HC Deb 10 December 1984 vol 69 cc361-70W
Mr. George

asked the hon. Member for Berwick upon-Tweed as representing the House of Commons Commission how many visits were made by each of the departmental Select Committees, including visits by Sub-Committees, in the last Session, abroad and within the United Kingdom; and what is the total cost for each Committee for this Parliament to date, together with global figures for each Committee and for all departmental Committees for the last Session.

Mr. Beith

I shall reply shortly.

Mr. George

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

Mr. Biffen

The information is as follows:

Agriculture Committee

  • 39 witnesses have given evidence, of which:
  • 37 on one occasion
  • 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
  • 5 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Deputy Principal gave evidence once
  • 1 Assistant Chief Agricultural Officer gave evidence once

Defence Committee

  • 121 witnesses have given evidence, of which:
  • 96 on one occasion 15 on two occasions
  • 6 on three occasions
  • 2 on four occasions
  • 1 on five 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
  • 3 Deputy Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 4 Under Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 2 Under Secretaries gave evidence twice
  • 1 Under Secretary gave evidence three times
  • 1 Under Secretary gave evidence four times
  • 1 Under Secretary gave evidence six times
  • 2 Executive Directors (Middle Band) gave evidence once
  • 7 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Assistant Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 1 Assistant Secretary gave evidence three times
  • 2 Senior Principals gave evidence once
  • 1 Principal gave evidence once
  • 1 Principal gave evidence twice
  • 1 Higher Executive Officer gave evidence once
  • 1 Chief Naval Architect gave evidence once
  • 1 Field Marshal gave evidence twice
  • 3 Major Generals gave evidence once
  • 1 Brigadier gave evidence once
  • 3 Colonels gave evidence once
  • 2 Lieutenant Colonels gave evidence once
  • 1 Vice-Admiral gave evidence twice
  • 2 Rear Admirals gave evidence once
  • 2 Rear Admirals gave evidence twice
  • 1 Rear Admiral gave evidence four times
  • 1 Commodore gave evidence once
  • 1 Commodore gave evidence twice
  • 4 Captains gave evidence once
  • 3 Captains gave evidence twice
  • 1 Captain gave evidence five times
  • 5 Commanders gave evidence once
  • 3 Air Vice Marshals gave evidence once
  • 1 Air Commodore gave evidence three times
  • 1 Group Captain gave evidence once
  • 2 Wing Commanders gave evidence once
  • 1 Sqadron Leader gave evidence once
  • 1 Chief Constable MDP (Ministry of Defence Police) gave evidence three times
  • 2 Assistant Chief Constables MDP gave evidence once
  • 1 Assistant Chief Constable MDP gave evidence twice
  • 2 Superintendents MDP gave evidence once
  • 1 Chief Inspector MDP gave evidence once
  • 1 Inspector MDP gave evidence once

NoteThe above list corrects the information given in the Written Answer of 1 August 1984 (col.290.)

Education Committee

  • 105 witnesses have given evidence of which:
  • 101 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-main Civil Service equivalent grade not known

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 Division and the Secretariat Division and 1 from Warren Spring Laboratory, Trade and Industry) gave evidence once

Nationalised Industries

  • 2 Chairman (CEGB and NCB) gave evidence on one occasion
  • 2 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
    • 364
  • 4 Deputy Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 2 Under Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 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 1 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 occsion

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

  • 64 witnesses gave evidence of which:
  • 62 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 once

Social Services Committee

  • 190 witnesses have given evidence, of which:
  • 184 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
  • 12 on two occasions
  • 1 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
  • 2 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence once

Treasury and Civil Service Committee

  • 66 witnesses gave evidence, of which:
  • 30 on one occasion
  • 7 on two occasions
  • 4 on three occasions
  • 2 on five occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence on two occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence once
  • 1 other Minister gave evidence on two occasions

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
  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence on two occasions
  • 1 Deputy Secretary gave evidence on three occasions
  • 5 Under-Secretaries gave evidence once
  • 1 Under-Secretary gave evidence on two occasions
  • 2 Under-Secretaries gave evidence on three occasions
  • 2 Under-Secretaries gave evidence on five occasions
  • 5 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence one
  • 2 Assistant Secretaries gave evidence on two occasions
  • 1 Senior Principal gave evidence once
  • 1 Principal gave evidence once

Sub-Committee

  • 38 Witnesses have given evidence, of which:
  • 37 on one occasion
  • 1 on two occasions

