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Quangos
Mr. David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the quangos within his Department's responsibility which he has to date announced his intention (a) to abolish and (b) to make subject to a significant element of democratic accountability. [9679]
Dr. Howells: The Department has not so far announced plans to abolish any of its quangos, or non-departmental public bodies. However, it is currently examining the role and responsibilities of each of our NDPBs as part of the Department's current spending review. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster announced last month a review of NDPBs with the aim of reducing overall numbers across Whitehall.
The issue of democratic accountability will also be addressed on an across-Whitehall basis with the launch in the autumn of a discussion paper considering how democratic oversight of NDPBs might best be enhanced. In the light of consultation, it is proposed to bring forward proposals in a forthcoming White Paper on better government.
Workskill
Mr. Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has made to extend workskill pilots for the unemployed; and if he will make a statement. [11172]
Mr. Andrew Smith: Regulations have been approved by Parliament to allow four more workskill pilots to be introduced on 1 September 1997 to run for one year. These pilots will allow people who have been receiving jobseeker's allowance for six months or more to undertake employment-related education and training for up to one year:
- full-time, in Scotland in the Glasgow and Dumbarton districts and in the north-west region in Lancashire and Cumbria districts; and
- part-time, in London and south-east region in south and south-east London districts and in the south-west region in Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset districts.
About 12,000 unemployed people will be able to benefit from the flexible arrangements to take up education or training: provision for 8,000 in these new pilots in addition to 4,000 in the pilots introduced in four areas last April.
The extension of workskill pilots supports our plans in the new deal where we are acting urgently to improve the employability and labour market prospects of the unemployed. The workskill pilots will help us to assess whether and how flexible arrangements in jobseeker's allowance help unemployed people to get and retain work, both in the short and long term.
We will further review the jobseeker's allowance rules on education and training in the light of the workskill pilots and early experience in the new deal.
25 Jul 1997 : Column: 769
Mr. Flynn:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what is the average weekly pay of chauffeurs employed for driving ministerial cars; [10532]
(3) what proportion of chauffeurs or drivers of ministerial cars (a) died in employment and (b) retired prematurely on health grounds in each of the last five years. [10533]
Dr. David Clark:
Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Government Car and Despatch Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Nick Matheson. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
(2) what are the average numbers of hours per week, including overtime, worked by secure chauffeurs for Government Ministers; [10531]
| Year | Total number of drivers | Died in service | Medically retired |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 to date | 139 | 2 | 1 |
| 1996-97 | 149 | nil | 2 |
| 1995-96 | 151 | 1 | 2 |
| 1994-95 | 154 | nil | nil |
| 1993-94 | 154 | nil | 1 |
"Government Direct" Green Paper
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the Government's policy on "Government Direct"; and if he will make a statement.[10391]
Dr. David Clark:
The "Government.Direct" Green Paper contained many good ideas on making the best use of new technology and the new White Paper, "Better Government" will harness these with an agenda which will bring Government closer to the people and provide better services for everybody. We are continuing to consult interested parties who responded to the Green Paper.
25 Jul 1997 : Column: 770
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what discussions he has had with the Minister without Portfolio regarding (a) the content and (b) the timing of publication of the White Paper on freedom of information. [10610]
Dr. David Clark:
I have discussed the Government's proposals for a White Paper on freedom of information with many ministerial colleagues including the Minister without Portfolio.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will release the papers available to Ministers at the meeting on Thursday, 10 July where it was decided not to publish the White Paper on freedom of information before the summer Adjournment. [10573]
Dr. Clark:
I will ensure that factual and analytical material relevant in forming the White Paper's proposals is made publicly available and I will bear this in mind as we approach the publication of the White Paper.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the Acts of Parliament which (a) contain provisions restricting the release of information and (b) apply criminal sanctions in respect of the unauthorised disclosure of information. [10574]
Dr. Clark:
The previous Government's 1993 White Paper, "Open Government"--Cm 2290--listed those statutory provisions which restrict the release of information. Many of these Acts also make provision for criminal sanctions in the case of unauthorised disclosure.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if proposals to amend the 1977 Croham directive in respect of the release of background detail and information behind ministerial decisions will be included in the forthcoming White Paper on freedom of information. [10611]
Dr. Clark:
The Government remain committed to the principles contained in the Croham directive but, 20 years on, they propose to build on them in their forthcoming White Paper on freedom of information.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list in respect of freedom of information regimes in other countries those countries which operate an appeal mechanism based on (a) the courts, (b) an independent ombudsman or commissioner and (c) a select committee or other parliamentary mechanism. [10609]
Dr. Clark:
The table summarises the basic appeals mechanisms used in a number of leading freedom of information regimes.
(2) Where the appeals mechanism incorporates both an Ombudsman and the courts and/or parliamentary review mechanism the appeal is usually directed to the Ombudsman in the first instance.
(3) Although Parliament may not play a formal role, the Ombudsman may still be an Officer of Parliament.
25 Jul 1997 : Column: 771
Mr. Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the statutory reforms recommended in the "Open Government" White Paper 1993, Cm 2290, which have been implemented. [10615]
Dr. Clark: The 1993 "Open Government" White Paper-- Cm 2290--proposed two new statutory rights: (i) a statutory right for people to see their personal records held by Government and by other public sector authorities, and (ii) a statutory right of access to health and safety information. Neither was implemented.
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