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Greenham Common
Mr. Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision has been made with regard to the sale of Greenham Common to the Greenham Common Management Company Ltd. [18310]
Mr. Soames: No decision has yet been reached on the sale of Greenham Common.
Dartmoor National Park
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the advertised usage in days of (a) Okehampton, (b) Merrivale and (c) Willsworthy ranges in Dartmoor national park for live firing in the year ended December 1995; and how many days firing took place. [18350]
Mr. Soames: The advertised usage in days for the ranges in question was 78 days for Okehampton, 118 days for Merrivale and 145 days at Willsworthy. The following actual firing days took place: 53 at Okehampton, 93 at Merrivale and 107 at Willsworthy.
Scott Inquiry
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he had with the secretary to the Cabinet concerning the Government's response to the Scott inquiry; and where and when such consultations took place. [16604]
Mr. Arbuthnot
[holding answer 22 February]: Successive Governments have not disclosed the nature or the specific sources of the advice they receive from the civil service.
1 Mar 1996 : Column: 748
Mr. Alfred Morris:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations his Department has received in relation to arrangements, in the case of fire, for disabled employees at Kentigern house in Glasgow not to be evacuated but to go to facilities described as fire-proof; what reply has been made; what action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement. [17916]
Mr. Arbuthnot
[holding answer 29 February 1996]: At local health and safety and Whitley committees, the trades unions have asked what arrangements are available for staff in wheelchairs in the event of fire and the arrangements have been explained to them. The provision of fire protection areas, which can serve as refuges for disabled people including those injured in the incident itself, is in accordance with regulations and standards which apply equally to the Ministry of Defence, other Government Departments and the private sector.
The trades unions are content with both existing and proposed arrangements. Action will continue, in consultation with the trades unions, to improve emergency evacuation procedures and to ensure that planned building re-development meets current building regulations and British standards.
Cold Weather Payments
Mrs. Fyfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cold weather payments were made in the winter of 1994-95; and what was the total amount paid. [17538]
Mr. Roger Evans: During the period 1 November 1994 to 31 March 1995, 10,969 cold weather payments were made totalling £76,786.
Civil Servants (Company Directors)
Mr. Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which serving civil servants in his Department are presently directors of companies; and if he will indicate for each (a) the name of the company concerned and (b) if the annual remuneration was (i) £1 to £5,000, (ii) £5,000 to £10,000 and (c) above £10,000. [18148]
Mr. Burt: Under the rules set out in the civil service management code, a copy of which is held in the Library, staff must report business interests, including directorships, which might conflict with their work in the Department. Any such details are treated as confidential and no central record is kept.
In-work Benefit Project (Newcastle)
Mr. Steinberg: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was, for each year since the project's inception, the cost of the in-work benefit project in Newcastle, breaking down costs separately for the Benefits Agency and each other agency involved. [18240]
Mr. Roger Evans:
This is a matter for Peter Mathison, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
1 Mar 1996 : Column: 749
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Gerry Steinberg, dated 29 February 1996:
Mr. Bradley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate in 1996-97 and 1997-98 (a) the cost of producing and posting the child benefit statement sent to recipients each year showing the general increase in benefit rates payable as a result of the benefit uprating, and (b) the cost of new notifications of entitlement. [18099]
Mr. Andrew Mitchell:
This is a matter for Peter Mathison, chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Keith Bradley, dated 29 February 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what was, for each year since the project's inception, the cost of the in-work benefit project in Newcastle, breaking down costs separately for the Benefits Agency (BA) and each other agency involved.
The costs incurred by the BA's Newcastle office for their involvement in the In Work Benefit Project are as follows:
1992/93: £15057.00
1993/94: £15208.00
1994/95: £15520.00.
Salary costs for one Executive Officer on full time secondment to City Challenge (sponsors of the In Work Benefit Project).
Due to the success of the project the need for advice and information has diminished and the post is now on a part time basis. Therefore, from April 1995 to date the cost is approximately £7500.
During 1993/94 a high level evaluation of the Project was carried out at a cost of £32,000. This cost was shared equally between Employment Service, Benefits Agency and Newcastle City Council.
I hope you find this reply helpful.
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary question asking if he will estimate in 1996-97 and 1997-98 (a) the cost of producing and posting the child benefit statement sent to recipients each year showing the general increase in benefit rates payable as a result if the benefit uprating, and (b) the cost of new notifications of entitlement.
The estimated costs in 1996-97 and 1997-98 for producing and posting Child Benefit statements as a result of a benefit uprating are £546,185 and £556,562 respectively.
The estimated costs in 1996-97 and 1997-98 of producing and posting new notifications of entitlement are £227,200 and £226,404 respectively.
These estimated costs are based on current day prices.
I hope you find this reply helpful.
Scott Inquiry
Mr. Hain: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he intends to take in respect of Sir Richard Scott's conclusion in section K8.16 that Ministers have an obligation to provide information to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [16949]
Mr. Freeman:
I refer the hon. Member to the speeches made by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and myself on 26 February.
1 Mar 1996 : Column: 750
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the cost in each case to businesses and others of complying with the regulations set out in "Compliance Cost Assessments: 1 January 1995 to 30 June 1995". [17954]
Mr. Freeman:
The compliance cost assessment procedure requires Departments to show a number of different costs including recurring and non-recurring costs for a typical business and for all businesses affected by the proposed regulation. Details for the period 1 January 1995 to 30 June 1995 can be found in the individual compliance cost assessments, copies of which are available in the House Libraries.
Dr. Goodson-Wickes:
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account is taken of Ministers' pay in relation to the pay of special advisers. [18503]
Mr. Willets:
No account is taken of Ministers' pay in determining the pay of special advisers.
Mr. Steen:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many responses he has received to the Cabinet Office news release on 28 December 1995--Office of Public Service 315/95--from (a) members of the public, (b) the self-employed, (c) small business men and (d) company directors; and which rules and regulations they each identified as suitable for deregulation. [18351]
Mr. Freeman:
I have received 60 responses to the news release and a further 420 responses from members of the Federation of Small Businesses in response to my invitation to write to me about regulations which are hampering their business. The 60 responses are mostly from small business people and members of the public. In the majority of cases the responses do not identify specific rules or regulations but the main issues raised were planning and building; metrication; health and safety: various licensing issues: and VAT. I shall reply to each letter individually.
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