The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Tag: 1980

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on General Administration – 17 December 1980

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Parliamentary written question on General Administration, published on 17th December 1980.

    Mr. Major Asked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken to inform Ministry of Defence staff of the need for, and ways of, achieving economies in general administration.

    Mr. Hayhoe Ministry of Defence staff are frequently informed of the need for and ways of achieving economies in general administration. In September an instruction to be seen by all staff was issued on “Economy in MOD: A responsibility for Everyone” in the following terms “Everyone in the Ministry of Defence will be aware of the stringent measures being taken throughout the government service to reduce expenditure through improved efficiency. There are major studies under way, but the purpose of this instruction is to bring to the attention of all ranks and grades the part that everyone of us can play in keeping expenditure to the minimum without reducing the effective performance of our tasks. Economy can, and should, start with the individual. The savings which each of us may be able to make may seem trivial but in total they will add up to substantial sums. If everyone who reads this saved the department only £1 a week this would total more that £10 million in the course of a year. Is this (or better) really beyond us? Line managers, of whatever rank or grade, possibly have even greater scope than others for making savings and should assume immediate responsibility for setting a good example. They should each take a hard look at their area of responsibility; it is unlikely that they will be unable to find some cost-saving ideas. They should also give their staff every chance to put their views forward; there are almost certainly many underlying ideas only requiring the right stimulus, eg. a brain-storming session, for germination.”

    Guidance was given on making the most cost-effective use of heating and lighting; telecommunications; office equipment; postal services; stationery supplies; typing and reprographics and travel facilities.

    The text of the instruction has been placed in the Library.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on the Burnham Committee – 2 December 1980

    The text of Mr Major’s Parliamentary written question on the Burnham Committee, published on 2nd December 1980.

    Mr. Major Asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, when he proposes to announce the revised composition of the Burnham committee; and if he will publicise the criteria determining membership.

    Dr. Boyson My right hon. and learned Friend hopes to make an announcement in January 1981. The Remuneration of Teachers Act 1965 does not require criteria to be specified for determining membership. Successive Secretaries of State have considered relevant membership figures to be important but not paramount. It has been customary, though not mandatory, to consult other interested parties.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Value Added Tax (Exhibitions) – 28 November 1980

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Parliamentary written question on Value Added Tax (Exhibitions), published on 28th November 1980.

    Mr. Major Asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received representations from the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations concerning the apparent obligations on agricultural and breed societies to charge value added tax on entry fees for exhibitions held to improve the quality of breeding; and if he will make a statement upon the rationale for such a charge.

    Mr. Peter Rees Yes, representations have been received about the value added tax charge on entry fees to livestock and other competitions organised by agricultural show societies. As regards the VAT liability of competitions generally, I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the right hon. Member for Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles (Mr. Steel) on 11 November. – [Vol. 992, c. 164]. In relation to livestock competitions in particular, a VAT registered farmer will be able, subject to the normal rules, to reclaim from Customs and Excise any tax incurred on competitions entered for the purposes of his business.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Special and Training Grants – 27 November 1980

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Parliamentary written question on Special and Training Grants, published on 27th November 1980.

    Mr. Major Asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he proposes to simplify the documentation leading to special grants and for training grants; and whether he will issue guidance to enable the level of grant to be predetermined by applicants.

    Mr. David Mitchell Regional assistance under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 is provided on a selective basis towards projects which satisfy published criteria. The information and documentation sought from companies is the minimum consistent with the need to assess the projects’ eligibility for assistance. The amount of assistance provided towards the capital costs of the project is negotiated in each case as the minimum necessary for the project to go ahead and cannot, therefore, be determined in advance. Section 7 training grants cover a fixed 40 per cent. of eligible training costs and attract a matching contribution from the European social fund.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Regional Development Grants – 26 November 1980

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Parliamentary written question on Regional Development Grants, published on 26th November 1980.

    Mr. Major Asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the current average time spent between the date of an application for regional development grant and the date of payment.

    Mr. David Mitchell We estimate about seven months, including the four months’ deferment period announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget speech of 12 June 1979. – [Vol. 968, c. 247.]

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on the General Teachers’ Council – 25 November 1980

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Parliamentary written question on the General Teachers’ Council, published on 25th November 1980.

    Mr. Major Asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to support the establishment of a general teachers’ council.

    Dr. Boyson My right hon. and Learned Friend has consistently supported the establishment of a general teachers’ council, but for the teaching to become a self-governing profession agreement must first be reached by the parties involved on the terms of reference and composition of a teachers’ council. To date such agreement has not been forthcoming, but my right hon. and learned Friend is ready to listen to suggestions from the interested parties as to how the Department might help to take the matter forward.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Supplementary Benefit – 21 November 1980

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Parliamentary written question on Supplementary Benefit, published on 21st November 1980.

    Mr. Major Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to limit receipt of supplementary benefit by nationals of the member States of the European Community.

    Mrs. Chalker Community nationals cannot be denied access to the supplementary benefits scheme, but those who come here with the deliberate intention of relying on the scheme for support can be asked to leave the country by the Home Office. Arrangements have been made for appreciably earlier reports of benefit claims to be made to the Home Office by the DHSS. This should help speed up action and discourage abuse.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on the Welsh Development Agency – 11 November 1980

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Parliamentary written question on the Welsh Development Agency, published on 11th November 1980.

    Mr. Major Asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has yet been able to evaluate the pilot loan guarantee scheme implemented by the Welsh Development Agency; and if he will make a statement.

    Mr. David Mitchell The evaluation of this scheme is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, but in considering the option of a national loan guarantee scheme for small businesses we shall wish to study the results of the Welsh Development Agency’s experience with this measure.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on Drugs (Cost) – 11 November 1980

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Parliamentary written question on Drugs (Cost), published on 11th November 1980.

    Mr. Major Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the cost of drugs to the National Health Service for each of the last three years; and whether he considers that significant economies can be obtained by more responsible prescription.

    Mr. Patrick Jenkin The cost of drugs, exclusive of fees and allowances paid to chemists and dispensing doctors, in the National Health Service in England for each of the last three years was:

    Year ended | Million

    31 March 1978 | £565

    1979 | £673

    1980 | £781 (Provisional)

    This includes the hospital and community health drug costs.

    My Department takes a number of measures aimed at securing effectiveness and economy in prescribing. Among the more important are:

    (a) the provision of information to interested doctors enabling them to study their own pattern of prescribing;

    (b) the making available, free of charge, of independently produced publications on drugs and therapeutics;

    (c) the provision of comparison charts which indicate the differences in cost between related drugs; and in support of these

    (d) advice through the Regional Medical Service.

    I have recently announced the establishment of an informal working group consisting of officials of my Department and members of the medical profession in order to identify further ways of encouraging effective prescribing.

  • Mr Major’s Written Question on National Insurance – 10 November 1980

    Below is the text of Mr Major’s Parliamentary written question on National Insurance, published on 10th November 1980.

    Mr. Major Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to receive the result of the Rayner scrutiny on the validation of national insurance contribution records.

    Mrs. Chalker This scrutiny, which began on 13 October, is currently being carried out by a team of three officials from the Department. It is expected to last between three and four-and-a-half months, with a draft report submitted to Sir Derek Rayner in the new year. I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament copies of the study plan which the team have prepared as a basis for their scrutiny.