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Sir Terence Higgins : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the number of people likely to be employed in collecting, administering and valuing property, respectively, in order to implement the council tax.
Mr. Redwood : The administration and collection of the council tax will be carried out by local authorities and their agents. This Department does not have records of the numbers of staff employed on these tasks.
The banding of property has been carried out by the Valuation Office agency --VOA--and contracted private sector companies. The total cost of the banding exercise will be some £70 million. Some 512 private sector firms were contracted to carry out banding work under the supervision of the VOA but the Department holds no record of the number of private sector staff involved. To date, some 565 man years have been spent on the banding exercise by the VOA.
Opencast Mining
Dr. Wright : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now take steps to suspend the planning permission granted for the Bleak House opencast site in Staffordshire until his review of the coal industry is completed.
Mr. Baldry : Once the Secretary of State has given his decision on an appeal, he has no further jurisdiction in the matter. The coal review is, of course, being conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Coalite Chemicals Plant
Mr. Skinner : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when the survey of dioxins in soils in the area around the Coalite chemicals plant near Bolsover in Derbyshire will be released.
Mr. Maclean : The report is nearing completion and will be released as soon as reasonably practicable.
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Standard Spending Assessments
Mr. Gapes : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the impact on the future standard spending assessments of local authorities of projections of future population structures.
Mr. Robin Squire : Standard spending assessments are calculated using the latest information available compiled on a consistent basis for all relevant authorities. For 1993-94 the assessments are based in part on estimates of population size and age structure relating to 30 June 1991 prepared by the Registrar General. Projections of population size and age structure for each local authority relating to a more recent period are not available on an equivalent basis and it is not possible, therefore, to assess their impact on future assessments. However, trends in population size and structure at the national level are taken into account with many other factors in determining the level of spending which the Government consider is appropriate for all authorities to incur in any one year.
Housing Repossessions
Mr. Milburn : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many council homes sold under the right-to-buy legislation have been repossessed in each region in each year since 1989.
Mr. Baldry : The Department does not hold the information requested.
National Sustainability Plan
Mr. Dafis : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to include sectoral targets for environmental quality within the national sustainability plan.
Mr. Maclean : The United Kingdom has promised to report on a sustainable development plan by the end of 1993 to the new United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. The Department is currently consulting on the report and decisions on scope and content will be taken later.
Executive Agencies
Mrs. Roe : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment at what stage (a) drafts and (b) copies of letters from chief executives of agencies within his responsibility, in response to parliamentary questions, are submitted to Ministers.
Mr. Howard : Chief executives of agencies within my responsibility reply direct to parliamentary questions on matters for which they have delegated operational responsibility. Normally such replies are not seen in draft by me or my ministerial colleagues, but we see copies after they have been sent by the chief executives.
Housing and Urban Development Bill
Mr. Knapman : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria will apply to authorities wishing to be included in the 1993-94 programme for housing disposals, as proposed in the Housing and Urban Development Bill ; what will be the size of the programme ; and if he will make a statement.
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Sir George Young : My Department is today writing to all housing authorities, other than those which have already disposed of their housing, inviting them to apply if they wish to be considered for a place in the 1993-94 disposals programme. Applications should be received by Friday 19 March.
The Department's expenditure estimates for the three years of the public expenditure survey make provision for the costs of housing disposals. A sum has been provisionally allocated within the overall totals for these years which would allow for the transfer of about 25,000 houses in the first year's programme under the new provisions, assuming that the average exchequer costs of disposals remain broadly similar to those which have taken place in recent years. Larger programmes may be possible in later years.
I set out below the policy guidelines we propose to adopt for the first programme. The benchmark size for disposal applications will be between 3,000 and 4,000 properties, with preference being given to transfers at and below the lower end of this range. In particular circumstances, for example when an authority with large stocks is making a split disposal, transfers exceeding this benchmark will be considered, subject to an overriding limit of 5,000 properties in any one disposal to a single landlord or linked associates. It will be for transferring authorities to determine the ways in which they split their stock.
