House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 15 Oct 2001 (pt 55)

Regional Government

Mr. Allen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on what date he plans to issue a White Paper on Elected Regional Government. [7164]

15 Oct 2001 : Column: 1005W

The Deputy Prime Minister: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick) on 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 80W.

Duchy of Lancaster Tenants

Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is towards farm improvement schemes proposed by Duchy of Lancaster tenants with farm business tenancies. [7875]

Mr. Leslie: I have been asked to reply by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Duchy policy is to look at each proposal on its own merits and if considered reasonable and viable for both the tenant and the Duchy the necessary consent would be granted. In assessing a proposal, due regard is given to the scale and nature of the improvements as well as the length of the tenancy, whether a farm business tenancy or Agricultural Holding Act tenancy.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures have been taken to assist Duchy of Lancaster tenants whose businesses have been affected by the economic impact of foot and mouth disease. [7874]

Mr. Leslie: I have been asked to reply by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

There have been no cases of foot and mouth on any of the Duchy Estates although one farm in Whitewell was culled owing to a 'dangerous contact'. Form D Notices restricting animal movements have affected a number of Duchy tenants. The Duchy has maintained a close watch on tenants who are considered to be vulnerable throughout the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Duchy officials are always available to talk and discuss a tenant's concerns on a confidential basis.

The Duchy of Lancaster maintains a policy of sympathetic treatment of any tenant who is in genuine difficulty owing to external circumstances beyond their control and adversely affecting their business. Each individual case is looked at on its own merits and circumstances. Measures that have been taken include rental reduction, rebates and deferrals. The Duchy is also assisting some tenants financially who have chosen to take early retirement rather than continue within the agricultural industry.

Correspondence

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what was, for each year since 1995, (1) the average response time for providing a substantive answer to (a) hon. Members' correspondence, (b) correspondence from members of the public and (c) written parliamentary questions in the (i) Commons and (ii) Lords; [7052]

(a)

(b)

(c)

15 Oct 2001 : Column: 1006W

Mr. Leslie: The prompt and efficient handling of correspondence and parliamentary questions is an issue to which I, and ministerial colleagues, attach great importance.

General information on the volumes of correspondence received across Whitehall and on overall performance is published regularly. The most recent figures, for 2000, were published by the then Minister for the Cabinet Office, Marjorie Mowlam, in her answer to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens, North (Mr. Watts) on 6 April 2001, Official Report, columns 324–28W and in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, Central (Geraint Davies) on 19 July 2001, Official Report, columns 454–56W. On parliamentary questions, the information requested is not held in the form requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

London Weighting

Pete Wishart: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate the total annual value of London weightings and London living allowances for his Department; and if he will make a statement. [6782]

Mr. Leslie: Since 1996, Departments and agencies have had responsibility for setting the level of pay for their staff. The Cabinet Office, the Central Office of Information, the Government Car and Despatch Agency, the Equal Opportunities Commission, and the Government Offices all operate their own pay systems.

The Cabinet Office consolidated London weighting into basic pay in 1997. At that time its value was £1,776.

The Central Office of Information consolidated London weighting into basic pay in 1999. At that time its value was £1,912.

The Government Car and Despatch Agency pays non-industrial staff working in London an allowance of £1,776 p.a. Industrial staff working in London had the £1,776 allowance consolidated into basic pay in 2001.

The Equal Opportunities Commission pays each person working in London an allowance of £1,914 p.a.

Staff working in the Government Office for London had London weighting consolidated into basic pay in 1997. At that time its value was £1,776 p.a.

Ministerial Travel

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) on how many occasions in each year since 1992 non-commercial flights were used by Ministers in his Department for official overseas visits; what the (a) destination, (b) Ministers involved, (c) cost and (d) reason for use of non-commercial flights were on each occasion; and if he will make a statement; [6908]

(a)

(b)

(c)

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Mr. Leslie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, at column 824W.

