HC Deb 01 August 1984 vol 65 cc287-93W
Mr. George

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the percentage attendance rate and percentage turnover of members of each of the departmental Select Committees and their Sub-Committees to date this Parliament; and what are the overall figures for this Parliament.

Mr. Biffen

The information is as follows:

Committee Attendance Per cent. Turnover Per cent.
Agriculture 68 18
Defence 73 0
Education, Science and Arts 76 9
Employment 81 0
Energy 73 0
Environment 77 9
Foreign Affairs 72 9
Home Affairs 82 9
Race Relations and Immigration Sub-Committee 72 20
Scottish Affairs 74 0
Social Services 74 0
Trade and Industry 56 27
Transport 73 0
Treasury and Civil Service Sub-Committee 80 *9
Welsh Affairs 83 9
* A total of nine Members have served on the Sub-Committee which has varied in size from four to six Members. Two members only have served throughout. A percentage turnover figure is therefore not calculable.

Mr. George

asked the Lord Privy Seal which of the reports of the departmental Select Committees in the Session to date have been debated; when they were debated; what percentage of the total number of reports this represents; and which reports have been mentioned on the Order Paper as relevant to a debate.

Mr. Biffen

No reports of the present departmental Select Committees have been the subject of specific motions debated in the House.

The following reports have been referred to on the Order Paper as relevant to a debate:

  • First Report of the Defence Committee on the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1984 on 18 and 19 June 1984.
  • Second Report of the Education, Science and Arts Committee on Observations on the Government's Reply to the First Report from the Committee in Session 1982–83 (Prison Education) on 4 July 1984.
  • First Report of the Employment Committee on GCHQ on 27 February 1984.
  • Second Report from the Energy Committee on the Department of Energy's Supplementary Estimate for £230,000,000 in respect of the Coal Industry on 8 March 1984.
  • Second Report of the Environment Committee on the Department of the Environment's Main Estimates 1984–85 on 4 July 1984.
  • Third Report of the Environment Committee on the Property Services Agency Main Estimates 1984–85 on 17 July 1984.
  • Second and Fourth Reports of the Foreign Affairs Committee on Grenada and FCO and ODA Supply Estimates 1984–85 on 17 July 1984.
  • First and Third Reports from the Treasury and Civil Service Committee on the Government's Economic Policy: Autumn Statement on the Government's Expenditure Plans 1984–85 to 1986–87 on 6 March 1984.
  • Fourth Report from the Treasury Committee on the 1984 Budget on 10 April 1984.
  • Seventh Report from the Treasury Committee on the Fontainebleau Summit Agreement on 10 July 1984.

Mr. George

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the number of formal evidence sessions and deliberative sessions for each of the departmental Select Committees and their Sub-Committees in this Parliament to date.

Mr. Biffen

The information is as follows:

Committee Evidence Sessions Deliberative Sessions
Agriculture 9 7
Defence 27 16
Education, Science and Arts 15 13
Employment 13 13
Energy 13 12
Environment 24 13
Foreign Affairs 20 23
Home Affairs 14 8
Race Relations and Immigration Sub-Committee 12 4
Scottish Affairs 11 9
Social Services 24 13
Trade and Industry 20 12
Transport 26 9
Treasury and Civil Service 12 16
Sub-Committee 12 6
Welsh Affairs 11 9

Mr. George

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many memoranda have been presented by Government Departments to each departmental Select Committee and its Sub-Committees in 1983–84 to date.

Mr. Biffen

The information is as follows:

Committee No. of memoranda
Agriculture 7
Defence 50
Education, Science and Arts 2
Employment 4
Energy 18
Environment 30
Foreign Affairs 40
Home Affairs 6
Race Relations and Immigration Sub-Committee 18
Scottish Affairs 5
Social Services 16
Trade and Industry 10
Transport 11
Treasury and Civil Service 42
Sub-Committee 8
Welsh Affairs 8

Mr. George

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the average period that has elapsed from the publication of reports of the departmental Select Committees to receipt of the Government response from their appointment to July; and if he will give a breakdown of the average period elapsing relating to each of the committees.

Mr. Biffen

The information is as follows:

The average interval where replies have been received is as follows:

Committee Average interval
Agriculture *
Defence *
Education, Science and Arts *
Employment 25 days
Energy †44 days
Environment †27 days
Foreign Affairs †75 days
Home Affairs †35 days
Scottish Affairs 76 days
Social Services †97 days
Trade and Industry †44 days
Transport *
Treasury and Civil Service †38 days
Welsh Affairs 56 days
The average lapse of time for all departmental Committees is 48 days.
* No replies yet received to Reports of the present Committee.
† Replies to other Reports not yet received.

Mr. George

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many witnesses have appeared before each of the departmental Select Committees in the current Parliament; how many times they have given evidence; what is the rank of each of the official witnesses concerned; and if he will give similar information for (a) Cabinet Ministers and (b) other Ministers.

Mr. Biffen

The information is as follows:

Agriculture Committee

39 witnesses have given evidence, of which:

  • 37 on one occasions
  • 2 on two occasions

1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence on two occasions.

