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27 Jan 2009 : Column 421W—continued
Departmental Catering
Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what (a) directly-operated and (b) franchised catering outlets his Department and its agencies provides for staff. [249067]
Mr. McFadden: This Department does not directly operate any catering facilities. Catering in our main BERR buildings in central London is provided by our contracted service provider, Baxter Storey. This includes a staff restaurant and a coffee shop in 1 Victoria Street and a cafe area in Kingsgate House, 66-74 Victoria Street.
I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Service and Companies House and they will respond to the hon. Member directly.
Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 26 January 2009:
The Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has asked me to reply to your question (2008/566) what (a) directly-operated and (b) franchised catering outlets his Department and its agencies provides for staff.
The Insolvency Service does not provide catering outlets for its staff. However, we do provide free tea and coffee for customers and staff.
Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 26 January 2009:
I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question, reference 249067, to the Minister of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
Companies House has two staff canteens operated by a third party contractor.
Departmental Data Protection
Mr. Vara: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what percentage of contractors and suppliers to (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have reported that they are compliant with the Government's security standards following publication of the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum Action, on 25 June 2008. [245318]
Mr. McFadden: BERR's Information Asset Owners work with their service delivery partners to ensure adherence with the operating principles and standards set out in the Government's report on Data Handling Procedures in Government.
I have asked the chief executives of Companies House and the Insolvency Service to respond to the hon. Member directly.
Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 26 January 2008:
The Minister of State, for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has asked me to reply to you directly in respect of your question (2008/346) asking what percentage of contractors and suppliers to (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have reported that they are compliant with the Government's security standards following publication of the report, Data Handling Procedures in Government, and the accompanying document, Cross-departmental Actions: Mandatory Minimum action, June 2008.
The Insolvency Service wrote to its contractors and suppliers in November 2008 regarding compliance with 'Data Handling Procedures in Government'. To date we have had 34 replies confirming positive compliance, representing 47% of the total issued.
Letter from Gareth Jones dated 26 January 2009
I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Minister of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
We identified seven suppliers as part of the Cabinet Office Data Handling Review and have asked them to complete a questionnaire showing their status with regard to the Data Handling Procedures. Of those, four have returned the questionnaire. Subject to minor clarifications, we are content that all four are generally compliant with the procedures and working toward full compliance where applicable. We are actively chasing the remaining three suppliers for their returns.
Mr. Vara: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many contracts (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; for which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each contract is held; and how many people have their data stored overseas in the case of each such contract. [245338]
Mr. McFadden: BERR is not aware of any jurisdictions other than the UK where any personal data are held.
I have asked the chief executives of Companies House and the Insolvency Service to respond to the hon. Member directly.
Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 26 January 2009:
The Minister of State, for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has asked me to reply to you directly in respect of your question (2008/347) asking how many contracts (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; for which contracts this applies; in which countries for each contract is held; and how many people have their data stored overseas in each case of each such contract.
The Insolvency Service supplies personal information to two contractors based outside the UK.
The first is to a company based in the United States. The data supplied comprises details of unclaimed monies; name of estate from which the payment was made; amount and date of payment; name and address of payee. The company's role is to trace the creditors who are owed the unclaimed monies and report this information back to the Insolvency Service. Approximately 2,500 records are provided to the company each year.
The second is a company based in France. This company is used to process Insolvency Service staff claims and is only provided with a limited amount personal information, being: staff name, pay number, grade and payment amount. Sensitive personal information, such as the bank account details are not shared with this company and is only amalgamated when the claims are back in the UK on The Insolvency Service IT System. Approximately 3,500 staff have their names and other limited personal data stores on this system.
Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 26 January 2009:
I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Minister of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
Companies House does have any contracts that allow storage of personal data overseas.
Mr. Vara: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what percentage of the IT systems in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies is fully accredited to the Government's security standards. [245380]
Mr. McFadden: All IT systems in BERR are fully accredited to the Government's Security Standards.
BERR agency chief executives will be responding separately regarding IT systems in their organisations.
Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 26 January 2009:
The Minister of State, for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has asked me to reply to you directly on behalf of the Insolvency Service in respect of your question (2008/349) what percentage of the IT systems in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies are fully accredited to the Government's security standards
I would like to answer the second part of your question in relation to the Insolvency Service. Its legacy infrastructure was accredited to Government standards when first introduced but it cannot meet current standards. However, the service is some way through a major overhaul of its core IT system which will then be subject to the accreditation process.
Our principal case management systems are many years old and did not go through a separate accreditation process. However these systems are due to be replaced in the next 6 months by new systems which will be accredited as they are introduced.
A recent review has identified a small number of applications which have a medium term life and are not adequately accredited. These will be put through a retrospective accreditation.
Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 26 January 2009:
I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Minister of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
Companies House is certified to ISO/IEC 27001:2005. This effectively covers all IT systems provided in-house.
Members: Correspondence
Sir Michael Spicer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when the Minister of State for Trade plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire of 24 October 2008 on the findings of the Community Pubs Inquiry report. [242434]
Mr. Sutcliffe [holding answer 11 December 2008]: I have been asked to reply.
