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Visitor Passports
Mr. Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many 12-month visitor passports were issued in 1992, 1993, 1994 and this year to date. [23676]
Mr. Nicholas Baker: A total of 212,552 British visitor's passports have been issued up to 22 March this year--the latest date for which confirmed figures are available. For the numbers issued in 1992, 1993 and 1994 I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given tothe hon. Member for Ravensbourne (Sir J. Hunt) on2 February, at column 807 .
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159 Grove Green, Leytonstone
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who was present at the meeting on 1 December 1994 at which the operational decision was taken to take physical possession of 159 Grove Green road, Leytonstone; and whom they represented. [23545]
Mr. Maclean: I understand that the county court made an order for the possession of this property on 11 July 1994 and that the Metropolitan police were requested to be present on 1 December 1994 when the bailiffs executed the order, to prevent a breach of the peace.
This was an operational matter for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
Police Operational Duties and Training
Mr. Butler: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many hours per day, on average, a police constable (a) performs operational duties, (b) receives training and (c) works on other matters in the latest year for which statistics are available, by police forces. [23599]
Mr. Maclean: The only information available relates to the average number of days spent in training by police constables, including probationers, during 1992 93.
|Average number of
Forces |Training days |days per PC
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Avon and Somerset |37,194 |16
Bedfordshire |16,717 |18
Cambridgeshire |14,056 |15
Cheshire |20,773 |14
City of London |6,688 |12
Cleveland |14,149 |13
Cumbria |17,674 |20
Derbyshire |30,721 |22
Devon and Cornwall |44,487 |20
Dorset |15,987 |16
Durham |10,614 |10
Dyfed Powys |10,241 |14
Essex |45,804 |20
Gloucestershire |11,930 |13
Greater Manchester |65,586 |13
Gwent |n/a |n/a
Hampshire |n/a |n/a
Hertfordshire |18,222 |14
Humberside |n/a |n/a
Kent |50,259 |21
Lancashire |35,215 |15
Leicestershire |25,175 |18
Lincolnshire |14,391 |16
Merseyside |53,859 |15
Metropolitan |230,627 |11
Norfolk |15,987 |14
North Wales |10,829 |11
North Yorkshire |20,257 |19
Northamptonshire |22,062 |25
Northumbria |48,274 |17
Nottinghamshire |34,977 |20
South Wales |33,019 |14
South Yorkshire |36,666 |16
Staffordshire |23,603 |14
Suffolk |11,940 |13
Surrey |n/a |n/a
Sussex |n/a |n/a
Thames Valley |47,442 |16
Warwickshire |8,599 |11
West Mercia |26,279 |17
West Midlands |105,198 |20
West Yorkshire |40,936 |10
Wiltshire |19,139 |22
Campsfield House
Mr. Rooker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home department what is the average weekly cost of detaining a person at Campsfield house. [23358]
Mr. Nicholas Baker: The average weekly cost is currently estimated at £413, excluding immigration service and escorting costs.
Historical Documents
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what special training is given to persons who have responsibility for assessing the historical significance of documents held by his Department. [23285]
Mr. Howard: The staff involved receive desk training, carried out under the guidance of the Keeper of Public Records, and are provided with written guidance prepared within the Department and by the Public Records Office. Staff also attend conferences and seminars arranged by the Public Records Office, and are encouraged to attend Civil Service College and Public Records Office courses.
National Vocational Qualifications
Mr. Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many, and what proportion of, vacancies advertised by his Department, and by each of his Department's agencies in the last three years have listed the attainment of NVQ's as an acceptable entry requirement; and, of those, how many have required(i) level 1 NVQs, (ii) level 2 NVQs, (iii) level 3 NVQs and (iv) other level NVQs. [22974]
Mr. Howard: Information is not readily available about vacancies advertised by Prison Service establishments. In the remainder of the Home Office no vacancy advertised in the last three years has specifically listed the attainment of NVQs as an acceptable entry requirement. In both areas, however, NVQs are accepted as a recognised equivalent to the entry qualifications of certain grades.
LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
Registered Medical Practitioners
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Lord President of the Council how many appeals from decisions of the General Medical Council (a) heard, (b) which were successful against removal from the list of registered medical practitioners consequent to proceedings in its professional conduct committee, and how many other appeals were (c) heard and (d) successful since the coming into force of the Medical Act 1983.
