HC Deb 27 February 2003 vol 400 cc681-2W
Simon Hughes

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of the set-up costs for CAFCASS was spent on the new IT system. [99529]

Ms Rosie Winterton

In the year preceding CAFCASS's launch, a total of £10.2m was spent on set up costs of the new organisation; this included capital expenditure of £7.7m. Over £5m of this total, i.e. some 50% was spent on the IT service for the new organisation.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many of the records of children who are known to CAFCASS had been transferred onto the new IT system by the end of 2002; and how many will be transferred by the end of(a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005. [99530]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) is currently considering how to record cases in a standardised electronic format. Meanwhile the full case papers are held in the existing methods of storage.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much has been spent by CAFCASS on new accommodation since 1 April 2001; and what proportion of this came(a) from the CAFCASS annual budget and (b) from initial start-up costs. [99531]

Ms Rosie Winterton

Since 1 April 2001 CAFCASS has been implementing a strategy to ensure its accommodation is suitable for its needs. This has involved disposing of some properties inherited from the predecessor organisations and acquiring new properties. Overall the number of properties has reduced from 184 to 146. Costs of £3.76 million in 2001–02 were met from set-up funding which was provided to CAFCASS for this and other purposes. Costs in 2002–03 are likely to be £1.34 million and have been met from their 2002–03 operating budget.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many CAFCASS offices comply with all health and safety legislation; and how many will comply by the end of(a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005. [99532]

Ms Rosie Winterton

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) aims to complete, by the end of 2003–04, an internal safety audit for each office. This will give a clear indication of progress. In addition, a number of topic-specific national safety procedures have been developed, addressing a range of legislative requirements and duties, including emergency actions, induction training, first aid, workplace inspections, accident reporting, lone working and display screen use. CAFCASS had in any event adopted the inherited Health and Safety policies and procedures of its predecessor organisations.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the cost is of CAFCASS staff based in(a) headquarters and (b) regional offices in 2002–03; and what proportion this represents of the overall budget. [99533]

Ms Rosie Winterton

CAFCASS salaried staff costs for 2002–03 are forecast to be £2.9 million for headquarters, 3.5 per cent. of the overall budget, and £46.4 million for staff in the regions, 55.9 per cent. of the overall budget. These figures (including London) include the costs of CAFCASS employed guardians, but not self-employed guardians or other agency or contract staff.