Previous Section Index Home Page

19 July 2010 : Column 32W—continued


Police: Finance

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of funding for the employment of police officers in 2010-11 is provided by (a) central Government and (b) local authorities. [8122]

Nick Herbert: In 2010-11, central Government funding to the police service in England and Wales is around £9.6 billion. A further £3.2 billion is raised through the police precept component of council tax and police forces also generate a smaller amount of income for themselves, for example by charging event organisers for policing.

Police: Firearms

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to collate figures on the annual number of negligent discharges from police firearms in England and Wales. [8816]

Nick Herbert: There are no current plans for the Home Office to collect data or figures on the number of negligent discharges from authorised police firearms officers in England and Wales. This information may be obtained directly from individual chief officers.

Police: Manpower

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were employed (a) in total and (b) in each police authority area (i) on the latest date for which figures are available and (ii) in each of the last 13 years; and what estimate she has made of the likely number of police officers in each such area in each of the next four years. [8849]

Nick Herbert [holding answer 15 July 2010]: The available data are provided in the following tables.

The estimate of the likely number of police officers and police officers in each of the next four years is not available centrally. These decisions are made by the Chief Constable and the Police Authority.


19 July 2010 : Column 33W

19 July 2010 : Column 34W
Police officer strength( 1) (FTE)( 2) by police force as at 31 March 19 97 to 31 March 2009
31 March each year
Police f orce 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001( 3) 2002 2003

Avon and Somerset

2,989

2,976

2,999

2,934

2,960

3,096

3,149

Bedfordshire

1,094

1,079

1,041

1,028

1,036

1,069

1,106

Cambridgeshire

1,302

1,291

1,274

1,237

1,296

1,362

1,384

Cheshire

2,046

2,042

2,071

2,011

2,002

2,059

2,119

Cleveland

1,459

1,483

1,416

1,404

1,407

1,461

1,582

Cumbria

1,144

1,164

1,126

1,084

1,048

1,100

1,140

Derbyshire

1,791

1,772

1,759

1,777

1,823

1,848

2,003

Devon and Cornwall

2,865

2,962

2,887

2,841

2,934

3,053

3,202

Dorset

1,284

1,310

1,279

1,306

1,354

1,381

1,416

Durham

1,461

1,515

1,568

1,558

1,595

1,614

1,651

Essex

2,961

2,928

2,891

2,806

2,887

2,946

2,989

Gloucestershire

1,133

1,104

1,104

1,114

1,173

1,183

1,227

Greater Manchester

6,922

6,949

6,810

6,795

6,909

7,217

7,343

Hampshire

3,452

3,490

3,473

3,419

3,435

3,480

3,668

Hertfordshire

1,759

1,740

1,724

1,767

1,922

1,825

1,957

Humberside

2,045

2,021

1,974

1,932

1,917

2,058

2,105

Kent

3,260

3,251

3,201

3,204

3,319

3,355

3,487

Lancashire

3,247

3,257

3,245

3,179

3,255

3,304

3,339

Leicestershire

1,949

1,983

1,993

1,993

2,033

2,100

2,114

Lincolnshire

1,196

1,191

1,140

1,115

1,202

1,198

1,221

London, City of

859

825

778

732

703

764

808

Merseyside

4,230

4,216

4,211

4,085

4,081

4,125

4,099

Metropolitan Police

26,677

26,094

26,073

25,485

24,878

26,223

27,984

Norfolk

1,432

1,430

1,381

1,381

1,420

1,468

1,499

Northamptonshire

1,177

1,169

1,137

1,117

1,157

1,214

1,210

Northumbria

3,677

3,769

3,840

3,788

3,857

3,929

3,943

North Yorkshire

1,338

1,367

1,337

1,283

1,305

1,417

1,444

Nottinghamshire

2,323

2,323

2,225

2,204

2,212

2,330

2,411

South Yorkshire

3,159

3,182

3,168

3,163

3,197

3,199

3,183

Staffordshire

2,211

2,292

2,238

2,170

2,129

2,133

2,202

Suffolk

1,180

1,186

1,190

1,145

1,133

1,203

1,253

Surrey

1,620

1,608

1,662

1,785

2,066

1,992

1,906

Sussex

3,085

2,996

2,847

2,822

2,855

2,893

2,989

Thames Valley

3,695

3,776

3,748

3,740

3,703

3,762

3,833

Warwickshire

926

924

908

900

926

969

997

West Mercia

2,040

2,010

2,025

1,887

1,951

2,018

2,256

West Midlands

7,113

7,156

7,321

7,194

7,423

7,681

7,751

West Yorkshire

5,209

5,155

4,982

4,822

4,815

4,889

5,029

Wiltshire

1,154

1,156

1,151

1,118

1,120

1,157

1,158

Dyfed-Powys

1,005

1,002

1,026

1,040

1,055

1,132

1,149

Gwent

1,243

1,233

1,247

1,264

1,274

1,333

1,341

North Wales

1,369

1,396

1,391

1,403

1,444

1,506

1,539

South Wales

2,976

2,986

2,981

2,926

3,100

3,222

3,239

Total England and Wales

125,051

124,756

123,841

121,956

123,313

127,267

131,426



19 July 2010 : Column 35W

19 July 2010 : Column 36W
31 March each year
Police f orce 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Avon and Somerset

3,401

3,384

3,389

3,375

3,339

3,303

Bedfordshire

1,181

1,215

1,198

1,185

1,174

1,219

Cambridgeshire

1,400

1,402

1,430

1,381

1,358

1,414

Cheshire

2,177

2,186

2,174

2,192

2,124

2,123

Cleveland

1,687

1,676

1,677

1,713

1,663

1,756

Cumbria

1,222

1,232

1,230

1,244

1,228

1,257

Derbyshire

2,070

2,070

2,046

2,023

2,076

2,119

Devon and Cornwall

3,283

3,369

3,493

3,476

3,486

3,518

Dorset

1,433

1,450

1,485

1,492

1,482

1,463

Durham

1,685

1,718

1,699

1,683

1,605

1,566

Essex

3,098

3,190

3,279

3,297

3,346

3,454

Gloucestershire

1,284

1,291

1,289

1,303

1,338

1,370

Greater Manchester

8,042

8,041

7,959

7,887

7,931

8,124

Hampshire

3,706

3,725

3,707

3,796

3,807

3,700

Hertfordshire

2,086

2,104

2,126

2,159

2,137

2,117

Humberside

2,213

2,230

2,224

2,227

2,216

2,078

Kent

3,576

3,586

3,599

3,664

3,644

3,716

Lancashire

3,550

3,551

3,583

3,566

3,609

3,653

Leicestershire

2,277

2,283

2,250

2,225

2,212

2,338

Lincolnshire

1,228

1,221

1,213

1,221

1,178

1,204

London, City of

853

876

869

854

817

804

Merseyside

4,122

4,317

4,269

4,413

4,449

4,462

Metropolitan Police

29,735

30,710

30,536

30,710

31,014

32,121

Norfolk

1,510

1,544

1,557

1,565

1,526

1,644

Northamptonshire

1,239

1,267

1,317

1,281

1,264

1,301

Northumbria

4,040

4,048

3,983

3,917

3,928

4,028

North Yorkshire

1,529

1,543

1,636

1,654

1,560

1,435

Nottinghamshire

2,484

2,502

2,477

2,410

2,334

2,380

South Yorkshire

3,279

3,265

3,255

3,254

3,172

3,017

Staffordshire

2,266

2,280

2,272

2,288

2,229

2,189

Suffolk

1,304

1,313

1,300

1,342

1,308

1,280

Surrey

1,913

1,915

1,922

1,914

1,904

1,824

Sussex

3,039

3,044

3,092

3,077

3,032

3,163

Thames Valley

4,034

4,114

4,229

4,197

4,112

4,251

Warwickshire

1,008

1,011

1,032

1,059

1,017

975

West Mercia

2,355

2,367

2,351

2,400

2,433

2,436

West Midlands

7,887

8,056

8,097

8,173

8,315

8,559

West Yorkshire

5,275

5,631

5,644

5,655

5,744

5,787

Wiltshire

1,217

1,222

1,219

1,204

1,202

1,212

Dyfed-Powys

1,160

1,174

1,182

1,177

1,181

1,176

Gwent

1,372

1,438

1,467

1,493

1,474

1,432

North Wales

1,603

1,652

1,617

1,591

1,566

1,578

South Wales

3,279

3,281

3,263

3,297

3,194

3,103

Total England and Wales

137,105

139,495

139,633

140,032

139,728

141,647

(1) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the constituent items
(2) Prior to 2002-03, figures excluded officers on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. Therefore for comparative purposes, all figures shown exclude officers on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave.
(3) Boundary changes on 1 April 2000 transferred some resources from the Metropolitan Police to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey police forces.