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Mr. Newton: Since 26 October 1983, when the Medical Act 1983 came into force, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has heard 33 appeals, of which three were successful, from decisions of the professional conduct committee of the General Medical Council directing the erasure or suspension of a doctor's name from the register. Over the same period, the committee has heard seven appeals against decisions of the health committee of the General Medical Council of which none was successful.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Military Exports
Mr. Cousins: To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, between December 1984 and August 1990, exporters were required to obtain end user certificates for the export of goods, licensed under the military list, to (a) Thailand, (b) Singapore, (c) Pakistan, (d) Portugal, (e) Cyprus and (f) Hong Kong. [19402]
Mr. Ian Taylor: Where goods were to be exported to a Government Department of the countries listed no end-user certificate was required by the DTI export licensing unit, although a copy of the contract or purchase order was requested. For military list exports to companies and other private consignees, exporters were required to submit sufficient information to enable the ELU to assess the export licence application. The guidance note on filling out an export licence application form said that exporters should supply an end-user certificate, or an end-use statement or an international import certificate, but this was not insisted upon in all cases.
Richard Budge
Mr. Betts: To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what account was taken of the role of Richard Budge as a director of AF Budge (Mining) when awarding the franchise to mine coal in the three English coal regions; [22706]
(2) if the Government were aware of the concerns raised by Coopers and Lybrand, officers in the insolvency unit of his Department and the official receiver about the actions of Richard Budge as a director of AF Budge (a) when the shortlist of companies to be considered for the coal franchise was agreed and (b) when RJB (Mining) was awarded franchises; [22707]
(3) what consideration Ministers gave to monitoring the concerns being expressed by Coopers and Lybrand, officers in the insolvency unit of his Department and the Official Receiver over the actions of Richard Budge as a director of AF Budge when making statements to the House about the shortlist of firms to be considered for coal franchises and the awarding of franchises to RJB (Mining); [22708] (4) what stage had investigations into the actions of Richard Budge reached (a) when RJB (Mining) was shortlisted as a franchisee and (b) when it was given the coal franchises. [22709]
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(5) what consideration was given to the questions still surrounding Richard Budge as a director of AF Budge when deciding not to choose a second, back-up, franchisee for the coal franchises awarded to RJB (Mining). [22712]Mr. Page [holding answer 9 May 1995]: The Department and its advisers undertook a careful assessment of each of the bids for the regional coal companies and care and maintenance collieries when tenders were submitted in September 1994. Bids were assessed on their merits, including the prospects for the long-term viability of the industry and value for money for the taxpayer.
The preferred bidders for the regional coal companies and care and maintenance collieries were announced on 12 October. As envisaged when bids were invited, a single preferred bidder was identified for each regional coal company, with whom detailed negotiations were to take place. It was made clear to the preferred bidders that their identification as preferred bidders did not commit the Government to a sale if the detailed negotiations did not reach a satisfactory conclusion. The position of each of the preferred bidders was kept under close review throughout the course of the negotiations. Decisions in relation to disqualification were taken on 21 November 1994. The decision not to take proceedings against Mr. Richard Budge and some other former directors of AF Budge Ltd. and related companies was made after careful consideration of the circumstances of the failure and in the light of legal advice.
In the light of consideration of the conduct ofMr. Richard Budge in the context of the failure of theAF Budge companies, as well as the decision on proceedings, the Department reviewed RJB (Mining) plc's status as preferred bidder for the English coal companies, having regard to Mr. Budge's position as chief executive of RJB (Mining) plc. The Department concluded thatRJB (Mining) plc should properly continue as preferred bidder.
The contract for the sale of the English Regional Coal Company was signed on 9 December and the sale was completed on 30 December 1994.
Mr. Betts: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what investigations are pending or being considered into loans made to Richard Budge as a director RJB (Mining). [22710]
Mr. Jonathan Evans [holding answer 9 May 1995]: It is not our practice to comment on the affairs of individual companies.
