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8 July 2010 : Column 392W—continued
Capital Gains Tax
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the likely effect on the buy-to-let housing market of proposals to (a) reform housing benefit and (b) increase the level of capital gains tax. [6382]
Andrew Stunell: The Department for Work and Pensions undertakes an assessment of the impact of benefit changes on specific groups as part of the policy development process. DWP will publish a formal impact assessment in due course.
HM Treasury estimates that the likely effect on the buy-to-let sector of increasing the rate of Capital Gains Tax will be small.
Council Housing: Tower Hamlets
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people in the London borough of Tower Hamlets were in temporary accommodation in each year since 2005. [6515]
Andrew Stunell: Under homelessness legislation, local authorities have a duty to provide temporary accommodation to those households accepted as owed the main homelessness duty, pending inquiries or review, and those who were found to be intentionally homeless but are being accommodated for such a period as would give them a reasonable opportunity to find accommodation for themselves.
The following table shows the number of households reported by the London borough of Tower Hamlets in temporary accommodation arranged by the authority, as at 31 March each year since 2005.
| Households in temporary accommodation arranged by the local authority as reported by Tower Hamlets on 31 March each year, 2005- 10 | |
| Number | |
| (1) Data not reported Source: CLG P1E Homelessness returns (quarterly) | |
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much gap funding his Department and its predecessors has made available to support each stock transfer in Tower Hamlets since 1997. [6516]
Andrew Stunell: The following table sets out the gap funding payments that have been made to support stock transfers in Tower Hamlets since 1997.
| £ million | |||||
| Stock transfer scheme | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
Departmental Public Expenditure
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 5 July 2010, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, on public spending control and the £1.5 billion of cancelled Government commitments this year as a result of restrictions on departmental access to end year flexibility (EYF) and the reserve, what proportion of the £220 million reduction in his Department's programmes is a result of restricted EYF. [6949]
Grant Shapps: The Government identified inherited spending plans where funding was reliant on underspending across Government though the End Year Flexibility (EYF) system or additional funding from the Reserve. However, it was highly unrealistic to expect that underspending would have been sufficient to cover all these commitments. There is insufficient contingency in the Reserve to cover the remainder. Therefore, without urgent action, the difference would result in higher borrowing this year.
As a result the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced on 5 July that four Departments had worked with the Treasury to cancel £1.5 billion of commitments that relied upon access to the Reserve and EYF, of which £220 million was from the commitments the previous Government made to the Department for Communities and Local Government for access to EYF in 2010-11. Moreover given public sector borrowing in 2010-11 was forecast to hit £167 billion, such levels of spending on 'borrowed money' was unsustainable-contributing to the forecast £1.4 trillion of public debt by 2014.
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 5 July 2010, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, on public spending control, what programmes will be reduced this year to make up the cancelled £220 million commitments in his Department; and by how much each of them will be reduced. [6950]
Grant Shapps:
The Government remain strongly committed to reducing the United Kingdom's budget deficit and the announcement by the Chief Secretary on
5 July confirmed that the Department has agreed to a £220 million reduction in its claim for End Year Flexibility this year. We have therefore been able to confirm £390 million of End Year Flexibility this year, alongside the £170 million announced on 24 May, for the provision of new social housing and other housing priorities.
This guarantee of £560 million of funding will enable the Homes and Community Agency (HCA) to meet all existing contractual commitments and will to progress some of those programmes that have been paused while the funding position was under review. The HCA's regional offices will be assessing which other schemes can be progressed. Moreover given public sector borrowing in 2010-11 was forecast to hit £167 billion such levels of spending on 'borrowed money' was unsustainable-contributing to the forecast £1.4 trillion of public debt by 2014.
Green Belt
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will bring forward legislative proposals to provide further powers for planning enforcement action to be taken in relation to unauthorised construction on green belt land. [6228]
Robert Neill: The Government are committed to the protection of the green belt. We are also working on proposals to strengthen the powers that are available to local planning authorities to enforce against breaches of planning control, in line with our ideas in the Conservative Green Paper on planning, "Open Source Planning", the principles of which have been set out in the coalition agreement.
Housing and Planning Delivery Grant
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria he used in deciding to end the housing and planning delivery grant. [6063]
Andrew Stunell: The Government have made clear that their most urgent priority is to tackle the UK's record deficit in order to restore confidence in our economy and support the recovery. On Monday 24 May, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced the first step in tackling the deficit, setting out how the Government intend to save over £6 billion from spending in 2010-11. Included in that savings package was an expectation that savings of over £1 billion would be delivered by local government.
The intention of HPDG was to act as an incentive to local authorities to bring forward housing and prepare the ground for increased delivery. However, there has been a sustained shortfall in housing development resulting in the lowest level of house building in England since 1946. HPDG has proved an ineffective and excessively complex incentive. The coalition agreement set out that the Government will provide incentives for local authorities to deliver sustainable development, including for new homes and businesses and these will be set out in due course.
Housing Benefit
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will assess the adequacy of the resources allocated to local authorities for the purposes of rehousing tenants who are found to be under-occupying social housing as a consequence of implementation of his proposals for changes to housing benefit. [5904]
Andrew Stunell: Many social landlords already provide support and incentives to tenants who wish to move to smaller properties. The national home-swap scheme which we intend to introduce will provide further assistance.
Housing: Construction
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many housing construction starts there were in London in each year since 2000; and how many of these were for affordable homes in each such year. [6100]
Andrew Stunell: Quarterly Statistics on the number of new housing construction starts in London are shown in live table 217 on the Communities and Local Government website and annual statistics are shown in live table 231. These tables can be found at the following link.
These figures are split into private, Registered Social Landlord (RSL) and local authority tenure so an estimate of how many of these starts can be obtained by summing the RSL and local authority starts.
More accurate and detailed statistics on the annual supply (completions) of affordable housing in London, including both new-build completions and acquisitions, are shown in live table 1000 which can be found at the following link.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/affordablehousing supply/livetables/
The next CLG Affordable Housing statistical release containing figures for 2009-10 is scheduled to be published in the autumn of 2010.
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how many housing starts there were in each London borough in each year since 2005; [6908]
(2) how many housing starts are projected for (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13 in each London local authority area. [6909]
Andrew Stunell: Annual statistics for previous years on the number of new housing starts in London are shown in live table 253 on the Communities and Local Government. This table can be found at the following link.
The Department does not publish projections for house building.
The Greater London Authority produces the London Plan that includes trajectories of projected housing supply in London.
