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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 12 January 1999
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
British Library
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what requirements are placed on senior staff of the British Library to disclose shareholdings and other financial interests in the annual report of the Library. [63365]
Mr. Alan Howarth [holding answer 14 December 1998]: There are no requirements on senior staff at the British Library to publish these details in the Library's annual report. However, the Library holds a Register of Business Interests in which all staff are required to provide details of relevant financial interests or other relevant material benefit which they receive from sources external to the Library and which might be perceived as a conflict of interest.
Art Collections
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those public art galleries and museums which allow items from their collections to be displayed in (a) hotels and (b) other places where the general public does not have an automatic right of access. [64493]
Mr. Alan Howarth: Although we are aware that some museums and galleries lend items from their collections outside the museums community, we have no means of knowing all that do so: it is for the governing body of each museum and gallery to determine their own policy on loans of works of art or objects. The governing body will want to be satisfied as to the level of public access to the display.
BBC (Funding)
Ms Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will announce the membership of the panel looking at the future funding of the BBC; and if he will make a statement. [65562]
Mr. Chris Smith: The panel will be chaired by Gavyn Davies and comprises the right hon. Lord Newton of Braintree, Lord Gordon of Strathblane, Sir Alan Budd, Rabbi Julia Neuberger, Helen Black, Ruth Evans, David Lipsey and Heather Rabbatts.
This is an important review which aims to ensure the BBC's continuing ability to meet its public service obligations effectively, while, at the same time, ensuring that it retains the ability to operate effectively in a competitive marketplace.
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I am pleased that Gavyn Davies has accepted my invitation to chair the panel. The panel members have the knowledge, authority and judgment to weigh the issues, and I am confident that they will do so impartially, without preconceptions and with the national interest in mind.
The panel will be announcing shortly how it intends to take the review forward, including the taking of evidence.
The panel will report to me by the end of July and I will then consult on its findings.
Mr. Rhodri Morgan:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Chairman of the Sports Council for Wales concerning the receipt by the Football Association of Wales of a grant from the English Football Association and the conditions attached thereto; and if he will make a statement. [64987]
Mr. Michael:
I have had no consultations with the Sports Council for Wales on this issue. It is entirely a matter for the two governing bodies involved.
Dr. Fox:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate aggregate Government spending in Wales in each year between 1992-93 and 2001-02. [64502]
Mr. Michael:
Identifiable General Government Expenditure in Wales between 1992-93 and 1996-97 is as shown:
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1992-93 | 11,438 |
| 1993-94 | 12,069 |
| 1994-95 | 12,556 |
| 1995-96 | 12,985 |
| 1996-97 | 13,496 |
Source:
Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses
These figures include all General Government Expenditure that can be identified as being within Wales, but excludes items from which Wales may benefit even though the money is spent elsewhere (eg defence spending).
| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1998-99 | 7,411.9 |
| 1999-2000 | 7,812.1 |
| 2000-01 | 8,223.4 |
| 2001-02 | 8,665.5 |
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| £ million | |
|---|---|
| 1998-99 | 7,411.9 |
| 1999-2000 | 7,812.1 |
| 2000-01 | 8,223.4 |
| 2001-02 | 8,665.5 |
No estimates have been made for later years.
Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate Government revenues derived from sources in Wales in each year between 1992-93 and 2001-02. [64501]
Mr. Michael: "Government Expenditure and Revenue, Wales 1993-94 and 1994-95", available in the Library of the House, gives the following estimates:
- 1993-94: £9.3 billion
- 1994-95: £9.9 billion.
No estimates are available for other years.
Bedlinog Schools
Mr. Rowlands: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the dates of the visits by the office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools to Bedlinog Junior, Bedlinog Infants and Graig Bedlinog Infants schools to advise on the exercise of his powers under sections 35(1) and 167(1) of the Education Act 1996; [64769]
- (2) if he will list the dates upon which his professional advisers on school building visited Bedlinog Infants, Bedlinog Junior and Graig Bedlinog Infants schools in consideration of the exercise of his powers under sections 35(1) and 167(1) of the Education Act 1996. [64768]
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Mr. Hain: Since Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council's proposal to amalgamate the three Bedlinog schools on the site of the existing junior school attracted statutory objections, in accordance with sections 37 and 169 of the Education Act 1996, it fell to the Secretary of State to determine.
In considering the proposal the Secretary of State sought the views of the Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales (OHMCI) and the Department's professional advisers on school building matters--Burgess Partnership.
Bedlinog Junior, Bedlinog Infants and Graig Bedlinog Infants schools were inspected by independent inspectors under contract to OHMCI on 10-12 June 1996, 23-25 September 1996, and 4-6 March 1996 respectively. Given the generally satisfactory standards of achievement in the three schools, visits by HMI were not deemed necessary following the inspections. OHMCI provided the Department with advice on the educational merits of the LEA's proposal having considered the LEA's statement of case and all the objections.
The Burgess Partnership did not visit the schools but assessed the LEA's technical report on the condition of the junior school building and the authority's response to objections relating to this particular issue. Their assessment was reported to the Secretary of State for his consideration along with all other evidence.
Mr. Rowlands:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what estimate he has made of each of the current class sizes in (a) Bedlinog Junior, (b) Bedlinog Infants and (c) Graig Bedlinog Infants schools, Merthyr Tydfil; and what estimate he has made of each of these class sizes following the proposed reorganisation of the schools; [64771]
Mr. Hain:
The following table provides details of class sizes and pupil-teacher ratios at each of the three schools at September 1998.
The determination of class sizes and pupil-teacher ratios following the reorganisation of the schools will be matters for the head teacher and governing body. The school is expected to have around 162 pupils and 6 teachers.
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(2) what estimate he has made of the teacher/pupil ratios at (a) Bedlinog Junior, (b) Bedlinog Infants and (c) Graig Bedlinog Infants schools; and what estimate he has made of the pupil/teacher ratio after the proposed reorganisation of the schools. [64770]
| Class sizes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School | Class | Number of pupils | Number of teachers | Pupil-Teacher ratio |
| Bedlinog Infants | N/R | 18 | ||
| R/Y1/Y2 | 22 | |||
| Total | 40 | (1)2 | 20:1 | |
| Graig Bedlinog Infant | N/R/Y1 | 23 | ||
| Y1/Y2 | 21 | |||
| Total | 44 | (1)2.1 | 20.95:1 | |
| Bedlinog Junior | Yrs 3-6 | 25 | ||
| 26 | ||||
| 25 | ||||
| Total | 76 | (2)3.8 | 20:1 | |
(1) Including Head teacher
(2) Head teacher teaches for 80 per cent. of his time
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