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Departmental Efficiency
Mrs. Roe: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what further measures he is planning to improve the efficient running of his Department. [38987]
Mr. Lilley: In February, I launched the change programme to achieve a step change in the effectiveness of the Department of Social Security and all its agencies. It will involve streamlining benefit processes, introducing new information technology and greater involvement of the private sector.
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I have today approved three initiatives involving greater collaboration with the private sector as the next stage of the Department's drive to review and improve the delivery of social security.
The first initiative will involve an invitation to the private sector to submit proposals for taking over the operation of the child benefit centre in Washington, Tyne and Wear. This will involve the administration of child benefit, one-parent benefit and guardian's allowance. The intention is that staff working in these areas will be taken on by the appointed contractor.
The second initiative will involve three private companies, or consortiums, appointed following open competition to work in conjunction with the Benefits Agency in running benefit delivery in three of its 13 areas--Yorkshire, west country and east London and Anglia area directorates--for 12 months. All three companies will assist the Benefits Agency with the development of new business processes and information technology. They will be invited during the 12 month period to submit proposals for any elements of the agency's business which could be run differently, including the possibility of further parts of the operation being run by the private sector.
The third initiative is to launch the procurement process for an information systems/information technology strategy to enable greater sharing of data between benefit systems, working closely with the private sector to provide the most up-to-date technologies, expertise and funding.
These initiatives are designed to improve the administration of the benefit system. They will not change any individual's benefit entitlement.
Mr. Spring:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he intends to review the income support direct payments scheme for fuel and water. [39007]
Mr. Lilley:
I have asked my officials to consider with the regulators the fuel and water companies and with appropriate consumer bodies the scope for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the direct payments scheme.
The scheme was introduced for fuel in 1976 and for water in 1991 as a last resort measure to help prevent disconnections. The number of direct payment deductions has steadily increased, from around 100,000 in the late 1970s to over half a million now, yet in recent years, although water prices have increased, fuel prices have fallen or remained stable. There have been significant improvements to the range and quality of payment schemes provided by all the utility companies and there has been a vast reduction in the number of disconnections. Technological advances, such as the benefit payment card due to be launched later this year, create new opportunities for providing alternative methods of payment for customers. I believe it is time to review the operation of the scheme to ensure that, in protecting the supply of fuel and water for people receiving income support, the right balance is struck between the companies' own payment and collection schemes, the responsibility of the individual, and the role of the state.
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Mr. Pendry:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if she will list all the members, past and present, of the United Kingdom Sports Council together with the number of times they have attended meetings, including those who have not attended a meeting; [37087]
Mr. Sproat:
The formal establishment of the UK Sports Council is subject to the granting of a royal charter. In the meantime, a UK sub-committee of the Sports Council has met formally nine times. Sir Ian MacLaurin, chairman, has attended all nine meetings, Mr. O. Wheatley, eight; Mr. C. Reedie, Mr. G. Simmers and Dr. S. Springman, seven; Sir Rodney Walker, six; Mr. D. Allen, five; and Mr. C. Lloyd, one. Mr. R. Andrew and Mr. G. Lineker have been unable to attend any of the meetings. Official of the Sports Council were present as necessary. An observer from the department of National Heritage and observers from the home country sports councils and the British Olympic Association have also attended.
Dr. Spink:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what financial contribution Her Majesty's Government have made to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation as a participant in its world heritage programme; what contributions will be made in the future; and if she will make a statement on the value for money to the UK of such contributions; [37970]
(3) what action Her Majesty's Government have taken to establish Greenwich as a world heritage site under the UNESCO convention concerning the protection of world cultural and national heritage; what advantages would attach to Greenwich of such recognition in terms of preservation and culture; and if she will make a statement. [37971]
Mr. Sproat:
Last month, my right hon. Friend submitted a formal nomination to UNESCO to have maritime Greenwich inscribed in the list of world heritage sites. Inscription in the list is essentially honorific and no additional statutory controls follow. It does, however, highlight the outstanding international importance of a site as a material consideration to be taken into account by those deciding planning and listed building consent applications. A full statement of our policy for world heritage sites is set out in planning policy guidance note 15 "Planning and the Historic Environment" UNESCO's world heritage committee places great importance on the production of management plans for all inscribed sites, and the Government will shortly be consulting interested parties about the development of such a plan for Greenwich. The Government pay an annual subscription to UNESCO's world heritage fund; in 1996, this was
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£126,000. Our contribution helps UNESCO support endangered sites throughout the world. There are currently 16 sites for which the UK has responsibility.
Mr. Sweeney:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what priority she attaches to competitive sport in schools; and if she will make a statement. [38219]
Mr. Sproat:
Competitive sport in schools is extremely important. It teaches valuable lessons which last for life. Last July, we published "Sport: Raising the Game" which aims to promote sport, especially competitive sport, in schools and beyond. The revised physical education curriculum, introduced last August, places greater emphasis on team games. From this summer, in all standard inspections, Office for Standards in Education inspectors will report on games, including competitive team games, which are offered as part of the physical education curriculum. The inspectors will also report on extra-curricular sporting activity.
Mr. Morgan:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals she has to call together representatives of the governing bodies of the four home nations rugby unions to discuss the threat to the future of the five nations championship; if she will list the five nations championship as listed events under the Broadcasting Acts; what representations she has received on the matter; and if she will make a statement. [37982]
Mr. Roy Hughes:
To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will take steps to resolve the dispute over the financial arrangements for the broadcasting of the five nations championship. [37917]
Mr. Sproat:
The five nations championship is an historically important event in the sporting calendar, which is enjoyed by many. However, the sale of broadcasting rights is a matter for the relevant governing bodies to determine, and it is not appropriate for my Department to become involved in what is a private contractual matter. The question of listing the five nations
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championship cannot arise until the future of the tournament is clearer. I have received no recent representations on this matter.
(2) how many times the United Kingdom Sports Council has met. [37086]
(2) if she will list all sites and monuments in the United Kingdom which have been preserved as part of the world heritage convention; [37969]
Durham cathedral and castle
Fountains abbey, St. Mary's church and Studley royal park
Ironbridge gorge
Stonehenge, Avebury and associated sites
Blenheim palace and park
Palace of Westminster, St. Margaret's church and Westminster
abbey
City of Bath
Hadrian's wall military zone
The Tower of London
Canterbury cathedral, with St. Augustine's abbey and
St. Martin's church
Castles and towns walls of Edward I in Gwynedd
Edinburgh old and new towns
St. Kilda
Giant's causeway and causeway coast
Henderson island, south Pacific ocean
Gough island wildlife reserve, south Atlantic ocean
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