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Care Homes

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the cost of the increases in National Insurance rates on care homes. [59436]

Ruth Kelly: I regret that it would only be possible to provide a reliable estimate at disproportionate cost.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Volunteers

Mr. Allen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he has taken since May 1997 to invite members of the public to volunteer to serve on (a) taskforces and (b) other ad hoc advisory bodies; and how many such volunteers have been appointed. [52228]

Mr. Leslie: Task forces, ad hoc advisory groups and reviews are by their nature created to provide advice on a particular subject or subject area. Ministers can, and often do, seek participants from a wide range of backgrounds to provide the best possible advice. Many of them give their time and efforts freely, though precise details are not held centrally.

Public Appointments

Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list members of local and national public appointments commissions, stating in each case (a) what other public appointments each has held and when, (b) what political affiliation each has recorded, and when, and (c) the postal district of their place of residence. [55291]

Mr. Leslie: The post of the Commissioner for Public Appointments was established by the previous administration in 1995, in response to a recommendation made by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in its

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First Report (Cm 2580). The Commissioner is appointed by the Queen under the Public Appointments Order in Council 1995, as amended by the Public Appointments Order in Council 1998, and is independent of both the Government and the Civil Service.

The present Commissioner is Dame Rennie Fritchie, who was appointed for an original three-year term in 1999, and who has since been re-appointed to serve a further three-year term from March 2002 to February 2005.

Dame Rennie was previously Chair of Gloucester Health Authority from 1988–1992; South-Western Regional Health Authority from 1992–1994; South and Western Region NHS Executive (formerly South and Western Regional Health Authority) from 1994–1997. There is no requirement on holders of this office to record their political affiliation, if any. I am advised by the Commissioner's Office that the postal district of Dame Rennie's place of residence is GL1.

In April 2001, the Government established an independent NHS Appointments Commission. At present there are around 4,000 chairs and non-executives on NHS boards whose appointments are now the responsibility of the Commission. The Commission has a Chair, Sir William Wells and eight Regional Commissioners namely, Mrs. Gillian Camm, Mrs. Jane Isaacs, Dr. John Marshall, Sir Ian Mills, Mrs. Brenda Sills, Mr. Michael Taylor, Mrs. Rosie Varley and Mr. Bernard Williams. Details of previous public appointments that they have held are contained in the press releases announcing their appointments, copies of which are in the libraries of the House. There is no requirement on the Chair or the Regional Commissioners to record their political affiliation, if any.

I am advised by the NHS Appointments Commission that the Chair and the Regional Commissioners live in the following postal districts, Sir William Wells (TW10), Mrs. Camm (GL13), Mrs. Isaacs (WV1), Dr. Marshall (DL2), Sir Ian Mills (SE13), Mrs. Sills (NG31), Mr. Taylor (CH1), Mrs. Varley (IP33) and Mr. Williams (SL6).

Regional Observatories

Mrs. May: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what the estimated expenditure by regional observatories is in England in the current financial year; and what proportion of this expenditure will by financed by central Government; [55191] (2) which Government department has responsibility for overseeing the regional observatories and if he will make a statement on their purpose. [55190]

Mrs. Roche: Regional observatories are independent entities formed by partnerships of regional organisations, including academic institutions, regional assemblies, regional development agencies, and Government Offices for the Regions. They aim to share the production, analysis and dissemination of intelligence and research related to regional policy. No Government department has responsibility for overseeing them.

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Each regional observatory has been established as a local initiative. Funding has to date been from a variety of sources and is often in kind. The table below shows the current progress of each observatory and sources of funding.

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It has not been possible to itemise the amount of funding for each observatory, given the mix of funding from different sources. Government Office of the Region contributions have been in staff time rather than financial contribution and the table includes estimates. Some of the expenditure would have been incurred in any case by the various sponsor organisations.

