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East of England Development Agency

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the (a) running costs and (b) expenditure on projects were of the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) in 2009-10; what the salary of the EEDA's Chief Executive was in 2009-10; how much was spent on (i) taxis, (ii) expenses for the Chief Executive and (iii) expenses for other senior officials of the agency in 2009-10; whether the Chief Executive was provided with an official car in 2009-10; and what other benefits the Chief Executive received in 2009-10. [3986]

Mr Prisk: The East of England Development Agency's (EEDA's) running costs and expenditure on programme projects in 2009-10 were as follows:

The details requested of the salary and benefits for of EEDA's chief executive in 2009-10 are as follows:


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No official car, as defined as the use of a private car with driver, has ever been provided for EEDA's chief executive and this includes 2009-10(1).

Seven other senior officials at EEDA were reimbursed a total of £10,008 in expenses in 2009-10(2).

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of (a) property, (b) staff and (c) administration of each overseas office of the East of England Development Agency in the last 24 months; how much the agency has spent on (i) hotels and (ii) taxis overseas in that period; how many overseas journeys (A) agency staff and (B) accompanying spouses made in that period, and at what cost; what expenses were claimed for on each journey, under each cost category; how many such journeys were undertaken by first-class (1) air and (2) rail travel; and how much and at what rate agency officials claimed in mileage expenses in that period. [4073]

Mr Prisk: The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) does not administer any overseas offices. No costs were incurred for property, staff or administration of overseas offices by EEDA in the last 24 months.

EEDA spent a total of £12,405 on overseas travel, including costs for hotels and taxis, in the two years ending 31 March 2010 although to provide full details by cost category requested would incur disproportionate cost. Journeys were undertaken by 23 different staff and Board Members over the two year period. There were no accompanying spouse costs included in this sum.

EEDA's policy is for staff to travel in standard class unless in exceptional circumstances. As such no costs were incurred for either first class air travel or first class train travel in the last 24 months.

In the last 24 months, EEDA officials claimed £383,000 in mileage expenses. This reflects the fact that agency staff are required to travel across the region in order to carry out their work. In line with HM Revenue and Customs recommended rates, this was claimed at a maximum rate of 40p per mile by staff using their own cars. Rates when using leased vehicles were in the range 11p - 17p per mile.

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding from the East of England Development Agency was allocated to Harlow in each year since the agency was established; how much of the allocated funding was spent; and on which projects it was spent. [4817]


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Mr Prisk: The Department allocates budgets to Regional Development Agencies. The agencies determine which projects to support, subject to the terms of the Accountability and Financial Framework and their delegated financial authorities. RDAs' investments have been guided by the Regional Economic Strategy and their Corporate Plans. The Department does not hold details of individual projects supported by the RDAs within their delegated financial authorities.

East of England Development Agency: Great Yarmouth

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much the East of England Development Agency spent on projects and programmes in Great Yarmouth in the last 24 months. [4402]

Mr Prisk: The Department allocates budgets to Regional Development Agencies. The Agencies determine which projects to support, subject to the terms of the Accountability and Financial Framework and their delegated financial authorities. RDAs' investments have been guided by the Regional Economic Strategy and their Corporate Plans. The Department does not hold details of individual projects supported by the RDAs within their delegated financial authorities.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects his Department to conclude its review of the education maintenance allowance scheme. [1441]

Mr Gibb: I have been asked to reply.

I can confirm that the education maintenance allowance (EMA) will be paid in full this year. In addition, eligible students may also get support for child care costs through the care to learn scheme, and hardship funds are provided to eligible students through discretionary learner support funds.

Fossil Fuels: Export Credit Guarantees

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2010, Official Report, column 456W, on fossil fuels: export credits guarantees, what steps he plans to take to end Export Credits Guarantee Department support for future fossil fuel energy projects. [4399]

Mr Davey: Ministers will be considering with the Export Credits Guarantee Department, UK Trade and Investment and other Departments how best to take forward the commitment in the coalition programme to

An announcement will be made in due course.


