HC Deb 11 July 1979 vol 970 cc231-2W
Mr. Nicholas Baker

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current financial trading and pricing policy of the Ordnance Survey.

Mr. Fox

My right hon. Friend will be considering his policy for the Ordnance Survey in the light of the report of the Ordnance Survey review committee, which he expects to receive shortly. For the meantime, the Ordnance Survey is working to the interim objectives approved on 6 May 1977 by the right hon. Member for Stepney and Poplar (Mr. Shore). These objectives areas soon as possible over the next five years, the Ordnance Survey will endeavour to:

  1. (a) increase from one-fifth to about one-quarter the proportion of costs recovered on large-scale information and on the 1:25,000 series;
  2. (b) achieve full cost recovery, including servicing of capital, on the small scale map and survey information.
The achievement of these objectives, which will be subject to annual review, would decrease the proportion of costs borne by the Exchequer from the present 65 per cent, to between 55 per cent, and 60 per cent. The prices will, of course, be subject to commercial considerations and to Government pricing and charging policies".

ded in 1977 and 1978. These are given in the attached table.