For the first year, disposals will be accepted for the programme only if they are to be made to registered housing associations. In assessing whether the disposal contributes to diversity of ownership in an area, consideration will be given to whether the recipient organisations are existing registered housing associations, or associations newly formed for the purposes of the disposal. Proposals for transfers to associations associated within a group structure will be considered on their merits and in the light of the overall housing strategy for the area. There will be an overriding proviso that members associated in a group structure may not together acquire more than 5,000 properties from any one local authority. Authorities accepted for inclusion in the 1993-94 programme will not be expected, while they remain in the programme, to continue to prepare their housing management function for compulsory competitive tendering--CCT--in respect of the properties to be transferred. Should a transfer not take place as planned during 1993-94, the authority will be expected to comply with the statutory requirements for housing management CCT and to make the necessary preparations. For disposals accepted for the 1993-94 programme, it is intended that the existing discounted cash-flow method will continue to be used to determine the transfer price of the stock. Rent guarantees will be a matter for local discretion, but should not exceed five years. As with past transfers, purchasing associations will be expected to fund the transfer wholly from private sector sources. In considering the acceptability of a proposed disposal for inclusion in the programme, the Secretary of State will take into account the estimated Exchequer costs of that disposal, and whether a majority of the tenants who would be affected by the disposal are in his opinion likely to oppose it. In reaching an opinion on the second of these issues, he will take account of any relevant systems an authority may have for consulting its tenants, and any
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planned exercises for further tenant involvement. He will also take into account the criteria set out in section 34(4A) or section 43(4A), as appropriate, of the Housing Act 1985.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales will be making an announcement in due course on the arrangements that will apply to disposals in Wales.
Landfill Costs
Mr. Fabricant : To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will publish the report commissioned by his Department last year on landfill costs and pricing ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Maclean : I have today published a report commissioned by my Department from Coopers and Lybrand on "Landfill Pricing : Correcting Possible Market Distortions".
We indicated in the 1992 environment White Paper, "This Common Inheritance : the Second Year Report", Cm. 2068, that we would in future make a presumption in favour of using economic instruments rather than regulation to achieve environmental objectives. This report forms part of the Government's programme of work to explore the use of economic instruments in environmental policy. It also constitutes a preliminary response to a recommendation by the advisory committee on business and the environment that the price of landfill should be increased substantially.
The report examines current and projected waste disposal costs ; assesses the impact of introducing a levy on waste going to landfill ; and considers ways of implementing it. It predicts that landfill costs will rise substantially before the year 2000 even in the absence of a levy. It concludes that the introduction of a levy would be feasible. Its main effect, in the longer term, would be to increase the incentive to send waste to incinerators rather than landfill, but it would also make materials recycling more commercially attractive.
We are considering the findings of the report, along with those of a parallel study of "Economic Instruments and the Recovery of Resources from Waste", published by my Department and the Department of Trade and Industry in December 1992. My Department is inviting comments on the landfill levy report by 26 March 1993.
I have arranged for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library of the House.
PRIME MINISTER
Eastbourne
Q10. Mr. Waterson : To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to make another official visit to Eastbourne.
The Prime Minister : I have no immediate plans to do so.
Railways (Capital Investment)
Mr. Peter Bottomley : To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish an analysis of the economic and employment effects of £500 million extra capital investment in railways compared with the same sum spent on supporting deep coal mining.
The Prime Minister : The economic and employment effects of £500 million extra capital expenditure on the
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railways would depend on the nature of the investment and on its economic return. The effect of spending the same amount on supporting deep coal mining would depend on the industry's ability to exploit the opportunity for subsidised sales in the market circumstances it faced. In either case, account would of course need to be taken where the money would be found as well as how it would be spent.Public Inquiries
Ms. Walley : To ask the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to ensure co-operation between the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Transport in respect of public inquiries into harbour revision orders and on energy policy ; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister : It is normal practice for the Department of Transport to consult other Departments, where appropriate, in respect of proposals for the making of harbour revision orders.
