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Brazilian Mahogany
Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Prime Minister (1) what steps were taken to ensure that the plantation which supplied the Brazilian mahogany for the proposed refurbishment of the white and blue rooms at 10 Downing street is operated on a sustainable basis ;
(2) what steps were taken to ensure the area of the plantation which was cleared to supply the Brazilian mahogany for the proposed refurbishment of the white and blue rooms at 10 Downing street has now been replanted ;
(3) which plantation supplied the Brazilian mahogany for the proposed refurbishment of the white and blue rooms at 10 Downing street ;
(4) who owns, and whether there is any British involvement in, the plantation which supplied the Brazilian mahogany for the proposed refurbishment of the white and blue rooms at 10 Downing street.
The Prime Minister : Only about 25 cu ft of Brazilian mahogany is being used for refurbishment of the blue and white rooms at 10 Downing street, mainly for overdoor and other fine carvings for which it is the most suitable material. This is equivalent to about a quarter of one tree. The importer supplying the specialist joinery contractor undertaking the work has provided inspection certificates issued by the Brazilian Institute of Forest Development indicating that his sawn timber supplies are drawn from areas where officially approved programmes of forest enrichment are in force. This is a process of sustained management of mixed forests whereby mature trees are removed without damage to the remainder, and replaced by mahogany transplants in numbers which ensure that the density of hardwood in the forest is actually increased. The plantations in question are managed by Maginco Madeireira Araguaia S/A Ind Com e Agropecuaria and located at Fazenda Fontalina in the Rio Maria region. It is not known whether there is any British involvement.
Community Care Minister
Mr. Alfred Morris : To ask the Prime Minister if she has any plans for the appointment of a Minister for community care.
The Prime Minister : My hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State, Department of Health has responsibility, under my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Health, for monitoring the implementation of the Government's community care policies.
Multiple Deprivation Indices
Mr. Bermingham : To ask the Prime Minister if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government that financial support from Government, and support which is sought
Column 354
from the European Commission, should reflect the relative need for such support as illustrated in the United Kingdom/European Community indices of multiple deprivation ; and if she will make a statement.The Prime Minister : Financial support from Government, where provided, takes account of the need for support as shown by indicators appropriate to the support scheme concerned. Applications for support from the European Community are made in conformity with the Community's rules.
French Revolution
Mr. Allen : To ask the Prime Minister what initiatives Her Majesty's Government will be taking arising from the celebrations of the French Revolution.
The Prime Minister : Anglo-French relations are excellent. We shall continue to work closely with the French Government over a wide range of issues.
Tom Paine
Mr. Allen : To ask the Prime Minister what proposals she has to commemorate the contribution to democracy of Tom Paine.
The Prime Minister : None. Tom Paines' beliefs and writings had a greater effect on the political evolution of the United States of America and of France than on that of this country.
Official Hospitality
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Prime Minister how much was spent by her office on official hospitality in the financial year 1988-89.
The Prime Minister : The cost of official hospitality met by my office during 1988-89 was £22,008.
Expenses
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Prime Minister if she will provide the final figure for 1988-89 and the estimates for 1989-90 for the total cost to public funds of all her offices, duties, accommodation and expenses.
The Prime Minister : The total cost of all my offices in 1988-89 was £6,443,711.
The estimated total cost for 1989-90 is £6,443,711.
Note :
Salaries and wages, notional pension liability, administration costs, and the grant-in-aid to the Chequers Trust are included. My salary as a Cabinet minister is also included. My pay and allowances as a Member of this House are excluded.
Official Residences
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Prime Minister if she will provide the final figures for 1988-89 and the estimate for 1989-90 for (a) the cost of maintaining and running 10 Downing street and additional cost at Chequers, (b) the grant-in-aid to the Chequers Trust and (c) the costs on a consistent basis and expressed at constant 1984-85 prices.
The Prime Minister : The figures requested are as follows :
Column 355
(a) Cost of maintaining and
running 10 Downing street
and additional costs at
Chequers<1><2><3>
|£
-------------------------------
1988-89 |6,593,793
<5>1989-90 |6,409,232
(b) Grant-in-aid to the
Chequers Trust
|£
------------------------
1988-89 |238,000
1989-90 |238,000
(c) Costs at (a) and (b) in 1984-85 price
terms<4>
|£
------------------------------------------
1988-89 |(a) 5,369,530
|(b) 193,810
<5>1989-90 |(a) 4,944,947
|(b) 183,625
Notes:
<1>The figures include costs at both 10
Downing street and Chequers; the
information is not available by location.
<2>Salaries and wages, notional pension
liability, administration costs, the
costs of office services and the
grant-in-aid to the
Chequers Trust are included. The salary
of the Prime Minister is excluded.
<3>These totals are calculated on a
consistent basis with the total for
1986-87 in sub-paragraph (a) of the reply
to the hon. Member on 23 October 1987 at
column 846. If office services costs are
excluded (to produce a figure consistent
with those at sub-paragraph (c) of that
reply) the totals are:
|£ |£
----------------------------------------------------
1988-89 |6,063,266 |<6>4,937,505
1989-90 |5,841,190 |<6>4,506,683
<4>Constant costs have been calculated using the
Treasury's GDP deflator for 1987-88 rebased to
1984-85.
<5>Estimate.
<6>At 1984-85 prices.
Travel
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Prime Minister what was the total cost to public funds of travel by her and her staff in 1988-89.
The Prime Minister : The total cost of my travel and that of my staff in 1988-89 was £952,150.
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