§ Lord Cheshamasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they decided not to place in the Official Report for 12 April the material produced in answer to the Question tabled by Lord Chesham on 13 January, when answers to similar Questions had previously appeared in the Official Report; and [HL1953]
Whether they believe that it is in the interest of open government to place Answers to Questions for Written Answer in the Library of the House, where they are not readily accessible to the public, rather than to publish them in the Official Report; and [HL1954]
Whether they are content that it should take until 31 March to answer a Written Question dated 13 January; and whether they will publish the answer to this question in the Official Report rather than place it in the Library of the House. [HL1955]
§ The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)The decision to place the material produced in answer to the Question tabled by the Lord Chesham on 13 January on Task Forces and Reviews in the Library of the House was taken on advice from the Editor of theOfficial Report (House of Lords). The answer was in tabular form and consisted of 31 pages. On the grounds of cost-effectiveness, it is the normal practice not to print Answers of this length in the Official Report.
However, on this occasion, I am glad to report that it has been agreed with the House authorities that the table will be printed in the Official Report.
As for the length of time that it took to answer this Question, my letter of 31 March to the noble Lord made it clear that I very much regret the length of time it took to answer his Question. The information requested was not held centrally. Officials had to trawl departments for the information, which took a considerable amount of time and indeed effort to produce. To provide the Answer undoubtedly incurred disproportionate cost, but I considered it worthwhile and necessary to produce a full and comprehe nsive answer.
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Reviews and task forces announced since 1 May 1997 which have not yet reported 12 April 1999 Review/task force Department Anticipated report date Previously announced anticipated report date (where different) Review of the UK Legislation Controlling the Disposal of Animal Waste Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Final report date to be agreed (Consultation Paper on a proposed Animal by-Products Order issued 12 November 1998) Consultation Paper expected Summer 1998 Review of Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food By end of 1999 Review of the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance Scheme Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Consultation Paper expected Spring 1999 Consultation exercise expected Autumn 1998 Review of Fishing Vessel Licensing Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Between April and June 1999 December 1998 Review of Nitrate Sensitive Areas Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food April 1999 Review of Environmentally Sensitive Areas, Stage IV Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food June 1999 Review of Access Provisions Under the Agri-Environment Schemes Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food By the end of 1999 Review of Meat and Livestock Commission Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food By the end of 1999 Review of Funding Mechanisms for Flood and Coastal Defence Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Work on-going. Reporting arrangements yet to be decided Review of the Buying Agency Cabinet Office Early Summer 1999 Better Regulation Task Force Cabinet Office On-going remit (5 Reports and first annual report have been published) Second annual report due September 1999 Modernising Government Quality Schemes Task force Cabinet Office December 1999 Review of the Future Funding of the BBC Department of Culture, Media and Sport July 1999 Review of the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Government sponsored Museums and Galleries Department of Culture, Media and Sport Autumn 1999 Creative Industries Task Force: to look for ways of maximising the economic impact of British goods and services in the creative sector Department of Culture, Media and Sport Provides ad hoc advice as and when necessary (Mapping Document into the Creative Industries published in November 1998) The Football Task Force: established to investigate and recommend new measures to deal with public concern on a number of issues associated with the game Department of Culture, Media and Sport Report on the Commercial aspects of the game due to be published by end March 1999 (Eliminating Racism from Football report published 30 March 1998 Improving Facilities for Disabled Supporters report published 29 July 1998 Investing in the Community report published 11 January 1999) The Film Policy Action Committee: established to take forward the recommendations of the Film Policy Review Department of Culture, Media and Sport Due to complete its work by April 1999 176WA177WA
Reviews and task forces announced since 1 May 1997 which have not yet reported 12 April 1999 Review/task force Department Anticipated report date Previously announced anticipated report date (where different) A group of sponsorship experts will assist sports currently in receipt of tobacco sponsorship to find replacement sponsors by: assessing the needs of each sport; offering advice on best practice in establishing commercial relationships with sponsors; and, assist the sports in making links with potential new sponsors Department of Culture, Media and Sport Will provide advice directly to affected sports Review of the Arrangements for Compensating Service personnel (or their Dependants) and for the Payment of Death and Invalidity Benefit Ministry of Defence No decision has been taken on the timing of the publication of the outcome Review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme Ministry of Defence Early Autumn 1999 Review of the Role of TECs