|
WEDNESDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2003
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Jon Cruddas | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was examined.
Mr Rob Molam, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Hip replacements: an update (HC 956, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Sir Nigel Crisp KCB, Permanent Secretary/NHS Chief Executive, Ms Margaret Edwards, Director of Access, Department of Health, and Dr James Robertson, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 40-i).
[Adjourned until Monday 1 December at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 1 DECEMBER 2003
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Nigel Jones
Jim Sheridan
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ): New Accommodation Programme (HC 955, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Sir David Omand KCB, Permanent Secretary/Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator, Cabinet Office, Dr David Pepper, Director, GCHQ, and Mr Jeremy Colman, Assistant Auditor General, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 65-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Tackling fraud against the Inland Revenue), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 33 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the First Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (The New Electricity Trading Arrangements in England and Wales), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 24 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Second Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (The Sheep Annual Premium Scheme), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 41 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Third Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 3 December at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 3 DECEMBER 2003
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Frank Field | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Standard Report on the Accounts of the Inland Revenue 2002–03 was considered.
Sir Nicholas Montagu KCB, Chairman, Mr David Hartnett CB, Deputy Chairman, Director General (Policy and Technical), Mr Nicholas Lodge, Programme Director, Tax Credits, Inland Revenue, Mr Bill Thomas, President, EDS Europe, Middle East and Asia, and Mr Craig Wilson, EDS Enterprise Client Executive for Inland Revenue, Electronic Data Systems Corporation (EDS), were examined (HC 89-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated (spring programme).
Resolved, That the Committee approve the proposed programme of inquiries from 7 January to 7 April 2004.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor General's briefing note on Public Sector Pensions be placed in the House of Commons Library for the use of Members and in the Record Office, House of Lords, for public inspection.—(Mr Field.)
[Adjourned until Monday 8 December at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 8 DECEMBER 2003
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Nick Gibb
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Alan Williams |
Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Making a difference: performance of maintained secondary schools in England (HC 1332, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Mr David Normington CB, Permanent Secretary, Mr Peter Wanless, Director, Secondary Education Group, Department for Education and Skills, Mr David Bell, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England, Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), and Angela Hands, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 104-i).
[Adjourned until Wednesday 10 December at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2003
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Jim Sheridan | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Alan Williams |
Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Deputy Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Progress in improving the medical assessment of incapacity and disability benefits (HC 1141, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Mr David Anderson, Chief Executive, Jobcentre Plus, Professor Mansel Aylward CB, Chief Medical Adviser for Corporate Medical Group, Mr John Sumner, Director for Disability and Carers Service, Department for Work and Pensions, Mr Simon Chipperfield, Managing Director, Medical Service, SchlumbergerSema, and Mr Jeremy Lonsdale, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 120-i).
[Adjourned until Monday 15 December at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 15 DECEMBER 2003
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Jim Sheridan | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Transforming the performance of HM Customs and Excise through electronic service delivery (HC 1267, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Mr Mike Eland, Acting Chairman, Mr Len Morris, Director Information and e-Services, and Mr Kevin Franklin, Head of e-Programme Delivery, HM Customs and Excise, were examined (HC 138-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Improving Service Delivery: The Forensic Science Service), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 13 read and agreed to.
Paragraph 14 read, amended and agreed to.
Paragraphs 15 to 21 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read, amended and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report, as amended, be the Fourth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Resolved, That the Committee do visit Madrid in April 2004, in connection with its ongoing interest in state audit and accountability arrangements in the European Union and in examining international comparisons in areas such as healthcare and education.—(The Chairman.)
Ordered, That the Chairman do seek the approval of the Liaison Committee for expenditure in connection with the said visit.
The Committee further deliberated.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 7 January at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 7 JANUARY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Frank Field | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Jim Sheridan
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Managing resources to deliver better public services (HC 61-I & 61-II, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Mr Archie Robertson OBE, Chief Executive, Highways Agency, Mr Ralph Tabberer, Chief Executive, Teacher Training Agency, Dr Norman Perry, Chief Executive, Housing Corporation, Mr Robert Wardle, Director, Serious Fraud Office, Mr Nick Macpherson, Managing Director, Public Services, and Professor Sir Andrew Likierman, Managing Director, Financial Management, Reporting and Audit, HM Treasury, were examined (HC 181-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
[Adjourned until Monday 12 January at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Protecting England and Wales from plant pests and diseases (HC 1186, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Sir Brian Bender KCB, Permanent Secretary, Dr Stephen Hunter, Head of Plant Health Division, and Mr Chris Furk, Principal Inspector, Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, were examined (HC 208-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Warm Front: helping to combat fuel poverty), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 16 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fifth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Department of Trade and Industry: Regional Grants in England), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 14 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
A paper was ordered to be appended to the Report.
