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House
Session
Year
Department
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Member
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Answering member
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Legislative stage
Legislation
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Subject
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Publisher
What plans he has to revise the guidance notes published by the Building Societies Commission in respect of section 102A of the Building Societies Act 1986 as inserted by the Building Societies (Joint Account Holders) Act 1995. - None.
What plans he has to revise the guidance notes published by the Building Societies Commission in respect of section 102A of the Building Societies Act 1986 as inserted by the Building Societies (Joint Account Holders) Act 1995. - None.
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Angela Knight
(Conservative)
Answering body
Treasury
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
21 March 1997
Answered on
21 March 1997
Mr. French: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to revise the guidance notes published by the Building
Societies Commission in respect of section 102A of the Building Societies Act 1986 as inserted by the Building Societies (Joint
Account Holders) Act 1995. [21669]
Mrs. Angela Knight: None. Guidance on conversion procedures is a matter for the commission. The guidance that it published in March
1996 took full account of the Building Societies (Joint Account Holders) Act 1995.
Legislation
Building Societies (Joint Account Holders) Act 1995
Subjects
Building societies; Building Societies Commission
Date
21 March 1997
Reference
21669; 292 c976W
House
House of Commons
Statement on targets he has set the Insolvency Service for 1997-98.
Statement on targets he has set the Insolvency Service for 1997-98.
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Lang of Monkton
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
20 March 1997
Answered on
20 March 1997
Mr. French: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set the Insolvency Service for 1997-98. [21657]
Mr. Lang: Against the Insolvency Service's planning assumption that compulsory insolvencies will total 27,500 in the year to 31
March 1998, I have set it the target of completing the same number with no more than 9 per cent. of uncompleted cases being more
than 36 months old. I have also set it the target of reducing the unit cost of bankruptcy and compulsory liquidation case
administration in 1997-98 by 3 per cent. The service's investigative resources have been maintained at current levels and I would
therefore expect it to continue to take proceedings for the disqualification of unfit directors and to report on cases of criminal
misconduct the levels achieved in the year 31 March 1997.
In addition, I have set the service the following quality of service targets for 1997-98:
to report to creditors on assets and liabilities within eight weeks in at least 90 per cent. of call cases; and within 12 weeks in
98 per cent. of all cases;
to hold the initial meeting of creditors within 12 weeks in 90 per cent. of all cases and within four months in 98 per cent. of all
cases;
to submit reports within 10 months in at least 90 per cent. of bankruptcy cases and 80 per cent. of company liquidation cases where
there is evidence of criminality;
to submit disqualification reports within 15 months in at least 80 per cent. of cases where there is evidence of unfit conduct by
directors; and
to check and action at least 95 per cent. of Insolvency Services account payment requisitions within five days or by the due date.
In addition, I expect the service to action 95 per cent. of invoices for payment within 30 days of receipt and the agency chief
executive to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.
Subjects
Executive agencies; Insolvency Service; Standards
Date
20 March 1997
Reference
21657; 292 c783-4W
House
House of Commons
Statement on targets he has set the Patent Office Executive Agency for 1997-98.
Statement on targets he has set the Patent Office Executive Agency for 1997-98.
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Lang of Monkton
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
20 March 1997
Answered on
20 March 1997
Mr. French: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set the Patent Office executive agency for 1997-98.
[21663]
Mr. Lang: I have set the Patent Office the following targets:
Efficiency
To increase output in relation to total staff numbers by 2 per cent.
To increase output in relation to total staff costs by 2 per cent.
To increase output in relation to current expenditure by 2 per cent.
To issue 90 per cent. of patent search reports within 12 weeks of receiving a request.
To issue 90 per cent. of patent examination reports within 18 months of publication.
To confirm payment of patent renewal fees within six working days of receipt.
To issue 90 per cent. of initial design search and examination reports within 12 weeks.
To confirm payment of design renewal fees within six working days of receipt.
To issue 90 per cent. of trade mark examination reports within two months of data capture in the Patent Office.
To advertise within seven months of examination trade mark applications which attract no substantive objection at examination stage.
To register within four months of advertisement 97 per cent. of advertised marks which are not formally opposed.
In addition, the agency will maintain its target to pay bills within 30 days of receipt of goods and services or of a valid invoice,
whichever is the later, and I expect the chief executive of the Patent Office to continue to reply within 10 working days to all
letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.
Subjects
Executive agencies; Patent Office; Standards
Date
20 March 1997
Reference
21663; 292 c784W;292 c784-5W
House
House of Commons
If the agency review of the Radiocommunications Agency has been completed. - Inc fact that report on the prior options review of the Radiocommunications Agency has been completed. Copies placed in the Library as Dep/3 4870.
