18 Nov 1999 : Column: 1W
Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 18 November 1999
[From 17 November 1999 written answer column numbers will be followed by W.]
DEFENCE
Defence Communication Services Agency
Jean Corston: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Communication Services Agency for 1999-2000. [98609]
Mr. Kilfoyle: The role of the Defence Communication Services Agency is to provide information transfer services to Defence. The Key Targets for the Agency for the 12 months from 1 April 1999 are:
- Key Target 1:
- To achieve a mean 95 per cent. of the performance targets set down in the Services Baseline Document for the timeliness, accuracy and protection of information transfer services except where other specific targets have been agreed with customers.
- Key Target 2:
- To commission 90 per cent. of requests for new services on or before the dates agreed with customers.
- Key Target 3:
- To restore 95 per cent. of interrupted services classed as operationally urgent within four hours or within other specific periods agreed with customers.
- Key Target 4:
- To answer 85 per cent. of calls to DCSA Operator Assistance Centres in UK within 15 seconds.
RAF Personnel
Mrs. Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes are to be made to the reserve service liability of non-commissioned Royal Air Force personnel. [98663]
Mr. Spellar: Currently, on completion of a period of regular service which does not attract an immediate pension, non-commissioned Royal Air Force personnel are liable for up to six years service in either Category 1 or Category 2 of the RAF Reserve of Airmen. The majority of these reservists are placed in Category 1 and have a liability for 15 days annual training, in return for which they receive a small annual payment. Those in Category 2 have no such training liability and, therefore, do not receive payment.
The reason for this annual training liability dates back to the Cold War and was intended to ensure that sufficient trained personnel would be available to provide, at relatively short notice, key point guards in the event of an anticipated attack on the United Kingdom. In the current strategic environment, however, any requirement for reinforcement could be met within the longer period that the Royal Air Force would have to achieve its required readiness states. Moreover, current planning assumptions indicate that, although there is a continuing need for volunteer reservists, there is little likelihood of the Royal
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Air Force Reserve of Airmen being required to meet Royal Air Force outputs short of regeneration. Indeed, lessons learned from the operations in Kosovo are expected to further emphasise the need for volunteer reserves, rather than ex-regular reserves.
It has therefore been decided that non-commissioned personnel who have a commitment beginning on or after 1 February 2000 to serve in the Royal Air Force Reserve of Airmen, will be placed in Category 2 and will have no annual training liability. Ex-regular personnel currently serving in Category 1 will be invited to forego their annual training liability for the remainder of their reserve service commitment.
This decision will not affect the requirement for all members of the Royal Air Force Reserve of Airmen to keep the Service authorities informed of their contact addresses, and they will still retain their liability for call-out.
Mr. Bradshaw:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he intends to undertake a review of the British Library. [98605]
Mr. Alan Howarth:
As part of my Department's programme of quinquennial reviews of its public bodies, I have today announced the start of our Review of the British Library.
The British Library is the national centre for reference, study and bibliographical and other information services, in relation both to scientific and technological matters and to the humanities. The Review of the Library will include an evaluation of its role and functions and how those functions can best be carried out, and a review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the way in which the Library delivers services to its users. We aim to complete the Review during the Spring of 2000. A copy of the Terms of Reference has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Remploy
Mr. Dennis Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will undertake a quinquennial review of Remploy Ltd. [98571]
Ms Hodge: As part of the Government's commitment to achieve better public services, as set out in its Modernising Government White Paper, my Department is today beginning a Quinquennial Review of Remploy. Its aim will be to consider Remploy's contribution to the changing economy and within the new framework for civil rights for disabled people. Following standard Cabinet Office guidelines, the terms of reference for the prior options stage of the review will be:
- (i) To review the functions of Remploy, the effectiveness with which they have been carried out, and the likely need in the future for these functions.
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- (ii) To consider whether on efficiency grounds some or all of the functions of Remploy can be carried out within an alternative organisational framework including by another public, private or voluntary sector body or otherwise within government.
- (iii) To consider the powers, constitutional status, membership and objectives of Remploy.
We should welcome comments on those matters covered by the review from all those with an interest in Remploy's work. Comments, which may be made public unless respondents specifically request otherwise, should be sent by 31 January 2000, to:
Arthur Blacklock
Adult Disadvantage Policy Division
Department for Education and Employment
Moorfoot
Sheffield S1 4PQ
We have asked that this first stage of the review should be completed by the end of March 2000. The findings will be published and made available to Parliament.
Crime (Sentences) Act
Valerie Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement section 4 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. [98814]
Mr. Straw: Section 4 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 will come into force on 1 December 1999.
This provides a minimum sentence of three years imprisonment for those convicted for the third time of an offence of domestic burglary.
Political Parties (Funding)
Mr. Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many replies were received in response to the White Paper on the funding of political parties in the United Kingdom. [98815]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: The Home Office has received 36 written responses to the White Paper on the funding of political parties in the United Kingdom. Of those, only two have asked to remain confidential. Copies of the rest have been placed in the Library.
We are giving careful consideration to the issues raised by respondents and will take them fully into account in the preparation of a Bill for introduction in Parliament.
Police Training
Mr. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the future of police training in England and Wales. [98816]
Mr. Straw: A consultation document on proposals for new arrangements for the structure and delivery of police training in England and Wales has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library and are also being sent to police forces, police authorities, police staff associations and other interested parties. They have been invited to comment by 8 January 2000.
The consultation period reflects the discussion and debate we have had during the extensive examination of police training in recent months. There has been an
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inquiry by the Home Affairs Committee, a thematic inspection of training by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, a report by Sir William Stubbs and Roger McClure of the London Institute and two reports by the Police Federation. I am grateful to all those who have carried out these surveys and to all those who contributed their time and views during their preparation.
The consultation paper published today is firmly based on these studies. The paper describes the changes which the Government believe will deliver real improvements. There are numerous examples of good practice and indeed excellence under present arrangements and the proposals will build on those. The proposals, however, also represent an opportunity for a fresh start in police training: I believe that the police service and all the stakeholders in police training in England and Wales are ready to take action in this important area.
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