10 Dec 1996 : Column: 83
Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 10 December 1996
DUCHY OF LANCASTER
Non-departmental Public Bodies
Mr. Hawkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many non-departmental public bodies there are; what percentage of appointments to these bodies are held by (a) women and (b) members of ethnic minorities; and when the annual list of such bodies will be published. [8816]
Mr. Freeman: These figures are set out in the Cabinet Office--OPS--booklet "Public Bodies 1996", which is published today. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House. I am pleased to say that on 1 April 1996 there were 1,194 non-departmental public bodies--a fall of 33, or 2.7 per cent. since 1995, and of 973, or 45 per cent. since 1979. As of 1 September 1996, 31 per cent. of appointments to these bodies were held by women and 3.3 per cent. by members of the ethnic minorities; both of these are increases on the relevant figures for the previous year. This shows the success of the Government's policies of increasing equality of opportunity in public life, while at the same time reducing the size of the public sector overall.
Staff Contracts
Mr. Hain: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 28 November, Official Report, columns 347-49, on staff numbers, how many (a) permanent and (b) non-permanent staff there have been in (i) his Department and (ii) executive agencies of his Department in each year since 1992. [7849]
Mr. Willetts: This answer covers the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service, its executive agencies, HMSO and the Central Office of Information. We do not hold a complete record of the requested information but the figures we have are as follows:
| 1 April 1996 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Permanent | Non-permanent | |
| Cabinet Office | 601 | 12 |
| OPS | 447 | 25 |
| CCTA | 266 | 10 |
| Civil Service College | 250 | 35 |
| Recruitment and Assessment Services | 141 | 15 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Agency | n/a | n/a |
| Chessington Computer Centre | n/a | n/a |
| SAFE | 1,046 | 146 |
| PACE | 268 | 62 |
| TBA | 116 | 11 |
| HMSO | 2,651 | 200 |
| COI | 438 | 24 |
n/a = Full details not available.
10 Dec 1996 : Column: 84
| 1 April 1995 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Permanent | Non-permanent | |
| Cabinet Office | 645 | 6 |
| OPSS | 892 | 18 |
| Civil Service College | n/a | n/a |
| Recruitment and Assessment Services | 129 | 14 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Agency | n/a | n/a |
| Chessington Computer Centre | n/a | n/a |
| HMSO | 2,891 | 163 |
| COI | 508 | 20 |
n/a = Full details not available.
| 1 April 1994 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Permanent | Non-permanent | |
| Cabinet Office | 436 | 15 |
| OPSS | 888 | 49 |
| Civil Service College | n/a | n/a |
| Recruitment and Assessment Services | 143 | 10 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Agency | n/a | n/a |
| Chessington Computer Centre | n/a | n/a |
| HMSO | 3,041 | 98 |
| COI | 515 | 22 |
n/a = Full details not available.
| 1 April 1993 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Permanent | Non-permanent | |
| Cabinet Office | 462 | -- |
| OPSS | 846 | -- |
| Civil Service College | n/a | n/a |
| Recruitment and Assessment Services | 194 | -- |
| Occupational Health and Safety Agency | n/a | n/a |
| Chessington Computer Centre | n/a | n/a |
| HMSO | 3,146 | 58 |
| COI | 578 | 14 |
n/a = Full details not available.
A dash denotes where the total number of non-permanent staff has not been recorded.
| 1 April 1992 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Permanent | Non-permanent | |
| Cabinet Office (including OMCS) | 926 | -- |
| Civil Service College | n/a | n/a |
| Recruitment and Assessment Services | 239 | -- |
| Occupational Health and Safety Agency | n/a | n/a |
| HMSO | 3,289 | 59 |
| COI | 643 | 24 |
n/a = Full details not available.
A dash denotes where the total number of non-permanent staff has not been recorded.
The Cabinet Office has been affected by several machinery of government changes over this period and it is therefore not realistic to make comparisons between years.
Japan (Dolphins)
Ms Lynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the issue of cruelty to dolphins in Japanese waters during the event known as iruka no oikami ryo at forthcoming international conferences; what representations he has made to the Japanese Government on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [7727]
Dr. Liam Fox: No representations have been made to the Japanese Government on this issue.
10 Dec 1996 : Column: 85
Whitehall Building
Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his proposals for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office building, Whitehall. [8189]
Mr. Hanley: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office building--Old Public Offices, Whitehall--is being refurbished for the first time since construction was completed in 1875 to provide modern office accommodation for the long term needs of this Department. On completion in January 1997 it will provide 25 per cent. more space allowing leased buildings to be given up, thus reducing running costs and improving operational efficiency.
Nicaragua
Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent elections in Nicaragua; and if he will make a statement. [8190]
Sir Nicholas Bonsor: As I told the House on 19 November, Official Report, column 459, independent observers concluded that the elections in Nicaragua, although not flawless, were conducted in a fair and transparent manner and contributed to the further consolidation of democracy. We share that view.
Public Appointments
Mr. Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the individuals appointed by his Department to public positions in the last year were first identified by the public appointments unit.[8536]
Mr. Hanley: There was one such appointment.
PRIME MINISTER
Knighthoods
Mr. MacShane: To ask the Prime Minister how many knighthoods have been awarded to (a) Conservative and (b) Labour hon. Members in each year since November 1979. [8444]
The Prime Minister: One hundred and thirty Conservative and four Labour hon. members have received knighthoods since 1979. Successive leaders of the Labour party have refused to recommend awards for political services.
Engagements
Sir Pater Tapsell: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 10 December. [7002]
Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Tuesday 10 December. [7001]
The Prime Minister: This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I shall be having further meetings later today.
10 Dec 1996 : Column: 86
Christmas Expenditure
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Prime Minister how much will be spent on Christmas trees and decorations for his official residences at (a) Chequers and (b) Downing street; how many Christmas trees will be bought for these two residences; and what are the types and county of origin of the trees. [7566]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 6 December 1996]: The British Christmas Tree Growers Association has donated one Christmas tree, and three others have been donated by the Chequers estate. Approximately £460 has been spent on decorations for Downing street. Similar information for Chequers is a matter for the trustee's.
Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Prime Minister how much his office plans to spend on celebrating Christmas and the new year. [7588]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 6 December 1996]: As far as I am aware, none.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
Human Genetics Advisory Commission
Mr. Alton: To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if the Human Genetics Advisory Commission will include industrialists with a direct interest in the development of genetics; [8243]
- (2) how the Human Genetics Advisory Commission will be financed; and what will be the remuneration for the chairman and members; [8241]
(3) for what reasons no lay representation has been included in the membership of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission; [8245]
(4) what criteria were used to select members of the new Human Genetics Advisory Commission; and if he will (a) publish and (b) place in the Library, details of their curricula vitae; [8240]
(5) when membership of the Human Genetic Advisory Commission will next be reviewed; [8244]
(6) what account he took of dissenting views about genetic engineering in appointing the members of the Human Genetics Advisory Commission. [8242]
Mr. Ian Taylor: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Lady Olga Maitland) on 2 December, Official Report, columns 488-89, announcing the membership of this new body.
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