Departmental Staff

Pete Wishart: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many and what proportion of each Civil Service grade in

15 Oct 2001 : Column: 1008W

his Department is located in each region and nation of the UK; what the average salary is for each grade; and if he will make a statement. [6784]

Mr. Leslie: The total numbers and proportions of staff respectively in each Civil Service grade and region in the Cabinet Office and its agencies at 1 April 2000 (the most recent statistics available) were as set out in the tables.

Distribution of staff by grade at 1 April 2000

Cabinet Office Civil Service College Parliamentary Counsel Government Car and Despatch Agency Security Facilities Division⁽⁶¹⁾ Total

All grades

Number 1,316 242 47 228 149 1,982

Percentage 66 12 2 12 8 100

SCS level

Number 110 3 35 1 — 149

Percentage 6 0 2 0 — 8

Level 6/7

Number 209 85 2 3 — 298

Percentage 11 4 0 0 — 15

SEO/HEO level

Number 287 16 1 7 — 311

Percentage 14 1 0 0 — 16

EO level

Number 293 42 5 9 — 348

Percentage 15 2 0 0 — 18

AO/AA level

Number 418 96 5 11 — 530

Percentage 21 5 0 1 — 27

Industrial/Other grades

Number — — — 197 80 277

Percentage — — — 10 4 14

	Cabinet Office	Civil Service College	Parliamentary Counsel	Government Car and Despatch Agency	Security Facilities Division⁽⁶¹⁾	Total
All grades
Number	1,316	242	47	228	149	1,982
Percentage	66	12	2	12	8	100
SCS level
Number	110	3	35	1	—	149
Percentage	6	0	2	0	—	8
Level 6/7
Number	209	85	2	3	—	298
Percentage	11	4	0	0	—	15
SEO/HEO level
Number	287	16	1	7	—	311
Percentage	14	1	0	0	—	16
EO level
Number	293	42	5	9	—	348
Percentage	15	2	0	0	—	18
AO/AA level
Number	418	96	5	11	—	530
Percentage	21	5	0	1	—	27
	Industrial/Other grades
Number	—	—	—	197	80	277
Percentage	—	—	—	10	4	14

⁽⁶¹⁾ Security Facilities Division figures and total include 69 non-industrial staff for whom statistics by grade are not available.

Distribution of staff by region at 1 April 2000

Cabinet Office Civil Service College Parliamentary Counsel Government Car and Despatch Agency Security Facilities Division⁽⁶²⁾ Total⁽⁶²⁾

All Regions

Number 1,316 242 47 228 149 1,982

Percentage 66 12 2 12 8 100

London

Number 1,253 11 47 212 — 1,523

Percentage 63 1 2 11 — 77

South-east

Number 47 228 — — —- 275

Percentage 2 12 — — — 14

Eastern

Number 16 3 — — — 19

Percentage 1 0 — — — 1

West Midlands

Number — — — 1 — 1

Percentage — — — 0 — 0

Yorkshire and Humberside

Number — — — 3 — 3

Percentage — — — 0 — 0

Wales

Number — — — 12 — 12

Percentage — — — 1 — 1

	Cabinet Office	Civil Service College	Parliamentary Counsel	Government Car and Despatch Agency	Security Facilities Division⁽⁶²⁾	Total⁽⁶²⁾
All Regions
Number	1,316	242	47	228	149	1,982
Percentage	66	12	2	12	8	100
London
Number	1,253	11	47	212	—	1,523
Percentage	63	1	2	11	—	77
South-east
Number	47	228	—	—	—-	275
Percentage	2	12	—	—	—	14
Eastern
Number	16	3	—	—	—	19
Percentage	1	0	—	—	—	1
West Midlands
Number	—	—	—	1	—	1
Percentage	—	—	—	0	—	0
	Yorkshire and Humberside
Number	—	—	—	3	—	3
Percentage	—	—	—	0	—	0
Wales
Number	—	—	—	12	—	12
Percentage	—	—	—	1	—	1

⁽⁶²⁾ Total includes 149 Security Facilities Division staff for whom statistics by region are not available

Since 1996, Departments and agencies have had responsibility for setting the level of pay for their staff. The current constituent bodies of the Cabinet Office, including the Central Office of Information, the Government Car and Despatch Agency, the Equal Opportunities Commission, and the Government Offices all operate their own pay systems.