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

  • 1 Permanent Secretary gave evidence on one occasion
  • 1 Permanent Secretary gave evidence on two occasions
  • 1 Second Permanent Under-Secretary gave evidence once
  • 1 Assistant Secretary gave evidence once

Welsh Affairs Committee

  • 76 Witnesses gave evidence, of which:
  • 72 on one occasion
  • 4 on two occasions
  • 1 Cabinet Minister gave evidence once

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

  • 2 Under Secretaries gave evidence twice
  • 1 Assistant Secretary gave evidence twice
  • 1 Principal gave evidence twice

Mr. George

asked the Lord Privy Seal which of the reports of departmental Select Committees were debated in the House in the last parliamentary Session; 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: 18 and 19 June 1984. Third Report of the Defence Committee, on Ministry of Defence Reorganisation; 22 October 1984. Eighth Report, Session 1981–82 of the Education, Science and Arts Committee, "Public and Private Funding of the Arts": 14 June 1984. First Report, Session 1982–83, of the Education, Science and Arts Committee, "Prison Education", together with the Second Report of the Committee Session 1983–84, "Observation on the Government Reply to the First Report from the Education, Science and Arts Committee", Session 1982–83: 4 July 1984. First Report of the Employment Committee, on GCHQ: 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; 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 respectively: 17 July 1984. First Report of the Social Services Committee, Griffiths NHS Management Inquiry Report: 4 May 1984. First and Third Reports from the Treasury and Civil Service Committee on the Government's Economic Policy: Autumn Statement and the Government's Expenditure Plans 1984–85 to 1986–87; 6 March 1984. Fourth Report from the Treasury and Civil Service Committee on the 1984 Budget: 10 April 1984. Seventh Report from the Treasury and Civil Service Committee on the Fontainebleau Summit Agreement: 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 for each year since 1979.

Mr. Biffen

The information is as follows:

Committee 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984*
Agriculture
Evidence 0 19 16 14 9 17
Deliberative 2 16 9 9 3 6
Defence
Evidence 0 29 20 26 17 30
Deliberative 0 17 19 20 7 18
Education, Science and Arts
Evidence 0 20 40 30 14 21
Deliberative 3 25 11 18 4 13
Employment
Evidence 0 22 27 23 12 14
Deliberative 3 9 10 5 3 13
Energy
Evidence 0 16 23 19 14 16
Deliberative 2 25 16 27 8 13

Committee 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984*
Environment
Evidence 0 11 4 19 14 30
Deliberative 3 25 21 12 8 14
Foreign Affairs
Evidence 1 22 15 22 9 28
Deliberative 1 16 25 11 14 27
Overseas Development Sub-Committee
Evidence 0 16 13 13 5 —
Deliberative 0 13 21 21 9 —
Home Affairs
Evidence 2 16 11 17 5 15
Deliberative 1 15 19 11 8 12
Race Relations and Immigration Sub-Committee
Evidence 2 26 20 16 7 15
Deliberative 1 9 22 7 12 7
Scottish Affairs
Evidence 1 18 17 19 12 16
Deliberative 3 18 17 11 3 10
Social Services
Evidence 0 19 38 23 19 29
Deliberative 3 22 13 19 3 14
Trade and Industry
Evidence 0 26 20 15 10 23
Deliberative 2 11 15 13 9 12
Transport
Evidence 0 30 25 18 16 30
Deliberative 2 17 11 12 6 13
Treasury and Civil Service
Evidence 1 22 14 25 11 15
Deliberative 3 21 25 13 15 8
Sub-Committee
Evidence 0 11 13 14 0 13
Deliberative 0 13 6 11 7 8
Welsh Affairs
Evidence 0 27 26 21 8 13
Deliberative 1 17 7 7 6 8
*To date.

Mr. George

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many staff were employed within each Department during the last session to liaise with a Select Committee; what is the grade of each civil servant: and whether the number employed or their grade has been altered since 1979 to 1983.

Mr. Biffen

I shall reply shortly.

Mr. George

asked the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the number of temporary Select Committee assistants appointed for each of the departmental Select Committees and their Sub-Committees; and what are their salary scales and the periods for which they have been appointed.

Mr. Biffen

I have been asked to reply.