Department for Education and Employment Announcement about outcome of the Review due by end March 1999 Review of the National Curriculum for the Year 2000 Department for Education and Employment April 1999 Review of Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme Department for Education and Employment Summer 1999 Review of Teacher Training Agency Department for Education and Employment end April 1999 Review of Investors in People UK Department for Education and Employment mid April 1999 Review of Scottish Fee Support Department for Education and Employment Summer 1999 Disability Rights Task Force Department for Education and Employment By July 1999 (Interim report published 12 June 1998) Standards Task Force Department for Education and Employment On-going remit with Ministerial reports as appropriate New Deal Task Force Department for Education and Employment On-going remit with Ministerial reports as appropriate Skills Task Force Department for Education and Employment First report published in September 1998. Skills Task Force is now developing a national skills agenda to help to create a better supply and demand match between available and required skills Final report to Ministers December 1998 Review of UK Sustainable Development Strategy Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Spring 1999 Late 1998/Early 1999 Review of Railway Safety Standards Arrangements Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Initial report to Ministers in Spring 1999. Scope of the original review has been widened End 1998 Review of Waste Strategy for England and Wales Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions Final strategy to be published before the end of 1999 Interdepartmental Review of Fuel Poverty Policy including role and operation of the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (formerly the Review of the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme) Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Spring 1999 (Background paper published October 1998) Autumn 1998 178WA179WA
Reviews and task forces announced since 1 May 1997 which have not yet reported 12 April 1999 Review/task force Department Anticipated report date Previously announced anticipated report date (where different) Review of Legislation Relating to Integration within the Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Autumn 1999 Early 1999 Review of the Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions May 1999 Review of Arrangements for Transport Safety Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Late 1999 Review of Speed Policy Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Autumn 1999 Review of the Highways Agency Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Spring 1999 Fundamental Review of the Laws and Procedure relating to Compulsory Purchase and Compensation Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions December 1999 (Interim report published on 5 January 1999) Review of Road Safety Strategy and Targets Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Autumn 1999 Transport Sub-Committee: Financial Audit of the New En-route Air Traffic Control Centre at Swanwick Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Spring 1999 Joint DETR/Environment Agency Task Force on Risk Assessment and Risk Management for Environment Protection Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions May 1999 September 1998 Urban Task Force Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Spring 1999 (Interim report published 13 January 1999) The Cowboy Builders' Working Group Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions July 1999 Cleaner Vehicles Task Force Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Spring 1999 Review of the Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Department of Trade and Industry April 1999 Panel 2000 (Has recently been reclassified as an Advisory Group by the FCO) Foreign and Commonwealth Office Not expected to publish a formal report (As anticipated, Panel 2000 published a Consultation Document on 10 September 1998 which contained a number of recommendations. Panel will meet again in late 1999 to evaluate the implementation and progress of the recommendations) Thoracic Surgical Services Review Department of Health April 1999 United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority Review Department of Health May 1999 Review of the Wheelchair Voucher Scheme and the Provision of Electrical and Indoor Wheelchairs Department of Health Spring 1999 Mental Health Act Review Department of Health July 1999 180WA181WA
Reviews and task forces announced since 1 May 1997 which have not yet reported 12 April 1999 Review/task force Department Anticipated report date Previously announced anticipated report date (where different) Review of General Anaesthesia and Sedation with Dental Treatment Department of Health Late Summer 1999 NHS Efficiency Task Force Department of Health On-going remit. Task Force reports as and when necessary 8 Regional Task Forces to Support the Waiting List Action Team Department of Health On-going remit. Task Force reports as and when necessary NHS Task Force on Staff Involvement Department of Health Spring 1999 Prison Service Quinquennial Review Home Office Report date yet to be determined Review of Long-term Future of Prison Service Health Care (including Review of Prison Nursing Services) Home Office Announcement expected by end March 1999. (Report completed in September 1998) Review of Prison Investigation Strategy Home Office Reported to Ministers in Autumn 1998. New procedures expected to be implemented by Summer 1999 Review of the Operation of Release of Prisoners on Temporary Licence Home Office Review is on-going. Final reporting arrangements yet to be determined Review of the Tote Home Office April 1999 Retail Crime Reduction Action Team Home Office Reporting arrangements yet to be determined Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team Home Office Report date yet to be determined Working Party on Electoral Procedures Home