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Ms Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what performance indicators and performance targets there are for measuring the performance of her Department in (a) answering letters from members of the public and (b) answering telephone calls from members of the public; how performance is monitored; and what are the latest figures for performance measured against the target set.
Mr. Boswell: The Department has recently completed a review of its procedures for dealing with letters from members of the public. Enhanced performance targets are being set whereby 75 per cent. of all letters from members of the public should be responded to in three weeks and 100 per cent. in four weeks. Appropriate procedures for monitoring these new targets are currently being considered. Requests for general information are handled by a dedicated public inquiry unit. This unit aims to answer all letters within one week of receipt. In 1994, over 92 per cent. of replies met this target. The Department's switchboard operators have a target of answering 80 per cent. of calls within 20 seconds and 90 per cent. within 30 seconds. Performance is monitored on a monthly basis through automated call logging software. During 1994, 90 per cent. of calls were answered within 20 seconds, with 92 per cent. being answered within 30 seconds.
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Mr. Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations she has received about declining standards of mathematics in schools. [23155]
Mr. Forth: My right hon. Friend receives such representations from time to time. Among the actions taken to improve mathematics standards in schools has been the introduction of the national curriculum and its assessment. The revised curriculum, which takes effect in schools from September 1995, will contribute further to raising standards by increasing the emphasis on basic arithmetic skills.
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what water main installations have taken place in the constituency of South Down since 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1995, and of these, what road reinstatements have taken place. [25324]
Mr. Ancram: The water main schemes completed or under way between 1 April 1990 and 31 March 1995, and the road reinstatement position are as follows:
Water Main scheme |Road reinstatement |position ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rathfriland Watermain |Permanent reinstatement Replacement | complete Attical Supply Area |Permanent reinstatement | complete Mayobridge Area Distribution |Permanent reinstatement | complete Deechommed Distribution |Permanent reinstatement Improvements | complete Dromore Watermain |Permanent reinstatement Replacement | complete Newcastle Watermain |Permanent reinstatement Replacement | complete St. Patrick's Road Raholp |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement | complete Oldtown Lane Annalong |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement | complete Church Road Ballynahinch |Permanent reinstatement Duplication of Watermain |complete Replacement Seaforde Watermain |Permanent reinstatement Replacement | complete Drumaroad Hill, Watermain |Permanent reinstatement Replacement | complete Auglisnafin Road Dundrum |Permanent reinstatement Duplication of Watermain | complete Downpatrick Road Crossgar |Permanent reinstatement Watermains Replacement | complete Pillar Hill Ballynahinch |Permanent reinstatement Reinforcement of Distribution | complete System A24 Replacement Watermain |Permanent reinstatement | complete Pound Lane Downpatrick |Permanent reinstatement Watermains Replacement | complete Castleward Road Strangford |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement | complete St. Patrick's Raholp |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement and | complete Stage 2 Upgrade Hillhead Outlet Main |Permanent reinstatement Replacement | complete Carnreagh Road Guiness |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement and | complete Upgrade Coilly Hill Road Killyeagh |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement and | complete Upgrade Crawfordstown Road Drumaness |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement and | complete Upgrade Stewarts Road Annalong |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement | complete Anthony's Road Ballymartin |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Extension | complete Crossgar Road, Ballynahinch |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement and | complete Upgrade Tullykin Road, Killyeagh |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement and | complete Upgrade Hamiltons Folly Area |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement and | complete Upgrade Derryboye Road, Derryboye |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement and | complete Upgrade Ardtole Road, Ardglass |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replace and | complete Upgrade Ballykine Replacement |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement | complete Bannaghan Road, Raholp |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement | complete Guiness Road, Hamiltons Folly |Permanent reinstatement Replacement