Resolved, That the Report be the Sixth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Monday 19 January at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 19 JANUARY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Frank Field | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Jim Sheridan
Jon Trickett |
Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molam, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Difficult forms: how government agencies interact with citizens (HC 1145, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Sir Nicholas Montagu KCB, Chairman, Inland Revenue, was further examined, Mr Paul Gray CB, Second Permanent Secretary, Managing Director for Pensions & Disability Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions, Mr Nick Sanders CB, Higher Education Adviser and Acting Director, Student Finance Group, Department for Education and Skills, and Mr Bernard Herdan, Chief Executive, United Kingdom Passport Service, were examined (HC 255-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Progress on 15 major capital projects funded by Arts Council England), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 27 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Seventh Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (The English National Stadium Project at Wembley), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 24 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Eighth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 21 January at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Siôn Simon
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Ministry of Defence: Operation TELIC—United Kingdom Military Operations in Iraq (HC 60) was considered.
Sir Kevin Tebbit KCB CMG, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Lieutenant General Robert Fry CBE, Deputy Chief Defence Staff (Commitments), Air Chief Marshal Sir Malcolm Pledger KCB, Chief of Defence Logistics, Ministry of Defence, and Mr David Clarke, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 273-i).
[Adjourned until Monday 26 January at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 26 JANUARY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on HM Customs and Excise: Standard Report 2002–03 was considered.
Mr Mike Eland, Acting Chairman, HM Customs and Excise, was further examined, Mr Mike Hanson MBE, Director General, Business Services and Taxes, Mr Mike Wells, Director of Law Enforcement Policy, HM Customs and Excise, and Mr Mike Suffield, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 284-i).
[Adjourned until Wednesday 28 January at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 28 JANUARY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Jon Trickett
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on The management of suspensions of clinical staff in NHS hospital and ambulance trusts in England (HC 1143, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Sir Nigel Crisp KCB, Permanent Secretary/NHS Chief Executive, Department of Health, was further examined, Professor Sir Liam Donaldson KCB, Chief Medical Officer, Mr Andrew Foster, Director of Human Resources, Department of Health, and Karen Taylor, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 296-i).
[Adjourned until Monday 2 February at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Youth offending: the delivery of community and custodial sentences (HC 190) was considered.
Mr Martin Narey, Chief Executive, National Offenders Management Service, Mr Simon Hickson, Head of the Juvenile Offenders Unit, Home Office, Mr Phil Wheatley, Director General, Ms Nicola Lowit, Head of the Juvenile Group, HM Prison Service, Mr Mark Perfect, Chief Executive, Mr Paul Bowers, Director of Service Delivery, Youth Justice Board, and Mr Peter Gray, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 307-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Review of grants made to the National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 11 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Ninth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Purchasing and managing software licences), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 18 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Tenth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 4 February at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Identifying and tracking livestock in England (HC 1144, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Sir Brian Bender KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, was further examined, Mr Malcolm Hunt, Head of Livestock Identification Division, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Mr David Evans, Director of the British Cattle Movement Service, Rural Payments Agency, were examined (HC 326-i).
[Adjourned until Monday 9 February at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Jon Cruddas
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molam, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on DVLA 2002–03 Trust Statement was considered.
Mr Clive Bennett, Chief Executive, Mr Trevor Horton, External and Corporate Services Director, and Mr Ieuan Griffiths, Finance and Strategy Director, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, were examined (HC 336-i).
[Adjourned until Wednesday 11 February at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2004
Members present:
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Siôn Simon
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Alan Williams |
In the absence of the Chairman, Mr Williams was called to the Chair.
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Risk management: the nuclear liabilities of British Energy plc (HC 354-i) was considered.
Sir Robin Young KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry, and Mr Adrian Montague CBE, Chairman, British Energy, were examined (HC 354-i).
[Adjourned until Monday 23 February at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Frank Field | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Ministry of Defence: Major Projects Report 2003 (HC 195) was considered.
Sir Kevin Tebbit KCB CMG, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence, was further examined, Sir Peter Spencer KCB, Chief of Defence Procurement, Lieutenant General Rob Fulton, Deputy Chief Defence Staff (Equipment Capability), Ministry of Defence, Mr Mike Turner CBE, Chief Executive, BAE Systems plc, and Mr Tim Banfield, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 383-i).
The National Audit Office Supply Estimate 2004–05, and the Comptroller and Auditor General's memorandum on the Estimate, were considered.
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, National Audit Office, were further examined, and Mr Michael Whitehouse, Assistant Auditor General, National Audit Office, was examined (HC 384-i).
The Northern Ireland Audit Office Supply Estimate 2004–05, and the Northern Ireland Comptroller and Auditor General's memorandum on the Estimate, were considered.
Mr John Dowdall CB, Comptroller and Auditor General, and Mr John Savage, Assistant Auditor General, Northern Ireland Audit Office, were examined (HC 385-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Resolved, That the Committee supports the National Audit Office net estimate of (60.197 million for the year 2004–05.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Public Accounts Commission be advised of the Resolution come to this day in respect of the National Audit Office Estimate for 2004–05.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee supports the Northern Ireland Audit Office net estimate of (7.416 million for the year 2004–05.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Public Accounts Commission be advised of the Resolution come to this day in respect of the Northern Ireland Audit Office Estimate for 2004–05.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the meetings currently scheduled for 5 and 7 April 2004 be postponed until after the Easter recess.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the meeting currently scheduled for 22 March (Network Rail – making a start) be postponed until shortly after Easter, and that the Committee instead do visit the Haringey Youth Offending Team that day.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned until Wednesday 25 February at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Frank Field | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Ministry of Defence: Major Projects Report 2003 (HC 195) was considered.