Mr. Betts: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what involvement and knowledge he and his Department had about the agreement reached between Sheffield development corporation and Budge which divided responsibility for providing the infrastructure for an airport at Tinsley, Sheffield, and the authority for opencasting the site. [22714]
Mr. Page [holding answer 9 May 1995]: The agreement between Sheffield Development Corporation and AF Budge (Mining) Ltd. is a matter for the Department of the Environment and I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government on 9 May 1995, Official Report, column 421.
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The agreement was disclosed to the official receiver in relation to the subsequent failure of AF Budge Ltd. and related companies.Mr. Betts: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the role of Ministers in deciding not to disqualify Richard Budge as a director following his actions as a director of AF Budge. [22715]
Mr. Jonathan Evans [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Decisions in relation to the disqualification of directors of failed companies are taken on behalf of the Secretary of State by the Insolvency Service which has operational responsibility. Those decisions are based on statutory provisions, on criteria agreed by Ministers, informed by developing case law, and legal advice where necessary; and the likelihood of a court making a disqualification order. Ministers were advised of the Insolvency Service's decisions on disqualification proceedings relating to the failed AF Budge companies and endorsed them.
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date his Department received the Coopers and Lybrand report into the collapse of AF Budge; and if he will place a copy of the report in the Library. [22582]
Mr. Jonathan Evans [holding answer 4 May 1995]: The insolvency service received the report on AF Budge Ltd. on 28 September 1993. Such reports are confidential between the Secretary of State and insolvency practitioners.
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade who took the decision, and on what date, to bring disqualification proceedings against former directors ofAF Budge; what criteria were used in selecting the directors; and if he will identify those former directors against whom disqualification proceedings have not been taken. [22584]
Mr. Jonathan Evans [holding answer 4 May 1995]: Decisions in relation to the disqualification of directors of failed companies are taken on behalf of the Secretary of State by the Insolvency Service which has the operational responsibility. Those decisions are based on statutory provision, criteria agreed by Ministers, informed by developing case law, and legal advice where necessary; and the likelihood of a court making a disqualification order. Ministers were advised of the Insolvency Service's decisions on disqualification proceedings relating to the failed AF Budge Group and endorsed them. In this case decisions were made on 21 November 1994.
Given the number of companies comprised in the AF Budge Group and the large number of directors, it is not practical to list all former directors from the incorporation of the earliest company in 1967. The following were returned as directors in the three years prior to the first appointments of administrative receivers to AF Budge companies in December 1992, and against whom proceedings have not been taken in relation to the relevant companies:
Name |Ceased to act (if
|applicable)
------------------------------------------------------
J. R. Bower |28 February 1992
R. J. Budge |22 February 1992
G. W. Jarrett |20 February 1992
G. Muir |7 January 1993
D. T. Threadkell |7 January 1993
S. S. Clarke |15 December 1992
A. A. Mackintosh |13 January 1993
M. A. Connolly |-
R. V. Sallis |18 December 1992
J. E. Greenhalgh |11 December 1992
D. T. Trewick |-
M. Wainwright |18 January 1993
C. A. Walton |22 February 1992
K. Jarrett |22 February 1992
M. Chick |-
D. Cowlinshaw |1 October 1990
G. B. Cowlinshaw |1 October 1990
P. M. Annington |-
R. S. Allan |-
E. Bruce |-
C. H. Coward |-
M. R. Hampton |-
M. Shield |-
S. G. Mort |8 January 1993
J. A. Buck |18 December 1992
N. J. Teal |16 December 1992
M. F. Vasey |31 March 1993
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what dates in 1994 his Department's insolvency service interviewed Mr. Richard Budge; and on what date the Service reported on the conduct of the former directors of AF Budge. [22585]
Mr. Jonathan Evans [holding answer 4 May 1995]: The official receiver reported initially on the affairs of AF Budge Ltd. and related companies on 25 July 1994. Following further investigations into those affairs Mr. R. J. Budge and two other directors of the AF Budge Group were interviewed by him on 11, 14 and 15 November respectively and he reported the outcome of those interviews on 15 November 1994. The official receiver's report to the court under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 was made on 7 December 1994.
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make available to the National Audit Office investigators into the privatisation of the coal industry the Coopers and Lybrand report into the collapse of AF Budge and the report from the insolvency service into the conduct of Mr. Richard Budge as a director of AF Budge. [22583]
Mr. Jonathan Evans [holding answer 4 May 1995]: The insolvency service will co-operate fully with the National Audit Office.
