government should provide more independent oversight of the arrangements provided for the armed forces in this area. I made clear to Committee members that I recognised the intent behind these concerns and we have considered how we might respond. We have now decided that we will give the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB) a role in externally validating the provisions of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS); we plan that this will be done in the context of their quinquennial valuation of the AFPS, though more frequent examinations of the scheme provisions could be undertaken if wider developments justified this.

  The broad intent is that the AFPRB would compare the scheme provisions with practice elsewhere in the economy and consider the extent to which they meet the recruitment and retention needs of the armed forces. The Review Body's observations would then be made public in a supplement to the following annual report and the Government would also make public their response to these observations. I am pleased to say that the Chairman of the Review Body and his colleagues have agreed to take on this additional responsibility and we are now in discussion on the detail to determine the timing of the first such review. I am confident that this change will provide for more independence in reviewing the terms of the AFPS while equally helping us to ensure coherence across the broader remuneration package, comprising both pay and pensions. It should also provide additional reassurance for service personnel by ensuring effective independent validation of the appropriateness of the pension provisions for our armed forces.

  Freedom of Information
  (Mr. Ivor Caplin)
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence The first duty under the Freedom of Information Act to be implemented by Government Departments was the requirement to prepare publication schemes. MOD's publication scheme is accessible via the internet at www.foi.mod.uk. Since the scheme was published in November 2002, we have continued to look for opportunities to extend the commitment to make information available proactively. To date, a further five classes of information have been added to the original publication scheme and a process for identifying and adding more is in place. The new classes cover information provided by the Army Historical Branch, the Naval Historical Branch, Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) Corporate Documents, Defence Data Definitions, and Defence Statistics.
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  As a further step in this process, I am announcing today that a new class of information will be included to require publication of the consolidated results of corporate level quantitative opinion surveys carried out to gauge the attitude of members of the public to the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces. The results of similar surveys undertaken internally with a random cross-section of the Department's own staff will also be published. The results of the external corporate level surveys undertaken since 1999 are also being placed in the Library of the House.

  From October 2004, we also plan to release the results of the continuous attitude surveys that are undertaken by each of the three services to measure the morale and understand the concerns of their personnel across a spectrum of issues. These surveys are sent out annually to a random sample of around 8,000 military personnel at all ranks. This commitment to publish the results of these surveys will also be reflected through a class of information in MOD's publication scheme.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  BBC New Services Review
  (Tessa Jowell)
  The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport I have today announced the start of the independent reviews of the BBC's new digital radio and television services along with the names of the two individuals who will conduct these studies.

  The services concerned are: BBC Three; BBC Four; Cbeebies; CBBC; 1Xtra; BBC Asian Network; BBC Five Live Sports Extra; BBC 6 Music; and BBC 7. I have also published today the BBC's submission on these services, an electronic copy of which is available in the Libraries of both Houses.

  I have announced previously my intention to appoint one reviewer for the digital television channels and one for the digital radio channels. I am pleased to be able to confirm the appointment of Patrick Barwise to the former position and Tim Gardam to the latter.

  The reviews will begin immediately and will run concurrently. In accordance with the conditions that I laid down when giving my approval for the BBC to develop these new digital services, both reviews will include both a period of public consultation and a market impact study. I have asked both reviewers to submit their reports to me by the end of August 2004.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Annual Report
  (Mr. John Prescott)
  The Deputy Prime Minister The Chief Secretary to the Treasury and I are pleased to present the Annual Report of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for 2004 to Parliament. It sets out the achievements of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  The aim of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is to create sustainable communities—places where people want to live. It is about revitalising communities,

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  delivering sustainable economic growth, revitalising areas of neglect, improving the quality of local environment and protecting the countryside.

  This, our second annual report, details an impressive array of achievements in every area of our work. We are driving up the quality and supply of housing, speeding up the planning system, reducing the incidence of rough sleeping and the number of homeless families in B&B accommodation, improving our public spaces and giving people a bigger say in what happens in their regions. We are delivering strong, effective local government services and devolving power to local neighbourhoods. We are also renewing and regenerating neighbourhoods particularly in our most deprived areas and reducing social exclusion.
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  But we must not be complacent and we know more remains to be done. We will therefore continue to work hard to deliver our aim of creating sustainable communities that provide a better quality of life, now and in future generations.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Annual Report
  The Solicitor-General (Ms Harriet Harman)
  My right hon. Friend the Attorney-General has made the following Ministerial Statement: "The learned Law Officer's Departments Departmental Report 2004" has today been published and laid before Parliament. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.