HC Deb 16 January 2003 vol 397 cc749-51W
Mr. Prisk

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees work in the Office of Government Commerce, and what the cost is of their employment, including national insurance. [90563]

Mr. Boateng

At 31 December 2002 OGC had 672 employees, of which 243 were in the OGC trading fund, OGCbuying. solutions. The forecast annual OGC payroll cost for 2002–03, including employers national insurance and pension contributions, is £22.5 million, of which £6.4million is for OGCbuying. solutions.

terms, allowing for grants and other payments to the oil industry. [90788]

Dawn Primarolo

Government revenues from UK oil and gas production are given in the table. Separate figures for just oil are not available.

Mr. Prisk

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the administrative estimate for the Office of Government Commerce was in the year ending(a) April 2001, (b) April 2002 and (c) April 2003. [90564]

Mr. Boateng

Net voted administrative costs are as follows:

Year £ million
2000–01 actual outturn 16.8
2001–02 actual outturn 31.3
2002–03 estimate provision 25.3

The 2002–03 provision does not include any proposed spring Supplementary Estimate changes.

Mr. Prisk

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times the Chief Executive Advisory Group of the Office of Government Commerce has met in the last year; what allowances from public funds are made to members of the group; and what the cost was in each year since 2000. [90565]

Mr. Boateng

The Chief Executive Advisory Group to the Office of Government Commerce met four times in 2002. No allowances from public funds are made through OGC to members of the group but some members may claim travel expenses from their own departments. Administrative support is provided by OGC staff.

Mr. Prisk

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times the Supervisory Board to the Chief Executive of the Office of Government Commerce has met in the last year; what allowances from public funds are made to members of the group; and what the cost was in each year since 2000. [90566]

Mr. Boateng

The OGC Supervisory Board has met three times in the calendar year ending December 2002. No allowances are paid to Members but one external Member, who provides invaluable US public sector procurement experience, is reimbursed travel costs through OGC. The cost each year since 2000 is:

Year £
2000–01 12,700
2001–02 16,700

In addition some Members may claim travel costs through their own Departments.