Infrastructure Planning Commission
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the abolition of the Infrastructure Planning Commission will result in redundancies. [6133]
Greg Clark: We are currently designing how the Major Infrastructure Planning Unit will be constituted within the Planning Inspectorate but I expect that the majority of existing staff from the Infrastructure Planning Commission will move into the new unit.
I have asked the chief executives of both the Infrastructure Planning Commission and The Planning Inspectorate to work up detailed proposals to identify the most cost effective way to integrate the Major Infrastructure Planning Unit into The Planning Inspectorate.
The staffing of the Major Infrastructure Planning Unit within The Planning Inspectorate will vary according to the number of cases it is considering, but I would expect that the new arrangements will save taxpayers money compared to maintaining two separate bodies.
Tenant Services Authority
Mr Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) timetable, (b) terms of reference and (c) format of the review of the facilities of the Tenant Services Authority are. [6389]
Grant Shapps: The Government are reviewing the role and purpose of the Tenant Services Authority and the framework for social housing regulation, in line with our commitment to reduce the number of quangos and cut unnecessary regulation. The review will conclude as quickly as possible.
Health
Departmental Conferences
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of his Department's expenditure on (a) organisation of and (b) attendance at conferences in each year since 1997. [6115]
Mr Simon Burns: Expenditure on organisation of and attendance at conferences in each year since 1997 is not easily available in the Department. It could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Equality
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent (a) in total and (b) on staff costs on promoting equality and diversity in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and how many people are employed by his Department for this purpose. [5912]
Mr Simon Burns: From 2006-07 to 2008-09, the actual spending of the Equality and Human Rights Group of the Department was as follows:
| £ | |||
| 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
| (1) Not available. | |||
The Equality and Human Rights Group was re-organised into three teams in 2009. Expressed as full-time equivalents, at 5 July 2010 there are 18 civil servants working in these three teams. At any one time, secondees from the national health service and elsewhere are also recruited for their knowledge and skills.
Departmental Official Photographs
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on official photographs of Ministers since the formation of the present administration. [6439]
Mr Simon Burns: Since the formation of the Government, the Department has spent £537.43 on official photographs of Ministers.
Departmental Training
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training has been provided for Ministers in his Department since the formation of the present administration; and at what cost. [6438]
Mr Simon Burns: Two Ministers have attended the National School of Government's Learning and Development for Ministers course, at no cost to the Department.
Dietary Supplements: EC Law
Mrs Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when Ministers from his Department last met representatives of the food supplements industry to discuss the setting of maximum permitted levels under Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive; [6518]
(2) what steps he has taken to communicate to the European Commission the Government's policy on the setting of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements under Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive to the European Commission. [6519]
Anne Milton: Since this Government was formed, there have been no meetings between the Department's Ministers and representatives of the food supplements industry to discuss the setting of maximum permitted levels under article 5 of the food supplements directive.
I have written to and met with the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy to discuss the setting of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements.
Direct Payments
Jessica Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what options will be available to patients for the receipt of payments under the Direct Payment Scheme. [6660]
Mr Burstow: Under the personal health budget pilot programme, individuals either have a bank account to receive payment or are given a pre-paid card. Most pilot sites plan to offer one method of payment but some may decide to offer a choice of these two payment options.
If individuals already receive social care direct payments or other similar funds, such as money from the independent living fund, they may use the same bank account for their direct payment for healthcare. Otherwise, a separate bank account will need to be set up to ensure the money is kept separate from the person's other resources.
Doctors: Foreign Workers
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made for benchmarking purposes of the level of training received by doctors who have trained in a non-EU member state and subsequently registered within the EU in comparison with that received by doctors who were trained in the UK. [6064]
Anne Milton: The assessment of qualifications of non-European Union clinicians wishing to work in the national health service is the responsibility of the General Medical Council (GMC).
The GMC is the United Kingdom competent authority with responsibility for assessing whether clinicians trained outside of the European economic area or Switzerland possess the relevant qualifications (along with the knowledge, skills and experience) necessary for practising in the UK-whether within the NHS or the private sector.
More information about the process for applying to the GMC and the recognition of international qualifications is available at:
Drugs: Research
Mr Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to paragraph 3.21 of the White Paper, Pharmacy in England: Building on Strengths-Delivering the Future, when he plans to publish the research on medicines which are not used; and if he will make a statement. [6474]
Mr Simon Burns: We have received the final research report and we are carefully considering its findings, which we will make public soon.
Enfield NHS Trust: Finance
Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that any changes to the provision of front line services at (a) Chase Farm Hospital and (b) other NHS organisations for the purposes of reducing the deficit of Enfield NHS Trust do not influence the outcome of the local GP-led consultation on the future of healthcare services in Enfield. [6837]
Mr Simon Burns: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has outlined new criteria that he expects decisions on national health service changes to meet:
support from general practitioner commissioners;
arrangements for public and patient engagement, including local authorities being further strengthened;
greater clarity about the clinical evidence bases underpinning proposals; and
proposals taking into account the need to develop and support patient choice.
Local NHS organisations must ensure their plans meet these criteria before continuing with planned service changes.
Epilepsy
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the (a) prevalence and (b) costs to the NHS of epilepsy misdiagnosis. [6469]
Mr Burstow: Independent academic research has estimated the misdiagnosis rates at around 23% with an estimated annual cost to the national health service, for England and Wales, of up to £138 million.
It is the responsibility of local health bodies to ensure that health professionals follow the guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. The National Framework for Long-term neurological Conditions recognises the particular challenge of diagnosing some neurological conditions, and recommends a specialist assessment in line with national guidelines. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends that all people having a first seizure should be seen as soon as possible by a specialist in the management of the epilepsies to ensure precise and early diagnosis and initiation of therapy as appropriate to their needs. The Department has made no estimates of the prevalence and costs to the NHS of epilepsy misdiagnosis.
EU Law
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to his Department of compliance with regulations arising from EU obligations in the last 12 months. [6881]
Anne Milton: The information required can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
General Practitioners
Mr Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department has on the number of GP appointments for patients with minor ailments in the latest period for which figures are available. [6364]
Mr Simon Burns: This information is not held centrally.
General Practitioners: Mental Health Services
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there will be separate GP commissioning boards for the provision of mental health services; and if he will make a statement. [6485]
Mr Simon Burns: The "Coalition: our programme for government" document confirms this Government's intention to strengthen the power of GPs as patients' expert guides through the health system by enabling them to commission care on their behalf. We will bring forward more detailed proposals in due course.
