26 Jan 1998 : Column: 1
Written Answers to Questions
Monday 26 January 1998
CHURCH COMMISSIONERS
Lambeth Palace
Mr. Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what was the annual cost of running and maintaining Lambeth Palace in each of the last three years. [25204]
Mr. Stuart Bell: Lambeth Palace is the base for the Archbishop of Canterbury's ministry and a listed historic building. The cost of running and maintaining the fabric of Lambeth Palace, which includes not only domestic accommodation but a chapel, meeting rooms and office accommodation, was £440,000 in 1996, the last year for which figures are currently available. The figure includes expenditure on repairs and decorations, other outgoings such as insurance and water rates, garden upkeep and extra provision for security and takes account of rental income from leased accommodation.
The costs in 1994 and 1995 were £410,000 in each year. Expenditure each year varies depending on the incidence of major repairs.
Bishops
Mr. Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 January 1998, Official Report, column 18, what plans he has to reduce the £124,545 spent on average per bishop per year. [25203]
Mr. Stuart Bell: In 1996 the Commissioners spent 10 per cent. of their total expenditure on supporting episcopal ministry. The Commissioners endeavour to provide the level of support for bishops necessary to enable them to undertake their ministry to the Church efficiently and economically.
Spending on episcopal housing, staff salaries and expenses is subject to close budgetary control. Repairs to buildings are limited to the minimum which the Commissioners feel is consistent with the proper maintenance of those properties in their care. The Commissioners are engaged in a review of the suitability of diocesan bishops' houses and in many cases steps have been taken to reduce long-term running costs.
Church Commissioners (Staff)
Mr. Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners how many people work for the Church Commissioners; and what was their total cost in 1996. [24830]
Mr. Stuart Bell:
The Commissioners' administrative costs in 1996 (inclusive of salaries, staff pensions and office running costs) were £10.6 million, down 8 per cent. in real terms since 1993. £5.2 million were asset
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management costs; £5.4 million was the cost of central Church functions for which the Commissioners are responsible. Two hundred and forty-seven staff worked for the Commissioners as at 31 December 1996, down 12 per cent. over the previous three years. I direct the hon. Member to page 22 of the Commissioners' Report and Accounts, a copy of which is in the Library. This shows the Commissioners' efficient cost management record over the last ten years.
Overseas Visits
Mr. Wilshire: To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 15 January 1998, Official Report, column 268, if he will publish the programme of his wife when she accompanied him to Dublin at public expense. [25595]
The Attorney-General: My wife's programme on visiting Dublin on 17 and 18 September 1997 was as follows:
- 17 September
- Arrive Dublin.
- Visit British Embassy, to meet HM Ambassador, followed by short tour of Dublin.
- Attend reception, lectures and banquet hosted by the Ambassador of the United States on the occasion of the opening of the Forum for US-EU Legal and Economic Affairs.
- 18 September
- Return to London.
LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT
Magistrates Courts
Mr. Soames: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he plans to take to strengthen the principle of local justice dispensed through magistrates courts. [25032]
Mr. Hoon: My hon. Friend will be aware that on 29 October 1997, Official Report, columns 901-05, I made a statement to the House setting out in some detail the Government's plan for the future structure of the magistrates courts service. As part of that statement, I made clear my commitment to the concept of local justice dispensed through a locally administered magistrates courts service. We will shortly be embarking upon a joint working group with the service and local authorities which will examine the financial and legal relationship between them, define their relative responsibilities and enable the close local relationship which is already in evidence to develop further.
Civil Justice Reforms
Mr. Burnett:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) of 19 January 1998, Official Report, column 403, if the implementation of those civil justice reforms and changes intended for completion in April 1999 are progressing as anticipated; and if he will make a statement. [25416]
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Mr. Hoon:
I am pleased to confirm the answer I gave to the question of the hon. Member for Hendon on 19 January that the preparations for implementation of the civil justice reforms in April 1999 are indeed progressing as planned. For example, draft rules for the fast and multi-tracks, revised in the light of responses to the consultation paper issued last year, will be considered by the Rule Committee this month. A similar exercise will follow the closure of consultation on the small claims procedures at the end of this month. Further details can be obtained from the Department's bulletin, "Implementing the Civil Justice Reforms", a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
Mr. Garnier:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what date his Department's proposals to introduce the legal aid changes announced by the Lord Chancellor on 18 October 1997 will come into effect. [25340]
Mr. Hoon:
When my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor announced on 18 October 1997 the Government's proposals for reform of the legal aid system, he indicated his determination to consult widely before reaching any final decisions. We have received a large number of representations, each of which is being carefully considered. We intend to complete this consultation before implementing any changes.
Jacqui Smith:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what is the total cost to the Legal Aid Board of court fees since January 1997; [24121]
Mr. Hoon:
From the Legal Aid Board's computer system it is not possible to identify separately the amounts paid in respect of court fees from other disbursements.
Jacqui Smith:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions in the last 12 months an application under Order 19 rule 3(2), to rescind an automatic reference to arbitration has (a) been made and (b) been granted. [24123]
Mr. Hoon:
In the 12 months to 31 December 1997, there were 820 applications made and 650 applications granted.
Jacqui Smith:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions in the last 12 months an application under Order 19 rule 3(2)(d), to rescind an automatic reference to arbitration where it would be unreasonable for the claim to proceed, having regard to the subject matter, circumstances of the parties or interests of third parties who would be affected, has (a) been made and (b) been granted. [24122]
Mr. Hoon:
(a) The information is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. (b) The information is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
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Jacqui Smith:
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many district and deputy district judges are able to sit as arbitrators in small claims proceedings; and how many of those have received training in handling small claims. [24119]
Mr. Hoon:
All district judges and deputy district judges, apart from those who sit in the Principal Registry of the Family Division, have the jurisdiction to sit as arbitrators in small claims proceedings. The Judicial Studies Board provides training on handling small claims arbitrations for all Deputy District judges as part of their induction programme.
Mr. Barry Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his policy concerning permanent sites for travellers in Flintshire. [24158]
Mr. Win Griffiths:
Guidance to local planning authorities in respect of the provision of permanent sites for gipsies in their development plans is set out in Welsh Office Circular 2/94 and in Planning Guidance (Wales) Planning Policy. Local authorities no longer have a statutory duty to provide sites for gipsies, but should have regard to gipsies' accommodation needs in drawing up their development plans. The definition of "gipsies" is contained in Welsh Officer Circular 76/94 and excludes those persons who move from place to place without any connection between their movement and their means of livelihood.
(2) what is the additional cost to the Legal Aid Board arising from the increase in court fees since January 1997. [24120]
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