Progress of Regional Observatories and Current Funding

RegionStatusLead PartnersFunding SourceGovernment Office Input
North EastPlanning StageONE North East, North East Regional Assembly, Government Office for the North EastNone as yet8 per cent of 1 staff year
North WestOperational as the North West Regional Intelligence UnitNorth West Development AgencyMainly North West Development Agency7 per cent of 1 staff year
Yorkshire & the HumberOperational as Yorkshire Futures Regional Intelligence NetworkYorkshire Forward, Government Office for Yorkshire & Humberside, South Yorks Learning & Skills Council, Yorkshire Universities, Northern & Yorkshire and Trent Public Health ObservatoriesYorkshire Forward, Skills Development Fund, European Social Fund Objective 35 per cent of 1 staff year
East MidlandsOperational as East Midlands ObservatoryEast Midlands Development Agency, Regional Assembly, East Midlands Local Government Association, Government Office for the East MidlandsEast Midlands Development Agency, Regional Assembly, East Midlands Local Government Association, European Social Fund Objective 3, Northants Chamber of Commerce11 per cent of 1 staff year
West MidlandsPlanning StageAdvantage West Midlands*Advantage West Midlands, European Social Fund Objective 2, European Union Framework 620 per cent of 1 staff year
East of EnglandOperational as East of England ObservatoryEast of England Development Agency, Government Office for the East of England, County Local Economic Partnerships, Local Govt Conference, Eastern Region Public Health ObservatoryEast of England Development Agency, Regional Innovation Fund9 per cent of 1 staff year
LondonNot operationalGreater London AuthorityNone as yetMinimal
South EastNot operationalGovernment Office of the South East, South East England Development Agency, Regional AssemblyNone as yet10 per cent of 1 staff year
South WestUnder DevelopmentSouth West Regional Assembly, South West Regional Development Agency, Department of Health, GOSW, Environment Agency, SW Higher Education Regional Development AssociationSouth West Regional Development Agency, Department of Health, Environment Agency, South West Regional Assembly7 per cent of 1 staff year

*Proposed Funding.


Overseas Visits

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people will accompany him at public expense on his forthcoming trip to Bali; and what the total cost of the visit will be. [57655]

The Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State: I will not attend the Bali Preparatory Conference and have never intended to. This is a matter for the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who will lead the delegation in the normal way as I explained to the hon. Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale at Cabinet Office questions on 22 May, Official Report, column 282.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs estimated the cost of the UK delegation to be approximately £180,000, inclusive of air fares, hotel rooms, subsistence and office accommodation. This figure represents less than half of the total cost incurred in responding to questions tabled by the hon. Member since the 2001 election.

Legislation

Mr. Salmond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the Government's policy is on when it is appropriate for it publicly to consult on potential changes in legislation; and if he will make a statement. [59374]

Mr. Leslie: Other than statutory requirements, it is for individual government departments and agencies to decide when it is appropriate for them publicly to consult on potential changes to legislation. The Cabinet Office encourages departments undertaking public consultations to follow the principles set out in the Code of Practice on Written Consultation.

Correspondence

Mr. Tony Clarke: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish figures showing (a) the volume of correspondence received by ministers and agency chief executives from hon. Members in 2001, (b) the target times set for replies and (c) the number of replies sent within target times. [60380]

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Mr. Leslie: The attached table sets out Departments' and Agencies' performance in handling hon. Members' correspondence during the 2001 calendar year. It also sets out comparative figures for 2000 (first published on 6 April 2001, Official Report, columns 324W–327W). I am

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pleased to report that the table continues to show a steady improvement in overall performance.

The footnotes to the table provide general background information on how the figures have been compiled.

Correspondence from MPs to Ministers and Agency Chief Executives(5)

20002001
Department or AgencyTarget set for reply (working days) Number of letters received per cent of replies within target Target set for reply (working days) Number of letters received per cent of replies within target
Cabinet Office15902881559990
Leader of the House of Lord's Office(6)155380
Crown Prosecution Service(7)1518100159794
Department for Culture, Media and Sport183,24082184,41690
HM Customs and Excise(8)182,97768182,45262
Ministry of Defence(9)154,59278155,35085
Army Personnel Centre153895153497
DERA152191
Meteorological Office151694152080
Pay & Personnel Agency103143
War Pensions Agency(10)20395992027999
Department for Education and Skills(11)1522,318721518,23776
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs(12)156,13730159,90534
Foreign and Commonwealth Office209,020782010,27579
Joint Entry Clearance Unit158,27678
Department of Health2018,621502019,66560
Food Standards Agency2077070
NHS Pensions Agency155485156598
Medicines Control Agency152568101782
Home Office(13)
*Non Prison Service correspondence1518,7484115*16,25135
**Prison Service correspondence201,2897920(14)**1,21078
HM Prison Service202,30675201,27275
UK Passport Agency101881001027987
Inland Revenue
*All ministerial correspondence185,7707218*3,35677
**Replies by departmental officials235335318(15)**38275
Valuation Office2324092233090
Department for International Development(16)151,76982151,74087
Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers15204931528496
Lord Chancellor's Department201,84474201,73774
Court Service(17)20845661559168
HM Land Registry204193202479
Public Records Office20261001011100
Public Guardianship Office(18)15124881512062
Northern Ireland Office(19)10594711035849
Compensation Agency for NI71610072793
Northern Ireland Prison Service103770102778
Office for National Savings1015486156362
Office for National Statistics1519277
*Letters where Chief Executive replied on Minister's behalf101677910154*63
President of the Council's Office15271941523774
Scotland Office1512564159675
Department for Trade and Industry(20)1018,85860109,26049
Companies House10441001050100
Employment Tribunals Service1030971512100
Insolvency Service(21)10334871029280
Patent Office10311991015495
Radiocommunications Agency15201001515100
Small Business Service(22)104796
Department for Transport, Local1519,636691514,37584
Government and the Regions(23)
Driving Standards Agency1591991582100
DVLA101,136991091598
Highways Agency15314781532296
Maritime and Coastguard Agency1519100152195
Planning Inspectorate831090836494
Vehicle Inspectorate1513100153294
HM Treasury(24)154,06160154,03978
Treasury Solicitor's Department10351001039100
Wales Office1534442159163
Department for Work and Pensions(25)2016,283752012,69866
Appeals Service(26)158764
Benefits Agency202,64245202,52990
Child Support Agency(27)185,80697203,29358
Employment Service(28)15592981552094