Up-to-date information is available from payroll records, taking account of negotiated pay increases for 2000. This information also reflects the machinery of government changes that took place after the June 2001 general election, which included the transfer to the Cabinet Office of responsibility for the Government Offices for the Regions. Current average salaries, by grade, for the Cabinet Office constituent bodies are:

Cabinet Office Central Office of Information Government Car and Despatch Agency Equal Opportunities Commission Government Offices for the Regions⁽⁶³⁾

SCS level 67,330 83,620 62,000 53,748 —

Level 6/7 38,263 39,065 48,224 36,281 39,282

SEO/HEO level 25,030 28,198 29,000 22,583 24,213

EO level 19,035 19,533 24,826 17,078 17,145

AO/AA level 14,287 13,611 16,512 12,323 12,712

Industrial/Other grades 28,402 — 19,459 — —

	Cabinet Office	Central Office of Information	Government Car and Despatch Agency	Equal Opportunities Commission	Government Offices for the Regions⁽⁶³⁾
SCS level	67,330	83,620	62,000	53,748	—
Level 6/7	38,263	39,065	48,224	36,281	39,282
SEO/HEO level	25,030	28,198	29,000	22,583	24,213
EO level	19,035	19,533	24,826	17,078	17,145
AO/AA level	14,287	13,611	16,512	12,323	12,712
Industrial/Other grades	28,402	—	19,459	—	—

⁽⁶³⁾ Security Facilities Division figures and total include 69 non-industrial staff for whom statistics by grade are not available.

15 Oct 2001 : Column: 1009W

Pete Wishart: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate the number of staff employed by his Department by region and nation of the UK; and if he will make a statement. [6780]

Mr. Leslie: The total number of staff employed in the Cabinet Office and its agencies in each region and nation

15 Oct 2001 : Column: 1010W

of the UK at 1 April 2000 (the most recent statistics available) was 1,980. The breakdown by geographical area is as shown in the table. This shows analogous distributions for the whole of the Civil Service at that date and is drawn from the publication "Civil Service Statistics 2000", issued on 31 August 2001.

Regional distribution of staff as at 1 April 2000

All staff (full-time equivalent)

Government office region

London South East Total London and South East South West West Midlands North West North East Merseyside

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 3,030 770 3,800 1,210 440 880 110 0

Cabinet Office 1,520 270 1,800 0 0 0 0 0

Crown Prosecution Service 1,300 520 1,820 330 530 620 320 200

Customs and Excise 5,510 3,530 9,040 940 1,040 1,490 520 1,040

Culture, Media and Sport 620 0 620 0 0 0 0 0

Ministry of Defence 8,640 22,620 31,260 22,770 8,010 1,320 490 840

Education and Employment 6,850 2,340 9,190 2,360 2,830 3,480 2,500 960

Environment, Transport and the Regions 4,350 870 5,220 1,760 790 730 370 80

Health and Safety Executive/Commission 660 140 810 70 160 150 70 1,290

Foreign and Commonwealth Office 4,600 40 4,640 0 0 0 0 0

Health 2,480 290 2,780 230 230 690 130 0

HM Land Registry 780 510 1,300 1,500 630 470 660 500

Home Office 6,990 1,180 8,170 250 740 400 80 960

HM Prison Service 4,720 6,930 11,650 3,050 3,830 4,270 3,040 780

Inland Revenue 8,370 6,370 14,750 4,000 4,080 7,920 7,640 3,840

International Development 720 0 720 0 0 0 0 0

Intervention Board 0 950 950 0 0 0 280 0

Lord Chancellor's 5,490 1,070 6,560 400 710 750 130 320

Office for National Statistics 730 640 1,380 0 0 100 0 540

Ordnance Survey 20 1,420 1,450 50 40 40 20 10

Registers of Scotland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Scottish Executive 10 0 10 0 0 0 0 0

