| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Parliamentary Questions
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many parliamentary questions asked in respect of the millennium dome since 1 January 1999 have received holding answers; what percentage of such questions this represents; and what has been the average time taken to answer written questions on the millennium dome during this period. [109913]
Janet Anderson [holding answer 11 February 2000]: Since 1 January 1999, 102 written parliamentary questions on the millennium dome have received holding answers. This represents 96 per cent. of the total number of Named Day questions tabled on this subject, 39 of which have been from the hon. Member. The average time taken to answer written questions on the millennium dome during this period is 20 days.
My Department makes every effort to answer questions on time, but the need to ensure that responses are completely accurate can make the issuing of a holding answer unavoidable. Holding answers are usually issued while relevant information is being obtained from the New Millennium Experience Company.
New Millennium Experience Company
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the total (a) value and (b) number of contracts to provide services to the New Millennium Experience Company were awarded following an open competition tender process. [109723]
Janet Anderson [holding answer 11 February 2000]: 100 per cent. of key service contracts, i.e. electricity, security, waste disposal and cleaning, were awarded following open competition. The overall value of these key contracts is about £15.5 million.
Library Services
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action has taken place since the publication of the paper entitled, "Libraries for All: Social Inclusion in Public Libraries", to involve more volunteers in strengthening library services. [116446]
3 Apr 2000 : Column: 359W
Mr. Alan Howarth:
We are still evaluating the consultation responses to "Libraries for All: Social Inclusion in Public Libraries". We will then be undertaking a similar consultation on social inclusion in museums, galleries and archives. We expect to make an announcement on the way forward for both policies later in the year.
Mr. Tyler:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reason the Royal Parks Agency did not invite open tenders for the pirate ship in Kensington Palace Gardens; and if he will make a statement. [116296]
Mr. Alan Howarth
[holding answer 27 March 2000]: Responsibility for the subject of this question has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency and I have asked them to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Viviane Robertson to Mr. Paul Tyler, dated 3 April 2000:
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he plans to commence his Department's review of BBC News 24. [117241]
Mr. Chris Smith:
I aim to announce my proposals for the reviews of the BBC's digital services in due course.
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the future of the London Film Commission. [117571]
Mr. Chris Smith:
My Department has been working closely with the London Film Commission and the Film Council to ensure that the valuable services provided by the Commission continue to be provided. I am very pleased that a solution has been found which will enable the Commission to focus on its main priorities while seeking to ensure that it has a sound financial basis for its future operation.
Mr. Don Foster:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what (a) number and
3 Apr 2000 : Column: 360W
(b) percentage of properties in his charge are empty; and what steps are being taken by his Department to reduce the number of such properties. [116920]
Mr. Chris Smith:
My Department has the following properties unoccupied at present:
Pending the appointment of a new Chief Executive, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the tender for the ship in Kensington Gardens, which is an operational matter for which the Agency is responsible.
In commissioning the design and construction of the play ship in the Diana, Princess of Wales playground in Kensington Gardens, the Agency followed the guidance in the "Guide to the Appointment of Consultants and Contractors" produced by Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. This guide promotes the procurement of services on the basis of best value for money. There is no requirement under this procedure to invite open tenders because the EC procurement rules do not apply in the case of this contract.
The Agency identified some 70 suppliers and from them drew up a list of 7 potential tenderers. This in turn was reduced to a short list of three by evaluating them against the original selection criteria. The three short-listed companies were interviewed and the contract was awarded to the company which, in the opinion of the Agency, met the selection criteria and offered the best value for money.
| Address of property | Wholly or partly unoccupied | Date vacated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Department | |||
| 2nd Floor, 179a Tottenham Court Road, W1(32) | Partly | January 2000 | |
| Basement, 7 St. James's Square, SW1(33) | Partly | January 2000 | |
| Royal Parks Agency | |||
| Brew House Bushey Park(34) | Wholly | © 1998 | |
| New Lodge Bushey Park(35) | Wholly | December 1999 | |
| White Lodge, Bushey Park(35) | Wholly | © 1980 | |
| Vanburgh Gate Lodge, Greenwich Park(35) | Wholly | January 2000 | |
(32) Area became vacant following closure of Y2K contingency office. Temporarily occupied by the Film Council but being actively marketed.
(33) Area became vacant following Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) reducing their occupation prior to finding alternative premises. Being actively marketed.
(34) Requires the completion of restoration before re-occupation.
(35) Expected that re-occupation by RPA staff will occur during 2000-01.
The Department's office premises that are partly vacant are being marketed with a view to occupation during the new financial year (2000-01), and the Royal Parks Agency expects at least three of the four properties listed above to be re-occupied by members of staff during 2000-01.
Parliament Square (Demonstrations)
Mr. Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his policy is on the use of Parliament Square by campaigning organisations for demonstrations. [116276]
Mr. Charles Clarke: I have been asked to reply.
The use of Parliament Square requires the permission of the Royal Parks Agency, which I understand was not given in the case of the current protest by pig farmers. Any action to remove demonstrators is an operational matter for that Agency.
CABINET OFFICE
Corporate IT Strategy
Mr. Coaker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to publish the Government's corporate IT strategy. [117305]
Mr. Ian McCartney: I have today launched the re-titled 'e-Government Strategy' which meets this commitment.
I have placed copies of the e-Government Strategy in the Libraries of the House.
Civil Service College
Mr. Peter Bradley:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the future arrangements for the Centre for Management and Policy Studies and the Civil Service College. [117612]
3 Apr 2000 : Column: 361W
Mr. Ian McCartney:
From 1 April 2000 the Civil Service College will be fully integrated into the Centre for Management and Policy Studies (CMPS) at the heart of government within the Cabinet Office. As a result, the College will no longer operate as an executive agency.
CMPS will enjoy extensive management delegations and will operate within the terms of a framework document. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Mr. Pond:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many male ex-Government employees there are under the age of 65 years. [117127]
Mr. Stringer:
The information is not held in the form requested and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The number of male permanent staff who have left the Civil Service during the last 10 years who, if still alive, would have been under the age of 65 at 1st April 1999 was approximately 167,000.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |