Hydrographic Office (Hansard, 13 March 1992)

§ Mr. David Nicholson
To ask the Secretary of State for defence what changes he proposes in the budget of the Hydrographic Office defence support agency from 1 April; what consequences for staffing he expects to result; and what consultations have taken place with representatives of the employees.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The 1992–93 business plan for the Hydrographic Office defence support agency is still being prepared, and consequently the budgetary allocation and any staffing implications have yet to be finalised by the 767W chief executive. Discussions between the management and representatives of Hydrographic Office staff will continue by means of well-established local Whitley committee machinery.

§ Mr. David Nicholson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has had over the prospect of the Hydrographic Office defence support agency achieving metrication of charts on a world basis by 1999; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
A number of representations have been received concerning the metrication of charts by the Hydrographic Office defence support agency, including some from hon. Members. One of the key targets set for the chief executive of the Hydrographic Office is to reduce the number of imperial unit charts in the inventory by at least 90 per year. This will allow the metrication programme to be completed by 2005. By 1999 all imperial charts relating to EC waters will have been converted to metric units of measurement in accordance with an EC directive covering the territories of EC member states and their territorial waters.

§ Mr. David Nicholson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the adequacy of staff numbers employed on marketing by the Hydrographic Office defence support agency.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
None.

§ Mr. David Nicholson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the automation programme of the Hydrographic Office defence support agency and the likely staff savings(a) before 1995 and (b) after 1995.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
This is a matter for the chief executive of the Hydrographic Office. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.

§ Mr. David Nicholson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the running costs and (b) the incomes from sales in request of the Hydrographic Office defence support agency in each year since 1971 (i) at current prices and (ii) at 1990–91 prices.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
This is a matter for the chief executive of the Hydrographic Office. I have asked him to reply to my right hon. Friend.

§ Mr. David Nicholson
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy that the savings required under current proposals from the Hydrographic Office defence support agency should be based on net rather than total running costs; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The Hydrographic Office defence support agency has been required to achieve a number of economy measures as a contribution to savings needed throughout the fleet support area. The chief executive has been given certain freedoms and flexibilities to deal with these savings measures and will be considering how best to implement them while ensuring that the Hydrographic Office continues to respond effectively to the needs of its customers.