Sir Peter Spencer KCB, Chief of Defence Procurement, and Lieutenant General Rob Fulton, Deputy Chief Defence Staff (Equipment Capability), Ministry of Defence, were further examined (HC 383-ii).
[Adjourned until Monday 1 March at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 1 MARCH 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Strategic Rail Authority: improving passenger rail services through new trains (HC 263) was considered.
Mr Richard Bowker, Chairman and Chief Executive, Ms Nicola Shaw, Managing Director of Operations, Strategic Rail Authority, Ms Vivien Bodnar, Director of Rail Performance, Department for Transport, Mr John Armitt CBE, Chief Executive, Network Rail, Dr Timothy Walker CB, Director General, Health and Safety Executive, Mr George Muir, Director General, Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), and Mr Keith Holden, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 408-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
Another division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Helping consumers benefit from competition in telecommunications), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 26 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Eleventh Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Getting it right, putting it right: improving decision-making and appeals in social security benefits), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 20 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twelfth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Excess Votes 2002–03), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 30 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Thirteenth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
The Committee further deliberated (summer programme).
Resolved, That the Committee approve the proposed programme of inquiries from 21 April to 15 September 2004.—(The Chairman.)
The Committee further deliberated (visit to Northern Ireland).
Resolved, That the Committee approve the proposed programme for the visit to Northern Ireland, 28–29 April 2004.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned until Monday 8 March at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 8 MARCH 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Jon Cruddas
Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Income generated by the museums and galleries (HC 235) was considered.
Ms Sue Street, Permanent Secretary, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Mr Robert Crawford CBE, Director General, Imperial War Museum and Chairman of the National Museums Directors' Conference, and Rear Admiral Roy Clare, Director, National Maritime Museum, were examined (HC 430-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Inland Revenue: Tax Credits), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 23 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fourteenth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Procurement of vaccines by the Department of Health), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 25 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fifteenth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 10 March at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 10 MARCH 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett |
Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
The Committee deliberated (Cambridge—MIT hearing).
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Early Years: progress in developing high quality childcare and early education accessible to all (HC 268) was considered.
Mr David Normington CB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education and Skills, and Mr Jeremy Lonsdale, Director, National Audit Office, were further examined, and Ms Naomi Eisenstadt, Head of the Sure Start Unit, Department for Education and Skills, was examined (HC 444-i).
Jon Cruddas declared an interest in that he was Chairman of a London Early Year Development and Childcare Partnership for a period.
The witnesses were further examined.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee further deliberated.
Resolved, That a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor General's memorandum on Estimating the level of spirits fraud be placed in the House of Commons Library for the use of Members and in the Record Office, House of Lords, for public inspection.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned until Monday 15 March at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 15 MARCH 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Frank Field | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Jon Trickett |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Criminal Records Bureau: delivering safer recruitment? (HC 266) was considered.
Mr Bernard Herdan, Chief Executive, United Kingdom Passport Service and former Chief Executive of the Passport and Records Agency, was further examined, Mr Leigh Lewis CB, Permanent Secretary, Home Office, Mr Vince Gaskell, Chief Executive, Criminal Records Bureau, Mr Paul Pindar, Chief Executive, Capita Group plc, and Aileen Murphie, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 453-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Progress in improving the medical assessment of incapacity and disability benefits), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 17 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Sixteenth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 17 March at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 17 MARCH 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon | | Mr Brian Jenkins
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Out of sight—not out of mind: Ofwat and the public sewer network in England and Wales (HC 161) was considered.
Mr Philip Fletcher, Director General, Dr Bill Emery, Director of Costs and Performance and Chief Engineer, and Ms Sue Cox, Head of the Service and Performance Team, Office of Water Services, (Ofwat), were examined (HC 463-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated
Resolved, That the Chairman do write to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport with the Committee's response to the consultation on BBC Charter review.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned until Wednesday 24 March at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 24 MARCH 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on English Regions: an early progress report on the New Deal for Communities programme (HC 309), was considered.
Dame Mavis McDonald DCB, Permanent Secretary, Mr Joseph Montgomery, Director General, Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, and Mr Alan Riddell, Director of Operations, Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, were examined (HC 492-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
Another division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated (Meeting with the Budget Committee of the Ukraine).
[Adjourned until Monday 29 March at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 29 MARCH 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr Frank Field | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr George Osborne
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Mrs Angela Browning disclosed her interests pursuant to the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992. 1
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Cambridge—MIT Institute (HC 362) was considered.
Sir Robin Young KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry, was further examined, Mr John Kingman, Head of the Enterprise and Growth Unit, HM Treasury, and Professor Michael Kelly, Executive Director, Cambridge—MIT Institute, were examined (HC 502-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Hip replacements: an update), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 21 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Seventeenth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (PFI: The new headquarters for the Home Office), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 18 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Eighteenth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Making a difference: performance of maintained secondary schools in England), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 18 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Nineteenth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 31 March at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 31 MARCH 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg |
Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on HM Customs and Excise: Tackling VAT Fraud (HC 357) was considered.