Hospital Wards: Gender
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to end the use of mixed-sex accommodation in NHS facilities. [5869]
Mr Simon Burns: The revised operating framework for the NHS in England 2010-11(1 )reiterates our commitment to eliminating mixed sex accommodation, except where it is clearly in the overall best interests of the patient.
As resources allow, we will increase the proportion of single rooms in the national health service. We will review existing sanctions with a view to strengthening them if necessary, and we will ensure that information about same-sex accommodation is made available to patients and the public - so that they can make informed choices about their place of treatment.
(1) Published by Department of Health, June 2010. A copy has already been placed in the Library.
Multiple Sclerosis: Drugs
Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the merits of updating the clinical guidelines for multiple sclerosis to permit the use of Sativex. [6847]
Mr Burstow: This matter is the sole responsibility of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). They issued a clinical guideline on the management of multiple sclerosis in primary and secondary care in November 2003, and are expected to review this guideline in November 2010. We therefore, have made no assessment of the merits of updating the clinical guidelines for multiple sclerosis.
Sativex is now licensed as an add-on treatment for moderate to severe spasticity in people who have not gained adequate relief from symptoms from one or more oral medicines, or have experienced unbearable side effects while taking these medicines.
NHS: Finance
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ring-fence (a) NHS funding and (b) budgets in other areas of public expenditure to reduce health inequality; and if he will make a statement. [6800]
Mr Simon Burns: The coalition agreement commits to increases in health spending in real terms in each year of the Parliament enabling the national health service to plan for the future with more certainty.
Local directors of public health will be given control over ring-fenced public health budgets, to provide a strong local strategy and leadership for improving their population's health and provide dedicated finance for reductions in avoidable ill health and health inequality.
Final departmental spending plans will be announced in the spending review in the autumn.
NHS: Foreign Workers
Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical staff registered in another EU member state are practising in (a) independent sector treatment sectors and (b) NHS hospitals. [5884]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not hold information on the number of medical staff registered in another European Union member state who are practising in independent sector treatment centres (ISTCs) or national health service hospitals.
However, the NHS Information Centre (IC) collects data concerning the country of qualification of NHS medical staff in England. The NHS Workforce Census 2009, published by the IC, shows that 6,485 medical practitioners, working in England at September 2009, qualified within the remainder of the European Economic Area. (This is the most recent published information available.)
NHS: Standards
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2010, Official Report, column 698 on NHS targets, on what indicators he plans to concentrate in order to manage waiting times; and if he will make a statement. [6795]
Mr Simon Burns: Accountability to patients and greater information transparency, through patient choice and the move towards general practitioner-led commissioning, should make long waits unacceptable.
To ensure patients do not experience undue delay at any stage of their treatment we will continue to publish and monitor hospital waiting times. GPs and commissioners of health services can use this information locally to ensure that they can continue to improve access to services for their patients. This change will empower patients and clinicians putting them at the heart of decision-making, with a focus on quality and outcomes, not processes.
The right "to access services within maximum waiting times, or for the national health service to take all reasonable steps to offer you a range of alternative providers if this is not possible" remains in the NHS constitution.
Commissioners should also continue to enforce the clauses related to waiting times within NHS standard contracts and will want to ensure that any flexibility to improve access reflects local clinical priorities.
Nurses
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the (a) clinical and (b) cost effectiveness of the use of specialist nurses. [6470]
Anne Milton: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave her on 22 June 2010, Official Report, column 174W.
Stomach Cancer
Chris Evans:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individual funding requests his Department has (a) received and (b) accepted for the use of
Herceptin in the treatment of gastric cancer; and what the average time was between receipt of such a request and a decision on that request. [5133]
Mr Simon Burns: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently appraising trastuzumab (Herceptin) for the treatment of gastric cancer (advanced HER-2 positive) and published its draft guidance for consultation on 6 July 2010.
In the absence of final guidance from NICE, it is for primary care trusts to make decisions on the funding of treatments. Information on the number and timing of such decisions is not collected centrally.
Strokes: Health Services
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to improve the research-based evidence and guidance on the costs and benefits of clinical and other support for longer-term stroke care. [5887]
Mr Simon Burns: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently developing a clinical guideline on stroke rehabilitation for use in the national health service. NICE expects to publish its final guidance in April 2012.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funds a range of studies on stroke including research on longer-term care. The NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme is currently commissioning research on rehabilitation more than six months after a stroke. The NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire has a stroke rehabilitation theme aiming to increase the capacity of the stroke rehabilitation community to engage with and apply research findings.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Small Businesses: Finance
20. Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps he has taken to increase access to finance for small businesses. [6700]
Claire Perry: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps he has taken to increase access to finance for small businesses. [6701]
21. Stephen Metcalfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps he has taken to increase access to finance for small businesses. [6702]
Mr Prisk: The coalition is committed to ensuring the flow of credit to viable SMEs. The emergency Budget announced numerous measures: increasing the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, creating the Growth Capital Fund and Enterprise Capital Fund.
Directors: Company Reporting
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to ensure that directors' social and environmental duties are covered in company reporting. [6696]
Mr Davey: I intend to publish a consultation later this month on our commitment to reinstate an Operating and Financial Review to ensure that directors' social and environmental duties have to be covered in company reporting and investigate further ways of improving corporate accountability and transparency.
Apprentices: Environment Protection
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has had discussions with the (a) Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change and (b) Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the contribution that green apprenticeships could make to (i) the economy and (ii) tackling climate change; and if he will make a statement. [5355]
Mr Hayes: We are committed to increasing the number of genuine, high-quality, employer-owned Apprenticeships across all sectors, and are working with Sector Skills Councils to ensure that Apprenticeship frameworks meet the needs of the real economy. High quality training opportunities like Apprenticeships are key to supporting this country's growth and success.
We will of course want to discuss with Cabinet colleagues how Apprenticeships can contribute to the policies and priorities of all Departments. Officials in BIS, DECC and DEFRA continue to work closely in this area and on how low carbon skills development should be taken forward within the new freedoms and flexibilities we are putting in place to boost the responsiveness of the skills system to emerging growth sectors.
Extending Apprenticeships into new areas and embracing new technologies and emerging industries is fundamentally important to the very nature of Apprenticeships-we must be responsive to the changing demands of employers and industry. Sector Skills Councils are playing a lead role and collaborating over Low Carbon skills, including working with employers to design new Apprenticeship frameworks.