and Upgrade | complete Manse Road, Raffrey |Permanent reinstatement Replacement and Upgrade | complete Middle Road, Saintfield |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement | complete Ringhaddy Road, Watermain |Permanent reinstatement Replacement | complete Roughal Park, Downpatrick |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement and | complete Upgrade St. Patrick's Raholp Stage 3 |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement and | complete Upgrade Tullybrannigan ST Outlet Main |Permanent reinstatement Replacement Outlet Main | complete Killyleagh Road, Darragh Cross |Permanent reinstatement Watermain Replacement and | complete Upgrade Audleystown Road Watermain |Permanent reinstatement Replacement | complete Rathfriland to Ballyroney Trunk |Permanent reinstatement under Main | way Knock Area Distribution |Permanent reinstatement under Improvements | way Dromore Road, High Street, |Permanent reinstatement almost Lisburn St. Ballynahinch. | complete Replacement and Upgrade (Scheme underway) Dromore Road, Grove Road, |Permanent reinstatement almost Ballynahinch Watermain | complete Replacement Dundrum SR Outlet Main |Permanent reinstatement under Replacement and Upgrade | way Fofanny to Rathfriland Trunk |Temporary reinstatement Main | complete Knock to Tullymurry Trunk |Temporary reinstatement Main | complete Castlewellan Town Centre |Temporary reinstatement Mains Replacement | complete Ballymacarn Road, |Temporary reinstatement Ballynahinch Watermain | complete Replacement (Scheme underway) Ballymaglave Road, |Temporary reinstatement Ballynahinch Watermain | complete Replacement (Scheme underway) Downpatrick Road, |Temporary reinstatement Ballynahinch Watermain | complete Replacement (Scheme underway) Downpatrick Town Centre |Temporary reinstatement Watermain Improvements | complete (Scheme underway) Ballyroney to Deechommed |Temporary reinstatement under Trunk Main (Scheme | way underway) Fofanny Area Distribution |Temporary reinstatement under Improvements (Scheme | way underway)
In addition, various works for repairs and small diameter mains replacements have been undertaken. Information on these is not held centrally and would be available only at disproportionate cost.
Ms Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what work has been contracted out (a) by his Department and (b) by agencies for which his Department is responsible in (i) 1993 94, (ii) 1994 95 and(iii) projected for 1995 96. [25660]
Sir John Wheeler: The information requested is as follows:
|Work contracted out ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (a) Departments Environment |1993-94 |Public Record Office of | Northern Ireland Catering | Services. |Road Surface Dressing Work |1994-95 |General Road Maintenance | Activities Health and Social |1993-94 |ICL MainFrame Computer Services | Services Northern Ireland |1993-94 |Maintenance of Hillsborough Office | Castle Grounds |Courier Service, Stormont | Castle |Prison Office Catering | Services at four Prison | Establishments, young | Offenders Centre and the | Prison Service College |Air Charter |Ministerial cars |1994-95 |Hillsborough Castle Estate | Management |Hillsborough Castle Facilities | Management |Key Persons Protection | Scheme |Air Charter |Ministerial cars |Office cleaning |1995-96 |Air Charter |Ministerial cars |Office cleaning |Security |Civilian search arrangements (b) Agencies Child Support Agency |1993-94 |Facilities Management |Catering |Typing |Telephonists |Receptionists |Cleaning |Security |Post-Opening |Messengerial |Porterage |Handyman |1994-95 |In addition to the services | contracted out in 1993-94 | the following services have | also been contracted out: |Reprographic |Stationery Store |Off-Site File Store |1995-96 |It is proposed that the services | contracted out in 1993-94 | and 1994-95 will also be | contracted out in 1995-96 Compensation agency |1994-95 |Prior options study.
In 1995 96, a number of work areas in the Northern Ireland Departments and agencies are being market tested but is not known if this will result in any work being contracted out.
Ms Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, (1) what changes there have been in the number of staff in employment by grade in (i) the Northern Ireland Office and (ii) each agency for which the Northern Ireland Office is responsible in (a) 1993 94 and (b) 1994 95; and what are the projected figures for 1995 96; [25424]
(2) what changes there have been in the number of staff employed by (a) his office and (b) each agency for which his office is responsible in (i) 1993 94 and (ii) 1994 95; and what are the projected figures for 1995 96; [25557]
(3) how many staff of (a) the Northern Ireland Office and (b) agencies for which the Northern Ireland Office is responsible were employed on a casual or short-term basis in (i) 1993 94 and (ii) 1994 95; and what are the projected figures for 1995 96. [25502]
Sir John Wheeler: The numbers of permanent and casual staff employed by the Northern Ireland Office and each of its executive agencies in 1993 94, projected outturn for 1994 95 and plans for 1995 96 are published in "Northern Ireland Ependiture Plans and Priorities", copy of which is available in the Library of the House. No projections broken down by grade are available.
