Select Committees (Hansard, 15 July 1986)

§ The Prime Minister

The tables below show the main recommendations accepted by Her Majesty's Government from the reports of the departmental Select Committees published between(a) March 1983 and February 1984 and (b) March 1984 and February 1985. In addition, during this period there have been numerous lesser recommendations which have been accepted and suggestions or statements made in reports which the Government have noted.

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Session, report and date	Main recommendations accepted
(a) March 1983 to February 1984
AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
Session 1982–83
First Report: Organisation and Financing of Agricultural Research and Development May 1983	There should be a Chief Scientist post at Deputy Secretary level. Chief Scientists should have access to the Minister.
Food Research needs to be given a higher priority and must be properly funded.
	Government should support schemes to encourage universities to undertake outside work for CASE award scheme for joint sponsored research with industry.
	Institute Directors should be left with the maximum amount of freedom possible under the broad direction of objectives for the actual management and execution of research programmes.
DEFENCE COMMITTEE
Session 1982–83
Second Report: British Forces Hong Kong April 1983	A fundamental restructuring of British Forces Hong Kong should await outcome of diplomatic negotiations over Hong Kong's future. No changes in force deployments should be made which might cast doubt on the United Kingdom's commitment to securing a stable future for Hong Kong.
	Provisions made for the normal and reasonable use of air conditioning by Service families, rather than its restricted use under financial duress.
Third Report: The Future of the Falkland Islands June 1983	The use of capital expenditure to avoid recurrent expenditure and to limit the size of the garrison requires each infrastructure project to be subject to careful scrutiny to ensure that it makes a proper contribution to the defence of the Islands and is an economical use of resources.
	Each item of equipment needed by the forces planned to reinforce the Falklands Garrison be examined to establish whether it is appropriate to be stored in theatre.
	The condition of all aircraft involved in the air bridge between Ascension Island and Stanley be closely monitored to ensure that any developing faults can be corrected before more serious difficulties arise.
	The priority of different capital schemes should not be left to separate decision making processes in the Ministry of Defence, in the Overseas Development Administration and on the Island and that arguments about the allocation of cost should not impede essential progress on road building and other projects.
	With the building of a new jetty at Stanley under consideration, and the possibility of a jetty being built at Mare Harbour, if road communications between Stanley, the airfield and Mare Harbour are improved the Ministry of Defence and ODA should combine to ensure that expensive facilities are not duplicated unnecessarily.
	The Ministry of Defence and the ODA should quickly reach agreement on the location and scale of a permanent hospital for both the garrison and the local community.
	The RFAs should be provided with weapons and equipment for self defence. Similarly, attention should be given to providing passive and active defence for at least some of the merchant ships.
EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
Session 1983–84
First Report: Trade Union Legislation—Unions in the Government Communications Headquarters February 1984	The concessions offered by the unions as notifed to the Committee be thoroughly examined by the Government to satisfy themselves that they meet every requirement of national security.
ENERGY COMMITTEE
Session 1983–84
First Report: Electricity and Gas Prices February 1984	Consumers organisations must have access to the maximum relevant information to enable them to reach a considered judgment.
HOME AFFAIRS
Session 1982–83
First Report: Representation of the People Acts April 1983	The Home Office should take steps to collect information about the various ways in which EROs interpret their statutory duty, with a view to formulating a code of "best practice".
	The Home Office should redesign Form A.