Social Security 9,100 5,780 14,890 5,060 6,840 15,660 9,780 3,810

Trade and Industry 4,750 250 4,990 240 410 290 220 50

Treasury 830 0 830 0 0 0 0 0

National Assembly for Wales 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Royal Mint 20 0 20 0 0 0 0 0

Other Departments 4,080 120 4,200 5,040 750 250 430 220

All permanent staff 86,190 56,630 142,820 49,250 32,080 39,504 26,780 15,440

All casual staff 1,790 1,090 2,990 610 615 815 800 330

All staff (full-time equivalent)

Government office region

Yorkshire and Humberside East Midlands Eastern Wales Scotland Northern Ireland Unreported and Elsewhere All areas

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1,540 400 860 200 110 0 30 9,590

Cabinet Office 0 0 20 10 0 0 150 1,980

Crown Prosecution Service 600 380 300 350 0 0 0 5,450

Customs and Excise 910 850 3,730 490 1,270 530 50 21,910

Culture, Media and Sport 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 620

Ministry of Defence 2,990 2,630 6,400 4,980 9,400 3,230 6,040 100,330

Education and Employment 5,630 1,920 1,940 1,890 3,360 0 0 36,060

Environment, Transport and the Regions 740 550 840 3,690 390 0 1,930 17,070

Health and Safety Executive/ Commission 450 270 180 110 280 0 0 3,820

Foreign and Commonwealth Office 0 0 820 0 0 0 0 5,470

Health 1,040 20 20 0 0 0 10 5,160

HM Land Registry 430 850 820 590 0 0 0 7,750

Home Office 400 40 610 460 240 130 50 12,550

HM Prison Service 4,550 3,500 3,750 750 0 0 1,370 40,560

Inland Revenue 5,240 4,010 3,510 3,870 6,090 1,400 10 66,330

International Development 0 0 0 0 430 0 50 1,210

Intervention Board 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,230

Lord Chancellors 520 410 570 270 0 0 0 10,640

Office for National Statistics 0 0 0 850 0 0 0 2,870

Ordnance Survey 40 40 50 30 50 0 0 1,820

Registers of Scotland 0 0 0 0 1,280 0 0 1,280

Scottish Executive 0 0 0 0 10,340 0 500 10,850

Social Security 7,590 3,500 3,350 3,880 9,160 10 10 83,530

Trade and Industry 310 190 200 1,690 230 10 10 8,840

Treasury 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 830

National Assembly for Wales 0 0 0 2,570 0 0 0 2,570

Royal Mint 0 0 0 1,020 0 0 0 1,030

Other Departments 100 100 270 380 1,750 110 480 14,080

All permanent staff 33,060 19,650 28,220 28,080 44,390 5,400 10,740 475,410

All casual staff 680 340 550 950 1,090 40 1,600 11,300

							All staff (full-time equivalent)
	Government office region
	London	South East	Total London and South East	South West	West Midlands	North West	North East	Merseyside
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	3,030	770	3,800	1,210	440	880	110	0
Cabinet Office	1,520	270	1,800	0	0	0	0	0
Crown Prosecution Service	1,300	520	1,820	330	530	620	320	200
Customs and Excise	5,510	3,530	9,040	940	1,040	1,490	520	1,040
Culture, Media and Sport	620	0	620	0	0	0	0	0
Ministry of Defence	8,640	22,620	31,260	22,770	8,010	1,320	490	840
Education and Employment	6,850	2,340	9,190	2,360	2,830	3,480	2,500	960
Environment, Transport and the Regions	4,350	870	5,220	1,760	790	730	370	80
Health and Safety Executive/Commission	660	140	810	70	160	150	70	1,290