Mr. Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Government expect to take a decision on the recommendations made by the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights pertaining to the abortion law in Northern Ireland. [23571]
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Mr. Ancram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Under- Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, North- East (Mr. Moss) to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) on 24 May, Official Report , column 627 .
Ms Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the level of expenditure on consultancy by (a) his office and (b) agencies for which his office is responsible for (i) 1993 94, (ii) 1994 95 and (iii) projected for 1995 96. [25646]
Sir John Wheeler: The information is as follows:
|1993-94 |1994-95 |1995-96 |Outturn |Outturn |Estimate |£ |£ |£ ------------------------------------------------------------- Compensation Agency |2,055 |355 |1,000 Northern Ireland Prison Service |n/a |n/a |36,000 Rest of Northern Ireland Office |164,364 |382,764 |68,000 Total |166,419 |383,119 |105,000 Note: The Northern Ireland Prison Service did not become an agency until 1 April 1995.
Mr. Clifford Forsythe: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the public service offices, other than local government offices, and the number of persons employed in such offices in (a) Antrim borough council and (b) Magherafelt district council in (i) January 1992, (ii) January 1993, (iii) January 1994 and (iv) January 1995. [25400]
Sir John Wheeler: The information requested is as follows:
|January|January|January|January Office |1992 |1993 |1994 |1995 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (a) Antrim Borough Council Department of the Environment Caulside, New Lodge Road, Antrim<1> |9 |9 |9 |9 Ferrard, Railway Street, Antrim<1> |5 |5 |4 |5 Church Street, Antrim<1> |3 |4 |8 |nil Fountain Street, Antrim<1> |2 |2 |2 |2 Steeple Road Industrial Estate, Antrim<1> |25 |26 |18 |19 Crown Buildings, Castle Street, Antrim |nil |nil |nil |8 Roads Service, Station Road, Antrim |44 |43 |42 |37 Water Executive, Steeple Road Industrial Estate, Antrim |44 |38 |37 |36 Department of Economic Development Training and Employment Agency, Antrim |15 |16 |18 |18 Industrial Development Board, Regional Office |4 |5 |5 |nil Department of Finance and Personnel Antrim Social Security Office |nil |nil |nil |1 Department of Health and Social Security Antrim Social Security Office |93 |100 |94 |87 Contribution Unit, North Area (based in Antrim SSO) |11 |16 |16 |17 Child Support Agency, Antrim |- |- |6 |7 Department of Agriculture Crown Buildings, Castle Street, Antrim |5 |6 |6 |6 Forest Office, Slemish Forest |7 |7 |7 |6 Greenmount College of Agriculture and |106 |106 |105 |99 Horticulture, Antrim<1> |51 |52 |46 |42 (b) Magherafelt District Council Department of the Environment Section Office, Station Road, Magherafelt<1> |7 |10 |10 |6 Crown Buildings, Station Road, Magherafelt<1> |nil |nil |11 |10 Queens Avenue, Magherafelt<1> |nil |nil |nil |8 Magherafelt District Council, Ballyronan Road, <> Magherafelt<1> |nil |nil |nil |1 Water Executive, Station Road, Magherafelt |41 |40 |38 |34 Roads Service, Station Road, Magherafelt |41 |40 |38 |34 Department of Economic Development Training and Employment Agency, Magherafelt |14 |15 |15 |14 Training Unit, Castledawson |2 |nil |nil |nil Department of Health and Social Services Magherafelt, Social Security Office |77 |79 |73 |76 Department of Agriculture Rainey Street, Magherafelt |16 |17 |17 |18 Forest Office, Derrynoyd |8 |9 |11 |11 <1> Figures apply to non-industrial staff in months of April.
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the location of the inward investment projects promoted by the Industrial Development Board between 1 April 1990 and 31 March 1995 indicating the financial amounts in respect of each project. [25926]
Mr. Ancram: The inward investment projects secured by the IDB between 1 April 1990 and 31 March 1995 are set out. The 1994 95 figures do not include three investments for which formal announcements have still to be agreed with the companies. These investments total £16.8 million against which £5.8 million has been offered to secure 415 jobs.