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Session, report and date	Main recommendations accepted
	The civil rights arising out of the status established by the British Nationality Act 1948 and the Ireland Act 1949 should not be disturbed and no group of citizens within the United Kingdom who at present enjoy the right to vote should be disfranchised.
	The Home Office should review the existing criteria for eligibility for absent voting facilities, and it should be permissible to apply for a postal vote due to absence "by reason of employment".
	Applications for postal votes should be entertained from holidaymakers.
	The level of the deposit should be increased to £1,000.
	A candidate should be given the option of employing an addressed or an unaddressed service for the delivery of election material.
Second Report: Ethnic and Racial Questions in the Census May 1983	The Manpower Services Commission should monitor the take-up of all its programmes by ethnic origin.
The form of any ethnic questions should not compel people to define themselves solely by their own or their ancestors' immigrant origin. It should enable them to identify themselves in a way acceptable to them whilst at the same time meeting the need of users who need to measure disadvantage and discrimination.
	The Commission for Racial Equality should advise OPCS on planning and promotion of an ethnic question in the Census.
Third Report: British Nationality Fees May 1983	The Home Office should extend to all forces forthwith the procedure, which it has developed in consultation with the Metropolitan Police, which reduces delays, cuts police time and costs, yet maintains adequate standards.
	The use of "pro-formas" be extended to all police forces forthwith. Costing should be based upon an efficient whilst still effective operation.
SCOTTISH AFFAIRS
Session 1983–84
First Report: Dampness in Housing February 1984	Whole life costing for new building should become the norm with full consideration given to the maintenance and running cost implications of new building.
	A publicity and information campaign should be carried out to give householders a better understanding of the nature of the condensation problem.
	An ultimate objective must be the provision of well insulated homes equipped with heating systems which can provide a continuous low background heat throughout the house.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE
Session 1983–84
First Report: The United Kingdom's trade with the ASEAN countries March 1983	Government should seek to devise Aid/Credit schemes not merely reactive but rather designed to match the aggressive approach of our competitors and give evidence of the United Kingdom's determination to win overseas business and thus assist the future development of South East Asia in particular but also other parts of the developing world.
Third Report: Machine Tools and Robotics May 1983	Government to encourage public sector investment in new plant and equipment.
Government to encourage better links between educational establishments and industry as regards research work.
	Government to assist in promotion of joint ventures.
TRANSPORT COMMITTEE
Session 1982–83
Second Report: Serpell Committee Report on the Review of Railway Finances March and April 1983	A clear statement of Government policy towards the railways, including the specification of financial and operational targets, is urgently required, and must be made before the appointment of the new Chairman of the Railways Board.
Third Report: Transport Aspects of the 1983 Public Expenditure White Paper March and May 1983	The Government should carry over to the next year any underspend on the road construction programme.
(b) March 1984 to February 1985
AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE
Session 1984–85
First Report: The Implementation of Dairy Quotas November 1984	The Minister should investigate the United Kingdom's arrangements for those who are both milk wholesalers and producers with the aim of making them more flexible.

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Session, report and date	Main recommendations accepted
Second Report: The Effect of Feedingstuff Prices on the United Kingdom Pig Industry and Poultry Industries July 1984	The Committee welcomed the idea of an Inter-Professional Body for poultry producers.
DEFENCE COMMITTEE
Session 1983–84
First Report: Statement on the Defence Estimates 1984 June 1984	Future Defence White Papers should include a fuller account of the objectives of defence policy and more information on equipment costs.
	In future White Papers the comparison of the balance of forces on the Central Front should include forces in the three Soviet Western Military Districts.
	Fuller coverage should be given to British nuclear and nuclear-capable systems.
	Statements should contain information on the likely availability of the United Kingdom's merchant fleet for defence purposes.
Second Report: The Physical Security of Military Installations in the United Kingdom July 1984	The Government's proposed Royal Ordnance Factory guard force should replace the Ministry of Defence Police at certain factories only — the Ministry of Defence Police will be retained at all factories for at least three years.
	A ROF security Directorate should oversee security with the ROFs.
	Appropriate improvements should be made in the physical security measures at the ROFS.
	The 1984 police surveys of the ROFs should provide a satisfactory initial basis for the security standards which the ROF security Directorate should set.
	The Government should consult fully with Parliament and others about its proposals for the ROF guard force.
	The principal recommendations made by the Metropolitan Police in respect of RSAF Enfield should be implemented.
	The arrangements for security exercises at military installations should be improved.
	The Government should make lasting improvements in the security of nuclear establishments.
	Where possible Ministry of Defence Police or RAF Police rather than Servicemen should be responsible for handling unathorised intruders at nuclear bases.
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND THE ARTS COMMITTEE
Session 1984–85
First Report: The effects of Abolition of the GLC and Metropolitan Countries upon Support for the Arts April 1984.	The Government to make available additional central funding to provide for the needs of bodies in the GLC and MC areas.
EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
Session 1984–85
First Report: The Equal Opportunities Commission's Draft Code of Practice November 1984.	The Secretary of State should approve the draft code.
ENERGY COMMITTEE
Session 1983–84
Ninth Report: Energy Research, Development and Demonstration August 1984	The Committee recognised the considerable evidence of broad agreement with the thrust of its report, by the Government, as demonstrated by reviews of the UKAEA, ACORD, the creation of the Energy Efficiency Office and the enhanced budget for the Energy Efficiency Demonstration Projects Scheme.
Session 1984–85
Fourth Report: Winter Supplementary Estimate for BNOC December 1984	Departmental minutes notifying Parliament of contingent liabilities should be copied to the relevant departmental Select Committee.
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
Session 1983–84
First Report: Green Belt and Land for Housing May 1984	Draft circulars on Green Belts and Land for Housing

