1994 - PMQT Written Answers 14th March 1994

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister's Question Time from 14th March 1994.

 

PRIME MINISTER:

No. 10 Downing Street (Costs)

Mr. Redmond : To ask the Prime Minister what is the budget for the running cost for the Prime Minister's residence at 10 Downing Street for 1994-95; and what was the running cost of 10 Downing street over the last 14 years.

The Prime Minister : Figures on a consistent basis are not available. In 1980-81, recorded spending on 10 Downing Street and Chequers on the votes of the Cabinet Office, OPSS, was £1,745 million. In 1981- 82, charges were introduced for the use of Ministry of Defence aircraft. Including those charges, spending was £2,415 million in 1981-82 and £2,700 million in 1982-83. In 1983-84, charges were introduced by the Property Services Agency for buildings and services. Including those charges, spending was £3,026 million in 1983-84. In 1984-85, charges were introduced for use of the Government car service and for service personnel at Chequers. Including those charges, spending was £3,787 million in 1984-85 and £4,406 million in 1985-86. In 1986-87, the cost of office services was included in the No. 10 budget. Including those costs, spending since then has been as follows :

Year     |£million         

---------------------------

1986-87  |4.963            

1987-88  |5.418            

1988-89  |6.554            

1989-90  |7.669            

1990-91  |8.226            

1991-92  |8.664            

1992-93  |9.866            

An outturn for 1993-94 will be available shortly ; it is likely to be around the same level of spending as in 1992-93. The provisional budget for 1994-95 is £9.486 million.

 

Back to Basics

Mr. Grocott : To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith) of 21 February, Official Report, column 849, what has been the total expenditure to date by the Government on the Government's "back to basics" policy; and how many departmental staff are currently working on the Government's "back to basics" policy.

The Prime Minister : As "back to basics" applies across a range of Government policies, the information which the hon. Gentleman requests could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

 

Jimmy Young Programme

Mr. Llew Smith : To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the transcript of his interview of the "Jimmy Young Programme" on BBC Radio 2 broadcast on 7 March; and if he will make a statement on new policy positions announced in the interview.

The Prime Minister : No. The objectives of this Government remain unchanged.

 

10 Downing Street (Jewellery)

Mr. Redmond : To ask the Prime Minister when the last independent audit of the 10 Downing Street jewellery inventory took place; who carried out the audit; and what were the findings.

The Prime Minister : There has been no such audit in recent years, although the items are and have been available for inspection by the auditors in the Cabinet Office or in the National Audit Office. I am satisfied that all the items concerned are in safe-keeping in Number 10.

 

Ministers

Mr. Austin Mitchell : To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of the number of Ministers in each Department with the numbers of Ministers in each corresponding Department in the period 1964 to 1970; and how the responsibilities of the respective Departments have altered.

The Prime Minister : Current information on the number of Ministers in each Department can be found in the "List of Ministerial Responsibilities", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. The responsibilities of Departments and the numbers of Ministers changed during the period 1964-1970. Tables of Ministerial office holders were published regularly in Hansard.

 

Cornwall

Mr. Flynn : To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on ministerial responsibility for Cornwall.

The Prime Minister : The Government are collectively responsible for all regions of the United Kingdom.