Public Spending Control

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 5 July 2010, Official Report, columns 1-2WS, on public spending control, under which budgetary headings she expects her Department to make savings of £55 million in the fiscal year 2010-11. [7517]

Nick Herbert: The Treasury has confirmed that the Home Office should expect to receive half of the £110 million of capital end year flexibility upon which its capital plans for 2010-11 were based. This means that reductions of around £55 million will need to be made in-year. This will be achieved by bearing down on costs across a range of Home Office programmes and projects.

Sexual Offences: Travel Restrictions

Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign travel orders have been issued under section 114 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 since the Act came into force. [8564]

James Brokenshire [holding answer 15 July 2010]: According to the latest data published by the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangement (MAPPA) there have been 18 foreign travel orders issued since the Sexual Offences Act 2003 came into force. The following table provides a yearly breakdown:

Sexual Offences Act Orders
Number of foreign travel orders (FO) granted

2004-05

1

2005-06

1

2006-07

3

2007-08

1

2008-09

12


Communities and Local Government

Electoral Register: Expenditure

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent per head by each local authority on electoral registration in the latest period for which figures are available. [9196]

Robert Neill: I have today placed in the Library of the House a table that gives, for each local authority in England, the net current expenditure per head reported on registration of electors in 2008-09.


19 July 2010 : Column 37W

Housing: Carbon Emissions

Edward Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to change the requirement that all new homes are zero carbon by 2016. [8622]

Grant Shapps: I have long endorsed the concept of zero carbon new homes from 2016. I recognise the importance for the industry to have a clear definition as soon as possible and we are currently working on this.

Housing: Construction

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take to encourage an increase in the level of housebuilding. [8650]

Andrew Stunell: The Government are committed to increasing housing supply from current levels.

The previous Government's model of top-down housing targets failed to deliver: in 2009 just 118,000 completions were achieved, the lowest level of house building in England since the Second World War. On 6 July we revoked regional spatial strategies and regional housing targets and passed power back to local communities. Instead of going against the grain of local opinion and creating opposition to imposed new housing, we will increase housing supply by introducing powerful fiscal incentives so that communities benefit directly from housing growth. We are confident that our approach to housing, which rebalances power from central government to local authorities and local people, and combines this with powerful incentives for local authorities, will deliver the housing that communities want and need. We will set out further details on the timetable for introducing incentives in due course.

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) briefing note on Impact of HM Treasury announcement on HCA spending dated 25 May 2010, when he expects the HCA to announce its decision on the allocation of remaining uncommitted funding for (a) the National Affordable Housing programme, (b) Kickstart Round 2 and (c) Local Authority New Build programme. [9510]

Grant Shapps: The coalition 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. 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. However, the Government remain committed to the provision of affordable housing and have been able to secure £1.25 billion of the previous Administration's £1.5 billion Housing Pledge.

This will enable the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to meet all existing contractual commitments and will be able to progress some programmes that have been paused while the funding position was under review. The HCA's regional offices will be assessing
19 July 2010 : Column 38W
which other schemes can be progressed with the aim of maximising affordable housing and achieving best value for money. The objective is to give interested parties clarity as quickly as possible.

Housing: Regeneration

Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what decisions he has taken on the future of Housing Market Renewal Initiative funding in Liverpool, Walton constituency; and if he will make a statement. [9288]

Grant Shapps: Future plans for programmes such as Housing Market Renewal will be set out by the Government after the spending review later in the year.

Local Government Services: Voluntary Organisations

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what future role he envisages for the voluntary sector in (a) supporting local communities in accessing public services and (b) the provision and development of local services. [9680]

Robert Neill: The voluntary and community sector has an important role to play in helping people to create the Big Society in their neighbourhood, where local people feel empowered to bring about the changes they know their communities need and they come together to change the things they care about.

The Government will continue to give new powers to neighbourhoods, including greater control over their finances and new rights to take over state-run services, and will work with the community-led voluntary sector to identify and remove unnecessary regulation and barriers which hinder its work.

Local Government: Shrewsbury

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will meet representatives of Shrewsbury town council to discuss (a) the devolution of additional powers and responsibilities from Shropshire unitary authority and (b) means of improving value for money of local authority services. [9339]

Robert Neill: The coalition's programme for government sets out a radical localist vision where powers are passed not merely to councils but down further to communities, neighbourhoods and individuals. In any place it is for the councils democratically accountable to local people to decide what arrangements for devolving powers is most suitable for their area.

I will, of course, be happy to meet the hon. Gentlemen and representatives of his town council.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate his Department has made of the number of people who have renegotiated the terms of their mortgage in the last 12 months (a) following receipt of Government-funded help and advice and (b) in total. [9612]


19 July 2010 : Column 39W

Grant Shapps: Communities and Local Government does not hold information on the number of people who have renegotiated mortgage terms with their lender as a result of Government help and advice. However, at least 110,000 households have received advice on mortgage problems through the Citizens Advice Bureau or their local authority in the last year. Latest data show that 20,254 households approached their local authority for advice in relation to the Mortgage Rescue Scheme by the end of March 2010.

In the interests of transparency, on 20 July I am publishing a report commissioned by the previous Government yet never published. The Professor Muellbauer report, "Modelling and Forecasting UK Mortgage Arrears and Possessions", indicates that in a worst-case scenario there could be 175,000 repossessions by 2012. However the coalition Government are committed to ensuring that interest rates remain low for as long as possible. This will be achieved by tackling the £155 billion deficit which will help enable homeowners to stay in their own homes and avoid repossession through ongoing lower interest rates. The Government believe this measure will prevent repossessions better than any other individual scheme.

An evaluation of the Mortgage Rescue and Homeowners Support schemes will be published shortly. I have reviewed the repossession schemes offered by Communities and Local Government, to ensure that they provide the best support for homeowners and value for money for the taxpayer. I can confirm that the Mortgage Rescue and Homeowners Mortgage Support schemes remain available as a last resort to homeowners facing the threat of repossession. The Homeowners Mortgage Support scheme will end, as planned, at the end of the financial year. I will be considering the longer term role for the Mortgage Rescue scheme as part of the Spending Review.

Multiple Occupation: Licensing

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will consider the merits of local development orders in place of alternative Article 4 directions to provide flexibility in the regulation of houses of multiple occupation. [9717]

Robert Neill: The Minister for Housing and Local Government outlined our proposed approach to the treatment of houses in multiple occupation within the planning system on 17 June 2010.

We are currently considering a number of matters that have been raised in relation to those proposals. The question of whether LDOs or Article 4 directions are the most suitable tool for managing HMOs on a targeted basis is part of that consideration.

Notwithstanding, as mentioned in the Budget 2010 (HC61) we intend to promote the greater use of local development orders where appropriate as part of a shift to a more locally driven planning regime.

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what reasons Oxford city council was not invited to contribute to the targeted consultation on the changing of planning rules for houses in multiple occupation. [9718]


19 July 2010 : Column 40W

Robert Neill: In considering the proposed changes to the planning rules for houses in multiple occupation we approached a number of representative bodies for their comments. These included the Local Government Association, and the Planning Officer Society.

We did not invite individual local authorities to comment. However, any comments made by individual authorities will of course be taken into account.

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria were used to determine participants in his Department's targeted consultation on the changing of planning rules for houses in multiple occupation. [9719]

Robert Neill: Following the statement by the Minister for Housing and Local Government to the House on 17 June 2010 we have been engaged with discussions with key partners about our proposals in relation to the planning rules for HMOs.

Those invited to participate were chosen on the basis of the interests they represented with the aim of covering all viewpoints identified in the earlier consultation.

Non-domestic Rates

Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2010, Official Report, column 529W, on non-domestic rates, and with reference to the Budget Red Book 2010 page 27, section 1.67, when the Government intend to bring forward legislation to provide for a temporary increase in small business rate relief; when guidance will be made available; and if he will make a statement. [9306]

Robert Neill: The 22 June Budget announced the Government's intention to cancel certain backdated business rates and increase the level of small business rate relief for one year, from October 2010. I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 15 July 2010, Official Report, column 908W, on backdated business rates bills. In respect of small business rate relief, the necessary statutory instruments were laid before Parliament on the 28 June. They are the Non-Domestic Rating (Small Business Rate Relief) (Amendment) (England) Order (SI 2010/1655), and the Non-Domestic (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) (England) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations (SI 2010/1656). Local authorities are responsible for the administration of this measure. My officials will work closely with them on implementation.

Non-domestic Rates: Ports

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was received from port companies under the previous Government's eight-year payment scheme for backdated business rate demands. [9157]

Robert Neill: The information collected by the Department on business rates does not allow port companies to be separately identified.


19 July 2010 : Column 41W

Peat

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will take steps to ensure that his Department's Minerals Planning Guidance on peat extraction takes account of the Government's policies on climate change and international commitments on biodiversity. [9036]

Robert Neill: In the coalition agreement the Government stated that they will publish and present to Parliament a simple and consolidated national planning framework covering all forms of development. We will make an announcement on how we propose to take forward the national planning framework and the implications for specific areas of planning policy.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will issue guidance to Natural England on its procedures for dealing with applications for peat extraction. [9037]

Robert Neill: The Department has no plans to issue guidance to Natural England on its procedure for dealing with applications for peat extraction. Section 54 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduced for most statutory consultees, a duty to respond to consultation and a requirement for those statutory consultees to produce an annual report on their performance in responding to consultation.

Public Houses: Property Transfer

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2010, Official Report, column 531W, on public houses, how many communities the Asset Transfer Unit has assisted to take ownership or management of their local public house to date; and if he will make a statement. [9471]

Andrew Stunell: The Asset Transfer Unit has so far assisted one community specifically on taking over their local public house, but its knowledge and ability to provide tailored support (from external partners or through consultancy services) ensures that it is in a position to respond to other similar enquiries should it be approached.

The Government's commitment to introduce powers to help communities save local facilities threatened with closure, which could include public houses of importance to particular communities, is set out in 'The Coalition: our programme for government'. Options for achieving this objective most effectively are under consideration, and we will be discussing this further with all those with an interest across the sectors.

Regional Planning and Development: West Midlands

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 21 June 2010, Official Report, column 26W, on regional planning and development; West Midlands, whether the Government responses to the (a) Second and (b) Third Report for the West Midlands Regional Select Committee of Session 2009-10 will be made before the summer recess. [9360]


19 July 2010 : Column 42W

Robert Neill: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made on 15 July 2010, Official Report, columns 37-40WS.

RENEW North Staffs

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what (a) land and (b) other capital assets have been acquired (i) by RENEW North Staffs and (ii) by others using RENEW North Staffs funding each year since RENEW North Staffs was established; and how much has been spent in each case. [6603]

Robert Neill: For each year the property acquisition and land acquisition by RENEW and its partners is as follows:

Property RENEW Stoke city council RSL Land (ha)

2003-04

1

64

0

2.1

2004-05

0

217

0

0.171

2005-06

0

345

18

0.4

2006-07

1

287

12

1.26

2007-08

0

362

104

0

2008-09

0

361

91

0

2009-10

3

216

67

0


The cost of the individual acquisitions is not readily available in the format requested.

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding has been received by RENEW North Staffs in each year since it was established. [6629]

Robert Neill: RENEW North Staffordshire has received funding as follows:

£

2003-04

5,435,978

2004-05

7,001,039

2005-06

19,299,999

2006-07

29,000,000

2007-08

38,410,000

2008-09

39,960,000

2009-10

37,956,000

Total

177,063,016


Rented Housing: Empty Property

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of vacant properties in the (a) social and (b) private rented sector in (i) Leeds and (ii) Leeds North West. [9551]

Andrew Stunell: Information is not collected by constituency.

The Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) collects information from local authorities on the number of vacant dwellings within each local authority area as at 1 April. Information is not collected on the number of vacant dwellings in the private rented sector.


19 July 2010 : Column 43W

The Regulatory Statistical Return (RSR) is collected by the Tenant Services Authority (TSA) and collects information on vacant dwellings from registered social landlords as at 31 March. However, the number of vacant dwellings recorded includes general needs dwellings only.

A table showing the number of vacant dwellings owned by local authorities and Registered Social Landlords in each local authority area as at 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2009 respectively has been placed in the Library of the House.

Repossession Orders

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) what his Department's most recent estimate is of the number of repossessions in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; [9642]

(2) what his Department's estimate of the number of repossessions in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012 was immediately prior to 6 May 2010. [9643]

Grant Shapps: In the interests of transparency, on 20 July I am publishing a report commissioned by the previous Government yet never published on "Modelling and Forecasting UK Mortgage Arrears and Possession". This report presents the findings of research that the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit commissioned from Professor John Muellbauer and Dr Janine Aron. The project developed a model aimed at improving our understanding of the drivers of mortgage arrears and possessions and to predict how arrears and possessions may move over the next few years in different economic scenarios.

The report indicates that in a worst case scenario there could be 175,000 repossessions by 2012. However the coalition Government are committed to ensuring that interest rates remain low for as long as possible. This will be achieved by tackling the £155 billion deficit which will help enable homeowners to stay in their own homes and avoid repossession through ongoing lower interest rates. The Government believe this measure will prevent repossessions better than any other individual scheme.

In addition, the Council for Mortgage Lenders forecast for repossessions in 2010 remains at 53,000 but maybe lower.

Justice

Courts: Closures

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2010, Official Report, column 162W, on "Courts: Closures," for what reason the target for actual court utilisation has been set at 80%; and what the target for planned court utilisation is. [8486]

Mr Djanogly: A national utilisation rate of 80% allows sufficient capacity to accommodate fluctuations in work load as well as capacity for courtroom time that is unable to be used due to ineffective trials etc. while ensuring that the court estate is well utilised. There is no target for planned court utilisation.


19 July 2010 : Column 44W

Departmental Location

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) whether he plans to relocate (a) civil servants and (b) Government bodies for which his Department is responsible (i) out of London and (ii) to the West Midlands; and if he will make a statement; [8297]

(2) whether he plans to relocate (a) civil servants and (b) Government bodies for which his Department is responsible (i) out of London and (ii) to the West Midlands; and if he will make a statement. [8421]

Mr Kenneth Clarke: In the March 2010 Budget, the Ministry of Justice was tasked with relocating 1,000 posts out of London with 500 posts expected to move outside the south-east of England. No final decisions have yet been taken about the destination of any moves or the number of posts to be relocated to specific locations. The location of public sector activity and plans for the Government's estate will be considered alongside other public spending issues over the course of the spending review.

Departmental Official Cars

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his estimate is of the mileage travelled by each Minister in his Department in a Government car in (a) May and (b) June 2010. [8327]

Mr Blunt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) on 13 July 2010, Official Report, column 624W.

Magistrates Courts

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reason he proposes to merge Lambeth and Southwark local justice area with Croydon and Sutton local justice area; and what consideration he has given to merging the former local justice area with one geographically nearer. [8484]

Mr Djanogly: The rationale behind the proposed local justice area (LJA) mergers in London is set out on page nine of consultation paper HMCS CP 12/10.

Although the potential reduction to the HMCS estate provides a compelling reason for proposed LJA changes, there is a wider context that relates to the need for HMCS to continue to be able to deliver an efficient magistrates courts service in London to a good standard, at a lower cost.

The LJA amalgamations being consulted upon are not however just borne out of immediate necessity. HMCS has also considered the longer-term and believes that the proposed nine LJA structure creates a strong and flexible operational foundation upon which likely future estates and business strategies can be built.

In formulating the London LJA proposals, HMCS had regard to such issues as the wider estates strategy, the capacity within the courts in the area, the likely size of combined benches, transport links, projected workloads and existing/historic operational connections.


19 July 2010 : Column 45W

Alternative amalgamations were considered. However it was concluded that the proposed South London LJA represented the optimal operational fit (when viewed across London as a whole), creating an LJA of a similar size to others with reasonable transportation links between the component boroughs. Account was also taken of existing operational connections-the three existing LJAs, for example, have already established one judicial leadership group where the judiciary come together to make decisions for the benefit of the three LJAs as a whole.

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cases were processed in magistrates courts in
19 July 2010 : Column 46W
(a) England and Wales, (b) England and (c) the West Midlands in each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement. [8424]

Mr Djanogly: The number of court proceedings processed in the magistrates courts in England and Wales, England, and the West Midlands Local Criminal Justice Board area, from 2007 to 2009, are given in the table. Statistics are not available prior to 2007 on a comparable basis.

Completed court proceedings in the magistrates courts, England and Wales, 2007-09
Area Total number of completed criminal proceedings (including breaches) Total number of completed non-criminal proceedings Total number of completed court proceedings

2007

England and Wales

1,890,000

870,000

2,760,000

England

1,766,000

814,000

2,581,000

West midlands

133,000

66,000

199,000

2008

England and Wales

2,031,000

977,000

3,008,000

England

1,909,000

917,000

2,826,000

West midlands

94,000

47,000

141,000

2009 (provisional)

England and Wales

1,909,000

981,000

2,890,000

England

1,826,000

933,000

2,759,000

West midlands

107,000

66,000

173,000

Notes:
1. All figures are given to the nearest thousand.
2. Prior to 2007, data were collected from different administrative systems and are not directly comparable with those given in the table. For this reason, the table shows the figures from 2007 only.
Source:
Completed Proceedings, HM Courts Service Performance Database ('OPT')

Magistrates Courts: Bradford

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2010, Official Report, column 165W, on "Magistrates Courts: Bradford," what the planned courtroom utilisation rate was in (a) Bradford and (b) Bingley magistrates court in the latest period for which figure are available; what the reasons were for not meeting that rate; and what estimate he has made of the number of hours spent on trials which were classified as ineffective which contributed to the under-utilisation of each court in that period. [8487]

Mr Djanogly: HM Courts Service does not have planned court utilisation rates. For the financial year 2009-10 the utilisation rate for Bradford was 64%. The reason that Bradford and Bingley (with an utilisation rate of 70%) did not reach a higher utilisation rate was due to an over supply of courtrooms as compared to the work load.

HM Courts Service does not record the amount of time spent on ineffective trials.

Magistrates Courts: Greater London

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2010, Official Report, column 167W, on "Magistrates' Courts: Greater London", what international jurisdiction work HM Courts Service proposes to be heard at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court; and what estimate has been made of the number of courtrooms such work will require. [8483]

Mr Djanogly: The international jurisdiction work referred to in my previous answer primarily comprises hearings under the Extradition Act 2003.

Part I of the Act deals with requests to extradite foreign nationals brought to court following arrest under a European Arrest Warrant (EAW). Part II of the Act deals with requests instigated by states not signatories to the treaty adopting Part I EAW proceedings. Workload under both parts of the Act has been increasing significantly over recent years and is set to continue to do so.

A number of options for expansion at Camberwell Green have been developed, one of which includes an additional two courtrooms that would be used specifically to accommodate the increase in such applications.

Magistrates Courts: Greater London

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2010, Official Report, column 167W, on "Magistrates Courts: Central London", what estimate HM Courts Service has made of the likely sale price of Tower Bridge Magistrates Court; whether any expressions of interest in purchasing the property have been received; and whether the property is on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. [8480]


19 July 2010 : Column 47W

Mr Djanogly: The last recorded valuation undertaken in April 2009 estimates the potential sale value of the entire Tower Bridge site to be in excess of £4 million.

HMCS is not aware of, nor has any recorded indication of, receiving any expressions of interest in purchasing the magistrates court.

The property has grade 2 listed status.

Prison Sentences

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2010, Official Report, columns 170-71W, on prison sentences, how many (a) immediate custodial sentences and (b) suspended sentences were given for each category of summary non-motoring offences in each of the last two years. [8485]

Mr Blunt: The requested information is provided in the following table.

The most recent two years for which data are available is 2007-08. Data for 2009 will become available when "Sentencing Statistics 2009" is published later in the year.


19 July 2010 : Column 48W

19 July 2010 : Column 49W
Total number of immediate custodial sentences of less than 12 months and suspended sentences for summary non-motoring offences, 2007-08
Suspended sentence Immediate custody

2007

Adulteration of food, drugs, etc.

0

1

Assault on a constable

1,157

1,927

Common assault, etc.

3,991

6,161

Betting, Gaming and Lotteries

1

1

Brothel keeping

5

10

Cruelty to animals

50

52

Offences in relation to dogs

11

14

Education Acts

63

22

Financial offences

1

0

Firearms Act 1968 and other firearms acts

45

51

Fishery laws

1

0

Nuisances, other than those caused by vehicles

0

1

Offences against public order

646

1,220

Interference with motor vehicle

51

326

Stealing and unauthorised taking of a conveyance

171

753

Aggravated vehicle taking-criminal damage of £5,000 or under

137

373

Indecent exposure

0

1

Drunkenness, simple

0

3

Drunkenness, with aggravation

5

6

Other offences against intoxicating liquor laws

1

0

Criminal damage, £5,000 or less, and malicious damage

388

1,110

Social security offences

90

38

Offences under Army 1955 or Armed Forces Act 1966

0

1

Reserve Forces Acts 1980 and 1996 (so far as they concern the naval and marine forces)

0

1

Air Force Act 1955

1

0

Disorderly behaviour

0

6

Other offences against certain local regulations

4

3

Kerb-crawling

25

43

Offence by prostitutes

3

0

Public health offences

2

0

Railway offences

4

13

Motor vehicle licences

0

1

Stage carriage and public service vehicles offences

1

0

Sexual offenders-miscellaneous

0

2

Begging

0

9

Found in enclosed premises, possessing picklocks

6

60

Wild Birds Protection Acts

1

1

Video Recordings Act 1984

0

1

Drug offences

3

47

Offences against Immigration Act 1971

3

53

Other summary offences (excluding motoring)

399

964

Total (summary excluding motoring)

7,266

13,275

2008

Assault on a constable

1,018

1,778

Common assault, etc.