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Ministers in his Department in the last five years have been a member of a group considering the energy industry policy which had Mr. Richard Budge as one of its members. [23018]
Mr. Page [holding answer 9 May 1995]: As far as I am aware, no Minister in this Department, or in the former Department of Energy, in the last five years has been a member of a group considering energy industry policy which had Mr. Richard Budge as one of its members.
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what dates in 1992, 1993 and until 12 October 1994, Ministers in his Department met Mr. Richard Budge to discuss the privatisation of the coal industry. [23016]
Mr. Page [holding answer 9 May 1995]: I have been asked to reply.
My right. hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Energy discussed coal privatisation with a number of industry figures in this period. At meetings with
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Mr. Richard Budge on 17 June 1992, 29 June 1992, 1 March 1993, 26 March 1993, 15 April 1993, 15 June 1993 and 7 July 1994 a range of issues were discussed. Mr. Budge met the Minister for Industry and Energy both in his capacity as chairman of the trade association Coalpro, and as chief executive of RJB (Mining).Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if any Ministers in his Department since April 1992 have been on trips overseas in which Mr. Richard Budge was in the party. [23017]
Mr. Page [holding answer 9 May 1995]: No DTI Minister has been on an overseas visit with Mr. Richard Budge during this period.
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions between 1989 and 1992 advance payments for ordinary soil extraction were made to AF Budge; and what was their total value. [22818]
Mr. Page [holding answer 9 May 1995]: This is a matter for the British Coal Corporation.
Cottonware Ltd.
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take against the directors of Cottonware Ltd. for not filing their company accounts within the legal deadline. [23970]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: There is no company registered with that name on the public record held at Companies House.
Oil and Gas Pipelines
Dr. Godman: To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what proposals he has to modify the Petroleum Act 1987 in relation to the dismantling and removal of redundant offshore oil and gas structures and submarine pipeline networks; and if he will make a statement; [24032]
(2) if he will list (a) the redundant offshore oil and gas installations which have been dismantled and removed from their sites and (b) the redundant submarine pipeline networks which have been dismantled and removed from their sites in accordance with the relevant provisions contained in the Petroleum Act 1987; and if he will make a statement; [23033]
(3) how many programmes of (a) abandonment of redundant offshore oil and gas structures, (b) abandonment of submarine pipeline networks, (c) dismantlement and removal of redundant offshore oil and gas structures and (d) dismantlement and removal of submarine pipeline networks he has approved in each of the past seven years; and if he will make a statement; [24034]
(4) if he will list (a) the number and location of redundant offshore oil and gas installations which operators have been allowed to abandon and (b) the redundant submarine pipeline networks which operators have been allowed to abandon in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Petroleum Act 1987; if he will detail what measures have been taken, in relation to such programmes of abandonment, to protect the safety and commercial interests of other parties engaged in maritime industries; and if he will make a statement; [23036]
(5) what advice is given to commercial fishermen who fish nearby fishing grounds and other users of the local marine environment in relation to the dismantlement and removal of redundant offshore oil and gas structures and redundant submarine pipeline networks; [23037]
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(6) if he will list the regulations governing the maintenance and inspection of abandoned offshore oil and gas structures and redundant submarine pipeline networks; and if he will make a statement; [23038](7) when Shell UK Exploration, Shell Expro, was given approval under part I of the Petroleum Act 1987 for its abandonment proposal for the Brent Spar, which at present is located in the Brent field; and if he will make a statement; [23377]
(8) what discussions have taken place with Shell UK Exploration and Production, Shell Expro, concerning the removal and disposal of the decommissioned Brent Spar under part I of the Petroleum Act 1987 which at present is located in the Brent field; and if he will make a statement; [23378]
(9) if it is his policy in relation to the Petroleum Act 1987 to allow offshore oil and gas operators to dispose of redundant oil and gas structures and pipeline networks by way of deep-water sinkings; and if he will make a statement; [23379]
(10) how many redundant, or decommissioned, offshore oil and gas structures and pipeline networks have been disposed of under the Petroleum Act 1987 by way of (a) onshore scrapping, (b) deep-water sinking or (c) left in situ in each of the past seven years; and if he will make a statement; [23380]
(11) if he name those persons and companies against whom he has initiated court proceedings in each of the past seven years in relation to offences they were alleged to have committed under sections 2, 5, 9 or 10 of the Petroleum Act 1987, of those so proceeded against how many were found guilty; what were the penalties imposed upon them by the law courts; and if he will make a statement. [24210]
Mr. Eggar: My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and his predecessor the Secretary of State for Energy have approved the following abandonment programmes for offshore installations and pipelines:
Year |Facilities
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1988 |Piper Alpha
1991 |Crawford<1>
1992 |Argyll, Duncan and Innes Blair<1>
1993 |Angus Forbes Part of Staffa-Ninian pipe-line
1994 |Fulmar single anchor leg
|mooring (SALM) buoy Brent
|Spar oil storage and tanker
|loading facility
<1> Includes pipe-lines.
