§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will be seeking the views of the Ordnance Survey advisory board on the proposal to establish a trading fund for the Ordnance Survey.
§ Mr. Giles ShawFollowing the debate in another place of Lord Shackleton's motion, the Government have been considering how best to proceed. It is hoped to announce a decision shortly.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Ordnance Survey advisory board will be required to make an annual report 553W to Parliament of its activities and of the advice it gives to the Secretary of State and to the Ordnance Survey director general.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe Ordnance Survey advisory board has been appointed to advise the Secretary of State and the Ordnance Survey on the framework of policies and measures within which the Ordnance Survey should operate. The board is not required to make an annual report to Parliament of its activities and advice.
§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the establishment of a trading fund for the Ordnance Survey would improve the public accountability of the survey, as required under section 1(1) of the Government Trading Funds Act 1973.
§ Mr. Giles ShawUnder a trading fund regime, Ministers will remain accountable for the work of the Ordnance Survey exactly as at present. The Government believe that under such an arrangement management accountability will be improved by giving Ordnance Survey more clearly defined tasks, greater freedom as to how it performs them, and then holding OS management firmly responsible for the results achieved.
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much the Ordnance Survey has received by way of licence fees from all sources during each of the past five years.
§ Mr. Giles ShawOrdnance Survey copyright receipts for the past five financial years were:
£ million 1981–82 6.3 1980–81 5.5 1979–80 5.8 1978–79 3.7 1977–78 3.8