Broadband
Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to support the roll-out of next generation mobile broadband services. [4849]
Mr Vaizey: The coalition Government are committed to releasing spectrum to support the next generation of mobile services. A decision on the approach will be made before the summer recess.
Departmental Conferences
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the expenditure of his Department and its predecessors on (a) organisation of and (b) attendance at conferences in each year since 1997. [6122]
Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), and its predecessor bodies which remain within the BIS boundary, has spent the following amounts on conferences since 2003-04, which is the earliest date for which figures are available.
| £ | |
The BIS accounting system does not disaggregate the figures between the organisation of and attendance at conferences and such details could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Speeches
Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which (a) (i) civil servants and (ii) special advisers in his Department and (b) other individuals are employed to write speeches for each Minister in his Department. [7305]
Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) currently has four civil servants writing speeches and articles for six Ministers, a team which includes Stephen Adams who writes for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The Department's three special advisers contribute to speeches among other duties when required. Policy officials regularly provide briefing which can include drafting for parliamentary speeches.
Environment Protection
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2010, Official Report, column 535W, on environment protection, what forthcoming UK Trade and Investment trade missions will focus on low carbon business opportunities. [6923]
Mr Prisk: UK Trade & Investment trade missions focusing on low carbon business opportunities include a sustainable cities mission to China in September; a mission to the Delhi International Renewable Energy Conference in October; a mission to FIMAI, an environment show, in Brazil in November; and a clean-tech mission to the US west coast in February.
Information about missions planned for this financial year are published on the UK Trade & Investment website, when available:
Details of the mission to Delhi can already be found on the website. Details for the remaining missions will be published online shortly. Users need to search for events and missions by sector, country, region or event type.
Further Education: Regulation
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received from (a) further education colleges and (b) other training providers on the implications for their operation of the regulatory framework applying to them. [5882]
Mr Hayes: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Universities and Science and I have received a number of representations from further education colleges and training organisations on issues concerning the regulatory framework. These include bi-lateral meetings with the sector representative bodies, the Association of Colleges, 157 Group and the Association of Learning Providers, as well as issues raised during our visits to colleges.
On 17 June, I wrote to Members of Parliament, colleges and training organisations informing them of a number of measures that will be taken to meet the coalition Government's commitment to set colleges free from direct state control, helping the providers of further education to focus on meeting the demands of employers and learners in their areas. We are considering what further restrictions should be removed and will take the earliest opportunity to make any necessary changes in legislation.
Higher Education and Student Finance Independent Review
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many times the Minister of State for Universities has (a) met, (b) spoken on the telephone and (c) corresponded with Lord Browne about his review of higher education funding and student finance. [2956]
Mr Willetts: Since my appointment, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have had one meeting with Lord Browne, to discuss the Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance.
Insolvency Service: Standards
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Insolvency Service in investigating offences relating to company insolvencies; and if he will make a statement. [6690]
Mr Davey: The Insolvency Service is highly effective in investigating corporate misconduct and disqualifying directors. Last year, 1,388 directors were disqualified for an average of 6.4 years. In addition, it completed investigations into 268 live companies, which resulted in 251 being wound up in the public interest.
Post Office: ICT
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his most recent estimate is of the cost to postmasters and sub-postmasters of errors in the Horizon operating system; and if he will make a statement. [7533]
Mr Davey: I have asked David Smith, the Managing Director of Post Office Ltd, to respond directly to the hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.
Public Expenditure
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 26 May 2010, Official Report, columns 2-3WS, on savings (2010-11), under what budgetary headings the £836 million of savings allocated to his Department will be made. [6823]
Mr Davey: The following table details the reductions made to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) budget as part of the savings announcement of 26 May 2010. This shows a net savings figure of £634 million, as £200 million was recycled into apprenticeships and further education programmes. A further £2 million reduction was made from UK Trade and Investment's contribution to the regional development agencies.
BIS is in the process of agreeing how the running cost savings of £48 million resource and £51.3 million capital will be made across BIS and its wider family of partner organisations.
| £000 | ||
| May 2010 savings announcements | Resource | Capital |
Science: Higher Education
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to encourage an increase in the number of students studying scientific subjects at university. [6037]
Mr Willetts: The Coalition Government recognise that advances in science and technology underpin the UK's economic growth and social prosperity. The UK depends on a strong base of relevant skills, developed in schools, colleges and universities We have recently announced that we are enabling universities to recruit an additional 10,000 students in 2010/11; many of these places will be in STEM-science, technology, engineering and mathematics-subjects.
This Department works closely with the Department for Education to encourage students to choose science and engineering subjects. This Government currently support initiatives such as STEMNET, the Big Bang Fair, and HEFCE's Strategically Important and Vulnerable Subjects, and National HE STEM, programmes. Working closely with employers, these improve young people's appreciation of scientific subjects and careers. We also support activities that encourage wider public engagement with the sciences. We will review these and related activities during the spending review.
Takeovers: Public Interest
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) if he will bring forward measures to introduce a public interest test in the consideration by regulators of take-overs and mergers; [6313]
(2) with reference to the answer of 28 June 2010, Official Report, column 412W, on competition, what recent assessment he has made of progress in the takeover panel's consultation on options for amending the Takeover Code in relation to a public interest test for mergers and takeovers. [6328]
Mr Davey: A more detailed statement about the Government's approach to the way takeovers and mergers are regulated will be included in the Government's forthcoming response to the 6 April report by the Business Innovation and Skills Select Committee into Kraft's Acquisition of Cadbury (HC 234), which we will be publishing as a Command Paper shortly. I can confirm the Government have no current plans to amend the Enterprise Act 2002 as it relates to the scope for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to intervene in mergers on public interest grounds. The Takeover Panel's consultation on options for amending the Takeover Code is due to close by 27 July 2010.
Treasury
Bank Services: Fees and Charges
Ian Swales: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to introduce legislation to end unfair bank charges. [6913]
Mr Hoban: The Government have stated in the coalition agreement that
"we will introduce stronger consumer protections, including measures to end unfair bank and financial transaction charges".
We are considering how best to implement this commitment and will bring forward proposals in due course.
Budget June 2010
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will provide figures as in Chart A1 of the Red Book for the impact of measures in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14 using only measures as at the Budget of (i) March and (ii) June 2010; [6476]
(2) if he will provide figures as in Chart A2 of the Red Book for the impact of measures in (a) 2012-13 and (b) 2013-14 using only measures as at the Budget of (i) March and (ii) June 2010. [6477]
Mr Gauke: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) on 1 July 2010, Official Report, column 610W.