Republic of Ireland
Mr. Trimble : To ask the Prime Minister what current discussions are taking place with the Government of the Republic of Ireland about the events of February 1970 involving the Government of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Mr. Trimble : To ask the Prime Minister what discussions are taking place with the Government of the Republic of Ireland on state-sponsored terrorism.
The Prime Minister : The Government are fully committed to close co- operation with the Government of the Republic of Ireland against all forms of terrorism which threaten our two countries. Both countries are in regular contact on matters of mutual concern.
Departmental Library
Mr. Dalyell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will obtain for his Office's library a book, the title of which has been supplied to him by the hon. Member for Linlithgow.
The Prime Minister : My office has a copy.
Engagements
Sir Peter Tapsell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 9 February.
The Prime Minister : This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I shall be having further meetings later today.
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
Badgers
Mr. Hanson : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current estimate of the badger population in the United Kingdom ; and what is the source of this estimate.
Mr. Soames : It is currently estimated that there are about 250,000 adult badgers in mainland Britain. The
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source of this information is "The History, Distribution, Status and Habitat Requirements of the Badger in Britain" by Cresswell, Harris and Jefferies (1990), commissioned by the Nature Conservancy Council.Mr. Morley : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will suspend the culling of badgers pending completion of his Department's review of controlling bovine tuberculosis.
Mr. Soames : I have no plans to do so.
Appointments
Mr. Canavan : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what public appointments he has made since 1 November 1992 ; and what information he has on the political affiliation of those appointed.
Mr. Curry : Since 1 November 1992, my right hon. Friend has made 56 appointments or re-appointments to the bodies listed in "Public Bodies 1992".
Appointments are generally made on the basis of suitability, merit and expertise ; details of political affiliation are not held centrally.
Bovine Tuberculosis
Mr. Morley : To ask the Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what current scientific data his Department has on the transmission by badgers of bovine tuberculosis to cattle.
Mr. Soames : I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davis) on 19 January 1993, Official Report, column 209.
Mr. Morley : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how his Department is currently reviewing existing policy on the control of bovine tuberculosis in Britain ; when he expects that review to be completed ; and if he will place a copy of the review in the Library.
Mr. Soames : There is at present no call for a fundamental review of control measures for bovine tuberculosis because these depend largely on community requirements and because they have been outstandingly successful in reducing disease to its current very low level. The Department is considering the possible role in our control strategy of a test to detect disease in live badgers. It is not possible to say when this process will be complete because it depends on continuing scientific studies.
Disadvantaged Areas
Mr. Welsh : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the (a) percentage of the less-favoured areas flock in the severely disadvantaged areas, (b) percentage of the less-favoured areas flock in the disadvantaged areas and (c) the total less-favoured areas flock in (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) England and (iv) Northern Ireland in each year since 1979.
Mr. Curry : The information in respect of the number of sheep on which hill livestock compensatory allowances payments were made is as follows :
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Year Scotland Wales England Northern Ireland
|(a) |(b) |(c) |(a) |(b) |(c) |(a) |(b) |(c) |(a) |(b) |(c)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1979 |36 |- |2,943|34 |- |2,805|26 |- |2,158|4 |- |358
1980 |35 |- |2,991|34 |- |2,890|26 |- |2,231|5 |- |383
1981 |35 |- |2,993|34 |- |2,946|27 |- |2,292|5 |- |407
1982 |35 |- |3,147|34 |- |3,011|26 |- |2,356|5 |- |428
1983 |35 |- |3,205|34 |- |3,058|27 |- |2,425|5 |- |427
1984 |35 |- |3,251|33 |- |3,102|27 |- |2,468|5 |- |483
1985 |32 |(x) |3,335|30 |4 |3,560|24 |3 |2,863|5 |1 |640
1986 |32 |(x) |3,393|29 |5 |3,545|24 |4 |2,958|5 |1 |714
1987 |31 |(x) |3,460|29 |5 |3,755|24 |4 |3,130|5 |2 |762
1988 |30 |1 |3,516|28 |6 |3,873|24 |4 |3,237|5 |2 |823
1989 |30 |1 |3,621|28 |6 |3,986|23 |4 |3,251|6 |2 |885
1990 |29 |1 |3,676|27 |6 |4,141|23 |5 |3,462|6 |2 |986
1991 |30 |1 |3,750|27 |6 |4,137|23 |5 |3,425|6 |2 |993
1992<1> |29 |1 |3,684|28 |7 |4,219|23 |5 |3,418|6 |2 |1,018
Notes:
(a) Percentage of sheep receiving HLCAs at rates applicable in the severely
disadvantaged areas (or the corresponding area before the extension of the less
favoured area in 1985).
