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To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the reason was for the increase in his Department's staff numbers between 1996-97 and 2001. - Includes figures.

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

10 May 2001

For answer on

11 May 2001

Answered on

11 May 2001

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the reason was for the increase in his Department's staff numbers between 1996-97 and 2001. [161126] Mr. Byers: The figures published in the DTI's March Expenditure Plans Report show DTI actual staff numbers of 9,640 in 1996-97 and an estimated figure of 10,324 for 2000-01 . This represents an increase of 684 staff (or 7 per cent.) over four years, principally reflecting caseload increases in demand-led activities: ACAS, a Non-Departmental Public Body which by convention counts towards DTI's staff numbers although it is not part of DTI. Staff numbers have increased by 210 (or 34 per cent.) from 614 in 1996-97 to 824 in 2000-01. Over the same period, caseloads have increased significantly with the number of individual conciliation cases received--one of ACAS's principal activities-- rising by 45 per cent. from 77,481 to an estimated 112,000 and the number of enquiries handled growing by 71 per cent. from 439,943 to an estimated 753,000. The Employment Tribunal Service, a DTI agency. Staff have increased by 91 (or 15 per cent.) from 621 in 1996-97 to 712 in 2000-01. Over the same period, employment tribunal applications rose by 46 per cent. from 88,910 to an estimated 130,000. The Patent Office, a Trading Fund agency which meets all its outgoings from receipts. Staff numbers have increased by 167 (or 23 per cent.) from 729 in 1996-97 to 896 in 2000-01. Over the same period, caseloads in the agency's main areas of work grew significantly. Between the calendar years 1996 and 2000, patent applications increased by 15.7 per cent. from 27,143 to 31,412 while trade mark applications (including for additional classes) rose by 41.2 per cent. from 71,463 to 100,902. In addition, smaller increases have occurred at two other DTI agencies: the Insolvency Service (35 staff, about 2 per cent.) and Companies House (34 staff, about 4 per cent.). Nearly all of the remainder is accounted for by an increase of 141 staff across the Department's headquarters and central services and the Small Business Service. The paybill has fallen by 4.6 per cent. in real terms between 1996-97 and the estimate for 2000-01, from £239 million in 1996-97 to £251 million estimated for 2000-01.

Date

11 May 2001

Reference

368 c438-9W;368 c439-40W; 161126

House

House of Commons

Dept of Trade and Industry

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will take steps to reduce disparities between staff in contracted-out public services who are transferred on TUPE terms and other employees of the contractor.

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

27 March 2001

Reference

156083; 365 c583-4W;365 c585-6W

House

House of Commons

Dept of Trade and Industry

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when he intends to publish the report by the Director General of Fair Trading for the year 1999.

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

29 June 2000

Reference

128758; 352 c577-8W

House

House of Commons

Dept of Trade and Industry

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what was the outcome of the Internal Market Council held in Luxembourg on 21st June.

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department of Trade and Industry

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

30 June 1999

For answer on

1 July 1999

Answered on

1 July 1999

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Internal Market Council held in Luxembourg on 21 June. [89805] Mr. Byers: My noble Friend the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe represented the UK at the Internal Market Council in Luxembourg on 21 June. The Commission introduced an open debate on the future direction of the single market. There was general agreement on the need to define strategic objectives against which the development of the single market could be monitored and on the priority areas for action (including public procurement, electronic commerce and mutual recognition). The Scoreboard was confirmed as a tool for monitoring progress; the latest version showed that the deficit in the transposition of directives was being reduced. The Commission reported on the progress of SLIM IV (Simpler Legislation in the Internal Market), the review of the SLIM initiative and the prospects for SLIM V. The Netherlands introduced a joint paper from the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK and there was agreement from other member states that there was a need for improvements to help realise the potential of SLIM. The Council reached political agreement on the Orphan Drugs Regulation (which provides incentives for the development of drugs for the treatment of rare diseases) and Customs 2000, and agreed Conclusions on Tourism and Employment. With the exception of a Spanish Gibraltar-related reservation on the designation of competent authorities, there was unanimous political agreement on the substance of the Takeovers Directive, which included the text that the Government had sought dealing with the issue of litigation. There was no agreement on the new chocolate directive, despite a qualified majority in favour of the Presidency's compromise, because of Commission objections to the proposed comitology provisions. The Commission introduced Communications on the Environment and the Internal Market and on Mutual Recognition. There was a brief debate on international exhaustion of trademark rights following a Commission presentation. The Council took note of progress reports on Standardisation; the Copyright and related rights in the Information Society Directive; the Electronic Commerce Directive; and the Commission's oral report on Counterfeiting and Piracy. The Council took note of a progress report on the reform of Customs Transit Systems and adopted a Resolution. The Commission announced the imminent publication of an amended proposal on Community Design. Ministers discussed the Artists' Resale Right Directive. The Council agreed to give more time to discussions in order to find a solution to the remaining difficulties some member states have with the proposed directive.

Date

1 July 1999

Reference

89805; 334 c233-4W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Education and Employment

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, how the random sample of schools inspected in 1994-95 and to be re-inspected in autumn 1998 was chosen by Ofsted; what advice was given to Her Majesty's Chief Inspector on how to ensure a random, balanced sample of schools; and...

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Education and Employment

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

7 April 1998

Reference

310 c227W; 37683;37684

House

House of Commons

Dept for Education and Employment

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what percentage of schools scoring 100 per cent. in the latest SATs tests for 11 year olds were schools where 15 pupils or less took the tests. - Inc table. (Holding answer 26 February 1998).

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Education and Employment

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

2 March 1998

Reference

31386; 307 c481W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Education and Employment

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will list (a) the number of small primary schools which, over the past five years, have been classified by OFSTED as failing schools, (b) the number of small primary schools which have been given good reports by OFSTED...

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Education and Employment

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

26 February 1998

Reference

31387; 307 c363W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Education and Employment

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what estimate he has made of the number of teachers currently teaching English in secondary schools who do not have a first degree in that subject. - Inc figs.

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Education and Employment

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

29 January 1998

Reference

305 c370W; 26076

House

House of Commons

Dept for Education and Employment

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what discussions he has had with OFSTED on the recent errors made in selecting schools for inspection in the autumn term; and what steps are being taken to prevent such errors occurring in the future. - Inc fact that HM...

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Education and Employment

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

26 January 1998

Reference

25278; 305 c83-4W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Education and Employment

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what guidance he has given to OFSTED on the frequency with which school inspections should be carried out. - Education (School Inspection) Regulations 1997. (Holding answer 16 January 1998).

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Education and Employment

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

19 January 1998

Reference

304 c440W;304 c435-6W; 23314

House

House of Commons

Dept for Education and Employment

What plans he has to review the system of school inspections to ensure that schools which have received a satisfactory OFSTED report are not subject to a further inspection after an amalgamation. - (Holding answer 30 July 1997).

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Education and Employment

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

31 July 1997

Reference

11082; 299 c496W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Education and Employment

What estimate he has made of (a) the average class size in schools in Warrington North and (b) the number of primary school children in Warrington North being taught in classes of more than 30 pupils. - Inc figs.

Asked by

Helen Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Education and Employment

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

21 July 1997

Reference

9211; 298 c393W

House

House of Commons

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