I wrote to the hon. Member on 21 January and am sorry for the delay in doing so. I hope to respond to the findings in the Community Pubs Inquiry report shortly. The recommendations cover the policy interests of several Government Departments and DCMS is collating a Government response.
Motor Vehicles: Industry
Lembit Öpik: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent discussions he has had with trade unions in Wales about the economic difficulties facing the car industry. [247557]
Ian Pearson: BERR Ministers and officials regularly have discussions with business and trade unions on issues relating to the car industry.
Small Businesses: Bank Services
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent steps the Government have taken to assist small businesses to obtain lending from high street banks. [248318]
Ian Pearson: In the pre-Budget report on 24 November 2008, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a package of Government support for small and medium sized businesses to help them through the current economic difficulties.
Since then the Government have been working alongside the banks, business organisations and financial organisations to ensure that we speedily transform this announcement into real help for business.
On 14 January 2009, as part of the Government's Real Help for Business, my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Business, announced that businesses can now access the full range of support.
Information on the range of schemes that are available can be found at:
Small Businesses: Procurement
Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many contracts were awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises through the supply2.gov.uk website in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08; how many he expects to be so awarded in 2008-09; and what estimate he has made of the monetary value of such contracts. [246771]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 12 January 2009]: The supply2.gov.uk site offers consolidated access to public sector opportunities and allows businesses to search and view open lower-value contract opportunities in a single place. It does not measure contract awards. No estimate is available for the number or value of contracts won through the site.
Small Businesses: VAT
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received on the effect on small businesses of administering the temporary change to the rate of value added tax. [249649]
Ian Pearson: The Department is in regular contact with small businesses and their representatives on a range of issues, including VAT. HMRC provides advice and guidance to all VAT registered businesses, and is the primary contact point for any issues arising.
Textiles: Imports
Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his policy is on the importation of fur from Canadian black seals for use in making hats; and if he will make a statement. [248340]
Ian Pearson [holding answer 19 January 2009]: The Government's opposition to the annual Canadian seal hunt is well known and remains unchanged. We have lobbied to promote EU-wide action and we are pleased that on 23 July 2008, the European Commission proposed an EU-wide ban on the import, export and sale of seal products from a range of species where it cannot be proved that the seals were killed without suffering avoidable pain or distress. The Government welcome this proposal and is working with the European Commission to introduce effective legislation as quickly as possible. Our aim is for a complete ban on the commercial trade in all pinniped products (i.e. seals, sea lions and walrus).
Whitehall and Industry Group
Mr. Maude: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the (a) objectives and (b) functions are of the Whitehall and Industry Group. [250470]
Ian Pearson:
The objective of the Whitehall and Industry Group (WIG), which is an independent, neutral,
not-for-profit organisation, is to provide a bridge between the private sector and Government for mutual learning and benefit.
It does this through various means, including by arranging people exchanges between organisations; by organising events on particular issues to promote engagement between business and Government, and by running cross-sector leadership programmes.
Further information about WIG can be found on its website:
Work and Pensions
Child Support Agency
Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has authorised the Child Support Agency's implementation of its agency steer under its Operational Improvement Plan. [244000]
Kitty Ussher: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has authorised the Child Support Agency's implementation of its agency steer under its Operational Improvement Plan.[244000]
The Child Support Agency's three year Operational Improvement Plan, was announced by the then Secretary of State John Hutton in February 2006. He endorsed the measures set out in the plan designed to increase the amount of maintenance flowing to children. Ministers continue to be briefed regularly on the Agency's progress in implementing the plan. I understand however that your question refers in particular to the Agency's efforts to collect arrears of child maintenance.
It may be helpful if I explain that it is the Commission's position that child maintenance arrears should be paid immediately. Where this is not possible the Child Support Agency will attempt to negotiate the payment of a lump sum, by reference to the available information about the non-resident parent's current financial commitments to support them in negotiating the maximum amount possible. The Agency may also enter an agreement with the non-resident parent to recover all arrears as quickly as possible. In the absence of any exceptional circumstances this will normally be within two years.
The Agency has been given the power under regulation 11 of the Child Support (Collection and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 to impose a deduction from earnings order to collect an amount of money which does not exceed 40% of a liable person's net earnings. Similarly, sections 35, 36 39a and 40 of the Child Support Act 1991 set out the other main enforcement powers the Agency can employ when seeking the payment of child maintenance arrears. The commitment set out in the Operational Improvement Plan was to consistently and effectively apply these powers to ensure that maintenance flows to children when they need it most.
As a result, the Agency is collecting more child maintenance arrears than it has ever done before and in September 2008 collected £14.6 million in maintenance arrears alone, more than twice the average amount collected each month before the introduction of the Operational Improvement Plan. Between 1 April and 30 September 2008, the Agency has collected £80.3 million in arrears, bringing to almost £297 million the total collected in maintenance arrears since April 2006.
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