PMQT Written Answers – 18 June 1992
Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 18th June 1992.
PRIME MINISTER:
Official Visits
Q8. Mr. Enright : To ask the Prime Minister when he will next pay an official visit to Kinsley.
The Prime Minister : I shall be making further visits to many parts of the country and hope to include Kinsley among them.
Ministerial Responsibilities
Sir John Hannam : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about ministerial responsibilities for HMSO, the Central Office of Information, Chessington Computer Centre and CCTA–the Government Centre for Information Systems.
The Prime Minister : The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Minister of Public Service and Science) will assume responsibility for these bodies from the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The transfer of responsibility for the Central Office of Information and Her Majesty’s Stationery Office will take place on Monday 22 June. The transfer of CCTA will take place once the necessary Transfer of Functions Order permits. Responsibility for Chessington Computer Centre will be transferred as soon as the administrative arrangements have been completed.
These four bodies are largely self-contained units engaged in providing services, mostly on a repayment basis, and mainly to other civil service departments and agencies. They will take their place alongside the Civil Service college, the Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency and the Occupational Health Service, which are also self-contained units largely serving civil service departments and agencies and which are already the responsibility of the Chancellor of the Duchy. Bringing these seven units under one Minister is designed to improve their effectiveness and help to provide even better value for those who use those services.
Millennium Fund
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Prime Minister what benefits are planned to flow to London from the millennium fund.
The Prime Minister : It is far too early to say. But the millennium fund, which will commemorate the start of the 21st century, will be one of the areas funded by the national lottery.
Private Sector Forum for London
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Prime Minister;
(1) what functions will be carried out by the Private Sector Forum for London ; and whether its proceedings will be subject to public scrutiny;
(2) when he intends to announce the membership of the proposed Private Sector Forum for London ; and if he is inviting nominations from representative bodies in the capital.
The Prime Minister : The forum will promote London internationally as a business, tourist and cultural centre. We are still considering the detailed arrangements for the forum. We will announce our conclusions in due course.
Rail Travel
Mr. Tony Banks : To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has made an official visit by train since becoming Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister : I do so when ever the opportunity arises but for practical and security reasons I am unable to travel often by train.
Royal British Legion (Training Centre)
Mr. Alfred Morris : To ask the Prime Minister what is the most appropriate Department to sponsor the Royal British Legion’s bid to PERIFRA II for the establishment of a training centre in Tidworth for providing specific training for members of the armed forces and their families, so as to prepare them for continuing careers in civilian life; what action he will take in consultation with the Royal British Legion; and if he will make a statement.
The Prime Minister [holding answer 17 June 1992] : The aims of the British Legion proposal are to provide employment opportunities and training for the wives and dependants of service personnel, for ex-service personnel, and for the local community in Tidworth. The Ministry of Defence has the matter under consideration.