HC Deb 29 November 1982 vol 33 cc60-2W
Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Minister for Trade when he last conducted an overall review of the British Overseas Trade Board in accordance with requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain the body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified.

Mr. Peter Rees

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Minister for Trade when he last conducted an overall review of the air travel reserve fund agency in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain the body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified.

Mr. Sproat

The air travel reserve fund agency differs from the majority of non-departmental public bodies in that it receives no direct financial support from the Government and it employs no full-time staff. It does, however, remain subject to direction by my right hon. and noble Friend in its management of public monies, and its role is one which clearly merits re-examination from time to time in the light of changing circumstances in the travel trade and the civil aviation industry. I expect to have the opportunity to consider the agency's role next when I meet its chairman to discuss the agency's annual report and accounts for 1981–82, published earlier this month.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Minister for Trade (1) when he last conducted an overall review of the British Tourist Authority in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain the body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified;

(2) when he last conducted an overall review of the English Tourist Board Board in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments", on what grounds he decided to retain the body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified.

Mr. Sproat

My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that I am currently examining closely the activities of the British Tourist Authority and the English Tourist Board as part of a wider ranging review of the way we handle tourism in Britain. I expect the taking of evidence on this to be completed by Christmas.

My broad objective is to see whether the statutory framework for supporting tourism which was established by the Development of Tourism Act 1969 is working satisfactorily and whether the funds at present allocated by my Department under these arrangements are being used effectively. More specifically, consultants have been commissioned to identify savings in the runnings costs of the authority and the board. I shall not be in a position to draw firm conclusions until some time in the new year, when both of these related initiatives will have been completed.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Minister for Trade when he last conducted an overall review of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain the body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified.

Dr. Vaughan

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Minister for Trade when he last conducted an overall review of the Simplification of International Trade Procedures Board in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain the body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified.

Mr. Peter Rees

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Minister for Trade (1) when he last conducted an overall review of the National Consumer Council in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain the body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified.

(2) when he last conducted an overall review of the nationalised industries consumer councils in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain each body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified;

(3) when he last conducted an overall review of the National Metrological Co-ordination Unit in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain the body and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified.

Dr. Vaughan

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Minister for Trade (1) when he last conducted an overall review of the National Film Finance Corporation in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain the body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified;

(2) when he last conducted an overall review of the Civil Aviation Authority in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain the body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified.

Mr. Sproat

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. Philip Holland

asked the Minister for Trade when he last conducted an overall review of the British Hallmarking Council in accordance with the requirement laid down in section 7 of "Non-Departmental Public Bodies: A Guide for Departments"; on what grounds he decided to retain the body; and what areas for savings in finance and manpower were identified.

Dr. Vaughan

I shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.