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Session, report and date	Main recommendations accepted
	Circulars should state unequivocally that Green Belts have a broad and positive planning role that of open spares whose presumption against development can better shape urban areas particularly on a regional scale.
	The circular should contain a fourth objective, to assist urban regeneration.
	The circular should use the phrase "as far as can be seen ahead" to define the longevity of Green Belts.
	In drawing boundaries no account should be taken of the condition of land: this should be specified in the circular.
	The Government should make it clear that, once fixed, boundaries will not be moved to release Green Belt land which is or has become derelict.
	The need to give Green Belt status land between urban areas within conurbations should be explicitly set out in the circular.
	The draft circular should give greater emphasis to countryside enhancement which should become a factor within Green Belt development control.
	The Government should build the concept of countryside management into the draft circular, and consider if more can be done to promote such a service in Green Belt areas.
	National and local government should give full support to Groundwork-type initiatives in all Green Belts, including additional funding if evidence exists that such funding will generate considerable extra investment of private and voluntary sector resources.
	Development should only be allowed in the most exceptional circumstances, and never when land has been deliberately allowed to become derelict.
	The draft circular should emphasise that the best means of protecting valuable amenity land is to ensure an acceptable choice is elsewhere.
	The Government should investigate the problems of adducing title to property identified in evidence to the Committee and take action to remove this problem by statutorily guaranteeing absolute title if necessary.
	Government should monitor the operation of land availability studies and specify clearly in the circular how frequently they should be conducted.
	The Secretary of State should consider more active use of his reserve powers.
	The Government should assess why local authorities and developers are encountering difficulties in Urban Development Grant applications and take remedial action.
Second Report: Department of the Environment's Main Estimates 1984–85 June 1984	The Department should either seek a quicker or more certain path to viability for those on the British Board of Agreement or seek proper powers from Parliament to continue financial support beyond 1984–85.
	The possibility of providing a continuing grant to the Zoological Society as a learned body should be reconsidered and the necessary powers sought.
	There should be specific statutory authority for grants to voluntary bodies.
	The Department should continue its efforts to adjust payment of housing subsidy during the course of the year to prevent payment in advance of need.
Third Report: PSA Main Estimates 1984–85 June 1984	PSA should delegate to departments more operational and financial responsibility for the maintenance of their own buildings.
	PSA should seek a simpler and more comprehensive presentation of the information analysing the financial provision which accompanies the Supply Estimates.
	A proper assessment should be made of the relative costs of designing different types of scheme by different methods. PSA's staffing and design practices should be actively managed to minimise costs.
Fourth Report: Acid Rain July 1984	BRE should be commissioned to conduct detailed research into the effects of acid rain on different types of stone and concrete in a variety of environments.
	Suitable cases of acid rain damage should as a matter of course be referred to BRE, and PSA should use a selection of buildings in different materials to monitor any damage additional to natural weathering.
	A substantial research progrmme on the effect on buildings of low-level emissions should be initiated.