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Inward Investment Projects: 1990 to 1995 Company Name Country of Ownership |Assistance |Investment | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1990-91 G C McKeown & Co (NI) |39 |465 |1,152 Ltd ROI Antrim Computer Software Webtech (NI) Ltd |63 |867 |2,571 ROI Enniskillen Flexible Packaging National Inspection Council |7 |30 |87 Quality Assurance Ltd GB Ballymena Certification and Registration of Company Management Systems Avery Label (Northern |12 |161 |595 Ireland) Ltd GB Belfast Self-Adhesive Labels Delwyn Enterprises T/A |22 |206 |718 Yardmaster, International France Draperstown Metal Garden Sheds Inland Revenue |410 |none |not known GB Belfast Her Majesty's Customs and |100 |none |not known Excise GB Newry Child Support Agency |500 |none |not known GB Belfast 1991-92 Vision Information |32 |90 |317 Consulting Ltd ROI Belfast Design and Development of Software Audio Processing |12 |114 |441 Technology Ltd GB Belfast Establishment of a Facility for a Music Coding System The Prudential Assurance |36 |227 |812 Co Ltd GB Belfast Transfer and Processing of Life Assurance Claims Royal Mail |300 |none |not known GB Belfast Customs and Excise |40 |none |not known GB Londonderry and Enniskillen Chambernet |3 |none |not known GB Belfast Mari Group |7 |none |not known GB Belfast 1992-93 Fulcrum Communications |60 |821 |2,107 Ltd GB Antrim Maintenance and Repair of Telecom Equipment Fruit of the Loom |409 |9,895 |38,000 Manufacturing Co Ltd USA Londonderry Textile Products CFM Group Ltd |150 |3,018 |7,533 GB Establishment of a Data Centre and Software Centre Daesung Circuits Ltd |120 |2,020 |4,954 Republic of S Korea Ballymena Printed Circuit Boards Pan European Textiles Ltd |500 |14,085 |51,109 Indonesia Antrim Manufacture of Micro Denier Fabrics Polystar (Ireland) Ltd |25 |200 |577 ROI Omagh Phenolic and Polyurethane Insulation Products McKechnie (UK) Ltd |21 |303 |896 GB Newtownard Fuel Line Components AVM Telecom Ltd |19 |139 |531 GB Londonderry Customised Software Seagate Technology |506 |20,003 |60,852 (Ireland) USA Londonderry Magnetic Recording Components Norfil |100 |none |not known Indonesia Antrim Micro Denier Filament Yarn 1993-94 CCA Electronic Ltd. |257 |4,360 |9,460 Republic of South Korea Dungannon In Car Entertainment Systems The Training & Business |29 |150 |312 Group (Overseas) Ltd. GB Newry Training and Employment Service BCO Technologies |347 |6,581 |15,139 (Northern Ireland) Ltd. USA West Belfast Silicon Wafer Products and Services CFM Group Ltd. |70 |1,198 |5,820 GB Belfast and Whiteabbey Data and Software Operations Charles Bell (1963) Ltd. |10 |130 |425 ROI Belfast Window Blinds Valence Technology BVIO |660 |25,625 |147,200 USA Mallusk Batteries MKF (United Kingdom) |100 |2,815 |10,440 Ltd. Germany Newry PVC Film Seagate Technology |46 |1,581 |3,514 (Ireland) USA Londonderry Magnetic recording components Benelux Manufacturing |314 |10,440 |36,600 (NI) Ltd. Hong Kong Limavady CD jewel boxes Daewoo Electronics UK |250 |5,960 |17,000 Ltd. Republic of Korea Antrim Deck mechanisms CIS Data Ltd. |212 |4,739 |12,954 Taiwan Belfast Floppy Discs 1994-95 Transtec Foundries Ltd. |181 |4,518 |14,946 GB Campsie Die Casting for the automotive industry ABC Laboratories (Europe) |60 |1,085 |2,937 Ltd. USA Coleraine Contract Laboratory Services Daehwa Metal (UK) Ltd |240 |2,928 |7,004 South Korea Antrim Metal Parts for Electronics Industry Real Software (NI) Ltd |9 |138 |310 Belgium Antrim Software Design and Support Daewoo Electro |255 |3,816 |9,218 Components UK Ltd. South Korea Carrickfergus Electronic Tuners Radix Telecom Ltd. |509 |4,676 |19,084 South Korea Craigavon Satellite Video Receivers Seagate Technology |300 |11,200 |60,026 (Ireland) USA Londonderry Magnetic Recording Components
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the implications of the proposals in respect of the designation of special areas of conservation in the fishing grounds of the Irish sea. [25925]
Mr. Ancram: Two sites on the Irish sea have been proposed as qualifying for designation as special areas of conservation under the EU habitats directive, at Murlough and Strangford lough.
