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Departmental Performance
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.
Column 12
Mathematics Standards
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.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Water Main Installations
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.
Contracting Out
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.
Staff
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.
Abortion
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]
Column 16
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 .
Consultants
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.
Local Government Employees
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.
Inward Investment
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.
Column 18
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
Irish Sea (Conservation)
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
Column 22
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.Local Government Wards
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.
Public Bodies
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.
Sinn Fein (Benefits)
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.
Column 23
GP Fundholders
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.
Metal-framed Windows
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.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
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.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Translation Facilities
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.
Column 24
PRIME MINISTER
VJ Day
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]
Churchill Papers
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.
Column 25
Ministers's Official Broadcasts
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.
Living Standards
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.
Housing Benefit
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.
Ministerial Documents
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.
Local Education Authorities
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.
Column 26
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
Retirements and Redundancies
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.
GCHQ
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
Column 27
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.
Government of Sudan
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.
East Timor
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.
HEALTH
NHS Staff Breaks
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.
GP Referrals
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]
Column 28
Mr. Malone: This information is not available centrally.
NHS Trusts
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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