Crown Estates
Mr Knight: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what the monetary value was of Crown land sold by the Crown Estate in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [6464]
Justine Greening: The proceeds from sales of investment properties (land and buildings) for the last three years was as follows:
| £ million | |
Debts: Developing Countries
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from representatives of the financial services sector on the (a) implementation and (b) sunset clause provisions of the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010. [6405]
Mr Hoban:
The Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010 passed through Parliament in April and will mean that UK Courts of Law will no longer be used to pursue excessive claims against some of the poorest countries on their historic debts, ensuring that resources
are available to tackle poverty. The sunset clause attached to this legislation requires that the Government review within a year whether or not to extend the Act. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has not to date received any representations from representatives of the financial services sector on the implementation of the Act or its sunset clause provisions.
Departmental Official Photographs
Pete Wishart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department has spent on official photographs of Ministers since the formation of the present administration. [6453]
Justine Greening: There has been no spending on official photographs of Treasury Ministers since the formation of the Government.
Financial Services: Regulation
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department plans to take to implement the recent G20 summit decisions on reform of the financial sector. [5893]
Mr Hoban: The Government strongly support the commitments made by G20 countries to strengthen global financial regulation and supervision, and enhance international cooperation, and are committed to implementing these reforms in the UK. Common regulatory standards internationally are crucial to minimise the risks of regulatory arbitrage and the fragmentation of international financial markets. The UK will work through the EU to secure reforms that support and reinforce the G20 regulatory reform agenda.
Government Departments: Accountancy
Mr Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Ministers provided written directions to departmental accounting officers under paragraph 5.5 of the Ministerial Code in Session 2009-10; and what matters were covered by each such instruction. [6327]
Justine Greening: The information sought is as set out in the following table.
Income Tax: Tax Allowances
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people liable for income tax at the higher rate who will be net beneficiaries of his proposal to increase the personal allowance and lower the level at which the higher rate of income tax is payable. [6408]
Mr Gauke: Budget 2010 announcements on the personal allowance for under 65s and basic rate limit are aimed at ensuring that the majority of higher rate taxpayers will pay broadly the same total level of tax and national insurance as previously planned.
This is consistent with current estimates which suggest that around 1.9 million higher rate taxpayers may gain an average of just £5 in 2011-12. Such estimates depend on economic assumptions, in particular for inflation in September 2010. The projected small benefit arises due to differences in rounding amounts for the personal allowance and basic rate limit.
Inheritance Tax
Caroline Flint: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people liable to pay inheritance tax in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14, (e) 2014-15 and (f) 2015-16. [4833]
Mr Gauke: The current forecast is that about 15,000 estates left on death in 2010-11 will be liable for inheritance tax. This figure can be found, together with the historical numbers of taxpayers, on the HMRC website at:
Forecast numbers of taxpayers are not available for later years as they are subject to a great deal of uncertainty because of possible changes to forecasts of asset prices.
Rents
Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the level of (a) 50th percentile rents in 2010-11 and (b) 30th percentile rents in 2011-12 for (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five bedroom properties in Makerfield constituency. [6047]
Barbara Keeley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the level of (a) 50th percentile rents in 2010-11 and (b) 30th percentile rents in 2011-12 for (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five bedroom properties in Worsley and Eccles South constituency. [6097]
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the (a) 50th percentile rent in 2010-11 and (b) the 30th percentile rent in 2011-12 on a property of (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five bedrooms in (A) Slough, (B) Salisbury and (C) Scarborough and Whitby constituency. [5999]
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the level of (a) 50th percentile rents in 2010-11 and (b) 30th percentile rents in 2011-12 for (i) one, (ii) two, (iii) three, (iv) four and (v) five bedroom properties in Houghton and Sunderland South constituency. [6061]
Mr Gauke: I refer the hon. Members to the answer given on 6 July 2010, Official Report, column 184W to the hon. Member for West Lancashire (Rosie Cooper).
Taxation: Banks
Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received from (a) the banking sector and (b) others on (i) the proposed bank levy and (ii) other measures proposed in the June 2010 Budget; [6321]
(2) what discussions he has had with representatives of the banking sector on the proposed bank levy; [6322]
(3) what (a) research he commissioned and (b) impact assessment he undertook in respect of the proposed banking levy prior to his financial statement; [6385]
(4) what modelling his Department undertook to determine the rate at which the banking levy would be set for (a) 2011 and (b) subsequent years; [6387]
(5) what criteria he used to determine the proposed level at which the banking levy would be set; [6388]
(6) what estimate his Department has made of the revenue which would accrue to the Exchequer if the bank levy were set at a rate of (a) 0.05, (b) 0.06, (c) 0.08, (d) 0.09, (e) 0.10, (f) 0.11, (g) 0.12, (h) 0.13, (i) 0.14 and (j) 0.15 per cent. in (i) 2011, (ii) 2012, (iii) 2013 and (iv) 2014. [6479]
Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials have discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such discussions.
No external research was commissioned in respect of the bank levy prior to the financial statement.
The proposed rate reflects the risks posed by the banking sector to the financial system and wider economy, whilst taking account of current economic circumstances and the UK's competitive position.
The estimated costs to the Exchequer for the bank levy are set out in the following Budget 2010 document:
Page 19 of that document sets out the pre-behavioural yield from the announced rates of the levy and the pre-behavioural yield would change proportionately with changes in the rate. No quantitative estimates have been made of the differential behavioural effects of setting the levy at these other rates.
An impact assessment will be published alongside the forthcoming consultation document.
Taxation: Gaming Machines
Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the application of value added tax and amusement machine licence duty currently and retrospectively to automated lottery machines by HM Revenue and Customs [6490]
Justine Greening: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have always classed automated lottery machines as gaming machines that are subject to amusement machine licence duty with VAT chargeable on their takings.
The First-Tier Tribunal heard a case involving one type of electronic lottery machine early in June and released its decision on 1 July that this specific product is a gaming machine but that the takings are exempt from VAT.
HMRC are considering the implications of this decision.
Unemployment: South Yorkshire
Mr MacShane: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the likely change to the level of unemployment in South Yorkshire in the next 24 months. [6481]
Justine Greening: HM Treasury does not produce forecasts of unemployment on a sub-national basis.
VAT
Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the (a) economic modelling and (b) other impact assessments his Department used to decide on the proposals for the standard rate of value added tax contained in the June 2010 Budget. [6326]
Mr Gauke: The Budget's VAT rate increase was driven by the need to address the deficit, which will benefit everyone.