In each case, except Piper Alpha, two Blair pipelines, a redundant part of the Staffa--Ninian pipeline, and the Argyll Base Manifold, the abandonment programme provided for the complete removal of the facilities. The Crawford, Argyll, Duncan and Innes, and Angus floating production facilities have been re-used elsewhere. The Forbes topsides have been sold for re-use and the jacket has been sold for possible re-use or scrapping onshore. The Fulmar SALM buoy has been removed from the field and the disposal options are under consideration.
In accordance with section 4 of the Petroleum Act 1987 the President of the Board of Trade approved the Brent Spar abandonment programme on 20 December 1994.
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That programme provides for disposal of the Spar in the deep waters of the north-east Atlantic. That decision was taken following a comparative assessment of the options including an analysis of the best practicable environmental option. My Department had extensive discussions with Shell UK Exploration and Production during the consideration of the abandonment programme and consulted others in Government with an interest in protection of the marine environment and fisheries. Apart from environmental considerations and possible interference with navigation and fisheries, the comparative assessment also examined risk, technical feasibility and cost. Our decision fully meets our international obligations and has been communicated to other countries under the procedural requirements of the Oslo convention.No regulations have been made in respect of the abandonment provisions of the Petroleum Act 1987. Inspection and maintenance requirements are decided on a case-by-case basis in the light of the circumstances of each abandonment proposal and after consultation with other Government Departments.
In each case, the President of the Board of Trade has required consultations to be carried out with interested parties, including representatives of fishermen's organisations, and that the results of the consultations be reported in the abandonment programme. Abandonment programmes are considered on a case-by-case basis and their approval must be consistent with our international obligations including the International Maritime Organisations's guidelines and standards for the removal of offshore installations and the London and Oslo conventions.
While decommissioning operations are being undertaken, mariners are advised by notice to avoid the area. An installation which is only partly removed will not be allowed to endanger navigation. The Government are currently considering whether further measures need to be taken to ensure that mariners, including fishermen, are aware of any remains of installations.
Guidance notes for the abandonment of offshore installations and pipelines were issued for consultation on 4 May 1995. A copy of the guidance notes is available in the Library of the House.
I have no proposals at present to modify the Petroleum Act. I have not initiated any court proceedings in respect of offences under sections 2, 5, 9 or 10 of the Petroleum Act.
Dr. Godman: To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions in each of the past seven years he has used his powers, contained in section 4 of the Petroleum Act 1987, to reject an abandonment programme submitted by offshore oil and gas operators; in how many such cases the programmes were replaced by an abandonment programme prepared by himself; and if he will make a statement. [24204]
Mr. Eggar: No abandonment programmes have been rejected under section 4 of the Petroleum Act 1987.
Dr. Godman: To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he plans to issue the authorisation anent the laying of the gas pipeline to Premier Transco Ltd. between Scotland and Northern Ireland; when he expects the work to (a) commence and (b) be completed; and if he will make a statement. [24181]
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Mr. Eggar: The authorisation under the Pipe-lines Act 1962 for the onshore section of the pipeline was issued on 27 February this year. It is expected that the authorisation for the offshore section required under the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975 will be issued shortly. Work has already commenced on the onshore section and work on the whole pipeline is expected to be completed by October 1996.
