§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what has been the average bed occupancy rate at King Edward VII convalescent home at Osborne in each of the last five years broken down between(a) residents and (b) convalescents. [83364]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe information is as follows:
Percentage Year Residents1 Convalescents2 1994 64 33 1996 80 53 1997 72 47 1998 70 70 1 Average occupancy per year 2 Average occupancy per week
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many beds have been available for(a) residents and (b) convalescents in each of the last five years at King Edward VII convalescent home at Osborne. [83363]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe information is as follows:
Year Residents1 Convalescents 1994 25 15 1995 25 15 1996 20 20 1997 20 20 1998 230 230 1 Any unfilled residents beds were offered to convalescents whenever there was a demand. 2 Registered beds reduced from 40 to 30 in 1998 with no distinction between residents and convalescents.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when it was decided that accommodation at King Edward VII convalescent home at Osborne would be available to other ranks as well as officers. [83361]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe Order in Council extending eligibility to other ranks as well as officers was made on 21 July 1998.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many full-time equivalent persons have been employed at the King Edward VII convalescent home at Osborne in each of the last five years. [83360]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe information is as follows:
1994–95: 64
1995–96: 59
1996–97: 58
1997–98: 56
1998–99: 48.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals he has received from English Heritage to date for the future of the accommodation used by the King Edward VII convalescent home at Osborne; and by what date he has asked English Heritage to make any further proposals. [83359]
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§ Mr. Alan HowarthEnglish Heritage is preparing conservation, management, business and development plans for the whole of the Osborne House estate which will include proposals for opening more of the Convalescent Home accommodation to the public, and offering the remainder for use by a private sector partner. I am expecting English Heritage to come forward with options later this year./
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what alternatives to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund his Department has sought to manage the King Edward VII convalescent home at Osborne. [83358]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthAfter very careful consideration, particularly of the question of financial viability, my right hon. Friend decided that it was no longer appropriate to run part of Osborne House as a convalescent home. In the light of this decision, no alternative managers for the convalescent home have been sought.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Civil Service Benevolent Fund took over the running of King Edward VII convalescent home at Osborne; and what is the nature of their contract or other arrangement with(a) English Heritage and (b) his Department of the occupation of the premises. [83365]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe Civil Service Benevolent Fund took over the running of the home on behalf of the Secretary of State on 1 July 1985. The terms under which the home is managed and maintained and the arrangements between my Department, English Heritage and the Civil Service Benevolent Fund are contained in an agreement with my Department which was last revised on 6 December 1996 and in the National Heritage Act 1983 (Osborne House) Directions 1986. English Heritage is responsible for the maintenance of the external fabric of the convalescent home and for the provision and payment of some other services including redecoration and the supply of some equipment.