Other than Annex A of the "Red Book", describing the distributional impacts of the Budget, the economic effects of the increase in the standard rate of VAT are set out in the Office for Budget Responsibility's Budget forecast at Annex C:
The associated impact assessments, which describe the compliance costs for business, were published alongside the Budget:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/junebudget_impact _assessments.pdf
Andrew George: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the increase in Exchequer receipts from value added tax if the rate of that tax were set at (a) 18, (b) 18.5, (c) 19, (d) 19.5, (e) 21 and (f) 22 per cent. in each of the four years after January 2011. [6480]
Mr Gauke: Table 1.6 of HMRC's published tax ready reckoner tables,
released at the time of the Budget, shows the effects of illustrative tax changes, including the effect of changing the standard rate of VAT by 1 percentage point in each of the years 2010-11 to 2012-13. Estimates of the effect of changing the rate by different amounts can be calculated by scaling the effect of a 1 percentage point change accordingly.
This ready reckoner costing is calculated using the same methodology as the published Budget costing of the 20% rate. Details can be found in:
Leader of the House
EU Law
Philip Davies: To ask the Leader of the House if he will take steps to ensure that papers concerning legislation derived from EU obligations for presentation to the House are printed on a colour other than that generally used for copies of legislation laid before the House. [6330]
Sir George Young: The format for the printing of papers relating to legislation is a matter for the House. My hon. Friend's proposal would not necessarily be straightforward to implement as proposals for legislation to give effect to EU obligations are often combined with other proposals in the same legislative instrument. Where a Bill gives effect to EU legislation, transposition notes included in the explanatory notes will identify the relevant parts of the Bill.
Labour Party: Finance
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Leader of the House how much (a) Short money, (b) Opposition Whips' Office funding and (c) Policy Development Grant funding the Labour Party will receive in 2010-11 and each of the subsequent two financial years. [6206]
Sir George Young: For 2010-11 the Labour party is entitled to £4,462,554 based on the number of seats and votes received by the party at the general election. The Labour party is also entitled to £604,493 to fund the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, and £129,991.79 for travel. The full amount available to the Labour party is therefore £5,197,038.79. These figures are apportioned from the date of the general election to 31 March 2011.
Separate figures are not available for funding the Opposition Whips office.
The amounts on which the formula is determined increase on 1 April each year in line with the retail prices index as at the previous 31 December. Future amounts will therefore depend on that figure.
There is no ministerial responsibility for expenditure on Policy Development Grants, which are administered by the Electoral Commission.
Deputy Prime Minister
Electoral Reform: Referendums
Helen Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for the reform of regulations on campaign finance and expenditure by political parties in advance of the proposed referendum on electoral reform. [5405]
Mr Harper: The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 sets out a detailed framework for the regulation of campaign finance and expenditure by political parties and other campaigners at a referendum and more generally. The Government are considering whether any additions or changes to this framework are required in preparing to bring forward legislation providing for a referendum on electoral reform.
The Coalition's programme for government also makes clear our intention to pursue a detailed agreement on limiting donations and reforming party funding in order to remove big money from politics.
Helen Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on the length of time between an order setting the date for a referendum on electoral reform and the date of the poll. [5406]
Mr Harper: The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 ("the 2000 Act") provides that the date of a referendum can be specified in either primary or secondary legislation.
Following the beginning of the referendum period-the period during which controls apply on the spending and donations of those campaigning in the referendum-the 2000 Act sets out certain procedures that must take place, the effect of which is that the date of the poll cannot be less than 10 weeks after the referendum period has begun. Under the 2000 Act, campaigners have 28 days from the beginning of the referendum period to apply for designation as lead campaign organisations. The Electoral Commission then has 14 days to determine which campaigners, if any, should be designated. The date of the poll must be at least 28 days after the Commission has completed the designation process.
The Government will announce further details of the proposal for a referendum on electoral reform, including details of the date of the poll and the beginning of the referendum period, in due course. The Bill will specify the date of the referendum, which will be 5 May 2011.
Helen Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will bring forward proposals for a minimum threshold for turnout on a referendum on electoral reform in order for its result to be valid. [5407]
Mr Harper: The Coalition's programme for government makes clear that the referendum will be decided on the basis of a simply majority. The Government do not purpose that a minimum turnout threshold should additionally apply in order for the referendum outcome to be considered valid.
Electoral Systems
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his timetable is for the introduction of measures to ensure that voters queuing at polling stations at the close of the poll in general elections are able to cast their votes. [5567]
Mr Harper: The Government are considering the Electoral Commission's report of 20 May on the problems at polling stations at close of poll at the previous general election, and the Government will take any appropriate steps necessary to prevent a repeat. Any changes to the rules would have to be workable and benefit the public. We will decide in due course whether any such measures should be included in legislation later this Session.
General Election 2010: Armed Forces
Mrs Laing: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what percentage of armed forces personnel voted in the 2010 general election; [5529]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of steps taken to expedite postal votes from service personnel in Afghanistan during the 2010 general election. [5530]
Mr Harper: No record is kept of the percentage of armed forces personnel who vote at elections. They may register and vote as an ordinary elector, as a service elector or, where appropriate, as an overseas elector and therefore it is not possible to readily identify all of them.
From Afghanistan, over four fifths of postal ballot papers from armed forces personnel there who chose to vote by post as part of the specific steps taken to support them at the 2010 general election were successfully received by Returning Officers. This compares favourably with the average return rate of postal votes in general.
The Government are considering the arrangements for the registration and participation of armed forces personnel in elections.
International Development
Departmental Lost Property
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what property has been recorded as (a) lost and (b) stolen from the Department in the last 12 months; and what estimate has been made of the cost of the replacement of that property. [5974]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development's (DFID's) central records show that during the last 12 months the following items were either lost or stolen.
| Item | Number of items | Total estimated replacement cost (£) |
Departmental Official Cars
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many (a) civil servants and (b) special advisers in his Department are entitled to the use of (i) a car with a dedicated driver, (ii) a car from the Government car pool and (iii) a taxi ordered through a departmental account. [3200]
Mr Duncan: No civil servants or special advisers in the Department for International Development (DFID) are entitled to the use of a car with a dedicated driver. Nor are any entitled to use a car from the ministerial car pool.
Civil servants and special advisers cannot use a taxi for official business unless no other method of public transport is available or when carrying heavy official papers or equipment.
The Permanent Secretary has an account with the Government Car and Despatch Agency for the provision of taxi services when required.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of his Department's expenditure on (a) organisation of and (b) attendance at conferences in each year since 1997. [6114]
Mr Duncan: Prior to 2009-10, the Department for International Development (DFID) did not hold centrally, complete financial information at sufficiently low level, to be able to report expenditure on the organisation of conferences. The costs in 2009-10 were £2.7 million.
DFID does not hold a central record of the cost of attendance at conferences. This information cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.
Developing Countries
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government's political priorities are for the Millennium Development Goals Review Summit; and what measurable outcomes from that meeting he expects to achieve. [6076]
Mr O'Brien: At the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Summit in September, our priority will be to reach international agreement on an action agenda to achieve the MDGs by 2015.
The United Kingdom sees the Summit as an opportunity for both developed and developing countries to make results based commitments, including on the most off track MDGs such as maternal and child health. We are clear that any such commitments must be based on quantifiable outcomes in terms of changes on the ground.
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the renewal of earlier political and financial commitments at the Millennium Development Goals Review Summit. [6077]
Mr O'Brien:
The Secretary of State for International Development attended the Foreign Affairs Council on
June 14 in Luxemburg where EU Development Ministers agreed the EU position for the UN Millennium Development Goals summit. My right hon. Friend used this opportunity to urge EU colleagues to honour their financial commitments and to focus efforts on achieving the MDGs by 2015.
At the EU European Council on 17 June, following UK lobbying at the highest level, heads of state reaffirmed EU commitments to spending 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) by 2015 and to discussing progress on an annual basis.
Developing Countries: HIV Infection
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of increasing the number of young men and women in developing countries who have a thorough and accurate understanding of HIV. [5825]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) will support actions to achieve all of the MDGs, including prioritising aid spending on programmes to restrict the spread of major diseases like HIV/AIDS.
DFID works with national governments, multilateral agencies and civil society organisations, to develop HIV awareness programmes for young people. DFID supports a range of activities which focus on the needs of young people, including: sexuality education; access to contraceptives; education and skills training.
In the coming months DFID will be reviewing its aid programme to determine how we can achieve better value for money for the UK taxpayer and accelerate progress towards all the millennium development goals, including MDG 6.
Departmental Equality
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent (a) in total and (b) on staff costs on promoting equality and diversity in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and how many people are employed by his Department for this purpose. [5909]
Mr Duncan: In common with all Government Departments, as part of the civil service equality and diversity agenda, the Department for International Development (DFID) is working to create a more diverse work force at all levels, including increasing the percentage of minority groups. Costs of promoting equality and diversity for the last three financial years are set out in the following table.
| Total costs (including staff costs) (£) | Staff costs( 1) (£) | Number of full time equivalent staff( 2) | |
| (1) Staffing costs have been calculated using average staff cost data by grade. (2) A number of staff outside the core diversity team have also allocated a proportion of their time to promoting equality and diversity issues across DFID. These details are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs. | |||
India: Overseas Aid
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on aid to India in (a) 2008 and (b) 2009. [6180]
Mr Duncan: The amount of bilateral assistance provided to India by the Department for International Development (DFID) is published in 'Statistics on International Development', which is available on DFID's website at:
In 2008-09 DFID provided £297 million in bilateral assistance to India. The figure for 2009-10 has not yet been finalised and will be published later this year.
Liberia: Overseas Aid
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department plans to provide (a) financial and (b) technical support to Liberia to support the removal of health user fees in that country. [6031]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) is currently providing £12 million over three years (2010-12) to the Government of Liberia to support President Johnson Sirleaf's commitment to remove health user fees and enable the provision of a basic package of health services (BPHS). This is being channelled through the Health Pool Fund established by the Government of Liberia's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
The Secretary of State for International Development has recently initiated a review of DFID's aid programmes to determine how we can achieve better value for money for the taxpayer and accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. Future support to Liberia to support health financing will be determined as part of this review.
Madagascar: Forests
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations he has made to the Government of Madagascar on measures to prevent illegal logging in that country's rainforest. [5814]
Mr O'Brien: The Secretary of State for International Development has made no direct representations to the Government of Madagascar on this issue. The Department for International Development (DFID) contributes £28 million to the EU action plan on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). This works with countries to improve the way forests are governed in order to prevent the illegal logging of timber.
Niger: Malnutrition
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government are taking to reduce the risk of malnutrition among children in Niger; and if he will make a statement. [5823]
Mr O'Brien: Two years of bad harvests and uneven rains have resulted in severe food shortages across the Eastern Sahel region of West Africa, especially in Niger and Western Chad. In response, the UK Government are supporting the treatment of over 20,000 severely malnourished children in Niger, through funding channelled to UNICEF, Médecins sans Frontières, Save the Children and Action Against Hunger. We are also supporting activities to prevent child malnutrition by targeting the food security of the most vulnerable households, including the provision of food aid to 118,000 people for three months; cash for work or direct payments to 20,000 households; assistance to 15,000 vulnerable households to maintain a minimum number of livestock; and provision of seeds to 81,000 households.
Overseas Aid
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent in each overseas country in 2009. [6903]
Mr Duncan: Details of spending in each overseas country in the financial year 2009-10 will be published later this month in the Department for International Development's (DFID's) annual report, in line with the International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Act 2006. This publication will be placed in the Library of the House.
Somalia: International Assistance
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on development aid in Somalia through (a) UN agencies and (b) (i) multi-lateral and (ii) bi-lateral funding channels in the last 12 months. [6798]
Mr O'Brien: The amount of bilateral assistance provided to Somalia by the Department of International Development (DFID) is published in Statistics on International Development, which is available on DFID's website at:
In 2008-09 DFID provided a total of £33.5 million in bilateral aid to Somalia. This included £20.4 million delivered through UN agencies.
In addition DFID provided an estimated £11 million of aid to Somalia via its core support to multilateral agencies.
Somalia: Overseas Aid
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has given in development aid to Somalia in each of the last three years. [6789]
Mr O'Brien: The amount of bilateral assistance provided to Somalia by the Department for International Development (DFID) is published in Statistics on International Development, which is available on DFID's website at;
DFID provided £33.5 million in bilateral assistance to Somalia in 2008-09, £25.7 million in 2007-2008 and £16.6 million in 2006-07.
The figure for 2009-10 will be published later in July in line with the International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Act 2006.
Somalia: Politics and Government
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Somalia. [6791]
Mr O'Brien: The United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) estimates that 3.2 million Somalis or 43% of the country's population are currently dependent on humanitarian assistance. Some 655,000 of these are in a state of humanitarian emergency.