Fireworks
Mr. Burden: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the responsibilities of (a) the fire service and (b) the trading standards officer for enforcing the law relating to the purchase of fireworks by children under the apparent age of 16 years in Metropolitan areas; and what changes have been made since March. [22819]
Mr. Jonathan Evans [holding answer 9 May 1995]: Prior to the revocation of the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1986, trading standards authorities had responsibility for enforcing those regulations relating to the supply of fireworks to children apparently under the age of 16. The fire service had no such responsibility. Since the coming into force of the Fireworks (Safety) (Revocation) Regulations 1995, section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875, as amended, prohibits the sale of fireworks to those apparently under 16 years of age and the police remain the appropriate enforcement authority.
Mr. Nigel Griffiths: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what body will be responsible for enforcing section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875, on the sale of firearms to children under 16 years after the coming into force of the Fireworks (Safety) Revocation Regulations 1995. [23009]
Mr. Jonathan Evans [holding answer 5 May 1995]: Following the coming into force of the Fireworks (Safety) (Revocation) Regulations 1995, the police remain the appropriate authority to enforce section 31 of the Explosives Act 1875, as amended, which prohibits the sale of fireworks to children apparently under 16 years of age.
MGM Cinemas
Mr. Nigel Griffiths: To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what reassurances he has sought from the Office of Fair Trading to ensure that the position of the independent cinema owners is protected in the sale of MGM cinemas by Credit Lyonnais; [24430] (2) what steps he has taken to ensure that competition in high street cinemas is not reduced as a result of a takeover of MGM cinemas by the Rank Organisation; [24432]
(3) what guarantees he has sought from (a) Credit Lyonnais and (b) the various bidders for the MGM cinema chain being sold by Credit Lyonnais that they will endeavour where possible to keep open the maximum number of high street and multiple cinemas; [24431] (4) what steps he has taken to ensure that competition in multiplex cinemas is not reduced as a result of a takeover of MGM cinemas by Time Warner. [24433]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: If the sale of MGM cinemas results in a qualifying merger under the Fair Trading Act 1973 it will be for the Director General of Fair Trading to advise my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade whether to refer the merger to the Monopolies
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and Mergers Commission. In giving his advice, the DGFT will take account of all relevant factors including the impact on competition in the cinema industry and the views of third parties. If appropriate, the DGFT will also advise about possible undertakings which might be given to remedy any adverse effects resulting from the merger.Trade Statistics
Mr. MacShane: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the latest trade balance of (a) the United Kingdom, (b) Germany, (c) France and (d) Korea with(i) Poland, (ii) Hungary, (iii) the Czech Republic and(iv) Russia. [23708]
Mr. Needham: Information on the topic is regularly published in the "IMF Direction of Trade Statistics", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
Insolvency Service
Mr. Byers: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the replies received from the Official Receiver as part of the consultation process for the privatisation of the insolvency service; and if he will consult the official receiver on the detailed specifications for the contracting out of the insolvency service. [24154]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: A digest of official receivers' responses to the consultation process was published and laid in the Libraries of the House and the Vote Office on 3 May 1995. The views of the official receivers have been sought on the draft technical specification and their comments are being considered.
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of the potential change in public expenditure arising from the proposed privatisation of the insolvency service. [24375]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: It is too early to form any assessment of the effect on public expenditure of the possible contracting out of official receivers' functions. This information will not be available until final bids have been received from the private sector and compared to the benchmark costs of the service. The evaluation of tenders is due to be completed by early December 1995.
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment his Department has made of the
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potential effect of the privatisation of the insolvency service on fraudulent bankruptcy. [24377]Mr. Jonathan Evans: Stoy Hayward reported that the contracting out of official receivers' case administration functions upon the making of an insolvency order would enable them to concentrate on their investigatory role.
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the proposed privatisation of the insolvency service. [24376]
Mr. Jonathan Evans: Both my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I have received substantial correspondence concerned with contracting out certain of the official receiver's functions; originating from official receivers staff, members of the public, and members of professional bodies. The official receivers, as statutory office holders, have been formally consulted on proposals for contracting out.
Convention on Nuclear Safety
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects the United Kingdom to deposit the United Kingdom's instrument on ratification for the convention on nuclear safety which was signed on 20 September 1994 with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. [24292]
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