§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in relation to his proposal to set up a trading fund for the Ordnance Survey (a) which bodies 148W he has consulted about his proposal, (b) when he expects to lay an order establishing the fund before Parliament, (c) when such an order will become effective if approved and (d) when he would expect a trading fund, if approved, to be fully operational.
§ Mr. HeseltineA consultation paper was sent to all the existing Ordnance Survey consultative committees, inviting views on the trading fund proposal to be sent to my Department. A list of the consultative committees and their membership is as follows. Any representations made to my Department following my announcement last July, by individuals or organisations not represented on the consultative committees, have been accepted for consideration together with the responses to the consultation paper. I intend to lay a report of the results of the consultations and my conclusions before Parliament as soon as possible. At that time I hope to be in a position to answer the remainder of this question.
Map Users Conference
- A.A.
- Bodleian Library
British Academy Ordnance Survey Archaeology Committee
- Booksellers Association of Great Britain and Ireland
- British Association for the Advancement of Science
- British Cartographic Society
- British Library
- British Tourist Authority
- Cambridge University Library
- Cook, Hammond and Kell Limited (OS English Agents)
- Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society
Central Council for Physical Recreation Ordnance Survey Committee
- Council for the Protection of Rural England
- Council for the Protection of Rural Wales
- English Tourist Board
- Geographical Association
- Geological Society of London
- Institute of British Geographers
- Law Society
Local Authorities Ordnance Survey Committee
- Library Association
- National Farmers Union
- National Library of Scotland
- National Library of Wales
- National Trust
- Publishers' Association
- RAC
- Royal Geographical Society
- Royal Scottish Automobile Club
- Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Royal Society Ordnance Survey Committee
Standing Committee of Professional Map Users
- Scottish Tourist Board
- Thomas Nelson & Sons (OS Scottish agents)
- Wales Tourist Board
- Youth Hostels Association (England and Wales)
Local Authorities Ordnance Survey Committee
- Association of County Councils
- Association of District Councils
- Association of Metropolitan Authorities
- Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
Standing Committee of Professinal Map Users
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
- Royal Town Planning Institute
- Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers
- Institution of Civil Engineers
- Institution of Water Engineers and Scientists
- Royal Institute of British Architects
- Institution of Municipal Engineers
- Institution of Structural Engineers
- Institution of Geologists
- The Law Society
Ordnance Survey Advisory Committee
- British Airports Authority (Department of Engineering)
- British Gas Corporation (Production and Supply Division)
- British Rail Property Board
149 - British Rail (Southern)
- National Air Traffic Services (C(G)6)
- Countryside Commission
- Countryside Commission for Scotland
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland
- Department of Education and Science
- Department of Energy
- Department of Transport (Engineering Intelligence Division)
- Department of the Environment (Planning Intelligence)
- Electricity Council
- Forestry Commission
- General Register Officer for Scotland
- HM Land Registry
- Home Office (Fire Service, Inspectorate)
- Home Office (HM Inspectorate of Constabulary)
- HM Stationery Office
- Hydrographer of the Navy
- Institute of Geological Sciences
- London Transport
- Directorate of Military Survey
- Macaulay Institute for Soil Research
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
- National Coal Board (Mining Department)
- National Coal Board (Open Cast Executive)
- Nature Conservancy Council
- National Water Council
- Office of Population Censuses and Surveys
- Directorate of Estate Surveying Services (PSA)
- Central Survey Branch, Directorate of Civil Engineering Services (PSA)
- Management Services Department (TMS. 4. 1. C.) PSA
- Registers of Scotland
- Scottish Development Department
- Scottish Education Department
- Soil Survey of England and Wales
- Welsh Office
Central Council for Physical Recreation Ordnance Survey Committee
- Scottish Standing Conference of Sport
- Sports Council for Wales (Water Recreation Division)
- Amateur Swimming Association
- Association of Parascending Clubs
- Auto-Cycle Union
- British Canoe Union
- British Field Sports Society
- British Hang Gliding Association
- British Horse Society
- British Mountaineering Council
- British Orienteering Federation
- British Parachute Association
- British Sub-Aqua
- The Camping Club of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Canoe Camping Club
- Cyclists' Touring Club
- Duke of Edinburgh's Award
- Holiday Fellowship
- National Anglers' Council
- National Caving Association
- National Ski Federation of Great Britain
- Physical Education Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- The Ramblers' Association
- Royal Automobile Club
- The Scout Association
- Sea Cadet Corps
- Youth Camping Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether studies were made, prior to a decision being taken to set up a trading fund for the Ordnance Survey, of the effectiveness of the operation of the Government Trading Funds Act 1973 in stimulating efficiency and economy within the organisations to which it currently applies, and in particular of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
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§ Mr. HeseltineThe performance of the existing trading funds is shown by their annual accounts and is carefully monitored.
The Government are satisfied that in appropriate circumstances trading fund arrangements provide a valuable stimulus for improved commercial operation and public accountability, but decisions whether to move a particular service to trading fund status are taken in the light of all the relevant individual circumstances.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to announce his conclusions about the future status of the Ordnance Survey organisation.
§ Mr. HeseltineI hope to make a further statement about this matter when the results of consultation on the trading fund proposal are laid before Parliament.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give an estimate of the proportion of Ordnance Survey income which will be met by payments from the Department of the Environment as a result of a contract for the undertaking by the Ordnance Survey of core activities if a trading fund is established for the Ordnance Survey.
§ Mr. HeseltineI cannot give a precise estimate until I have finished my present consideration of the Ordnance Survey's five-year programme. But on the basis of present policies for 1982–83 I would expect that the proportion of Ordnance Survey total income represented by the "core contract" with the Department of the Environment would be between 50 and 60 per cent.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to set up an Ordnance Survey advisory council, as recommended by the Ordnance Survey review committee.
§ Mr. HeseltineI am considering how I might put into effect the Ordnance Survey review committee's proposal. I shall make a more detailed statement in due course.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in the event of a trading fund being set up for the Ordnance Survey, it is his intention that any contract between his Department and the Ordnance Survey for the undertaking by the Ordnance Survey of core activities in the national interest would be subject (a) to consultations with map users and (b) to approval by Parliament.
§ Mr. HeseltineNo.