There will be no practical implications for fishing interests arising from the designation of Murlough.
Strangford lough has been selected because of its internationally important marine life. The Department is content that the proposed designation of Strangford lough
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will not have any implications for the fishing industry apart from those imposed through the regulation of fishing and fish farming by the Department of Agriculture, and those arising from the proposed designation of the lough as a marine nature reserve.Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the 55 electoral wards which have now been designated. [25933]
Mr. Ancram: Northern Ireland has a total of 582 local government wards. These were last designated following a review of local government ward boundaries in 1992. It is not clear which of these designated wards comprise the 55 to which the hon. Gentleman refers.
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland following the report prepared by Gray and Heenan of the University of Ulster in relation to the system of public appointments in Northern Ireland, what action he will take to make the system more open, accessible and accountable; and if he will make a statement. [25943]
Sir John Wheeler: The system of appointments to public bodies in Northern Ireland is already open and accessible in that any member of the public can apply to have his or her name included on the central database which is maintained to assist Departments identify suitable people for appointments. The Government plan to make publicly available in the near future their guidelines to the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments on public appointments procedures.
Public bodies are accountable to Ministers, who in turn are answerable to Parliament for the degree of independence, the usefulness, effectiveness and efficiency of non-departmental public bodies. With regard to financial accountability of public bodies, the Government are accountable to the Public Accounts Committee for their expenditure on these bodies, and they for their part are required to submit to proper audit.
Mr. Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the representatives of Sinn Fein who are currently engaged in talks with Her Majesty's Government are currently in receipt of state financial benefits. [26509]
Mr. Moss: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Alec Wylie. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. David Wilshire, dated24 May 1995: I have been asked to reply to your recent question about members of Sinn Fein.
I should first explain that information on a person's entitlement to social security benefits, including whether or not they are claiming or getting benefit, is confidential. I am therefore unable to comment on individual cases. However, I can assure you that all claims to benefit are assessed and regularly reviewed by independent adjudication officers, strictly in accordance with social security law and payment is made only where there is valid entitlement.
I hope this letter sets out the position for you.
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Mr. Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what external legal advice has been received in respect of parliamentary approval for the payment of practice management expenses by GP fundholders. [27017]
Mr. Moss: No external legal advice has been received. My Department's legal advisers are at present considering what, if any, action needs to be taken on this matter in Northern Ireland. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as the position has been clarified.
Mr. John D. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Housing Executive's recent plan to replace metal window frames with wooden frames on a needs only basis has cost; how much it is anticipated the full replacement course will cost; and for what reasons the scheme was upgraded from needs only to a full replacement programme. [27359]
Mr. Moss: This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, but I have been advised by the chief executive that the Executive adopted a policy to replace all metal-framed windows with wooden frames over a five-year period, in April 1994. Prior to this, metal-framed windows were replaced on a needs only basis, but information about how much the Housing Executive expended in this connection is not available. It is estimated that the full replacement course will cost £30 million over the five-year period. The reasons for the change in policy were the age and condition of the metal framed windows and the concerns expressed by tenants.
Mr. John D. Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sufferers of myalgic encephalomyelitis there are in Northern Ireland; and what proposals there are to provide a specialist clinic for ME patients. [27360]
Mr. Moss: The number of people in Northern Ireland currently diagnosed as having myalgic encephalomyelitis, a condition being increasingly referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome, is not known. There are no proposals at present to establish a ME clinic in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee what facilities are available for translating proceedings of the House in Committee Rooms and in the Chamber from English into other languages.
Mr. Waller: Equipment, including interpreter booths, which enable simultaneous translation from English into other languages, can be provided for use in committee rooms. The Chamber is equipped with a single-channel system which enables simultaneous translation from English to one other language to be provided for up to 24 visitors in the Galleries.