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Session, report and date	Main recommendations accepted
	The Government should give urgent and immediate consideration to the cost benefit of preventing the avoidable erosion of both historic and modern buildings.
	The Forestry Commission, using its own and West German experts should conduct a survey on the same lines as that in Sweden.
	Detailed NOx and ozone monitoring should be undertaken and research into acid rain and trees should be carried out.
	The Government should commission research on the effects of acid rain on materials, and on means of protecting them, as a matter of urgency.
	Research on visibility degradation should be commissioned.
	The Government should commission research in this country on all aspects of risk to human health to which US, Swedish and German research has drawn attention, with a view to establishing whether similar risks exist in this country.
	A rural network of monitoring stations at different altitudes over the whole country should be set up.
	Greater impetus should be given to the perfection of PFBC technology for commercial use.
	The necessary resources should be devoted to FGD by the CEGB, not least in order to reduce its costs.
	Any programme to limit NOx and hydrocarbons emissions from motor vehicles should be based on lean-burn technology.
	Those industries reliant on high combustion temperatures, for example the cement and glass industries, should not have NOx controls put upon them.
	In any review of the desirability of combined heat and power/district heating, full account should also be taken of the pollution aspects highlighted by the Report.
	The Government should make a long-term commitment to air pollution research.
Session 1984–85
First Report: Operation and effectiveness of Part II of the Wildlife and Countryside Act January 1985	Conservation should be given a greatly increased priority in the training and work of ADAS staff, with increased formal guidance from MAFF on conservation objectives.
	A joint working party should be set up to review the Financial Guidelines and to consider the increased use of a system of standard payments.
	Consideration should be given to extending section 43 to include areas in addition to moor and heath.
	The criticisms made to the Committee, particularly about the performance of Internal Drainage Boards, should be taken into account in the revision of the DOE guidelines for water and drainage authorities.
	A provision, analagous to that which gives Water Authorities explicit duties towards nature conservation and the countryside should be extended to the Forestry Commission.
	DOE and MAFF should take action to break the deadlock in negotiations, if necessary by amending Sections 36 and 37 of the Act, so as to give the NCC or the Secretary of State adequate powers to enable the NCC to set up Marine Nature Reserves.
Second Report: British Board of Agrément— March 1985	Greater responsibility should be placed upon the building industry during the certification process for building materials, without diminishing the value and credibility of certificates issued by the Agrément Board.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Session 1984–85
	Bilateral Loans and Grants
Fourth Report: FCO and ODA Supply Estimates 1984–85 July 1984	All outstanding commitments should be included in Table 1, even where no disbursement is expected in the relevant year.
	The Estimates should clearly indicate in Table 1 those loans whose terms have been changed.
	Dependent Territories ( Vote 8 Subheads C1 to C6 and D1)
	Figures, including those for technical cooperation should be given for each dependent territory in the tables annexed to the aid vote.
First Report: The Abuse of Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges December 1984	The Government should strongly pursue a firmer policy towards application of the Convention.
It is lawful to scan bags electronically and the Government should be prepared to do so.
	There is no reason why records should not be kept of the size or weight of diplomatic bags entering the country.

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Session, report and date	Main recommendations accepted
	FCO should make clear to diplomats that should the criminal law be broken there is a very real possibility that they will be required to leave the country.
	The Government should use the power to limit the size of a mission in cases where there is cause for concern about the overall nature of the mission's activities.
	FCO should inform themselves about those arriving to take up posts as mission staff.
HOME AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Session 1983–84
First Report: Remands in Custody May 1984	The Government should commit itself in principle to introduce statutory time limits on periods in custody before trial, and should embark on experiments to see what the limits might be.
Session 1984–85
First Report: Compensation and Support for Victims of Crime December 1984	The Government should consider providing supplementary funds to allow victims support schemes to employ properly qualified co-ordinators on a permanent basis
	The review by the Treasury of allowances payable to witnesses and others should be completed as a matter of urgency and these allowances should be increased.
	A leaflet should be prepared describing as concisely as possible the available sources of compensation and such a leaflet, together with the CICB claim form if appropriate, should be supplied to the victim when the crime is first reported.
	There should be a gradual increase in staff of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board over the next couple of years with a view to reducing the backlog of business.
	The CICB should undertake the responsibility of laying down the guidelines for the level of compensation orders in the courts, provided always the special circumstances of each individual case should continue to be taken into account by the court.
	The Home Office should explore with local authorities and gas and electricity boards the feasibility of entering into block insurance arrangements with their tenants and subscribers.
Second Report: Chinese Community in Britain January 1985	The Home Office should publicise the possibility of joint applications by Local Authorities for Section 11 funding.
	The Manpower Services Commission should take steps to publicise its services among the Chinese
	The Department of Health and Social Security should take steps to inform itself about the health needs of the Chinese and ways of dealing with them, and whenever appropriate issue guidance on the subject to health authorities.
SCOTTISH AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Session 1984–85
First Report: The impact of Airport Privatisation on Scottish Lowland Airports Policy January 1985	No change should be made to the existing (Scottish Lowland Airports) policy in advance of privatisation.
	The BAA's Scottish airports should not be privatised separately from BAA's London airports.
SOCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
Session 1983/84
First Report: Griffiths NHS Management Inquiry Report March 1984	A debate in the House of Commons should take place on the Griffiths Report.
	The Chief Nursing Officer should be appointed to the National Health Service Supervisory Board.
	The National Health Service Training Authority to provide courses for management training for clinicians.
	Allow the greatest possible degree of flexibility to health authorities implementing the recommendations of the Griffiths report.
Second Report: Children in Care April 1984	A Review of the guidance on registration of childminders.
	Research should be commissioned into sexual abuse of children.
	Instigate a Research project on monitoring procedures.
	Establish a Working Party on Child Care Law.
	Review into revision of Boarding-out regulations.