If the agency review of the Radiocommunications Agency has been completed. - Inc fact that report on the prior options review of the Radiocommunications Agency has been completed. Copies placed in the Library as Dep/3 4870.
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Lang of Monkton
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
20 March 1997
Answered on
20 March 1997
Mr. French: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the agency review of the Radiocommunications Agency has been completed;
and if he will make a statement. [21661]
Mr. Lang: A report on the prior options review of the Radiocommunications Agency has been completed. Copies of this document, which
completes the agency review process, have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Subjects
Executive agencies; Standards; Efficiency scrutinies; Radiocommunications Agency
Date
20 March 1997
Reference
21661; 292 c785W;292 c785-6W
House
House of Commons
Statement on what targets he has set his Department's Radiocommunications Agency for 1997-98.
Statement on what targets he has set his Department's Radiocommunications Agency for 1997-98.
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Lang of Monkton
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
20 March 1997
Answered on
20 March 1997
Mr. French: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets he has set his Department's Radiocommunications Agency for
1997-98. [21658]
Mr. Lang: I have set the Radiocommunications Agency the following quality of service targets for 1997-98 in respect of its licensing
work and enforcement activities. These are in addition to achieving an overall efficiency improvement of 4 per cent. over 1996-97
and continuing to recover the full costs of its activities from customers.
Licensing
Category A: Licences that involve no frequency assignment, site clearance or international co-ordination; 100 per cent. of
applications and amendments to be processed and despatched within five working days.
Category B: Licences that involve frequency assignment but no site clearance or international co-ordination; 90 per cent. of
applications and amendments to be processed and despatched within 15 working days; remainder to be processed and despatched within
25 working days or an explanation for any delay provided to the applicant.
Category C: Licences that require frequency assignment and site clearance and/or international co-ordination; 90 per cent. of
applications and amendments to be processed and despatched within 40 working days; remainder to be processed and despatched within
60 working days or an explanation of the delay provided to the applicant.
Category D: Renewals of all licences in category A to be processed and despatched within five working days; renewals of licences in
categories B and C to be processed and despatched within 10 working days.
Enforcement
100 per cent. of safety of life services reports of interference to be investigated within 24 hours.
98 per cent. of business customers reports of interference to be investigated within five working days, the remainder within a
further 10 days.
98 per cent. of domestic customers reports of interference to be investigated within 1 month, the remainder within a further month.
I also expect the agency's enquiry point to respond to 92 per cent. of calls within 30 seconds, and 95 per cent. of all invoices to
be paid within 30 days, or within the timescale agreed with suppliers and the remainder to be dealt with within a further 30 days.
In addition, the chief executive will continue to reply within 10 working days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated
to him for reply and to all written complaints addressed to him about the agency's services.
Subjects
Executive agencies; Standards; Radiocommunications Agency
Date
20 March 1997
Reference
21658; 292 c784-5W;292 c785W
House
House of Commons
Statement on what progress has been made towards establishing the Employment Tribunals Service as an executive agency. (Framework Document in Library as Dep/3 4871).
Statement on what progress has been made towards establishing the Employment Tribunals Service as an executive agency. (Framework Document in Library as Dep/3 4871).
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Lang of Monkton
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Trade and Industry
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
20 March 1997
Answered on
20 March 1997
Mr. French: To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made towards establishing the Employment Tribunals
Service as an executive agency; and if he will make a statement. [21662]
Mr. Lang: The Government announced on 9 May last year their decision to establish the Employment Tribunals Service as an executive
agency. The agency will be launched on 1 April 1997. I am confident that agency status will extend to the tribunals administration
the benefits of improved efficiency and quality of service that we have seen in other DTI agencies. Copies of the ETS framework
document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
I have set the following targets for the ETS for 1997-98:
Industrial tribunals
To bring to a first hearing 85 per cent. of single cases within 26 weeks of receipt of application.
To reduce the disparity in performance between offices in relation to the above target so that all offices achieve at least 65 per
cent.
To issue decisions within one week of signature by the chairman in 90 per cent. of cases.
To reduce the administrative cost of a completed case by 3 per cent. in real terms.
At least 80 per cent. of tribunal cases and 85 per cent. of tribunal judiciary to express satisfaction, in surveys, with the service
offered by the agency.
Employment appeals tribunal
Seventy-five per cent. of appeals registered for full hearing to be ready for listing within six months of receipt.
Seventy-five per cent. of appeals registered for preliminary hearing to be ready for listing within six weeks of receipt.
Subjects
Executive agencies; Employment; Industrial Tribunal; Employment Tribunals Service
Date
20 March 1997
Reference
21662; 292 c785-6W;292 c786W
House
House of Commons
When he expects the latest volume of Agriculture in the United Kingdom to be published. - Published today and copies in Library.
