House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 14 Feb 2006 (pt 43)

14 Feb 2006 : Column 1956W—continued

Private Members' Bills

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list those Private Members' Bills introduced under (a) Standing Order No. 14(6), (b) Standing Order No.23 and (c) Standing Order No.57 which were (i) supported and (ii) opposed by his Department in each session since 1997–98. [35984]

14 Feb 2006 : Column 1957W

Mrs. McGuire: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed at the start of the 2001–02 parliamentary session. Information from that period to the end of the 2004–05 session is provided.

It is not possible to state whether or not the Department supported Bills that did not complete a Second Reading. Only one of the Bills listed as follows completed its Second Reading. The Department's position in relation to the one Bill that did complete its Second Reading is included next to its entry in the list.

Bills introduced under Standing Order No. 14(6)

Disabled people (Duties of public authorities)—Bridget Prentice;

Older people's commissioners—Ian Lucas;

Council Tax benefit (Entitlement information)—Tony Baldry;

Rights of savers—Sir Malcolm Rifkind—Opposed by the department.

Bills Introduced under Standing Order No.23

Needle stick injury—Laura Moffat;

Older people's rights commissioner—David Taylor;

Pensioner trustees and final payments—Mr. Jim Cunningham;

Health and safety at work (Offences)—Mr. Andrew Love;

Health and safety at work (Amendment)—Lawrie Quinn

Pensions (Clawbacks)—Mr. Kerry Pollard;

Universal funded pensions—Mr. Peter Lilley.

Bills introduced under Standing Order No.57

Health and safety at work (Offences)—Lawrie Quinn;

Pensions (Winding up)—Mr. Frank Field.

Statutory Sick Pay

Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many personal capability assessments were conducted pursuant to the Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 1999 in relation to those claiming statutory sick pay in each of the last three years. [49976]

Mrs. McGuire: The personal capability assessment is relevant to people claiming or receiving incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, or income support on the basis of incapacity. The personal capability assessment does not apply to statutory sick pay because, in that instance, incapacity for work is judged in relation to the job that the person has been doing under their contract of employment.

14 Feb 2006 : Column 1958W

Sunset Clauses

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is in respect of the use of sunset clauses in legislation. [33658]

Mr. Timms: The appropriateness of a sunset clause for the whole or part of any proposed legislation is considered on a case by case basis. It is also addressed when a regulatory impact assessment relating to legislation is being prepared.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Airguns

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the incidence of attacks on animals by use of airguns. [47848]

Hazel Blears [holding answer 2 February 2006]: We are determined to tackle all aspects of misuse of air weapons and are further tightening controls through provisions in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill which will increase the age limit for owning an air weapon to 18 and introduce a new offence of firing beyond the boundaries of premises. We believe it is important to control the easy availability of air weapons and there are also provisions in the Bill to restrict the sale of air weapons by way of trade or business to registered firearms dealers approved by the police and to require the transfer of the weapon to be on a face to face basis.

Animal Cruelty

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were convicted of cruelty towards animals (a) in Westmorland and Lonsdale and (b) England in each year since 1997. [47056]

Fiona Mactaggart: Persons found guilty for various offences connected with animal cruelty are shown in the table for South Lakeland petty sessional area and England, 1997 to 2004. It is not possible to separately identify Westmorland as the data is not collected at this level of detail.