Mr Mike Eland, Acting Chairman, and Mr Mike Wells, Director of Law Enforcement Policy, HM Customs and Excise, were further examined, and Mr Richard Summersgill, Head of VAT Assurance, HM Customs and Excise, was examined (HC 512-i).
[Adjourned until Wednesday 21 April at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Jon Cruddas | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Improving procurement: progress by the Office of Government Commerce in improving departments' capability to procure cost-effectively (HC 361-I & II) was considered.
Mr John Oughton, Chief Executive, Sir Peter Gershon KCB, former Chief Executive, Office of Government Commerce, Mr David Smith, Director, Commercial and Estate Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions, Mr Peter Unwin, Director General, Corporate Strategy and Resources, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and Mr Jeff Belt, Finance and Process Director, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency , were examined (HC 541-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
[Adjourned until Monday 26 April at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 26 APRIL 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Frank Field | | Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Increased resources to improve public services: a progress report on departments' preparations (HC 234) was considered.
Mr David Normington CB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education and Skills, and Sir Nigel Crisp KCB, Permanent Secretary/ NHS Chief Executive, Department of Health, were further examined, and Mr David Rowlands CB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, was examined (HC 552-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
Another division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Improving service delivery: the Veterans Agency), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 21 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twentieth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 28 April at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 28 APRIL 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Mr John Dowdall CB, Comptroller and Auditor General (Northern Ireland), was further examined.
Mr David Thomson, Treasury Officer of Accounts (Northern Ireland), was examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland's Report on Department for Regional Development: management of industrial sickness absence (HC 736, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Mr Stephen Quinn, Permanent Secretary and Accounting Officer, Mr David Sterling, Principal Finance Officer, Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Chief Executive and Agency Accounting Officer, Roads Service, and Ms Katharine Bryan, Chief Executive and Agency Accounting Officer, Water Service, Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development, were examined (HC 561-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Housing the homeless), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 23 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-first Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Excess Votes (Northern Ireland) 2002–03), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 11 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-second Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 5 May at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 5 MAY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on The recovery of debt by the Inland Revenue (HC 363) was considered.
Miss Ann Chant CB, Acting Chairman, Mr Stephen Jones, Director of Finance, and Mr Gordon Smith, Director, Receivables Management Service, Inland Revenue, were examined (HC 584-i).
Two divisions of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for fifteen minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Government Communications Headquarters: New Accommodation Programme), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 23 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-third Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Transforming the performance of HM Customs and Excise through electronic delivery), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 21 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-fourth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Monday 10 May at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 10 MAY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mrs Angela Browning
Jon Cruddas
Mr Frank Field | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on English Regions: success in the regions (HC 1268, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Sir Robin Young KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry, and Dame Mavis McDonald DCB, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, were further examined, Mr Rob Smith, Director-General, Regional Development Group, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive, Northwest Development Agency, and Mr Martin Briggs, Chief Executive, East Midlands Development Agency, were examined (HC 592-i).
Jon Cruddas declared an interest in that he was a nominee of the London Development Agency and the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence in his constituency, and sits on the Board of London Riverside.
The witnesses were further examined.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 12 May at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 12 MAY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Brian Jenkins
Jim Sheridan | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on The UK Emissions Trading Scheme: a new way to combat climate change (HC 517) was considered.
Sir Brian Bender KCB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, was further examined, Mr Henry Derwent, Director of Climate, Energy and Environmental Risk, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Mr Chris Shapcott, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 604-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated (Summer programme).
Resolved, That the Committee approve changes to the programme of inquiries from 21 April to 15 September 2004.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned until Monday 17 May at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 17 MAY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Jon Cruddas
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on The Drug Treatment and Testing Order: early lessons (HC 366) was considered.
Mr Martin Narey, Chief Executive, National Offender Management Service, was further examined, Mr Paul Hayes, Chief Executive, National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, and Mr Stephen Murphy CBE, Director General, National Probation Service for England and Wales, were examined (HC 609-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Managing resources to deliver better public services), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 25 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-fifth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Difficult forms: how government departments interact with citizens), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 21 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-sixth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Identifying and tracking livestock in England), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 27 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-seventh Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Trust Statement Report 2002–03), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 29 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-eighth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 19 May at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 19 MAY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Department for Education and Skills: Connexions Service – advice and guidance for all young people (HC 484) was considered.
Mr David Normington CB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Education and Skills, was further examined, and Mrs Anne Weinstock CBE, Chief Executive of the Connexions Service, was examined (HC 552-i).
[Adjourned until Monday 24 May at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 24 MAY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr David Curry
Mr Ian Davidson
Jim Sheridan | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Health and Safety Executive: improving health and safety in the construction industry (HC 531) was considered.
Dr Timothy Walker CB, Director General, Health and Safety Executive, was further examined, and Mr Kevin Myers, Chief Inspector of Construction, Health and Safety Executive, was examined (HC 627-i).