When he expects the latest volume of Agriculture in the United Kingdom to be published. - Published today and copies in Library.
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Viscount Hailsham
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
18 March 1997
Answered on
18 March 1997
Mr. French: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the latest volume of "Agriculture in the United
Kingdom" to be published. [21266]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1996 was published today and copies have been placed in the Library of the
House.
Subjects
Agriculture; Publications; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date
18 March 1997
Reference
21266; 292 c564-5W
House
House of Commons
What arrangements he has made to ensure that the information paper on meat hygiene which he promised in his statement on 12th March, Official Report, columns 372-4, is publicly available. - Includes fact that laid in the Library on 18 March 1997 a copy of the information paper "Driving up...
What arrangements he has made to ensure that the information paper on meat hygiene which he promised in his statement on 12th March, Official Report, columns 372-4, is publicly available. - Includes fact that laid in the Library on 18 March 1997 a copy of the information paper "Driving up...
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Viscount Hailsham
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
18 March 1997
Answered on
18 March 1997
Mr. French: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he has made to ensure that the information
paper on meat hygiene which he promised in his statement on 12 March, Official Report, columns 372-74, is publicly available.
[21264]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: I laid in the Library of the House on 18 March 1997 a copy of the information paper, "Driving up meat hygiene
standards". It is freely available on request from the MAFF helpline--phone 0645-33-55-77. My hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton
(Mrs. Browning) is also sending copies to industry, enforcement and consumer organisations.
Subjects
Inspections; Government departments; Hygiene; Food; Publications; Meat; Slaughterhouses; Meat Hygiene Service; Driving up meat hygiene standards
Date
18 March 1997
Reference
21264; 292 c564W
House
House of Commons
Statement on what changes are proposed to the cash limit for Class III Vote 2 - Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for 1996-97. - Includes figures.
Statement on what changes are proposed to the cash limit for Class III Vote 2 - Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for 1996-97. - Includes figures.
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Boswell of Aynho
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
18 March 1997
Answered on
18 March 1997
Mr. French: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes are proposed to the cash limit for class III, vote
2-Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for 1996-97. [21265]
Mr. Boswell: The cash limit for class III vote 2 for 1996-97 will be reduced by £280,000 from £892,586,000 to £892,306,000. This
reduction covers the surrender by the Ministry to the Exchequer of funds matching payments to the tanning industry.
Subjects
Cash limits; Operating costs; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Date
18 March 1997
Reference
21265; 292 c564W
House
House of Commons
Supplementary on unemployment and introduction of EC social charter.
Supplementary on unemployment and introduction of EC social charter.
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
18 March 1997
Subjects
Social chapter; Unemployment
Date
18 March 1997
Reference
292 c722
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Building Societies Bill. Committee stage.
Building Societies Bill. Committee stage.
Member
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Date
17 March 1997
Reference
292 c635,653-6,663
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Building Societies Bill. Second reading debate.
Building Societies Bill. Second reading debate.
Member
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Date
10 March 1997
Reference
292 c86-7,91-6
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
How many vehicular accidents have been caused by defective road markings in each of the last three years. -
How many vehicular accidents have been caused by defective road markings in each of the last three years. -
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
John Bowis
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Transport
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
For answer on
10 March 1997
Answered on
10 March 1997
Subjects
Accidents; Roads; Road signs and markings
Date
10 March 1997
Reference
292 c11; 17761
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
1st supplementary on the use of diagonal hatch marks and excess road markings.
1st supplementary on the use of diagonal hatch marks and excess road markings.
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Transport
Oral questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
10 March 1997
Subjects
Accidents; Roads; Road signs and markings
Date
10 March 1997
Reference
292 c11
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Debate on a motion for the adjournment on public expenditure.
Debate on a motion for the adjournment on public expenditure.
Member
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Type
Proceeding contributions
Date
6 March 1997
Reference
291 c1071,1073
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
How many current capital projects at museums and galleries are supported by government resources. - Including figures. (Failed OPQ).
How many current capital projects at museums and galleries are supported by government resources. - Including figures. (Failed OPQ).
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Iain Sproat
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of National Heritage
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
3 March 1997
Answered on
3 March 1997
Mr. French: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many current capital projects at museums and galleries are
supported by Government resources. [16714]
Mr. Sproat: There are currently 27 projects supported by Government resources at the museums and galleries directly funded by my
Department. These projects, costing £54 million, are supported by £30 million of Government funding, which is additional to the
massive injection of lottery funds into museums and galleries throughout the UK; so far, lottery grants of more than £400 million
have been announced.
Subjects
Capital investment; Museums and galleries
Date
3 March 1997
Reference
291 c497-8W; 16714
House
House of Commons
Statement on when he intends to submit proposals for a United Kingdom Certified Herds Scheme to the European Commission. - Inc fact that papers in the Library as Dep/3 4680.