Office Full report date yet to be confirmed (Interim report to Home Secretary July 1998) Prisons—Probation Review Home Office Outcome of consultation paper published in August 1998 expected shortly Working Group considering a possible new Offence of Misuse of Public Office Home Office During 1999 Review of Sex Offences Home Office Outcome expected to be announced in December 1999 Human Rights Task Force Home Office Reporting arrangements yet to be determined The Prime Minister's Task Force on the Active Community Initially announced by the Prime Minister on 26 March 1998 and subsequently the subject of a speech he made on 21 January 1999 in which he announced the establishment of a working group under the Chairmanship of Lord Warner. The question of a separate task force remains under review. Review on the United Kingdom's Position Under Various International Human Rights Instruments Home Office and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Outcome expected to be announced shortly During 1998 Review of Enforcement of Civil Court Judgments Lord Chancellor's Department Report to Ministers in June 2000 182WA183WA
Reviews and task forces announced since 1 May 1997 which have not yet reported 12 April 1999 Review/task force Department Anticipated report date Previously announced anticipated report date (where different) Study and Evaluation of Current Tax Appeals Systems Lord Chancellor's Department New target date is being considered. (Original target date was deferred to allow the review to take account of the report of the Tax Law Review Committee. A new report date is being considered in the light of re-evaluated work priorities) Report to Ministers September 1998 Review of Lord Chancellor's Department Funding for Marriage Support and Research Services Lord Chancellor's Department Report to Ministers by Easter 1999. (Timescale changed due to delay in establishing the review) Report to Ministers by end 1998 Ministerial Task Group on Home Buying) (Linked lo the review of the Home Buying and Selling Process) Lord Chancellor's Department Reported to Ministers in October 1998. Public consultation closes end March 1999 Final report to Ministers Autumn 1998 Community Legal Service Quality Task Force Lord Chancellor's Department Progress Report to the Lord Chancellor by end 1999 Review of Welfare Services to the Courts Lord Chancellor's Department. Home Office and the Department of Health Final Report to Ministers Late April/Early May 1999 (Consultation Paper published July 1998) Final Report to Ministers February/March 1999 Review of Northern Ireland Drugs Strategy Northern Ireland Office Spring 1999 Review of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Northern Ireland Office March 1999 Review of the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Office Due to report Autumn 1999 (Consultation Paper issued August 1998) Independent Commission on Policing Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Office Summer 1999 Northern Ireland New Deal Task Force Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development Ongoing group which reports regularly on progress on New Deal initiatives Northern Ireland Skills Task Force Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development To be decided Working Group to Plan for a single Northern Ireland Equality Commission Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development Final reporting arrangements to be decided. (Consultation Paper issued February 1999) Fundamental Review of the Economic Development Strategy in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development Spring/Summer 1999 Autumn 1998/Winter 1999 Review of the District Councils' Community Services Programme Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services October 1999 December 1998 Review of the 1993 Strategy for the Support of the Voluntary Sector and for Development in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services December 1999 December 1998 The Northern Ireland Strategy on Alcohol Misuse—A Policy Development Project Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services April 1999 January 1999 Review of Ambulance Provision in Northern Ireland Services Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Autumn 1999 April 1999 Review of Cardiology Services in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Department of Health and Social Services By end March 1999 December 1998 184WA185WA
Reviews and task forces announced since 1 May 1997 which have not yet reported 12 April 1999 Review/task force Department Anticipated report date Previously announced anticipated report date (where different) Policy Review of the Youth Service in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Department of Education Review group to put proposals to the Department by end of March 1999 (Report published in October 1998 for consultation) Consultation report to be published at end September Review to Consider Permanent UK Wide Counter Terrorism Legislation Northern Ireland and Home Office Final reporting arrangements to be decided (Consultation Paper published on 17 December 1998. Comments to be received by mid March 1999) Review of the Scottish Roads Programme Scottish Office As soon as practicable Late 1998 Review of Rural Water and Sewerage Grant Scheme Scottish Office Summer 1999 (Review extended to allow necessary research to be undertaken) October 1998 Commission on Local Government and Scottish Parliament (Has recently been reclassified as an Advisory Group by the Scottish Office) Scottish Office Report to the first Minister on his/her appointment Planning Policy Review on Opencast Coal in Scotland Scottish Office Before Easter Recess 1999 October 1998 Review of Domestic Violence Scottish Office Interim Report in April 1999 Review of the Law and Practice of Compulsory Purchase and Land Compensation Scottish Office Report on Phase 2 due by end 1999 (Phase 1 comprising Inception Report and Interim Report completed February 1999) Committee on review of Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 