Mr David Curry disclosed his interests pursuant to the Resolution of the House of 13 July 1992. 2
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Improving public services for older people), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 37 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Twenty-ninth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Out of sight—not out of mind: Ofwat and the public sewer network in England and Wales), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 26 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Thirtieth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Cambridge—MIT Institute), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 23 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-first Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 26 May at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 26 MAY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Jon Cruddas
Mr David Curry | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams
|
Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Network Rail—making a fresh start (HC 532) was considered.
Mr David Rowlands CB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, Mr Richard Bowker, Chairman and Chief Executive, Strategic Rail Authority, Mr John Armitt CBE, Chief Executive, Network Rail, and Mr Jeremy Colman, Assistant Auditor General, National Audit Office, were further examined, Mr Ian McAllister CBE, Chairman, Network Rail, and Ms Patricia Leahy, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 639-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
[Adjourned until Monday 14 June at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 14 JUNE 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr David Curry
Mr Frank Field | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on The management of sickness absence in the prison service (HC 533) was considered.
Mr Martin Narey, Chief Executive, National Offender Management Service, and Mr Phil Wheatley CB, Director General, HM Prison Service, were further examined, Mr Gareth Hadley, HR Director, National Offender Management Service, and Mr Robin Wilkinson, Head of Personnel Management Group, HM Prison Service, were examined (HC 680-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (HM Customs and Excise Standard Report), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 17 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-second Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Incomes generated by the museums and galleries), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 15 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read.
Amendment proposed, in line 10, after "work", to add, "From their own experience as constituency MPs Committee members record with pleasure the changes museums and galleries are making which, for some, have transformed how a growing proportion of the public perceive them. One aspect of this change concerns income generation which is the subject of this Report."—(Mr Field.)
Question proposed, that the amendment be made.
Proposed amendment made.
Resolved, That the Report, as amended, be the Thirty-third Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Strategic Rail Authority: improving passenger rail services through new trains), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 19 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-fourth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 16 June at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 16 JUNE 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams
|
Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Tackling cancer in England: saving more lives (HC 364) was considered.
Sir Nigel Crisp KCB, Permanent Secretary/NHS Chief Executive, Department of Health, and Dr James Robertson, National Audit Office, were further examined, Professor Mike Richards CBE, National Cancer Director, Department of Health, was examined (HC 712-i).
[Adjourned until Monday 21 June at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 21 JUNE 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Visa entry to the United Kingdom: the entry clearance operation (HC 367) was considered.
Sir Michael Jay KCMG, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, and Accounting Officer of UKvisas, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr Robin Barnett OBE, Director, UKvisas, and Mr Bill Jeffrey, Director General, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office, were examined (HC 737-i).
[Adjourned until Wednesday 23 June at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE 2004
Members present:
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr David Curry
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Jim Sheridan
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams
|
In the absence of the Chairman, Mr Williams was called to the Chair.
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Reports on London Underground: are the Public Private Partnerships likely to work successfully? (HC 644) and London Underground PPP: were they good deals? (HC 645) were considered.
Mr David Rowlands CB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, and Ms Patricia Leahy, Director, National Audit Office, were further examined, Mr Paul Davies, Partner and Head of Transport Division within Corporate Finance, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Mr Tim O'Toole, Managing Director, and Mr Martin Callaghan, former Board member, London Underground Limited, were examined (HC 783-i).
Mr Alan Williams declared an interest in that he is a member of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association.
A number of divisions of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for fifty minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Resolved, That the witnesses before the Committee this day be recalled in order to give further evidence, at an early opportunity.—(Mr Williams.)
[Adjourned until Monday 28 June at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 28 JUNE 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr David Curry
Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins
Jim Sheridan
Mr Alan Williams
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Department for International Development: responding to HIV/AIDS (HC 664) was considered.
Mr Suma Chakrabarti, Permanent Secretary, Mr Graham Stegmann, Director, Africa Division, Mr Richard Calvert, Director of Finance and Corporate Performance, Ms Robin Gorna, Head of HIV/Aids Policy Team, Department for International Development, were examined (HC 807-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Early Years: progress in developing high quality childcare and early education accessible to all), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 22 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-fifth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Tackling VAT fraud), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 29 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-sixth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Risk management: the nuclear liabilities of British Energy plc), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 12 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-seventh Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (An early progress report on the New Deal for Communities programme), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 20 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-eighth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
The Committee further deliberated (autumn programme).
Resolved, That the Committee approve the proposed programme of inquiries from 13 October to 15 December 2004, as amended.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the proposed hearing on the BBC's investment in Freeview take place on 15 September, and that the hearing on IT projects and programmes moves to the autumn.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned until Wednesday 30 June at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 30 JUNE 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Jon Cruddas
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jim Sheridan
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Improving the speed and quality of asylum decisions (HC 535) was considered.
Mr Bill Jeffrey, Director General, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office, was further examined, Mr John Gieve CB, Permanent Under Secretary of State and Departmental Accounting Officer, Home Office, Mr Ian Magee CB, Chief Executive Operations and Second Permanent Secretary, and Mr Martin John, Director of Tribunal Operations, Department for Constitutional Affairs, were examined (HC 837-i).