Statistics on court proceedings for 2005 will be available in the autumn.
Number of offenders⁽⁵⁸⁾ found guilty for offences relating to animal cruelty in England, 1997–2004

Number of offenders

Statute 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

108.02 Protection of Animals Act, 191 1 (as amended) 769 797 736 783 708 704 730 734

108.03 Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 8 5 2 1 4 3 2 — 1

108.04 Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925 — — — — — — — —

108.06 Protection of Animals Act, 1934 4 4 - 1 — — 1 5

108.08 Docking and Nicking of Horses Act, 1949 — — — 2 — — — —

108.09 Pet Animals Act, 1951 3 6 9 12 8 5 6 2

108.10 Cockfighting Act, 1952 — — — — — — — —

108.11 Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1954 23 20 20 14 11 10 12 16

108.12 Animal Health Act, 1981, Sees 40–42, 46 and 49 and Orders made under Sees 8, 9, 37, 38, 39 and 43 61 72 49 22 22 30 19 32

108.13 Slaughterhouses Act, 1974 — 3 2 — — 1 1 1

108.14 Abandonment of Animals Act, 1960, Sec 1 18 19 12 13 19 19 14 14

108.16 Animal & Animal Products (Import and Export)Regulations 1988 — — — — — 4 1 —

108.17 Animals (Cruel Poisons) Act, 1962 — — — — 1 — — —

108.18 Animal Boarding Establishments Act, 1963 1 5 6 4 8 3 2 —

108.19 Riding Establishments Acts, 1964 and 1970 — 1 — 2 1 1 — —

108.20 Slaughter of Poultry Act, 1967 2 2 2 — — — — —

108.21 Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968, Sees 1,2 and 6 7 5 9 9 3 2 2 9

108.22 Protection of Badgers Act, 1992 (except Sec 13) 25 1 8 4 5 5 1 3

108.23 Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 9 3 — — — 2 3 — 1

108.24 Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 11 — 3 2 — — — — —

108.25 Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 3 6 — 4 4 3 5 3

II.07, 111.08 Breeding of Dogs Acts 1973 and 1991 3 2 3 2 1 — — 1

III.22,111.23 Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 — — — — — — — —

110 Diseases of Animals Act 58 66 49 27 124 54 69 54

190 (all) Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Sees 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 17 52 35 116 71 41 39 140 65

Total 1,037 1,049 1,024 974 961 885 1,003 941

⁽⁵⁸⁾ Principal offence basis.

14 Feb 2006 : Column 1959W

Number of offenders
	Statute	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
108.02	Protection of Animals Act, 191 1 (as amended)	769	797	736	783	708	704	730	734
108.03	Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 8	5	2	1	4	3	2	—	1
108.04	Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
108.06	Protection of Animals Act, 1934	4	4	-	1	—	—	1	5
108.08	Docking and Nicking of Horses Act, 1949	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	—
108.09	Pet Animals Act, 1951	3	6	9	12	8	5	6	2
108.10	Cockfighting Act, 1952	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
108.11	Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1954	23	20	20	14	11	10	12	16
108.12	Animal Health Act, 1981, Sees 40–42, 46 and 49 and Orders made under Sees 8, 9, 37, 38, 39 and 43	61	72	49	22	22	30	19	32
108.13	Slaughterhouses Act, 1974	—	3	2	—	—	1	1	1
108.14	Abandonment of Animals Act, 1960, Sec 1	18	19	12	13	19	19	14	14
108.16	Animal & Animal Products (Import and Export)Regulations 1988	—	—	—	—	—	4	1	—
108.17	Animals (Cruel Poisons) Act, 1962	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—
108.18	Animal Boarding Establishments Act, 1963	1	5	6	4	8	3	2	—
108.19	Riding Establishments Acts, 1964 and 1970	—	1	—	2	1	1	—	—
108.20	Slaughter of Poultry Act, 1967	2	2	2	—	—	—	—	—
108.21	Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968, Sees 1,2 and 6	7	5	9	9	3	2	2	9
108.22	Protection of Badgers Act, 1992 (except Sec 13)	25	1	8	4	5	5	1	3
108.23	Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 9	3	—	—	—	2	3	—	1
108.24	Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 11	—	3	2	—	—	—	—	—
108.25	Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996	3	6	—	4	4	3	5	3
II.07, 111.08	Breeding of Dogs Acts 1973 and 1991	3	2	3	2	1	—	—	1
III.22,111.23	Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
110	Diseases of Animals Act	58	66	49	27	124	54	69	54
190 (all)	Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Sees 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 17	52	35	116	71	41	39	140	65
	Total	1,037	1,049	1,024	974	961	885	1,003	941

Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted of cruelty towards animals in (a) Tamworth constituency and (b) the West Midlands in each year since 1997. [48646]

Hazel Blears: Persons found guilty for various offences connected with animal cruelty are shown in the tables for Staffordshire and the West Midlands police force areas,

14 Feb 2006 : Column 1960W

1997 to 2004. It is not possible to separately identify Tamworth constituency as the data is not collected at this level of detail.

Statistics on court proceedings for 2005 will be available in the autumn.
Number of offenders⁽⁵⁹⁾ found guilty for offences relating to animal cruelty in Staffordshire Police Force Area, 1997 to 2004

Number of offenders
Statute 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Protection of Animals Act, 1911 (as amended) 28 9 4 ⁽⁶⁰⁾— 14 7 5 10

Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 8 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Protection of Animals Act, 1934 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Docking and Nicking of Horses Act, 1949 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Pet Animals Act, 1951 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Cockfighting Act, 1952 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1954 — 2 — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — 1 —

Animal Health Act, 1981, Sees 40–42, 46 and 49 and Orders made under Sees 8, 9, 37, 38, 39 and 43 1 2 — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Slaughterhouses Act, 1974 — 2 — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Abandonment of Animals Act, 1960 Sec 1 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Animal and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 1988 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Animals (Cruel Poisons) Act, 1962 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Animal Boarding Establishments Act, 1963 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Riding Establishments Acts, 1964 and 1970 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Slaughter of Poultry Act, 1967 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968, Secs 1, 2 and 6 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Protection of Badgers Act, 1992 (except Sec 13) 1 — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — 1

Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 9 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 11 — — — — — — — —

Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 — 1 — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Breeding of Dogs Acts 1973 and 1991 1 — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 — — — ⁽⁶⁰⁾— — — — —

Diseases of Animals Act 13 11 3 ⁽⁶⁰⁾— 1 — 2 —

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Secs 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 17 14 12 3 ⁽⁶⁰⁾— 1 — 2 —

Total 58 39 10 ⁽⁶⁰⁾— 16 7 10 11

⁽⁵⁹⁾ Principal offence basis.
⁽⁶⁰⁾ Figures for Staffordshire for 2000 are not available. Staffordshire Police Force were only able to supply a small sample of data for magistrates courts proceedings during 2000.

Number of offenders
Statute	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
Protection of Animals Act, 1911 (as amended)	28	9	4	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	14	7	5	10
Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 8	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Protection of Animals Act, 1934	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Docking and Nicking of Horses Act, 1949	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Pet Animals Act, 1951	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Cockfighting Act, 1952	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1954	—	2	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	1	—
Animal Health Act, 1981, Sees 40–42, 46 and 49 and Orders made under Sees 8, 9, 37, 38, 39 and 43	1	2	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Slaughterhouses Act, 1974	—	2	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Abandonment of Animals Act, 1960 Sec 1	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Animal and Animal Products (Import and Export) Regulations 1988	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Animals (Cruel Poisons) Act, 1962	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Animal Boarding Establishments Act, 1963	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Riding Establishments Acts, 1964 and 1970	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Slaughter of Poultry Act, 1967	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1968, Secs 1, 2 and 6	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Protection of Badgers Act, 1992 (except Sec 13)	1	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	1
Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 9	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 Sec 11	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996	—	1	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Breeding of Dogs Acts 1973 and 1991	1	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999	—	—	—	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	—	—	—	—
Diseases of Animals Act	13	11	3	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	1	—	2	—
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Secs 1, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 17	14	12	3	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	1	—	2	—
Total	58	39	10	⁽⁶⁰⁾—	16	7	10	11

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