Foreign and Commonwealth Office	4,600	40	4,640	0	0	0	0	0
Health	2,480	290	2,780	230	230	690	130	0
HM Land Registry	780	510	1,300	1,500	630	470	660	500
Home Office	6,990	1,180	8,170	250	740	400	80	960
HM Prison Service	4,720	6,930	11,650	3,050	3,830	4,270	3,040	780
Inland Revenue	8,370	6,370	14,750	4,000	4,080	7,920	7,640	3,840
International Development	720	0	720	0	0	0	0	0
Intervention Board	0	950	950	0	0	0	280	0
Lord Chancellor's	5,490	1,070	6,560	400	710	750	130	320
Office for National Statistics	730	640	1,380	0	0	100	0	540
Ordnance Survey	20	1,420	1,450	50	40	40	20	10
Registers of Scotland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Scottish Executive	10	0	10	0	0	0	0	0
Social Security	9,100	5,780	14,890	5,060	6,840	15,660	9,780	3,810
Trade and Industry	4,750	250	4,990	240	410	290	220	50
Treasury	830	0	830	0	0	0	0	0
National Assembly for Wales	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Royal Mint	20	0	20	0	0	0	0	0
Other Departments	4,080	120	4,200	5,040	750	250	430	220
All permanent staff	86,190	56,630	142,820	49,250	32,080	39,504	26,780	15,440
All casual staff	1,790	1,090	2,990	610	615	815	800	330

	Government office region
	Yorkshire and Humberside	East Midlands	Eastern	Wales	Scotland	Northern Ireland	Unreported and Elsewhere	All areas
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food	1,540	400	860	200	110	0	30	9,590
Cabinet Office	0	0	20	10	0	0	150	1,980
Crown Prosecution Service	600	380	300	350	0	0	0	5,450
Customs and Excise	910	850	3,730	490	1,270	530	50	21,910
Culture, Media and Sport	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	620
Ministry of Defence	2,990	2,630	6,400	4,980	9,400	3,230	6,040	100,330
Education and Employment	5,630	1,920	1,940	1,890	3,360	0	0	36,060
Environment, Transport and the Regions	740	550	840	3,690	390	0	1,930	17,070
Health and Safety Executive/ Commission	450	270	180	110	280	0	0	3,820
Foreign and Commonwealth Office	0	0	820	0	0	0	0	5,470
Health	1,040	20	20	0	0	0	10	5,160
HM Land Registry	430	850	820	590	0	0	0	7,750
Home Office	400	40	610	460	240	130	50	12,550
HM Prison Service	4,550	3,500	3,750	750	0	0	1,370	40,560
Inland Revenue	5,240	4,010	3,510	3,870	6,090	1,400	10	66,330
International Development	0	0	0	0	430	0	50	1,210
Intervention Board	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1,230
Lord Chancellors	520	410	570	270	0	0	0	10,640
Office for National Statistics	0	0	0	850	0	0	0	2,870
Ordnance Survey	40	40	50	30	50	0	0	1,820
Registers of Scotland	0	0	0	0	1,280	0	0	1,280
Scottish Executive	0	0	0	0	10,340	0	500	10,850
Social Security	7,590	3,500	3,350	3,880	9,160	10	10	83,530
Trade and Industry	310	190	200	1,690	230	10	10	8,840
Treasury	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	830
National Assembly for Wales	0	0	0	2,570	0	0	0	2,570
Royal Mint	0	0	0	1,020	0	0	0	1,030
Other Departments	100	100	270	380	1,750	110	480	14,080
All permanent staff	33,060	19,650	28,220	28,080	44,390	5,400	10,740	475,410
All casual staff	680	340	550	950	1,090	40	1,600	11,300

15 Oct 2001 : Column: 1011W

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