24 Feb 1999 : Column: 285
Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 24 February 1999
TREASURY
Office for National Statistics
Ms Lawrence: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what decisions he has taken on the findings of the review into the efficiency of the Office for National Statistics. [73284]
Ms Hewitt: Having considered the findings of the efficiency review of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and met with the trade unions to discuss their reactions, I have decided to accept the recommendations made by the efficiency review Steering Group.
The findings of the review indicate that there is scope within ONS to achieve efficiency savings rising to around £20 million per year. The achievement of such savings, which will be reinvested within ONS, will enable the Office to focus resources and management attention on improving the range and quality of the statistical information it produces. I have asked Dr. Tim Holt, the Director of ONS, to prepare and implement a programme of action designed to deliver these savings, in consultation with ONS staff and trade unions.
I am today publishing a copy of the full report which was commissioned from the consultants KPMG by the review Steering Group. The recommendations made by the Steering Group draw on many of the KPMG proposals, but they do not include them all. In particular, the potential savings identified as a result of the outsourcing of data collection and processing are not part of the package of efficiency savings which the Steering Group recommended.
I have also today accepted proposals from Dr. Holt to strengthen the senior management structure of ONS. This will involve the establishment of a restructured ONS Management Board comprising the Director of ONS and four other members: a Director of Economic Statistics, a Director of Social Statistics, a Director of Quality Assurance and Methodology, and Director of Finance and Corporate Services. This final post will be advertised externally, with business and commercial experience a key requirement.
These changes to the management structure of ONS reflect the importance which the Government attach to implementing this programme of work. Ensuring the quality of ONS outputs is a key part of the Government's commitment to enhance the integrity of official statistics.
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the
24 Feb 1999 : Column: 286
engineering profession since May 1998 on investment in the UK's engineering base. [70704]
Mrs. Roche:
The Chancellor has had frequent discussions with representatives from business since May 1998, many of whom have been members of the engineering profession. The Chancellor has focused particularly on the UK's productivity record and how business and Government can work together to improve it. Investment by business, including the engineering sector, has featured as one of the key areas for improvement.
Mr. Stunell:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the Registrar General's options paper on access to registration records to be published. [72597]
Ms Hewitt:
I have now considered the Registrar General's options paper on access to civil registration records. It is proposed that a limited amount of prior consultation with stakeholders should be undertaken over the next few months. The outcome of this consultation will be taken into account when the proposals for reform arising from the Civil Registration review are published in the summer.
Mr. Salmond:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to issue an explanatory leaflet following his budget in March for delivery to each household in the United Kingdom. [72621]
Dawn Primarolo:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 4 February 1999, Official Report, column 724.
Sir Teddy Taylor:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what powers the EU is seeking to require Her Majesty's Government to double the current air passenger duty for return domestic flights within the United Kingdom; what powers Her Majesty's Government have to resist the demand; and if he will make a statement. [68210]
Mrs. Roche
[holding answer 1 February 1999]: The UK Government have an obligation to ensure that taxes are compatible with EU treaty obligations but how compatibility is achieved is entirely a matter for the Government.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many businesses were affected by the amusement machine licence duty announced in the 1998 Budget; and if he will estimate the average cost per business. [70672]
Mrs. Roche
[holding answer 15 February 1999]: No figures are available for the number of businesses involved in the amusement machine industry.
24 Feb 1999 : Column: 287
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the President of the Council if she will list the average number of hours the House sat daily in (a) January 1979, (b) January 1989 and (c) January 1999. [72701]
Mrs. Beckett:
The House sat for a daily average of: 9 hours and 11 minutes in January 1979; 9 hours and 9 minutes in January 1989; and 8 hours and 59 minutes in January 1999. Not including sitting Fridays, the House sat for a daily average of 9 hours and 51 minutes in January 1979; 9 hours and 59 minutes in January 1989; and 8 hours and 59 minutes in January 1999.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's policy towards the European Investment Bank Third World loan packages, with particular reference to environmental impact assessments. [72288]
Clare Short:
The Government scrutinise proposals coming to the European Investment Bank Board of Directors to assess their developmental soundness. This includes consideration of environmental issues. The European Investment Bank itself reviews all projects for environmental impact as an integral part of its appraisal process.
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the additional costs to local authorities of having Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within their boundaries; and if he will make a statement. [72598]
Mr. Meale:
No central assessment of additional costs has been made. However, a study undertaken last year for the Countryside Commission, the Government's statutory advisors on landscape protection, suggested that some £4.8m may be spent annually by local authorities in England on the core costs of the management and protection of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). The same study suggested that a further £9.5m may be spent annually on local authority countryside management services within AONBs.
The Countryside Commission has provided advice to the Government on various aspects of the care of protected landscapes. We are considering the recommendations very carefully, together with all the other information available, before taking any final decisions. There are some complex issues involved but we hope to be able to announce some conclusions soon.
24 Feb 1999 : Column: 288
We have already announced an additional £2.5m for the new Countryside Agency to spend in AONBs and similar landscape areas in 1999-2000.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the problems experienced in obtaining planning permission for the Jubilee Line extension; and what assessment he has made of practice in this respect in Hong Kong. [71116]
Dr. Reid:
In only one case, namely the development of the Canada Water bus station, was London Underground obliged to take steps to appeal against the refusal by the local planning authority to approve certain reserved planning matters relating to the development.
I am not in a position to comment on practice in this respect in Hong Kong.
Mr. Dalyell:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of women in each age group hold driving licences; and what assessment he has made of the consequences of differences between the percentage in each age group for the rate of growth in road traffic. [71117]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The table shows the percentage of women in each age group who held driving licences in Great Britain, over the period 1995-97.
| Age | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 17-20 | 36 |
| 21-29 | 67 |
| 30-39 | 74 |
| 40-49 | 74 |
| 50-59 | 61 |
| 60-69 | 46 |
| 70 or over | 22 |
| All ages | 57 |
Source:
National Travel Survey
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |