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Ministerial Residences

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister how much has been spent on ministerial residences and the residences within them in each year since 1 May 1997; and how much in each case for each year of the sums spent was spent on (a) kitchens, (b) bathrooms, (c) vehicle-related facilities and (d) leisure facilities. [189781]

The Prime Minister: Expenditure on routine maintenance and other building works in residences occupied by Ministers is the responsibility of each Minister's Department.

For details of expenditure on work to the flat above No. 11 Downing street I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 28 February 2002, Official Report, column 1443–44W. Expenditure for subsequent years is as follows.

	£
2001–02	32,945
2002–03	32,707
2003–04	21,094

In addition, I also have the use of Chequers which is administered by independent trustees.

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister what the total cost to public funds has been in each year since 1 May 1997 in respect of (a) entertainment and (b) staff costs for (i) Chequers and (ii) Chevening. [189782]

The Prime Minister: On entertainment costs I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 970W.

Additional figures for entertainment at Chequers are:

	£
2000–01	3,855
2001–02	5,014
2002–03	2,551

On staff costs I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for North Devon (Nick Harvey) on 13 February 2003, Official Report, column 952W.

Additional figures for the grant issued to Chequers are:

2002–03: £499,817.

Responsibility for Chevening is a matter for the Foreign Office.

Northern Ireland

Mr. Beggs: To ask the Prime Minister what actions he will require of Sinn Fein/IRA for them to rejoin a devolved administration. [189815]

The Prime Minister: At the conclusion of the Leeds Castle talks, my statement made clear that the Taoiseach and I believe we can resolve the issues to do with ending paramilitary activity and putting weapons beyond use. We are clear that there must be a complete end to violence in all its forms. There must also be a genuine, lasting and stable commitment to power-sharing.
 
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Official Travel (Carbon Dioxide Emissions)

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to offset the carbon dioxide emissions from the use of (a) aircraft and (b) motor cars in carrying out his official business. [190139]

The Prime Minister: I travel making use of the most efficient and cost-effective arrangements. My travel arrangements are in accordance with the arrangements for official travel set out in Chapter 7 of the Ministerial Code, and the accompanying guidance document, "Travel by Ministers".

Overseas Hospitality (Charitable Donations)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the charitable donations he has made when provided with hospitality overseas since 1997. [189960]

The Prime Minister: The information requested is available in the Register of Members' Interests.

Parliamentary Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will name individuals other than officials who have helped draft parliamentary answers for him in the past year. [189827]

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 10 July 2002, Official Report, columns 988–89W.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Civil Service (Job Losses)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which services within his Department will be (a) affected by and (b) subject to job losses consequent on the cuts in the civil service announced in the Spending Review. [189647]

Mr. Gareth Thomas: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 16 September 2004, Official Report, column 1659W.

East Timor

Mr Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support the Government are giving to East Timor; and if he will make a statement. [189949]

Mr. Gareth Thomas: Since 1999 the UK has committed over £30 million to East Timor. Between 2002 and 2005 DFID will contribute £12 million to help implement East Timor's National Development Plan. This will be channelled through a World Bank managed Trust Fund. A further £1.3 million is being provided over the same period, through Oxfam, to support community education. Britain has also contributed some 19 per cent. of European Commission development expenditure in East Timor. Between 1999 and 2002 (the last year for which figures are available) this is estimated to have been some £14 million.
 
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GM Crops

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of (a) the advantages and (b) the disadvantages of genetically-modified crops to developing countries. [190095]

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID's approach to GM crops and developing countries is based on the principle that the health of people and the environment is of primary concern. GM technologies have the potential to provide significant benefits for poor farmers. For example, the potential for increased yields in developing countries from the use of GM technology far exceeds the potential in European and North American conventional agriculture, where yields have been high for many years. GM technology could also improve the nutritional quality of staple foodstuffs.

A report published by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics contains a number of case studies detailing the actual and potential benefits of GM crops for developing countries. The report offers a constructive contribution to the on-going debate on genetic modification technologies. The Government share the report's conclusions that achieving food security and reducing poverty in developing countries are complex issues, that GM crops are unlikely to feed the world but that in some circumstances they could make a useful contribution to improving the livelihoods of poor people in developing countries.

Recognising that there are both potential benefits and risks associated with GM crops, DFID believes that developing countries need to be able to make their own informed choices about whether to adopt GM technologies or not. The UK Government have pushed for the implementation of international legislation such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which provides for rigorous assessment and management of the risks involved in the use of Genetically Modified Organisms. The UK has ratified this Protocol.

Hurricane Ivan

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many Cayman Island citizens are estimated to have been (a) killed and (b) made homeless as a direct consequence of Hurricane Ivan. [189957]

Mr. Gareth Thomas: One Cayman Islands citizen is missing, presumed dead from the impact of Hurricane Ivan and one Caribbean resident was badly injured and subsequently died. The Cayman Islands Government estimate that 860 have been made homeless. Up to 20 per cent. of residential houses have been reportedly completely destroyed and some 20 per cent. have major damage and 5 per cent. are partially damaged.

Following the impact of the hurricane, HMS Richmond and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Ruler began helping the relief effort at the earliest opportunity. They were also able to provide medical staff and deliver medicines. DFID also responded to an urgent request from the Government of the Cayman Islands by providing urgent relief items, including plastic sheeting and have since sent flights containing potable water, hygiene materials and other requested items. The cost of this direct assistance is about £172,000. DFID has also
 
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contributed £500,000 to the International Federation of the Red Cross regional appeal, for the provision of emergency food, shelter needs, water and sanitation and various non-food items. The Regional Appeal includes support to 1,000 affected families in Cayman Islands for six months.

The British Government are also contributing around £55,000 for the deployment of the Bermuda Regiment for one month to assist in clear up operations and other support.

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