HC Deb 31 July 1998 vol 317 cc665-6W
Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the task forces and advisory groups composed of independent members which have been set up by his Department since 1 May 1997, indicating in each case(a) their remit, (b) their membership, (c) how many members are (i) scientists, (ii) engineers, (iii) small business people or representatives of small businesses,(d) any remuneration members receive for their services and (e) their budget. [53282]

Ms Hewitt

[holding answer 30 July 1998]The task forces and advisory groups composed of independent members, which have been set up by the Treasury since 1 May 1997 are as follows:

  1. 1. Private Finance Taskforce
    1. (a) remit: to advance the private finance initiative and private/public partnerships across government;
    2. (b) membership: twenty two;
    3. (c) composition:
      1. (i) scientists: none;
      2. (ii) engineers: two;
      3. (iii) small business: two
    4. (d) remuneration:
    5. thirteen members of the Taskforce are full time employees of Treasury Taskforce Limited and receive salaries and benefits under contracts of employment with that company: 6 are civil servants employed under normal civil service terms and conditions and three are secondees from the private sector whose terms and conditions are determined by their employers;
    6. (e) budget: £2,317,000per year;
  2. 2. Task force on Banks' Assistance to Credit Unions
    1. (a) remit: to explore ways in which banks and building societies can work more closely with credit unions to increase their effectiveness; to look at ways to widen the range of services provided to credit union customers; and to encourage the continued expansion of the movement;
    2. (b) membership: yet to be announced;
    3. (c) composition: yet to be announced;
    4. (d) remuneration: none;
    5. (e) budget: out of pocket expenses only;
  3. 3. Working Group on the Financing of High Technology Companies
    1. (a) remit: to identify financing barriers experienced by UK high technology companies and to bring forward proposals to help overcome those barriers;
    2. (b) membership: 15;
      3. 666
    3. (c)composition:
      1. (i) scientists: none;
      2. (ii) engineers: none;
      3. (iii) small business: one;
    4. (d) remuneration: none;
    5. (e) budget: none;
  4. 4. Standing Committee on preparations for EMU
    1. (a) remit: to oversee preparations for EMU;
    2. (b) membership: 14, including seven ministers;
    3. (c) composition:
      1. (i) scientists: none;
      2. (ii) engineers: none;
      3. (iii) small business: the President of the CBI and the President of the British Chambers of Commerce are members;
    4. (d) remuneration: none;
    5. (e) budget: none;
  5. 5. Business Advisory Group on EMU
    1. (a) remit:
    2. to provide advice on the practical and strategic implications of EMU;
    3. (b) membership: 22;
    4. (c) composition:1
      1. (i) scientists: none;
      2. (ii) engineers: the Engineering Employers' Federation is represented;
      3. (iii) small business: many of the associations represented on the Business Advisory Group have members which are small businesses, and two of the associations have memberships entirely composed of small businesses;
      1. (d) remuneration: none;
      2. (e) budget: none.

In addition, a number of temporary working parties and other committees have been organised to consider detailed aspects of preparations for the euro. Their membership is drawn largely from the associations represented on the Business Advisory Group, including small business representatives, and from the Government departments and other public authorities. None offers remuneration or has a budget. Details are available in "Getting Ready for the Euro, first report July 1998", published by the Treasury on 28 April. Copies of this report are available in the Library of the House.