[Adjourned until Wednesday 21 July at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 21 JULY 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Jon Cruddas
Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins
Jim Sheridan
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Ministry of Defence: Operation TELIC—United Kingdom military operations in Iraq), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 28 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Thirty-ninth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Youth offending: the delivery of community and custodial sentences), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 22 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fortieth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Improving departments' capability to procure cost-effectively), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 21 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-first Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Increased resources to improve public services: a progress report on departments' preparations), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 32 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-second Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Ministry of Defence: Major Projects Report 2003), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 26 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-third Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Protecting England and Wales from plant pests and diseases), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 15 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-fourth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Criminal Records Bureau – delivering safer recruitment ) proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 13 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-fifth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
The Committee further deliberated (Government IT projects).
[Adjourned until Wednesday 8 September at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Jon Cruddas
Mr David Curry
Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jim Sheridan
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Improving patient care by reducing the risk of hospital acquired infection: a progress report (HC 876) was considered.
Sir Nigel Crisp KCB, Permanent Secretary/NHS Chief Executive and Professor Sir Liam Donaldson KCB, Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health, were further examined, Professor Brian Duerden, Inspector of Microbiology, Department of Health, was examined (HC 1044-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
[Adjourned until Monday 13 September at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Alan Williams
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Rob Molan, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem): Social Action Plan and Household Efficiency (HC 878) was considered.
Alistair Buchanan, Chief Executive, and John Neilson, Managing Director, Corporate Affairs, Ofgem, were examined (HC 1053-i).
[Adjourned until Wednesday 15 September at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr David Curry
Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on The BBC's investment in Freeview, and a response from the BBC's Board of Governors, was considered.
Dermot Gleeson, Governor and Member of the Audit Committee, Mark Thompson, Director General, Carolyn Fairbairn, Director, Strategy, and Caroline Thomson, Director, Policy & Legal, the BBC, were examined (HC 1065-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (The UK Emissions Trading Scheme: a new way to combat climate change), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 15 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-sixth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 13 October at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 13 OCTOBER 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr David Curry
Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Helping farm businesses in England (HC 1028) was considered.
Sir Brian Bender KCB, Permanent Secretary, Mr Peter Cleasby, Head of Skills and Rural Enterprise Division, and Mr Martin Nesbit, Head of Rural Development Division, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, were examined (HC 1131-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (The management of suspensions of clinical staff in NHS hospitals and ambulance trusts in England), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 18 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-seventh Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Resolved, That copies of the letters of 4 May and 13 July 2004 from the Comptroller and Auditor General to the Chairman, and of 26 July 2004 to Mr Alan Williams (The Royal Accounts), be placed in the House of Commons Library for the use of Members and in the Record Office, House of Lords, for public inspection.—(Mr Williams.)
[Adjourned until Monday 25 October at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 25 OCTOBER 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mrs Angela Browning
Mr Ian Davidson | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Mr Alan Williams
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Ministry of Defence: Battlefield Helicopters (HC 486) was considered.
Sir Kevin Tebbit KCB CMG, Permanent Under Secretary of State, and Sir Peter Spencer KCB, Chief of Defence Procurement, Ministry of Defence were further examined, and Air Vice-Marshal Paul Luker OBE, Commander, Joint Helicopter Command, Ministry of Defence, was examined (HC 1191-i).
Mrs Angela Browning declared an interest in that she had been a guest at dinner with the Commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, who she knew in a private capacity, at which she discussed the matter before the Committee with the Commander and other officers.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Connexions Service), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 16 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-eighth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (The recovery of debt by the Inland Revenue) proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 28 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Forty-ninth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 27 October at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 27 OCTOBER 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Jon Cruddas
Mr Frank Field
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on PFI: The STEPS Deal (HC 530) was considered.
Mr David Varney, Executive Chairman, Ms Helen Ghosh, Director General (Corporate Services), Ms Siobhán Mary McHale, Director of Estates, Inland Revenue/HM Customs and Excise, and Mr Jamie Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer, Mapeley, were examined (HC 1211-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
Ordered, That, for the remainder of the evidence to be taken this day, the Committee meet in private.—(The Chairman).
The witnesses were further examined.
[Adjourned until Tuesday 2 November at 9.15am.
TUESDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2004
The Committee met at Parliament Buildings, Belfast
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr David Curry | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Gerry Steinberg
|
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Northern Ireland: the management of industrial sickness absence), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 26 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fiftieth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
The Committee further deliberated.
Mr John Dowdall CB, Comptroller and Auditor General (Northern Ireland), was further examined.
Mr David Thomson, Treasury Officer of Accounts (Northern Ireland), was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland's Report on The use of operating theatres in the Northern Ireland Health and Personal Social Services (HC 552, Session 2002–03) was considered.
Mr Clive Gowdy CB, Permanent Secretary and Accounting Officer, Dr Ian Carson, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and Mr Andrew Hamilton, Deputy Secretary, Primary, Secondary and Community Care Group, Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, were examined (HC 1227-i).
The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland's Report on the Navan Centre (HC 204) was considered.
Dr Aideen McGinley OBE, Permanent Secretary, and Mr Nigel Carson, Assistant Secretary, Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, were examined (HC 1228-i).