(b) Percentage of sheep receiving HLCAs at rates applicable in the disadvantaged
areas.
(c) Total number of sheep ('000) receiving HLCAs.
(x) Less than 0.5 per cent.
Percentage figures may not always total 100 per cent. due to roundings.
<1> Provisional.
Common Agricultural Policy
Mr. Welsh : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received, and what discussions he has had, about continuing CAP reform compensatory payments after CAP reform has been phased in ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Curry : The CAP reform agreement reached in May 1992 agreed levels of compensatory payments over a three-year period up to and including the 1995-96 marketing year. In the longer term, I believe that compensation for support price reductions should be phased out over a fixed period.
Live Exports
Mr. Morley : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what lairage facilities are available at each ferry port to cope with ferry delays caused by adverse weather ;
(2) how many officials involved with the inspection of live exports he has at Dover ; and what percentage of live animal transporters have been inspected along with the relevant animal health documents since 1 January ;
(3) what steps he has taken to ensure that inspection procedures at each port are carried out by licensed veterinary inspectors according to consistent guidelines ;
(4) what facilities his Department has for inspecting live animal exports that use night ferries ; and how many staff are on duty.
Mr. Soames : The Welfare of Animals during Transport Order 1992 places a duty on the transporter to ensure that suitable arrangements for the care of animals are made in advance of any journey and that the arrangements include plans to deal with any disruptions. In respect of sailings from British ports to ports in other member states, facilities to rest, feed and water animals exist within a reasonable distance of each ferry port in Great Britain.
In the single market, Community law does not permit systematic checks on livestock at the Community's internal frontiers. However, it is entirely in accordance with EC law that checks take place to ensure that animals
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are healthy and being transported in conditions that protect their welfare. At Dover, state veterinary service (SVS) staff liaise closely with the Dover harbour board animal watch scheme staff who operate a continuous quayside cover. The SVS is also available on a 24-hour basis. For journeys to other member states local veterinary inspectors, appointed by the Government, are required to certify the health of the animals and their fitness to travel. These inspections take place either at the place of origin or where the journey commences.Suckler Cow Premium
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many late applications for suckler cow premium in respect of 1992 he has received to date.
Mr. Curry : The number of late applications received to date under the 1992 suckler cow premium scheme is 1,181.
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Minister of Agiculture, Fisheries and Food how many late applications were received for suckler cow premium in respect of 1990 and 1991 ; and how many of these were (a) paid in full, (b) paid in part and (c) refused.
Mr. Curry : The information requested is as follows :
|1990 |1991
-----------------------------------------
(a) Paid in full |0 |3
(b) Paid in part |149 |147
(c) Refused |16 |22
|-------|-------
Total |165 |172
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many suckler cow premium application forms were processed during each month of 1992 ; and what was (a) the shortest period and (b) the longest period to elapse between receipt of the application and payment of the claim.