(5)The 2000 figures are taken from the 6 April 2001, Official Report, columns 324W–327W. Please refer to relevant footnotes regarding 2000 figures. Departments and Agencies who received a total of 10 letters or less from MPs during 2001 are not shown in this table.

(6)The figures relate to correspondence until General Election and are in connection with Baroness Jay's role as Minister for Women. Correspondence after Election refers to House business only, therefore, information on that is not included.

(7)Letters in 2001 addressed to the Law Officers, but subsequently replied to by the Director of Public Prosecutions. In addition the CPS received 480 letters direct from MPs in 2001. 92 per cent replied to within 15 working days.

(8)Includes all Ministerial replies, not only replies to letters from MPs.

(9)Figures include correspondence from Members of Devolved Legislatures, MEPs and Peers.

(10)Agency transferred across from the former Department of Social Security with effect from 11 June 2001.

(11)2000 figures are for the Department for Education and Employment. 2001 figures reflect machinery of government changes at the General Election, include figures for former Department for Education and Employment.

(12)2000 figures are for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. 2001 figures reflect machinery of government changes at the General Election, include figures for former Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Progress to improve MAFF/DEFRA's performance on correspondence in 2001 was severely hindered by the foot and mouth disease crisis, as well as convergence issues arising from the creation of the new Department. DEFRA's performance is now much improved, with most letters receiving responses within a month of receipt, and around 50 per cent of responses currently issuing within the Departmental target of 15 working days.

(13)Home Office is aware of the poor performance in 2001, however, the Home Secretary is taking the necessary steps to improve performance in 2002. This has had a positive impact on the performance for the first quarter of this year.

(14)The 20 working day target takes account of particular geographical circumstances. The target is the same whether replies are sent by Minister or by the Director General.

(15)Target has been reduced from 23 days to 18.

(16)If replies to letters about the Afghanistan crisis were excluded (Sept–Dec) overall per cent of replies within targets would be 92 per cent.

(17)Letters signed by the Agency Chief Executive of the Court Service, whether received direct or transferred from Ministers.

(18)Formerly the Public Trust Office, re-named as the PGO with effect from 1 April 2001.

(19)Reflects the impact of devolution and requirements for consultation with outside agencies.

(20)2001 figures reflect correspondence from MPs only. 2000 figures reflect all Ministerial correspondence. DTI aware of poor performance in 2001 and are currently reviewing their correspondence handling system.

(21)94 per cent of letters were answered within agreed extended deadlines.

(22)Response time recorded for 32 of letters received. No response time recorded for 15 letters.

(23)2000 figures are for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. 2001 figures reflect machinery of government changes at the General Election, include figures for former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

(24)Includes all Ministerial replies, not only replies to letters from MPs.

(25)2000 figures are for the Department of Social Security. 2001 figures reflect machinery of government changes at the General Election, include figures for former Department of Social Security. In the period from June 2001, following the introduction of the Department for Work and Pensions, the average response time was reduced from 18 to 15 working days and 71 per cent of the replies were sent within target.

(26)The average handling time, which covers all letters, was 14 working days. For the second half of the period 1 June to 31 December the percentage of replies within the target rose to 82 per cent.

(27)The average handling time which covers all letters was 21 working days. CSA has now changed its complaints handling process. Senior managers are more responsible for the timeliness and quality of responses. The role of the Parliamentary Correspondence Unit has been changed to an active performance management and escalation function reporting directly to the Chief Executive.

(28)An Agency of DWP following machinery of government changes at the General Election. 2001 figures also include letters received when an Agency of the former Department for Education and Employment.


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