[Adjourned until Wednesday 3 November at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Jon Cruddas
Mr Frank Field | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Improving emergency care in England (HC 1075) was considered.
Sir Nigel Crisp KCB, Permanent Secretary/NHS Chief Executive of Health, was further examined, and Professor Sir George Alberti, National Director for Emergency Access, Department of Health, was examined (HC 1233-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
A second division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
[Adjourned until Monday 8 November at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg | | Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams
|
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Managing risks to improve public services (HC 1078) was considered.
Sir David Omand GCB, Permanent Secretary and Security & Intelligence Co-ordinator, Cabinet Office, was further examined, Mr Graham Hooker CBE, Head of Detection and Regional Head of Customs Law Enforcement, South Region, HM Customs & Excise, Ms Ann Taylor, Director, Coal Liabilities Unit, Department of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Davey, Director of Arts and Culture, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and Mr Hugh Pullinger, Head of Risk Support Team, HM Treasury, were examined (HC 1245-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
Draft Report (Success in the regions), proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 19 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fifty-first Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Another draft Report (Health and Safety Executive: Improving health and safety in the construction industry) proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 18 read and agreed to.
Conclusions and recommendations read and agreed to.
Summary read and agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report be the Fifty-second Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (Reports)) be applied to the Report.
Resolved, That a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor General's briefing note on the royal train be placed in the House of Commons Library for the use of Members and in the Record Office, House of Lords, for public inspection.—(Mr Williams.)
[Adjourned until Wednesday 10 November at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2004
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Improving public transport in England through light rail (HC 518) was considered.
Mr David Rowlands CB, Permanent Secretary, Department for Transport, and Mr Keith Holden, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 1258-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated.
[Adjourned until Monday 15 November at 4.30 pm.
MONDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2004
Members present:
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr David Curry
Mr Ian Davidson
Mr Frank Field | | Mr Brian Jenkins
Mr Jim Sheridan
Mr Gerry Steinberg
Jon Trickett
Mr Alan Williams |
Mr Tim Burr, Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Ms Paula Diggle, Second Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Welfare to work: tackling the barriers to the employment of older people (HC 1026) was considered.
Sir Richard Mottram KCB, Permanent Secretary, Mr David Anderson, Chief Executive, Jobcentre Plus, Department for Work and Pensions, and Mr Stephen Marston, Director of the Adult Learning Group, Department for Education and Skills, were examined (HC 1249-i).
A division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
Another division of the House being called, the Chairman suspended the meeting for ten minutes.
The Committee resumed.
The witnesses were further examined.
[Adjourned until Wednesday 17 November at 3.30 pm.
WEDNESDAY 17 NOVEMBER 2004
Mr Edward Leigh, in the Chair
Mr Richard Allan
Mr Richard Bacon
Mr Brian Jenkins | | Mr Stephen Timms
Mr Alan Williams |
Sir John Bourn KCB, Comptroller and Auditor General, was further examined.
Mr Brian Glicksman, Treasury Officer of Accounts, was further examined.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Improving IT procurement: the impact of the Office of Government Commerce's initiatives on departments and suppliers in the delivery of major IT-enabled projects (HC 877) was considered.
Mr John Oughton, Chief Executive, Office of Government Commerce, was further examined, Mr Kevin Bone, Information Systems Director, Jobcentre Plus, Department for Work and Pensions, Mr Stephen Calvard, Director of Business Information Systems and Technology, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office, Mr Michael Spurr, Director of Operations, HM Prison Service, Ms Sharon Baker, Partners Achieving Change Together (PACT), Services Director, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, and Mr Mark Davies, Director, National Audit Office, were examined (HC 1283-i).
The witnesses withdrew.
The Committee deliberated (spring programme).
Resolved, That the Committee approve the proposed programme of inquiries from 12 January to 23 March 2005.—(The Chairman.)
Resolved, That the Committee do visit EU institutions in Brussels & Luxembourg in connection with its inquiry into financial management in the European Union.—(The Chairman.)
[Adjourned until Wednesday 24 November at 3.30 pm.
APPENDIX
DECLARATION OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS
In accordance with the resolution of the House of 13 July 1992, Members of select committees are required to give details of their pecuniary interests for circulation to the Committee, before proceeding to the election of a Chairman or, if appointed to the Committee subsequently, when attending their first meeting. Such declarations of interest, when made, are recorded in the minutes of proceedings.
The interests have been recorded below under the categories used in the Register of Member's Interests:
1 Directorships
2 Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc.
