HC Deb 18 March 1999 vol 327 c807W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are currently employed by the UK Hydrographic Office; what was the figure at its inception; on what date the UK Hydrographic Office published its report for 1997–98; and what was the cost of production of the report. [76874]

Mr. Spellar

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Hydrographic Office. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from John Clarke to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 18 March 1999: You recently asked the Secretary of State for Defence a Parliamentary Question relating to the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO). As the matters you raise fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of the UKHO, I have been asked to reply to you direct. You requested details about the number of people currently employed at the UKHO and also at its inception. As at 1 March 1999, the total number of people employed at the UKHO was 916. In terms of the number of full time equivalent staff, this translates to a figure of 874. In terms of people employed at its inception, the Hydrographic Office was formed by an Order in Council in 1795; at that time it employed only 3 people, Alexander Dalrymple, the first Hydrographer of the Navy, and 2 other cartographic staff. As you may know, the UKHO attained Trading Fund status on 1 April 1996, and on the basis that you might wish to compare the number of people employed then and now, I can advise you that as at 1 April 1996 the number of people employed was 883. In terms of the number of full time equivalent staff this translates to a figure of 842. Turning now to your enquiries concerning the UKHO's Annual Report, I can tell you that the UKHO's Annual Report and Accounts for 1997/98 was laid before Parliament on Wednesday 15 July 1998. As regards the cost of production, this totalled some £26,626. That said, I think it might be useful to you if I were to qualify that figure to indicate, with a little more precision, what it covered. The cost of production included all production compilation effort, including the sub-contracted composing costs, printing, finishing and associated materials. I hope this reply has been of assistance. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need any further amplification.