Statement on when he intends to submit proposals for a United Kingdom Certified Herds Scheme to the European Commission. - Inc fact that papers in the Library as Dep/3 4680.
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Viscount Hailsham
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
25 February 1997
Answered on
25 February 1997
Mr. French: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to submit proposals for a United Kingdom
certified herds scheme to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement. [17888]
Mr. Douglas Hogg: I have, today, submitted to the Commission papers that explain how the UK has fulfilled the pre-conditions laid
down under the Florence agreement, our proposals for a UK export certified herds scheme and the scientific basis for that scheme. A
copy of these papers has been placed in the Library. I have urged the Commission to ensure that the consultation procedure laid down
in the Florence agreement is initiated immediately so that we can resume exports of meat from animals in export certified herds as
quickly as possible. I have also written to my counterparts in other member states to explain how we have implemented the BSE
eradication programme in the UK and to seek a constructive contribution to the discussion of our proposals.
Subjects
Cattle; Diseases; Exports; Disease control; BSE; Beef; UK trade with EU
Date
25 February 1997
Reference
17888; 291 c190W
House
House of Commons
How many new hospitals have opened in the last three years. (Failed OPQ).
How many new hospitals have opened in the last three years. (Failed OPQ).
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Horam
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Health
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
18 February 1997
Answered on
18 February 1997
Mr. French: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new hospitals have opened in the last three years. [14740]
Mr. Horam: Twenty-five major hospital developments have been completed in the NHS during the last three years at a total cost of
nearly £700 million.
Subjects
Construction; Hospitals
Date
18 February 1997
Reference
14740; 290 c536W
House
House of Commons
Statement on what representations he has received from the unit trust industry about the proposals in Clause 105 of the Finance Bill. - Includes fact that intend to withdraw proposals in Clause 105.
Statement on what representations he has received from the unit trust industry about the proposals in Clause 105 of the Finance Bill. - Includes fact that intend to withdraw proposals in Clause 105.
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Angela Knight
(Conservative)
Answering body
Treasury
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
6 February 1997
Answered on
6 February 1997
Mr. French: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from the unit trust industry about the
proposals in clause 105 of the Finance Bill. [15201]
Mrs. Angela Knight: Clause 105 of the Finance Bill contains proposals to replace the present stamp duty regime for repurchases of
units by unit trust managers by a new stamp duty reserve tax regime. At present a repurchase of units by the managers is liable to
stamp duty at 0.5 per cent., but the duty may be repaid if the unit are cancelled within two months and the underlying investments
are sold. The unit trust industry have criticised this regime because of the record-keeping required to check whether units are
cancelled within two months, and because it is not certain, at the time of a repurchase, whether or not duty will ultimately be
repayable.
Clause 105 seeks to deal with these problems by introducing a new stamp duty reserve tax regime which would remove the right to a
repayment when units are cancelled, but would balance that by reducing the rate of tax on a repurchase to 0.2 per cent. This was
intended to meet the criticisms which have been made of the present rules, and to raise broadly the same revenue as now but more
simply and certainly. The industry has, however, now made representations that this particular approach would cause problems for
some investors, and that they would prefer the present regime to continue for the time being while they consider possible
alternatives. We are prepared to accommodate their request, and we will expect the industry to come forward with proposals which are
capable of dealing with the criticisms made of the present regime while continuing to raise the same revenue as now.
We therefore intend to withdraw the proposals in clause 105, and leave the present stamp duty regime to continue for the time being.
The regulations we will be making for the stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax treatment of open-ended investment
companies--OEICs--will adopt a similar approach.
Legislation
Finance Bill 1996/97
Subjects
Companies; Investment; Stamp duties; Unit trusts
Date
6 February 1997
Reference
15201; 289 c678-9W
House
House of Commons
When he plans to introduce the Parent Plus scheme. - Inc figs.
When he plans to introduce the Parent Plus scheme. - Inc figs.
Asked by
Douglas French
(Conservative)
Answered by
Andrew Mitchell
(Conservative)
Answering body
Department of Social Security
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
For answer on
28 January 1997
Answered on
28 January 1997
Mr. French: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he plans to introduce the parent plus scheme; and if he will make
a statement. [11388]
Mr. Andrew Mitchell: Parents plus will be piloted in 12 areas over a three-year period starting this April, offering advice and help
to up to 100,000 lone parents on income support who wish to return to work.
This is further evidence of the Government's commitment to helping lone parents into employment-- successive changes to the benefits
systems have already helped over 200,000 lone parents to move off income support into work since 1992.
Subjects
Parent plus
Date
28 January 1997
Reference
11388; 289 c188W
House
House of Commons