Scottish Office Summer 2000 HIV Health Promotion Review Group Scottish Office Spring 1999 Review of Public Health Function Scottish Office During 1999 National Review of Health Resource Allocation Scottish Office June 1999 Review of Public Health Legislation Scottish Office Summer 1999 Lord Maclean's Committee on Serious Offenders Scottish Office During 2000 Learning Disability Review Scottish Office December 1999 Review of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Scotland Scottish Office Summer 1999 Scottish Advisory Task Force on New Deal Scottish Office On-going remit. Advises on ad hoc matters and does not report formally Action Group on Standards in Scottish Schools Scottish Office On-going remit. Advises on ad hoc matters and does not report formally Joint COSLA/Scottish Office Best Value Task Force Scottish Office On-going remit. Reports published as necessary Working Group on Council Tax Collection Scottish Office July 1999 Coronary Heart Disease Task Force Scottish Office July 2000
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Reviews and task forces announced since 1 May 1997 which have not yet reported 12 April 1999 Review/task force Department Anticipated report date Previously announced anticipated report date (where different) Review of Pensions Department of Social Security Review on-going. Further announcements in due course (Green Paper published December 1998. Consultation period ends 31 March 1999. Provision for stakeholder pensions and pension sharing on divorce will be made in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill) Review of the Major Components of the Social Security System Department of Social Security Review on-going. Further announcements in due course (Green Paper published December 1998. Decisions on support for disabled people, bereavement benefits and a single work-focused gateway to the benefits system for working age people will be taken forward in the Welfare Reform and Pensions Bill) Review of Child Support Department of Social Security Review on-going. Detailed strategy for safeguarding social security to be published shortly. (Green Paper published July 1998) Review of Fraud Strategy Department of Social Security Review on-going. Further announcements in due course (Green Paper published July 1998) Housing Benefit Simplification and Improvement Project Department of Social Security Report date to be decided Review of New and Renewable Energy Department of Trade and Industry First stage—ending with the publication of a consultation document—will be completed in March 1999 By end of December 1998 Review of Company Law Department of Trade and Industry Spring 2001 March 2000 Review of the Effect of Insolvency Law on Enterprise Department of Trade and Industry To Ministers by end of April 1999 Review of Assisted Areas Department of Trade and Industry Autumn 1999 Review of Metrication Department of Trade and Industry By end of March 1999 Review of UK Weights and Measures Legislation Department of Trade and Industry By end of 1999 TECH Stars Steering Group Department of Trade and Industry Not expected to produce report Oil and Gas Industry Task Force Department of Trade and Industry Summer 1999 Review of Company Rescue Mechanisms Department of Trade and Industry and HM Treasury July 1999 Review of the Framework for Overseeing Developments in Biotechnology Joint Review by the Office of Science and Technology (part of Department of Trade and Industry) and the Cabinet Office Spring 1999 Review of Charities' Taxation Her Majesty's Treasury Responses to Consultation Document issued Autumn 1998 invited by 31 August 1999 Review of the Calculation of Vehicle Excise Duty for Lorries Her Majesty's Treasury Initial report due Autumn 1999 Review of Public/Private Partnership Options for the Royal Mint Her Majesty's Treasury To be announced Autumn 1998 188WA
Reviews and task forces announced since 1 May 1997 which have not yet reported 12 April 1999 Review/task force Department Anticipated report date Previously announced anticipated report date (where different) Review of Company Car Taxation Her Majesty's Treasury Final report date to be announced (Interim reports issued Summer and Autumn 1998) Review of Graduated Vehicle Excise Duty for Cars Her Majesty's Treasury To be announced Review of Aggregates Tax Her Majesty's Treasury To be announced Review of Double Tax Relief Her Majesty's Treasury Initial report due by end March 1999 Review of VAT Registration Limits Her Majesty's Treasury To be announced (Consultation Document issued July 1998) Review of VAT Group Treatment Her Majesty's Treasury To be announced (Consultation Document issued June 1998) Review Banking Services in the UK Her Majesty's Treasury December 1999 Review of Average Earnings Figures Her Majesty's Treasury Report date to be announced Customs Review of General Anti-Avoidance Rule Her Majesty's Treasury Spring 1999 Second Review of Private Finance Initiative Her Majesty's Treasury The Government has received a report and will respond in due course Review of Central Government Civil Procurement Her Majesty's Treasury To be announced Inquiry into Lower Rate Ring-Fenced Tonnage Based Tax and Enhanced Training Initiatives Her Majesty's Treasury To be announced Private Finance Task Force Her Majesty's Treasury On-going remit Task Force on Bank's Assistance to Credit Unions Her Majesty's Treasury June 1999 Review of Research and Development Her Majesty's Treasury and Department of Trade and Industry Spring 1999 (Consultation document published March 1998. Initial Report published January 1999) Review of the Role of the Welsh Language Board in Welsh Education Welsh Office July 1999 December 1998 Welsh Office Review of Planning Policy for Opencast Coal Mining Welsh Office' April 1999 By end of 1998 Education and Training Action Group: Welsh Office Welsh Office By April 1999 Wales New Deal Advisory Task Force Welsh Office On-going remit. Provides advice as and when required European Structural Funds Task Force Welsh Office Summer 1999