Specialist assistants — previously titled Select Committee temporary assistants—have been appointed to departmental Select Committees in the following numbers:

Select Committee Number of specialist assistants
Treasury and Civil Service 2
Education, Science and Arts 1
Social Services 1
Environment 1
Transport 1

The starting salaries of specialist assistants are determined on appointment according to age, qualifications and experience, and are at present within the salary range—including inner London weighting of £1,300—£11,782 to £14,444 per annum (Civil Service senior executive officer scale) and £9,793 to £12,029 per annum (higher executive officer scale).

Appointments to the posts are made for periods of between two and four years. The present incumbents of the first two Committees have been employed for varying periods totalling between two and four years; vacancies exist in the three remaining Committees at present, but recruitment is proceeding in the case of the Environment and Transport Committees.

Mr. George

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish a table showing how many memoranda were presented by Government Departments to each Select Committee in the last Session: and how the figures compare with the average presented to each Committee during 1979 to 1983.

Mr. Biffen

The information is as follows:

Committee Session 1983–84 Average per Session 1979 to 1983
Agriculture 7 12
Defence 54 23
Education, Science and Arts 2 25
Employment 4 2
Energy 19 17
Environment 32 12
Foreign Affairs 47 *50
Home Affairs 6 9
Race Relations and Immigration Sub-Committee 18 15
Scottish Affairs 5 17
Social Services 17 13
Trade and Industry 10 43
Transport 13 13
Treasury and Civil Service Sub-Committee 55 †43
8
Welsh Affairs 8 7
* In addition an average of 30 memoranda were submitted to the Overseas Development Sub-Committee.
† It is not possible to apportion memoranda between the Committee and the Sub-Committee for this period.

Mr. George

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the average period that has elapsed from the publication of reports of departmental Select Committees to receipt by the Committee of the Government response for each year since 1979.

Mr. Biffen

No reports were made in 1979. The average interval in days in subsequent years is as follows:

Committee 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984
Agriculture 125 116 89 279 197
Defence 70 69 78 116 85

Committee 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984
Education, Science and Arts 147 264 81 318 109
Employment 51 168 135 — 25
Energy — 153 130 205 60
Environment 111 89 *252 *246 †107
Foreign Affairs 52 153 101 68 85
Home Affairs 101 101 104 258 49
Scottish Affairs 103 56 106 ‡ 91
Social Services 132 111 225 86 98
Trade and Industry 105 50 87 150 47
Transport 135 123 190 198 81
Treasury and Civil Service 45 115 111 ‡ 43
Welsh Affairs 91 149 82 281 56
* Reply held in abeyance pending nomination of Committee.
† 1 reply in two parts.
‡ Replies not expected.

Mr. George

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will publish a table showing the average period that elapsed from the publication of reports of each of the departmental Select Committees to the response by Government Departments in the last Session of Parliament, 1983–84.

Mr. Biffen

The elapse of time where replies have been received is as follows:

Committee Average interval in days
Agriculture —
Defence 85
Education, Science and Arts 109
Employment 25
Energy 60
Environment 107
Foreign Affairs 60
Home Affairs 35
Scottish Affairs 91
Social Services 98
Trade and Industry 46
Transport 81
Treasury and Civil Service 43
Welsh Affairs 56

Mr. George

asked the Lord Privy Seal what was the percentage attendance rate and percentage turnover of members of each of the departmental Select Committees and their Sub-Committees in the last Session of Parliament; and how the figures compare with the average for the last Parliament.

Mr. Biffen

The information is as follows:

Percentage
Committee Last Session Last Parliament
Attendance Turnover Attendance ‡Turn-over
Agriculture 68 18 77 31
Defence 69 0 73 36
Education, Science and Arts 76 9 71 11
Employment 81 0 71 66
Energy 73 0 64 45
Environment 77 9 69 27
Foreign Affairs 73 9 78 *72
Home Affairs 82 9 81 36
Race Relations and Immigration Sub-Committee 83 20 89 40
Scottish Affairs 72 0 78 85
Social Services 72 0 70 64
Trade and Industry 63 33 76 27
Transport 73 0 70 18

Committee Last Session Last Parliament
Attendance Turnover Attendance ‡Turn-over
Treasury and Civil Service 77 9 88 36
Sub-Committee 79 † 70 71
Welsh Affairs 83 9 78 27
* For the Overseas Development Sub-Committee in the last Parliament the average attendance was 72 per cent, and the turnover during the Parliament 67 per cent.
† The membership of the Sub-Committee has varied in size and composition.
‡ For the duration of the Parliament.