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Session, report and date	Main recommendations accepted
	Reports by the Social Services Inspectorate should be made available to Parliament and the Social Services Committee.
Third Report: Perinatal and Neonatal Mortality Report: Follow-up July 1984	This report reinforced a number of recommendations made in 1980. The majority of the recommendations were accepted by the Government.
Fourth Report: Public Expenditure on the Social Services July 1984	As a routine, the Department investigate the most striking results of their programme budget analysis.
A thorough view of the justification for, and administration of, grants under subhead H1(1) of class XI Vote 1.
Session 1984–85
First Report: Compensation Payments to NHS Staff January 1985	Where the Department is uncertain of the number of cases likely to arise, they should include a token estimate in the original estimate.
Regional control totals and details of early retirements over the past year should be published annually, and these should differentiate between those arising from competitive tendering and others.
Second Report: Community Care with Special Reference to the Adult Mentally I11 and Mentally Handicapped February 1985	The Minister must ensure that mental illness or mental handicap hospital provision is not reduced without demonstrably adequate alternative services being provided both for those discharged from hospital and those who would otherwise seek admission.
Nobody should be discharged from hospital without a practical individual case plan jointly devised by all concerned with mechanism for monitoring its implementation or its modification in the light of changing conditions.
	Future DHSS and local community care policy documents should have greater regard to those mentally disabled people living outside institutional care.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY COMMITTEE
Session 1983–84
First Report: The British Steel Corporation's Prospects April 1984	Government to study second sourcing implications of Phoenix 11 proposals
Government to demand that other EEC nations fulfill the capacity reductions promised by them. Government to press European Commission to ensure that conditions distorting fair competition are ameliorated.
Second Report: The Growth in the Imbalance of Trade in Manufactured Goods between the United Kingdom and Existing and Prospective Members of the EEC June 1984	Government to bring pressure to bear to ensure that the terms of the Treaty of Rome are enforced.
Government to ensure that EEC seeks reduction in high level of Spanish tariffs. Government to resist a long transitional regime for Spain motor products.
Government to give attention to developing a simple and accessible mechanism of investment support for manufacturing industry, as part of current review.
Fourth Report: The Wealth of Waste December 1984	A Minister should be given overall co-ordinating responsibility across departments for recycling policy.
The Government should encourage Waste Disposal Authorities to offer financial rebates to Collection Authorities to stimulate glass recycling through bottle banks.
	The Government should implement Sections 12–14 of Control of Pollution Act 1974 as soon as possible.
	The R&D Work at Warren Spring Laboratory should be enhanced and greater collaboration with industry encouraged.
First Report: The Operation of the Export Credits Guarantee Department January 1985	The formation of ECGD's non-statutory remit to operate at no net cost to public funds is both understandable and desirable.
The Government demand that the terms of the GATT and the Treaty of Rome, as they affect the operations of national credit insurance agencies, are adhered to by all parties and member states.
	The Government call for greater transparency in the operations of ECGD's competitors, in order that aid and credit are clearly identifiable.
TRANSPORT COMMITTEE
Session 1983–84
First Report: Transport Aspects of the 1984 Public Expenditure White Paper May 1984	Tables showing capital expenditure at constant prices over the previous five years should be included in future Public Expenditure White Papers.
The maintenance standards of trunk roads and local roads should not deteriorate, subject to overall public expenditure constraints.