There are 1.4 million internally displaced people (IDPs) in Somalia, mainly due to continuing conflict. Many of the IDPs are in the Afgooye Corridor, one of the largest IDP concentrations in the world with approximately 366,000 IDPs.
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effect of the outcome of the recent elections in Somaliland on development matters in that country; and if he will make a statement. [6838]
Mr O'Brien: The UK welcomes the presidential elections in Somaliland. President-elect Silanyo has indicated that he will put development matters at the centre of his new Government's agenda. Once he is sworn in, the Department for International Development (DFID) will discuss development priorities and plans with the new Government, as well as with the private sector, civil society and other development agencies, in order to identify clearly and understand Somaliland's priority development needs.
Yemen: Overseas Aid
Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what priorities he has set for his Department's future funding to Yemen. [6797]
Mr Duncan: We cannot ignore Yemen, a fragile state with a rapidly deteriorating economy and instability on the rise. The Department for International Development (DFID) has committed £50 million in 2010-11 to help prevent State failure.
The Secretary of State for International Development has commissioned a review of DFID's aid programmes to determine how we can achieve better value for money for the taxpayer and accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. Future support to Yemen will be determined as part of this review.
Justice
Administration of Justice: EC action
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what his policy is on the exercise of the UK opt-out in the policy areas of justice and home affairs which fall within his Department's responsibility under the Lisbon Treaty; [5881]
(2) when a decision will be taken on whether the UK will exercise its right to opt-out of each area on justice and home affairs under the Treaty of Lisbon where such a right exists. [6229]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: Forthcoming legislation in the area of criminal justice will be approached on a case-by-case basis, with a view to maximising our country's security, protecting Britain's civil liberties and preserving the integrity of our criminal justice system.
The Government will decide whether to exercise its right to opt-out of each area on justice and home affairs under the treaty of Lisbon where such right exists before the 2014 deadline.
Asylum
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which organisations in the North West procurement area have been successful in their bids for the contract period starting 10 October 2010 to the Legal Services Commission; and for each such organisation, how many and what proportion are (a) asylum and (b) non-asylum immigration cases. [6360]
Mr Djanogly: The tender process for Immigration Services is not yet complete and we therefore cannot provide details of the organisations that have been successful. The tender will conclude once all appeals have been resolved which we anticipate will be in mid September 2010.
Community Service Orders
David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions since his appointment he has visited persons undertaking projects under community service orders without prior notification to the Probation Service. [6395]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: Since taking office in May, I have not visited anyone undertaking any unpaid work as part of their community sentence. If I were to make such a visit, I would notify the Probation Service as a matter of course.
Crime: Prison Officers
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will conduct an investigation into corruption among prison officers. [6312]
Mr Blunt: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has made a robust commitment towards detecting, removing and preventing all forms of corruption in partnership with the police.
A dedicated NOMS Corruption Prevention Unit works with Regional Corruption Prevention Managers and the front line and partner agencies to raise staff awareness, develop an understanding of the extent and nature of
staff corruption in prisons and related HQ functions and where practicable, to prosecute identified instances of corrupt behaviour. Each prison has an identified Local Corruption Prevention Manager with responsibility for raising awareness of the risks from corruption, helping staff in reporting and taking forward action including working with the police in support of prosecution.
A joint memorandum of understanding was agreed between ACPO and NOMS in October 2008 and gives the primacy for investigating and prosecuting individual cases of staff corruption to the police. NOMS also uses internal disciplinary proceedings to take action, up to and including dismissal, of any member of staff who is found to be involved in corrupt activities where there is insufficient evidence to support police prosecution.
Departmental Conferences
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of expenditure by his Department on (a) organisation of and (b) attendance at conferences in each year since its creation. [6117]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: Expenditure since the inception of the Ministry of Justice for headquarters and its four Executive agencies-the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), Her Majesty's Court Service (HMCS), the Tribunals Service and the Office of the Public Guardian-is as follows:
| Financial period | £000 |
| (1) Figures for 2009-10 are unaudited and are subject to change. | |
The 2007-08 and 2008-09 figures are from the Ministry's accounting systems which captures expenditure under "conferences and events" and "conferences and exhibitions" classifications. The 2009-10 figures are sourced from the Ministry's new procurement system which records "conferences" separately. The 2009-10 figures are therefore not directly comparable between years.
The amounts above exclude expenditure incurred locally by the 35 local probation trusts within NOMS as this information is held locally and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.
It is not possible to distinguish the costs of organising conferences from the costs of attending conferences without incurring the disproportionate costs of examining all of the individual records that make up the amounts above and other expenditure categories where costs may have been charged, for example catering. Where the Ministry of Justice has organised conferences, the costs of staff time are not separately recorded.
With respect to the attendance at conferences, it is possible that additional related costs may have been incurred for travel and subsistence where this was not covered by the overall amount charged for conference attendance. These additional amounts could be determined only at disproportionate cost by manual examination of thousands of records held locally.
Departmental Lost Property
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what property has been recorded as (a) lost and (b) stolen from the Department in the last 12 months; and what estimate has been made of the cost of the replacement of that property. [5961]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: With the exception of HM Prison Service, details of individual cases of lost and stolen property are held at a local level across the Department. Incidents relating to theft or loss of IT equipment are reportable to the central security team and there were 232 such security incidents for the financial year of 2009-10 and are detailed as follows:
| Types of affected IT equipment lost/stolen | Number of incidents |
To determine which of these losses relate to theft and to estimate a replacement cost would involve a review of individual local records which would incur disproportionate cost.
Separate records are kept by Her Majesty's Prison Service (HMPS), which is part of the National Offender Management Service agency. For this period the value of lost or stolen property was £256,779. This comprises:
lost or stolen items: 988 losses at a total value of £122,880 of which 987 losses were from prison stores at a value of £122,820;
loss of personal property for which compensation was paid to prisoners, staff or third parties; 2,126 payments at a total of £133,899.
These figures are currently unaudited.
Human Rights
David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were convicted of an offence within two years of receiving a community order in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [6392]
Mr Blunt: Reoffending data are based on offences committed within one year of an offender commencing a court order under probation supervision. Reoffending data covering time periods longer than one year are not collated.
Table 1 shows the number of adult offenders who commenced a court order under probation supervision between 1 January to 31 March 2008, and the reoffending rate. This table also contains a breakdown of the number of offenders who commenced a community order, and a suspended sentence order.
Further information on adult reoffending is available at:
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