Mr. Curry : The number of applications processed in 1992 is as follows :
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|Number
------------------------
January |4,354
February |3,195
March |1,850
April |233
May |92
June |109
July |299
August |440
September |547
October |401
November |1,442
December |4,057
The information on the shortest period and the longest period to elapse between receipt of the application and payment of the claim could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.
Farmers and Farm Workers
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of (1) farm workers and (2) farmers in (a) less-favoured areas, (b) severely disadvantaged areas and (c) disadvantaged areas who (i) also did other jobs or (ii) claimed income support in each year since 1985.
Mr. Curry : The table shows, for 1985, 1987 and 1990 the number of farmers (occupiers) and other family workers on main holdings in less- favoured areas in England who also had other paid work. Data are only available for these years as the source is the EC farm structure survey which is held every two or three years.
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Separate figures for severely disadvantaged and disadvantaged areas are not available for 1985. There is no information on farmers or workers claiming income support.
England
Number of persons with other paid work
on main holdings within the LFA<1>
|Occupiers<2>|Other family
|workers<3>
|('000) |('000)
----------------------------------------------------
1985
Total LFA |4.13 |5.67
1987
DA |1.33 |2.24
SDA |3.27 |5.13
Total LFA |4.60 |7.37
1990
DA |1.56 |1.96
SDA |3.77 |4.46
Total LFA |5.33 |6.42
<1>Sample data only. Figures are subject to
sampling error.
<2>Only occupiers who are also manager of the
holding.
<3>Other family workers include the occupier's
spouse and other workers related to the occupier.
Data are not available for non-family hired labour.
Mr. Ron Davies : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of part-time (a) farm workers and (b) farmers in (i) less-favoured areas, (ii) severely disadvantaged areas and (iii) disadvantaged areas in each year since 1985.
Mr. Curry : The number of part-time (a) farm workers and (b) farmers in (i) less-favoured areas (ii) severely disadvantaged areas and (iii) disadvantaged areas in England in each year since 1985 is shown in the table.
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Numbers of part-time workers and part-time farmers on holdings<1>
in less-favoured areas, severely disadvantaged areas and disadvantaged areas
England
Thousands
Part-time workers Part-time farmers
|Less-favoured areas|Severely |Disadvantaged areas|Less-favoured areas|Severely |Disadvantaged areas
|disadvantaged areas |disadvantaged areas
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1986 |4.0 |2.8 |1.2 |7.2 |5.0 |2.2
1987 |4.0 |2.8 |1.2 |7.3 |5.1 |2.2
1988 |3.9 |2.8 |1.2 |7.2 |5.0 |2.3
1989 |3.9 |2.7 |1.2 |7.4 |5.0 |2.4
1990 |3.9 |2.7 |1.2 |7.6 |5.2 |2.4
1991 |4.0 |2.7 |1.3 |8.0 |5.4 |2.6
1992 |3.9 |2.7 |1.2 |8.1 |5.5 |2.7
<1>Including minor holdings.
Source: June agricultural censuses.
Executive Agencies
Mrs. Roe : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at what stage (a) drafts and (b) copies of letters from chief executives of agencies within his responsibility, in response to parliamentary questions, are submitted to Ministers.
Mr. Curry : The chief executives of agencies within the responsibility of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food reply directly to questions on operational matters delegated to their agency in its framework document.