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Dr. Godman: To ask the Prime Minister if he will re-define VJ day as VP day, victory in the Pacific; and if he will make a statement. [26157]
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister on which occasions the Churchill papers were offered for sale to the Government. [26843]
The Prime Minister: I cannot answer for previous Administrations. A formal offer of sale was made by the current trustees in 1991.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will instruct the national heritage fund to put the Churchill papers up for public tender without reservation. [26846]
The Prime Minister: No. The papers which constitute the Churchill archive are now the property of the Sir Winston Churchill archive trust, a charitable trust set up for the purpose of preserving the archive intact for the nation.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister what consideration he gave when deciding whether the Official Secrets Acts covered the Churchill papers in the case of Peter Wright; and if he will make a statement. [26862]
The Prime Minister: The case to which the hon. Member refers has little or no relevance to the question of the applicability of the Official Secrets Acts to the Churchill papers.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister if the national heritage fund is free to sell private papers acquired from the Churchill family; and what evidence he has as to their current market value, taking into account the copyright provisions. [26861]
The Prime Minister: The private papers sold by the Churchill family were bought on behalf of the specially constituted Sir Winston Churchill archive trust through the money allocated from the heritage lottery fund by the national heritage memorial fund. The only way the trust could dispose of the papers would be with the consent of the trustees of the national heritage memorial fund. As trustees of a charitable trust, they may not, in any case, dispose of the permanent endowment of the trust without the consent of the Charity Commissioners or of the courts. The independent advice on the value of the papers which the national heritage memorial fund received took into account the intended arrangements as to copyright ownership.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will take impartial professional advice as to the open market value, subject to the existing restrictions on copyright, of the private papers purchased by the national heritage fund from the Churchill family; [26867]
(2) what account was taken of the value of the copyright when estimating the amount which might have been paid by purchasers of the Churchill memoirs. [27340]
The Prime Minister: The independent advice on the value of the papers which the national heritage memorial fund received took into account the intended arrangements as to copyright ownership.
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Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister if drafts of Ministers' official broadcasts are classified as official papers. [26844]
The Prime Minister: If such drafts are created or acquired by Ministers by virtue of their office, they would be official papers.
Mr. Austin-Walker: To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy in respect of the state funding improvements in individuals living standards in old age. [26901]
The Prime Minister: Our policy on pensions remains unchanged. We will maintain the value of the basic state pension by increasing it in line with prices, encourage personal responsibility for additional pension provision through occupational and personal pensions and target extra resources on those with low incomes.
Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Prime Minister what provisions his Department has made to ensure that accommodation designed to provide care and support for vulnerable residents and those at risk, is fully covered under the proposed changes to housing benefit. [26537]
The Prime Minister: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security has recently received the report of the Social Security Advisory Committee following its public consultation on the proposed changes to housing benefit. He will be considering carefully the position of sheltered and supported housing under the changes as part of the response to the report.
Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Prime Minister what classes of document relating directly or indirectly to the performance by Ministers and officials of their duties are still regarded as state papers which cannot be sold for personal gain by Ministers and officials. [26532]
The Prime Minister: Papers which are created or acquired by Ministers or officials, or other Crown servants, by virtue of the office they hold under, or in their service to, the Crown, are regarded as state papers which should not be sold for personal gain. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 4 May 1995, Official Report, columns 281 82 in respect of the convention relating to papers taken away by Prime Ministers on leaving office.
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 25 April, Official Report, column 65, where in the current edition of "Social Trends" can be found the information that education authorities employ two administrators for every three teachers; and if he will make a statement. [26897]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Mr. Fisher), on 27 April, Official Report, column 613.
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Ms Hodge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people in (a) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) agencies for which the FCO is responsible (i) took early retirement, (ii) took voluntary redundancy, (iii) took compulsory redundancy and (iv) were retired on medical grounds in (1) 1993 94 and (2) 1994 95; and what are the projected figures for 1995 96. [25481]
Mr. Goodlad: The information is as follows:
Foreign and Commonwealth Office |Early |Voluntary |Compulsory|Medical |retirement|redundancy|redundancy|retirement ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1993-94 |63 |30 |0 |13 1994-95 |134 |52 |0 |14 1995-96 |69 |7 |<1>40 |1 <1> Of these 40 redundancies it is not possible at this stage to state whether they will be voluntary or compulsory.
B Overseas Development Administration and the Natural Resources Institute |Early |Voluntary |Compulsory|Medical |retirement|redundancy|redundancy|retirement ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1993-94 |5 |0 |0 |5 1994-95 |2 |0 |49 |4 1995-96 |3 |<1>186 |0 |2 <1> This includes 130 targeted voluntary redundancies from the Natural Resources Institute.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for security arising out of privatising individual services at GCHQ. [26454]
Mr. Hurd: GCHQ has used outside contractors on sensitive work in the past and the plan to contract certain logistic and engineering services to outside companies does not introduce any new security dimension. The procedures for security vetting announced in the House by the Prime Minister on 15 December 1994, Official Report , columns 764 66 , will be applied by GCHQ as in Government generally so that we can be assured of the reliability of the personnel of the successful tendering company.
Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to what extent the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment Regulations) 1981 would apply to employees transferred under programmes of privatisation at GCHQ. [26456]
Mr. Hurd: If the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment Regulations) 1981 are deemed to apply, any employees transferred to a contractor would retain their existing contracts of employment. Any subsequent change to the contracts would be a matter for negotiation between the contractor and employees concerned. If there is no transfer of undertakings in accordance with these regulations, any employees leaving GCHQ as a result of outsourcing would have their existing contracts terminated on redundancy grounds, with payment of appropriate compensation. It would be for the contractor
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to decide whether to recruit any ex-GCHQ staff and what their terms of employment should be.Mr. Campbell-Savours: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what proposals he has for the privatisation of individual services at GCHQ; [26453]
(2) to what extent privatisation of individual services at GCHQ will include contracts for employees providing (a) greater and (b) reduced employment rights relative to those enjoyed by existing GCHQ directly employed staff. [26455]
Mr. Hurd: None. In accordance with Government White Papers concerning the Government sector providing value for money, on 23 March 1995 the director of GCHQ announced proposals to outsource GCHQ's logistics and engineering services. There are no plans for further outsourcing at the moment.
Mr. Worthington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions the Government of Sudan have breached the ceasefire negotiated in that country by President Carter; and what assessment he has made of the consequences of these breaches. [27327]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: Despite violations by all sides, the two-month ceasefire agreed on 28 March helped to reduce military activity in southern Sudan, and to facilitate the Carter Centre Guinea Worm campaign. We welcome the decision of the Sudanese Government, and at least one southern faction, to extend the ceasefire to late July.
Mrs. Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 6 December 1994 to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn), Official Report , column 172, what were the reasons for the two Jakarta embassy staff visits to East Timor in May 1993; and why it was necessary to make two separate visits in that month. [27347]
Mr. Goodlad: The visits were made to attend sessions of the trial of the fretilin leader, Xanana Gusmao.
Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to ensure that NHS staff receive statutory breaks. [25930]
Mr. Malone: Staff management matters, such as the observance of statutory breaks in the working day, are the responsibility of employing authorities and national health service trusts as autonomous employers. Like other employers, they are expected to observe any statutory requirements.
Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information her Department has on the extent of the referral of patients to accident and emergency departments by (a) fundholding practices and (b) non -fundholding practices; and what differences there are between (a) and (b) . [26283]
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Mr. Malone: This information is not available centrally.
Mr. Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library a list of the contracts for hospital and health services awarded so far under the competitive tendering process by each NHS trust in England. [26071]
Mr. Sackville: A list of contracts for clinical services awarded after competitive tender by national health service trusts in England from 1 April 1993, as notified to the NHS executive's market-testing database, will be placed in the Library.
Mrs. Beckett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which national health service trusts have formed commercial companies; how many trusts have set up joint businesses with private companies; what guidelines regulate such activity; and if she will make astatement. [25314]
Mr. Sackville: Guidance to national health service trusts on the setting up of companies limited by share or guarantee is given in TEL (93)4, copies of which are available in the Library, and in the NHS trusts finance manual. We are aware that Hillingdon NHS trust has been involved in setting up a private limited company. Guidance on joint venture arrangements is given in FDL(93)3, FDL (93)33 and FDL (93)61, copies of which are available in the Library. Information on NHS trusts which have entered into joint venture arrangements is not available centrally.
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice she gives to NHS trusts concerning the advisability of purchasing without prior planning permission, property proposed to be used for medical purposes including out-patient treatment. [26954]
Mr. Sackville: Guidance to national health service trusts about land and property matters was given in the Estatecode series, in a document entitled "Property Transactions-a Management Guide for NHS Trusts". This was distributed with EPL (94)36, and copies are available in the Library.
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the notional value she has assigned to the capital assets of the Newham Healthcare NHS Trust for each year since its inception, together with the related 6 per cent., or less, payment she has received; what reduction in asset value she would expect from the sale of St. Andrews hospital, Bromley -by-Bow; and what is the likely reduction such a sale would make in the annual payments mentioned above. [26383]
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