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:—

  • 2 Permanent Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 1 Under Secretary gave evidence once
    • 290
  • 5 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Principal gave evidence once
  • 1 Assistant Chief Agricultural Office gave evidence once

Defence Committee

121 witnesses have given evidence, of which:

  • 95 on one occasion
  • 17 on two occasions
  • 3 on three occasions
  • 5 on four occasions
  • 1 on six occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence twice
  • 2 other Ministers gave evidence three times

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:

  • 1 Permanent Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 1 Second Permanent Secretary gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence once
  • 1 Assistant Secretary gave evidence six times
  • 3 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence four times
  • 3 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence twice
  • 12 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 4 Principals gave evidence once
  • 1 Chief Marine Systems Engineer gave evidence once
  • 1 Chief Naval Architect gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Director Stores General gave evidence once
  • 3 Principal Professional and Technology Officers gave evidence once
  • 1 Field Marshal gave evidence twice
  • 4 Major Generals gave evidence once
  • 1 Brigadier gave evidence once
  • 4 Colonels gave evidence once
  • 2 Lieutenant-Colonels gave evidence once
  • 1 Vice-Admiral gave evidence twice
  • 1 Rear Admiral gave evidence three times
  • 1 Rear Admiral gave evidence twice
  • 2 Rear Admirals gave evidence once
  • 1 Commodore gave evidence once
  • 4 Commanders gave evidence once
  • 1 Captain gave evidence four times
  • 3 Captains gave evidence twice
  • 2 Captains gave evidence once
  • 3 Air Vice Marshals gave evidence once
  • 1 Air Commodore gave evidence twice
  • 2 Wing Commanders gave evidence once
  • 1 Group Captain gave evidence once
  • 1 Squadron Leader gave evidence once
  • 1 Chief Constable, MDP* gave evidence four times
  • 1 Assistant Chief Constable, MDP, gave evidence twice
  • 2 Assistant Chief Constables, MDP, gave evidence once
  • 1 Superintendent, MDP, gave evidence twice
  • 1 Chief Inspector, MDP, gave evidence once
  • 1 Inspector, MDP, gave evidence once

Education, Science and Arts Committee

103 witnesses have given evidence, of which:

  • 99 on one occasion
  • 3 on two occasions
  • 1 on three occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence twice
  • 2 other Ministers gave evidence once

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:

  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence once
  • 2 Deputy Secretaries gave evidence twice
  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence three times
  • 3 Under Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Chief Education Officer (Prison Department) gave evidence once

Employment Committee

42 witnesses have given evidence, of which;

  • 34 on one occasion
  • 8 on two occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence once
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence twice
  • 1 other Minister gave evidence once

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:—

  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence once
  • 1 Under Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 2 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence twice

Energy Committee

38 witnesses have given evidence, of which:—

  • 36 on one occasion
  • 1 on two occasions
  • 1 on three occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence on three occasions

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:—

  • 5 Under Secretaries gave evidence on one occasion
  • 5 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence on one occasion

Environment Committee

128 witnesses have given evidence, of which:—

  • 112 on one occasion
  • 2 on two occasions
  • 4 on three occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence once
  • 1 other Minister gave evidence once

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:—

  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence three times
  • 5 Under Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 2 Under Secretaries gave evidence three times
  • 5 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Assistant Chief Planner gave evidence once
  • 2 Directors (Civil Accommodation and London Region (PSA) gave evidence once
  • 1 Principal Finance Officer gave evidence once
  • 2 Senior Principal Scientific Officers (DOE and Natural Environment Research Council) gave evidence once
  • 1 Chief Scientific Officer (DOE) gave evidence once
  • 1 Principal gave evidence twice (DOE)
  • 1 Economic Adviser gave evidence once (DOE)
  • 1 Principal Scientific Officer (DOE) gave evidence once
  • 1 Director (Research and Development Forestry Commission) gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Director (Warren Spring Laboratory, Department of Trade and Industry) gave evidence once
  • 1 Secretary of Acid Rain Review Group (Warren Spring Laboratory, Department of Trade and Industry) gave evidence once
  • 1 Secretary (natural Environment Research Council) gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Chief Scientific Officer (NERC's Institute of Terrestrial Ecology) gave evidence once
  • 3 Scientists (2 from Forestry Commission's Research and Development Div. and the Secretariat Division and 1 from Warren Sprin Laboratory, Trade and Industry gave evidence once

Nationalised Industries

  • Two Chairman (CEGB and NCB) gave evidence on one occasion
  • Two Directors of the Coal Research Establishment, NCB each gave evidence on one occasion
  • A Director of Technology, Planning and Research Division, CEGB, gave evidence on one occasion
  • An official of Technology, Planning and Research Establishment CEGB, gave evidence on one occasion

Countryside Commission

  • The Director gave evidence on one occasion
  • The Assistant Director gave evidence on one occasion
  • A Countryside Officer gave evidence on one occasion

London Docklands Development Corporation

  • The Chief Executive gave evidence on one occasion
  • The Housing Co-ordinator gave evidence on one occasion