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Higher Education: Finance

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects on university funding of the introduction of the points-based system of immigration. [3697]

Mr Willetts: Overall assessments of the impact of the points-based system, including tier 4 (students), on universities, businesses and other users were published by the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) in 2008 when the new system was introduced. A further impact assessment was published in April 2010, following the changes made earlier this year, in which UKBA stated that there would be no "impact on the ability of institutions to recruit and earn revenue from genuine [international] students."

In 2008/09, UK higher education institutions received £2.2 billion in tuition fee income from students from outside the European Union, 8.7% of their total income. International student numbers have continued to grow over recent years. According to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) the number of enrolments from non-European economic area students in 2008/09, the latest year for which figures are available, shows an increase of 9.4% over the previous year.

Higher Education: Hartlepool

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to increase the provision of higher education facilities and courses in Hartlepool constituency. [3448]

Mr Willetts: There are no specific plans to increase the provision of higher education facilities in the Hartlepool constituency. It is for the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to make decisions on the future allocation of student numbers in line with their established criteria. A range of higher education courses are available in Hartlepool. Cleveland College of Art and Design has a site in Hartlepool dedicated to higher education provision which is validated by Teesside University. In addition, Hartlepool Sixth Form College and Hartlepool College of further education have seen significant growth in higher education numbers over the last few years. Hartlepool Sixth Form College delivers provision franchised from the University of Sunderland, while Hartlepool College of FE works with both the University of Sunderland and the Teesside University. Hartlepool College of FE is also in the process of building a new state-of-the-art college on the existing town centre site. I look forward to the completion of this new college and welcome the contribution made by all three colleges in Hartlepool.

Local Enterprise Zones: Hastings

Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will consider the merits of designating Hastings as a borough eligible for the establishment of a local enterprise zone; and if he will make a statement. [3936]

Mr Prisk [holding answer 24 June 2010]: The former Enterprise Zone programme concluded in 2006, when
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the final Enterprise Zones reached the end of their designated period. The Government do believe that local authorities have a vital role in incentivising business growth, including in less prosperous areas. A White Paper this summer will set out proposals for growth, including the right framework of incentives.

Post Offices

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2010, Official Report, column 536W, on post offices, where each of the 48 Post Office Essential pilots is located. [4371]

Mr Davey: I have asked David Smith, the managing director of Post Office Ltd, to respond directly to my hon. Friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.

Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what criteria are being used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Post Office Essential pilots. [4372]

Mr Davey: I have asked David Smith, the managing director of Post Office Ltd, to respond directly to my hon. Friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.

Rolls Royce: Hucknall

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the management of Rolls Royce on its plans to outsource overseas the highly skilled sheet metal work jobs at its Hucknall Sheet Metal Work plant. [4272]

Vince Cable: I have had no discussions with the management of Rolls-Royce with regards to its plans at its Hucknall Sheet Metal Work plant.

Sheffield Forgemasters: Loans

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) which private sector companies have made representations to his Department on the review of the loan proposal for Sheffield Forgemasters; [4128]

(2) what representations he has received from private sector companies in relation to the review of the proposed loan to Sheffield Forgemasters. [4776]

Mr Prisk: The Department has received one letter from a company chairman enquiring into the state aid position of the proposed loan. No further representations from private sector companies have been received by my Department during the review of the loan proposal for Sheffield Forgemasters.

Summertime

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent consideration his Department has given to ending the application of British Summer Time. [4129]


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Mr Davey: We are aware that there are a range of views on this subject. While the Government do not propose to change current arrangements, we continue to listen to representations we receive and consider any evidence presented to us.

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has set a timetable for reviewing the use of British Summer Time. [4400]

Mr Davey: The Government have no current plans to review the existing British Summer Time arrangements but will continue to listen to arguments for and against change.

UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the target market countries of the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (a) were in 2009-10 and (b) are in 2010-11. [4555]

Mr Prisk: The UKTI Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) priority markets in 2009/10 and in 2010/11 are listed as follows:

UKTI DSO priority defence and security markets 2009/10

UKTI DSO priority defence and security markets 2010/11


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