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Drafts of such letters are not shown to Ministers but Ministers do, of course, have the opportunity to see letters when they are published in Hansard.Eggs
Mr. Spring : To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further advice he has on salmonella in eggs ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Gummer : The Government are today publishing the report of the advisory committee on the microbiological safety of food (ACMSF) on "Salmonella in Eggs". It provides a valuable assessment of the role of eggs as a
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source of human salmonella infection, taking account of knowledge gained in the past few years. I am grateful to Professor Heather Dick and her committee for their work.The committee considers that while eggs must be regarded as an important source of human salmonella infection, the contribution they make to current levels of human salmonellosis cannot be quantified precisely. Only a small percentage of eggs are considered to be contaminated with salmonella enteritidis and studies have shown that the number of organisms they contain when laid is very low. The Committee therefore makes a number of recommendations for the storage and handling of eggs which it believes will help limit the chances of salmonellas multiplying and so further reduce any risk of salmonella infection from eggs. To this end, it recommends that eggs should be consumed within three weeks of lay and that use-by dates should be provided on egg packs and the eggs themselves ; that industry and retailers should draw up codes of practice for the shortage and handling of eggs ; and that once purchased, eggs should be stored in a refrigerator. The report also advocates the use of pasteurised egg in dishes containing egg which are eaten raw or lightly cooked, and endorses previous advice by the Chief Medical Officer that people should avoid eating raw eggs and vulnerable groups should eat only eggs that have been cooked until the yolk and white are solid. The Committee noted the decline that had taken place in the number of large commercial egg laying flocks in which salmonella enteritidis infection had been confirmed since control measures were introduced in 1989. It recommends that the Government should review the continuing need for the compulsory slaughter of laying flocks infected with salmonella enteritidis and in consultation with industry, update existing codes of practice for control of salmonella in laying flocks. It also recommends the formation of a liaison team to monitor the industry's progress in reducing the incidence of salmonella in poultry. Finally, it considers that periodic surveys should be undertaken to monitor trends in salmonella infection in eggs and identifies topics for future research.
The publication of the ACMSF report is timely in relation to the recent adoption by the Council of Ministers of the EC Zoonoses Directive (92/117/EEC) laying down harmonised rules for the control of salmonella in poultry. This was an important achievement during the United Kingdom presidency and the Government intend bringing its existing measures for the control of salmonella in poultry into line with those required under the directive as soon as possible. Breeding flocks of domestic fowl comprising 250 or more birds will be required to be tested every two weeks by the owner with official samples being taken every eight weeks. Flocks found to be infected with salmonella enteritidis or salmonella typhimurium would continue to be compulsorily slaughtered. The directive does not include harmonised measures for the control of salmonella in commercial egg laying flocks. Having considered the findings of the ACMSF report the Government consider there is no longer a need to monitor laying flocks and to require the compulsory slaughter of those found to be infected with salmonella enteritidis.
The Government accept the committee's other recommendations and will now consult with industry, consumers and enforcement bodies on their implementation. Detailed proposals for implementing the recommendations of the ACMSF report and for
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implementing Directive 92/117/EEC are set out in a consultation document which is today being sent to all interested organisations for their comments. A copy of this document together with the ACMSF report, and the Government's response is being placed in the Library of the House. Egg industry and other organisations are already being consulted about possible changes to the EC Egg Marketing Standards Regulations which cover date marking and recommendations about storage facilities.The Government are committed to firm but proportionate action against salmonella. Our approach is based on co-operation of Government, the poultry industry, food manufacturers and retailers and consumers, taking account of the latest expert advice and of developments in the European Community. I believe that this package of proposals provides continued protection for the consumer of egg and egg products while avoiding disproportionate burdens on producers.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Country Houses Association (Exhibition)
Mr. Lord : To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to the Country Houses Association to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.
Mr. Michael J. Martin : I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 8 to 12 March 1993.
Special Views of Newcastle (Exhibition)
Ms. Quin : To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he has considered an application for an exhibition relating to "Special Views of Newcastle" to be displayed in the Upper Waiting Hall.
Mr. Michael J. Martin : I understand that, under procedures agreed by the Administration Committee, arrangements have been made for the exhibition to be held in the Upper Waiting Hall from 8 to 12 February 1993.
DUCHY OF LANCASTER
Executive Agencies
Mrs. Roe : To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster at what stage (a) drafts and (b) copies of letters from chief executives of agencies within his responsibility, in response to parliamentary questions, are submitted to Ministers.
Mr. Waldegrave : The chief executives of the agencies for which I am responsible normally reply direct on matters delegated to them. Copies of their replies are brought to Ministers' attention where appropriate.
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