To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will require the Olympic procurement authorities to include requirements in their contracts for (a) the promotion of equal opportunities and (b) the use of local labour; and if she will make a statement. (106164)

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is currently developing its equalities and diversity strategy so that all processes used to recruit and manage employees, including employees working within the supply chain, are demonstrably fair and offer equal opportunities to all. It will consider arrangements for monitoring the recruitment process and collecting relevant information from its contract partners. The strategy is expected to be issued for consultation early in 2007. The ODA's draft Procurement Strategy makes clear that a commitment to equal opportunities and diversity will form part of assessments in the tendering for ODA contracts.

The ODA is also working with the London Development Agency and the five host boroughs to establish an employment brokerage scheme to assist ODA contractors in advertising locally to enable local people to apply for vacancies in the construction of the Olympic Park. Jobcentre Plus has already placed 32 from the local area into jobs working to put powerlines underground.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the size is of the contingency fund for the 2012 Olympics. (101949)

The level of programme contingency is under review. For each of the main venue construction projects there is an allowance in the bid figures for 23.5 per cent. for contingencies and preliminaries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many responses were received by her Department for the consultation on the Tourism Strategy for the 2012 games (a) before the deadline of 17 November and (b) after that date. (104773)

DCMS received 78 responses before the deadline and 93 after that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the compliance of the consultation on the Tourism Strategy for the 2012 Games with the Cabinet Office code of practice on consultations. (104774)

DCMS officials followed the Cabinet Office’s code of practice on consultations throughout the consultation process. A summary of responses will be publicised on DCMS website (www.culture.gov.uk) in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria were used to determine which groups should be granted an extension to the deadline for the consultation on the Tourism Strategy for the 2012 Games. (104775)

No groups or individuals were excluded from making a late contribution to the consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport why an extension was granted to the deadline for the consultation on the Tourism Strategy for the 2012 Games; when the decision was taken; and by whom. (104776)

An extension was granted to ensure that responses were received from all representative groups and individuals that wanted to do so. This decision was taken by the consultation project manager one week before the close of the consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) VAT and (b) the allowance for project contingency in the budget for the 2012 Olympic Games (i) during the bid process and (ii) since the award of the Games to London. (104520)

[holding answer 28 November 2006]: I have had many discussions with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer both before and after July 2005 when London was awarded the right to host the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. These meetings have covered a wide range of issues. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of such meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what account was taken of (a) VAT, (b) whole project contingency and (c) costings for the Olympic Delivery Partner in the initial London 2012 bid document. (104522)

[holding answer 28 November 2006]: The bid document did not include VAT and the candidate file pointed out that the UK Government would ensure that tax issues will not have a significant impact on the Games. The bid document included contingency and preliminaries of 23.5 per cent. in main venue costs. It also included a contingency for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games. The bid did not include provision for an Olympic Delivery Partner. This proposal was made following the establishment of the Olympic Delivery Authority. The use of a delivery partner will help to ensure the highest levels of programme management and cost control.