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Session, report and date	Main recommendations accepted
Second Report: The Organisation, Financing and Control of Airports in the United Kingdom July 1984	The Government should introduce legislation to reconstitute the airports in company form in preparation for privatisation.
An Airports Holding Board should be constituted in company form. The individual airports would operate as semi-autonomous subsidiaries of the Board.
	There is a need for decentralisation with the BAA, with management at each airport being given greater independence.
	The retention of the Scottish reports as a single grouping.
	Local Authority Airports
	Once a Company had been created, the local authorities should be free to buy or sell their shares or to create more shares which could be sold into the private sector. They should be free to sell a majority interest.
	CAA 's Highlands and Islands Aerodromes
	The Scottish Office should continue to provide financial support towards the running of these socially essential airports
Session 1984–85 First Report: Road Safety December 1984	Advertising campaigns publicising the dangers of drinking and driving backed up by strong police enforcement efforts, should be carried out not only at Christmas, but at other times of the year.
	The Department of Transport should introduce regulations which require all new cars to be fitted with rear seat belts.
	Priority should be given to research into ways of modifying the front of vehicles in order to mitigate the severity of injuries to pedestrians.
	The Department should continue to pursue the possibilities of publicity campaigns to reduce accidents to cyclists.
TREASURY AND CIVIL SERVICE SELECT COMMITTEE
Session 1983–84
Sixth Report: Estimates 1984–85: HM Treasury and HM Customs and Excise June 1984	Any change, which makes comparisons between the current and immediate past year difficult to make, should be fully explained in the Estimates.
Eighth Report: Acceptance of Outside Appointments By Crown Servants September 1984	The rules should be redrafted to show that Crown Servants at Grade 3 and above need to apply for approval to take up business appointments.
	Departments should review their arrangements for bringing the rules to the attention of those who are affected.
	Applications for approval should be submitted in writing using a standard form; applicants should have the right to an interview, and prospective employers should be informed when conditions are imposed.
	Offers of employment and approaches from outside employers should be reported to those in authority.
	The role of the Advisory Committee should be extended to include applications from officers of Grade 2 and above and such other cases as the Prime Minister refers to them. The Committee should review periodically a selection of decisions taken by departments; the hearings of the Committee should continue not to be in public; and the Government should add one senior back bench Member of the House of Commons to the Committee.
	The Government to publish statistical reports on the workings of the system.
Session 1984–85
First Report: The Government's Economic Policy: Autumn Statement December 1984	The Treasury include a departmental split for the current year's estimated outturn as an integral part of future Autumn Statements.
Second Report: The Structure and Form of Financial Documents presented to Parliament December 1984	The timescale of the expenditure plans should be extended from one to three years.
	All changes to the Public Expenditure White Paper should be made in 1986. The Treasury to detailed proposals.

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Session, report and date	Main recommendations accepted
WELSH AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Session 1983–84
First Report: The Impact of Regional Industrial Policy on Wales May 1984	The Report formed part of a general consultation exercise. The recommendations which were reflected in whole or in part in the final decisions were:
	The existing machinery for administrating RSA should be extended to take over the administration of the new RDG Scheme.
	Consideration should be given to increasing the cost per job limits applicable to the RSA Scheme.
	On prescribing rates of RDG, limits should not be set which are more restrictive than those prevailing in other countries with whom we are in competition, especially those within the European Community.
	In deciding how to measure statistical criteria for the Assisted Area Map, the Government should take into account the suggestions set out in the Annex to the Report.
Session 1984–85
First Report: Public Transport in Wales January 1985	The Government concluded that the objective of achieving greater local involvement in Welsh rail Services should be achieved by building on the links between British Rail and local authorities using existing powers.

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