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Information Technology
Mr. Miller: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if Government Departments may sell spare information technology capacities to other Departments; and if he will make a statement. [10680]
Mr. Willetts: Computer systems need to be installed with sufficient capacity to meet peak work loads and, as a consequence, Departments may have spare processing capacity outside these peak periods.
Departments are encouraged to make the most efficient and effective use of their information technology resources. Where economic quantities of spare computing capacity can be identified, this may be sold to other Department so long as the normal technical, security and financial controls are met.
Private Finance Initiative
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how much has been spent on external consultants in the tendering process of the private finance initiative in each year since its introduction (a) in real terms and (b) in cash terms disaggregated by (i) legal fees, (ii) publicity costs, (iii) accountancy fees and (iv) management consultancy fees; [10957]
- (2) what have been the running costs relating to the tendering process of the private finance initiative in each year since its introduction (a) in real terms and (b) in cash terms disaggregated by (i) staff costs, (ii) information technology and (iii) other costs. [10958]
Mobile Phones
Mr. William Ross:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many of the mobile phones which have
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been supplied to his Department in each of the last eight years have been cloned; and on what dates. [11009]
Mr. Willetts:
In the Cabinet Office the following phones were cloned:
Her Majesty's Stationery Office does not hold this information centrally and it could be produced only at disproportionate cost.
None of the mobile phones purchased by the Central Office of Information in the last eight years has been cloned.
Four telephones in January 1994;
One telephone in October 1995 and,
One telephone in June 1995.
Historic Monuments
Mr. Peter Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is the outcome of the prior options stage of the financial management and policy review of the Royal Commission on the historical monuments of England; and if she will make a statement. [11819]
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley:
The overall conclusion of the prior options report was that maintaining the central functions of the royal commission is a necessary national task, and that the RCHME is best placed to carry out this work. I have accepted this recommendation and confirm that the RCHME will continue to carry out its role as the national body of survey and record of the historic environment, as defined in its royal warrant. A copy of the prior options report has been placed in the Library of the House.
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The report also looked at the relationship between the RCHME and other heritage bodies working in the field and recommended that there was scope for greater co-operation between RCHME and English Heritage, and for a further clarification of their respective roles with regard to survey work. Discussions are taking place between the two bodies to give effect to these recommendations.
Furniture Inventory
Mr. Robert Banks: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what progress has been made with compiling a comprehensive inventory of the furniture in the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement. [10839]
Mr. Ray Powell: The inventory of historic furniture was completed in late 1995. More than 7,500 pieces were identified on the parliamentary estate. These were numbered and photographed and the descriptions recorded on a computer database. The inventory is currently being edited and will provide an important tool for the management and conservation of these valuable assets.
TREASURY
Official Hospitality
Mr. Tony Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on official hospitality by agencies associated with his Department in 1993-94, 1994-95 and projected for 1995-96. [9089]
Mrs. Angela Knight [holding answer 15 January 1996]: Expenditure by agencies associated with Her Majesty's Treasury on official hospitality is included in the running costs published for each agency.
Mr. Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 13 December, Official Report, column 636, on hospitality spending by his Department in 1994-95 and 1995-96, if the figures included spending by his Department's agencies. [9090]
Mrs. Knight [holding answer 15 January 1996]: No. The figures were for the central Treasury only.
Steam-powered Vehicles
Mr. Jack Thompson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many steam-powered road vehicles over 25 years old were liable for road tax in the financial years 1993-94, 1994-95 and the first six months of the financial year 1995-96. [10627]
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: There were 340 steam-propelled vehicles over 25 years old liable for road tax at the end of 1994, the only year for which figures are currently available.
Mr. Thompson:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was raised from road tax sources on steam-powered vehicles over 25 years old in the
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financial years 1993-94, 1994-95 and the first six months of the financial year 1995-96. [10625]
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory:
Figures are currently available only for calendar year 1994. Total revenue raised in 1994 for steam-powered vehicles over 25 years old was £15,000.
Mr. Wigley:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the cities in which regional agents who monitor the economy for the Bank of England are based in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales. [10429]
Mrs. Angela Knight:
The Bank has regional agents in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Winchester. There is additionally an agent in London, covering the south-east. In Scotland there is an agent in Glasgow. There is no agent in Wales. The Bank is currently reviewing its agencies, with a view to enhancing their coverage and profile in the regions.
Mr. Callaghan:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of part-time employment posts in the north-west region in each of the past three years. [10302]
Mrs. Angela Knight:
The information requested is shown in the following table:
| Year | Level |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 634,000 |
| 1994 | 634,000 |
| 1995 | 648,000 |
Source:
CSO.
Cash Machines
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the banking industry over the introduction of vein scanning in cash machines. [10630]
Mrs. Angela Knight: None, although from time to time my officials discuss with the industry ways of reducing fraud.
Scott Inquiry
Mr. Alan Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 16 January 1995, Official Report, column 527, who provided external legal advice to his Department's Ministers in relation to the Scott inquiry. [10875]
Mr. Kenneth Clarke: The names of individuals receiving external legal advice at public expense, and of their legal advisers, are confidential to them.
Mr. Robin Cook:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions staff employed by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in relation to the Scott
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inquiry have had on matters related to the Scott inquiry with persons (a) employed by and (b) working as consultants for Conservative central office; and what subjects were discussed. [10991]
Mr. Clarke
[holding answer 22 January 1996]: Staff employed by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in relation to the Scott inquiry have had no discussions with persons employed by or working as consultants for Conservative central office.
Mr. Cook:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the responsibilities of the staff employed by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in relation to the Scott inquiry. [10990]
Mr. Clarke
[holding answer 22 January 1996]: The responsibilities of staff in Her Majesty's Customs and Excise employed on matters relating to the Scott inquiry are to provide Ministers and officials with advice on matters arising from the inquiry, and to liaise with the inquiry.
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