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Cabinet Office: Net Administration Costs
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
15 Jun 2004 : Column WA66- total net administration costs for the Cabinet Office have almost doubled between 1998–99 and 2002–03. [HL2654]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: The increase in net administration costs for the Cabinet Office between 1998–99 and 2002–03 is due to a number of factors:
functions transferred into the Cabinet Office;
consequential increased accommodation expenditure;
extra costs of security and resilience after September 2001;
an expansion of the Cabinet Office role in improving delivery and reform in public services;
The Departmental Report shows how the Cabinet Office is making good progress towards the delivery of its public service agreement targets and sets out details of activity in areas, such as security, where spend has increased. The report also explains that Cabinet Office is on course to achieve savings on administrative resources.
Government Documents: Accessible Formats
Lord Carter asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will ensure that when government documents are to be issued in formats accessible to disabled people such formats are available at the same time as the publication of the original documents. [HL2837]
Lord Bassam of Brighton: The cost of producing documents in accessible formats is significant and the demand for these is difficult to forecast.
Based on current levels of demand, the cost of producing all government documents in alternative formats at the same time as publication of the original documents would be disproportionate. Alternative format copies can generally be made available within four to five working days and within a maximum of 10 working days of receipt of a request. Where departments can forecast a demand for copies in advance they are produced at the same time. Simultaneous publication online of government documents has allowed greater manipulation and has provided more flexible options for the visually impaired.
A1: North Northumberland
Lord Walton of Detchant asked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress they have made towards constructing dual carriageways on the A1 highway in north Northumberland; and whether they can now publish a timetable relating to schemes already approved. [HL3115]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The Highways Agency expects this financial year to invite bids from contractors to develop proposals for the A1 Adderstone to Belford and A1 Morpeth to Felton dualling schemes. Subject to statutory procedures and availability of funds, works are expected to start in 2008–09.
A66: Temple Sowerby Bypass
Lord Jopling asked Her Majesty's Government:
15 Jun 2004 : Column WA68- undertaking given at the public enquiry that work would begin in the spring of 2004. [HL3135]
Lord Davies of Oldham: At the public inquiry into the draft orders for the A66 Temple Sowerby bypass scheme in February 2003, the Highways Agency advised that the earliest date construction could start would be 2004. Following the public inquiry, the Secretary of State, in July 2003, having considered the independent inspector's report, decided to make the necessary orders under the Highways Act, to enable the Highways Agency to proceed with the scheme. The orders are expected to be made in Summer 2004, and the Highways Agency expects to appoint a contractor to begin the detailed design work with a view, subject to funding, to starting construction in 2005–06.
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