Foreign Affairs Committee

36 witnesses have given evidence, of which:

  • 31 on one occasion
  • 3 on two occasions
  • 1 on four occasions
  • 1 on six occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence four times
  • 2 other Ministers gave evidence once

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:

  • 1 Permanent Secretary gave evidence six times
  • 4 Deputy Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 2 Under-Secretaries gave evidence once
    • 292
  • 1 Under-Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 7 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 2 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence twice
  • 3 Principals gave evidence once

Home Affairs Committee

57 witnesses have given evidence, of which:

  • 54 on one occasion
  • 3 on two occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence on two occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence on one occasion

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:

  • 1 Permanent Secretary gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Under-Secretary gave evidence once
  • 1 Assistant Under-Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 3 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Prison Governor I gave evidence once
  • 1 Prison Governor gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Prison Officer gave evidence once
  • 1 Principal Medical Officer gave evidence once
  • 1 Senior Psychologist gave evidence once
  • 1 Chief Prison Officer gave evidence once
  • 1 Principal gave evidence twice

Sub-Committee on Race Relations and Immigration

106 witnesses have given evidence, of which:

  • 106 on one occasion
  • 1 Minister gave evidence on one occasion

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:

  • 3 Under-Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Under-Secretary gave evidence once
  • 2 Assistant Under-Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 4 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 2 Her Majesty's Inspectors gave evidence once
  • 1 Assistant Chief Planner gave evidence once
  • 3 Principals gave evidence once

Scottish Affairs Committee

55 witnesses have given evidence, of which:—

  • 53 on one occasion
  • 2 on two occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence twice

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:—

  • 1 Secretary and Chief Economic Adviser (Industry Department for Scotland) gave evidence once
  • 2 Under Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 2 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Principal gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Director, Building Directorate, gave evidence once
  • 1 Economic Adviser gave evidence twice

Social Services Committee

181 witnesses have given evidence, of which:

  • 175 on one occasion
  • 6 on two occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence twice
  • 2 other Ministers gave evidence once

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:—

  • 1 Permanent Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 2 Under Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Under Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 3 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Senior Principal Medical Officer gave evidence once
  • 1 Principal Medical Officer gave evidence once
  • 1 Principal Nursing Officer gave evidence twice
  • 1 Principal Social Work Service Officer gave evidence twice
  • 1 Deputy Chief Medical Officer gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Chief Nursing Officer gave evidence once
  • 1—Principal gave evidence once

Trade and Industry Committee

99 witnesses have given evidence, of which:

  • 87 on one occasion
    • 293
  • 12 on two occasions
  • I Cabinet Minister gave evidence on one occasion
  • 3 other Ministers gave evidence on one occasion

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:—

  • 1 Under Secretary gave evidence once
  • 1 Assistant Secretary gave evidence once
  • 1 Principal Secretary gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence once
  • 1 Chief Economic Adviser gave evidence once
  • 1 Assistant Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 1 Senior Principal gave evidence twice
  • 1 Principal gave evidence twice
  • 1 Deputy Chief Scientific Officer gave evidence twice

Transport Committee

95 Witnesses have given evidence, of which

  • 82 on one occasion
  • 5 on two occasions
  • 1 on three occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence twice
  • 2 other Ministers gave evidence once

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:—

  • 1 Permanent Secretary gave evidence once
  • 4 Deputy Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Under Secretary gave evidence once
  • 1 Under Secretary gave evidence twice

Treasury and Civil Service Committee

60 witnesses have given evidence, of which

  • 14 on one occasion
  • 8 on two occasions
  • 2 on three occasions
  • 2 on four occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence on two occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence once
  • 1 other Minister gave evidence once

The ranks of official witnesses and the number of times they gave evidence are:—

  • 1 Permanent Secretary gave evidence on two occasions
  • 1 Permanent Secretary gave evidence on three occasions
  • 2 Deputy Secretaries gave evidence on two occasions
  • 5 Under-Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 2 Under-Secretaries gave evidence on two occasions

United Kingdom visits Overseas visits Total visits
Select Committee Number of visits Cost of visits £ Number of visits Cost of visits £ Total number of visits Total cost of visits £
Agriculture 2 1,466 1 1,812 3 3,278
Defence 8 4,382 1 5,949 9 10,331
Employment — — 1 1,704 1 1,704
Energy 1 — 1 132 2 132
Education, Science and Arts 1 1,407 — — 1 1,407
Environment 2 1,939 2 8,179 4 10,118
Foreign Affairs — — 3 24,555 3 24,555
Home Affairs 1 36 — — 1 36
(Sub-Committee on Race Relations and Immigration) 5 3,198 1 8,872 6 12,070
Scottish Affairs 5 6,925 — — 5 6,925
Social Services 6 5,712 1 — 7 5,712
Transport 9 8,084 2 2,426 11 10,510
Trade and Industry 2 1,057 1 1,554 3 2,611
Treasury and Civil Service 1 222 — — 1 222
Welsh Affairs 1 404 — — 1 404
TOTAL 44 34,832 14 55,183 58 90,015