3 Clients
4 Sponsorship or financial or material support
5 Gifts, benefits and hospitality (U.K.)
6 Overseas visits
7 Overseas benefits and gifts
8 Land and property
9 Registrable shareholdings
10 Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests
ALLAN, Richard (Sheffield Hallam)
6. Overseas visits
7–12 December 2003, to Stockholm, Sweden and Oslo, Norway, as a guest speaker on electronic democracy at the Cisco Public Services Summit. The event organisers, Cisco, provided travel, hotel accommodation, food and entertainment for conference speakers. (Registered 16 December 2003)
BACON, Richard (South Norfolk)
6. Overseas visits
20–25 September 2004, to lecture in five German cities on 'The Uses of Nations' at the invitation of the Deutsch-Britische Gesellschaft. No fee paid but travel and accommodation covered. (Registered 4 November 2004)
21–23 October 2004, to Boston, Massachusetts, at the invitation of Boston College to lecture on 'The US Presidential Election: A view from Parliament, a View from Europe'. No fee paid but travel and accommodation covered. (Registered 4 November 2004)
BROWNING, Angela (Tiverton and Honiton)
2. Remunerated employment, office, profession etc
Fees for lectures to Civil Service College, which are paid direct to charities. (Up to£5,000)
CRUDDAS, John (Dagenham)
Nil.
CURRY, Rt. Hon. David (Skipton and Ripon)
2 Remunerated employment, office, profession etc
Monthly column for Local Government Chronicle. (Up to £5,000)
Monthly column for Builder Magazine. (Up to £5,000)
DAVIDSON, Ian (Glasgow Pollok)
Nil
FIELD, Rt. Hon. Frank (Birkenhead)
1 Remunerated directorships
Medicash Health Benefits Ltd.
2 Remunerated employment, office, profession etc
Regular column for PensionsWeek, a publication owned by Pearson.(£5,001–£10,000)
Regular newspaper reviews for GMTV's Sunday Programme. (Up to £5,000)
Occasional articles for the Sunday People. (Up to £5,000)
Occasional articles written for the Financial Times. (Up to £5,000)
Occasional articles written for The Guardian (Up to £5,000)
12–13 September 2003, chaired a conference at Gleneagles for JP Morgan, who paid expenses and a fee. (Up to £5,000) (Registered 10 December 2003)
Occasional articles for the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday. (Up to £5,000)
Occasional articles written for The Independent and The Independent on Sunday. (Up to £5,000)
Occasional articles for the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph. (Up to £5,000)
6 Overseas visits
22 July–12 August 2004, to Australia to participate in conferences on welfare reform organised by the Centre for Independent Studies, who paid for my return flight to Sydney and a return flight between Sydney and Canberra. All my accommodation was arranged privately. (Registered 6 September 2004)
8 Land and Property
House in Chiswick, from which rental income is received.
GIBB, Nick (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton)
Nil.
JENKINS, Brian (Tamworth)
Nil.
JONES, Nigel (Cheltenham)
6 Overseas visits
22–29 November 2003, to Botswana at the invitation of the Government of Botswana on an All-Party Parliamentary Botswana Group visit to investigate issues of interest of the UK in Botswana. All travel, accommodation and subsistence was paid for by the Government of Botswana. (Registered 14 December 2003)
26 June–2 July 2004, to Botswana at the invitation of the Botswana Government as part of an all-party visit to investigate issues of interest to the UK in Botswana. All travel, accommodation and subsistence was paid for by the Botswana Government. (Registered 6 July 2004)
KELLY, Ruth (Bolton West)
Nil.
LEIGH, Edward (Gainsborough)
2 Remunerated employment, office, profession etc
Barrister at Law.
Parliamentary consultant to Pinnacle Insurance PLC. (£10,001–£15,000)
4 Sponsorship or financial or material support
Since May 1997, occasional briefing and visits to the House in connection with particular legislation by Mr Simon Calvert, Deputy Director of the Christian Institute.
OSBORNE, George (Tatton)
2 Remunerated employment, office, profession etc
Fees for articles for the Spectator Magazine (Up to £5,000)
Fee for appearance as 'Parliamentary Doctor' on BBC Daily Politics Programme. (Up to £5,000)
I receive payments from Rt Hon William Hague MP for assistance with his non-parliamentary speeches and articles in my capacity as his former speechwriter.
9 Registrable shareholdings
(a) I am the beneficiary of a discretionary family trust which holds more than 15% of the issued share capital of Osborne and Little PLC, a family business manufacturing and retailing fabrics and wallpapers.
SHERIDAN, Jim (West Renfrewshire)
Nil.
SIMON, Siôn (Birmingham Erdington)
2 Remunerated employment, office, profession etc
Monthly column for Decanter Magazine
Fees for articles for the Mail on Sunday. (Up to £5,000).
STEINBERG, Gerry (City of Durham)
6 Overseas visits
11–17 January 2004, to Taiwan to attend South Ayrshire/Pacific Security Conference. Travel and accommodation costs met by the Government of Taiwan. (Registered 20 January 2004)
9–13 September 2004, to Gibraltar, as part of the National Day Celebrations, at the invitation and expense of the Gibraltar Government. (Registered 11 October 2004)
TIMMS, Stephen (East Ham)
Nil.
TRICKETT, Jon (Hemsworth)
Nil.
WILLIAMS, Rt. Hon. Alan (Swansea West)
2 Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc.
Lecturer at the CMPS (Centre for Management and Policy Studies). (Up to £5,000)
5 Gifts, benefits and hospitality (UK)
13 July 2004, on flight between London and Washington my wife and I were upgraded by Virgin Airlines. (Registered 22 July 2004)
19 July 2004, on flight between Washington and London my wife and I were upgraded by BA. (Registered 22 July 2004)
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