4,413

6,698

Betting, Gaming and Lotteries

4

8

Brothel keeping

11

20

Cruelty to animals

65

71

Offences in relation to dogs

6

10

Education Acts

58

28

Firearms Act 1968 and other firearms acts

30

32

Fishery laws

0

2

Offences against public order

637

1,382

Interference with motor vehicle

67

298

Stealing and unauthorised taking of a conveyance

117

691

Aggravated vehicle taking-criminal damage of £5,000 or under

163

350

Impersonation, false or misleading statements, failing to give information

0

1

Drunkenness, with aggravation

7

6

Other offences against intoxicating liquor laws

1

3

Criminal damage, £5,000 or less, and malicious damage

425

1,253

Social security offences

133

31

Offences under Army 1955 or Armed Forces Act 1966

0

1

Disorderly behaviour

1

5

Other offences against certain local regulations

3

2

Kerb-crawling

20

42

Public health offences

1

0

Railway offences

1

11

Stage carriage and public service vehicles offences

1

4

Sexual offenders-miscellaneous

0

1

Unlawful possession

0

1

Begging

0

1

Found in enclosed premises, possessing picklocks

11

55

Wild Birds Protection Acts

1

0

Video Recordings Act 1984

0

2

Drug offences

7

47

Offences against Immigration Act 1971

6

40

Other summary offences (excluding motoring)

489

1,212

Total (summary excluding motoring)

7,696

14,086

Notes: 1. These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. 2. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system. 3. These data have been taken from the Ministry of Justice Court Proceedings database. These data are presented on the principal offence basis. Where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the principal offence is the one for which the heaviest sentence was imposed. Where the same sentence has been imposed for two or more offences the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe. 4. Excludes data for Cardiff magistrates court for April, July, and August 2008. Source: Justice Statistics-Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice.

Prison Service: Ex-servicemen

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what protocols have been agreed between the Prison Service and the Ministry of Defence on the identification of service personnel in prisons since 1998; [8127]

(2) if Ministers in his Department will meet practitioners in the criminal justice system who specialise in work with ex-service personnel to discuss the matter of ex-service personnel in prison. [8128]

Mr Blunt: Prisoners are routinely asked for details of their employment history as part of the prison induction process. Prison assessment procedures have been revised to include more specific questions to identify offenders who have served in the armed forces.

We continue to work closely with the Ministry of Defence, voluntary and community sector organisations and across Government to raise awareness among ex-service personnel of the help and support available to them and their families while they serve their sentence and prepare for release.

A data-processing agreement was formed in 2009 for the specific purpose of sharing and processing personal data from MOD and MOJ records in order to establish the number of prisoners in England and Wales who have formerly served in one of the UK armed forces. This is estimated to be approximately 3% of the prison population.

The Ministry of Justice is also represented on the Ex Service Offenders Working Group, which is chaired by the MOD.

Ministers will meet practitioners who specialise in this work in the course of their duties.

Tribunals: Disability Living Allowance

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the annual cost to the public purse of tribunals for disability living allowance awards was where an award was (a) made and (b) not made was in each of the last five years. [9227]


19 July 2010 : Column 50W

Mr Djanogly: The first-tier tribunal (social security and child support) administers disability living allowance (DLA) appeals. The Tribunals Service is only able to provide figures from 2006-07. Prior to this, the Appeals Service, an agency of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was responsible for the appeals system. The DWP is unable to provide any data.

The cost of DLA appeals is shown in the following table:

£
Costs of tribunal where an award was made Costs of tribunal where an award was not made

2009-10

5,275,402

9,603,787

2008-09

6,410,165

13,167,617

2007-08

7,657,723

12,831,279

2006-07

9,122,863

13,297,159


Prime Minister

Israel: Official Visits

Mr Amess: To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to visit the state of Israel; and if he will make a statement. [8570]

The Prime Minister: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 3 June 2010, Official Report, column 99W.

National Security Council: Meetings

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the agenda for the most recent meeting of the National Security Council; [9172]

(2) who attended the most recent meeting of the National Security Council. [9173]

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the press briefing given by my official spokesman on 26 May 2010. A copy of the transcript is available on the No. 10 website at:

Official Hospitality

Pete Wishart: To ask the Prime Minister which guests have been invited to (a) Chequers, (b) Chevening House and (c) Dorneywood in each of the last 12 months. [8429]

The Prime Minister: A list of guests who have received official hospitality at Chequers is published on an annual basis and is available in the Library of the House. Information for the financial year 2009-10 will be published in the usual way. The use of Chevening is a matter for the Deputy Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the trustees who manage the estate. The use of Dorneywood is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the trustees who manage the estate.


19 July 2010 : Column 51W

Overseas Trade

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Prime Minister whether he intends to appoint a Minister with responsibility for promoting British trade and industry abroad. [9576]

The Prime Minister: I have made clear my views on the importance of increasing trade and investment to secure a strong and sustained economic recovery. The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr Prisk) has already been involved in promoting trade with countries in Asia and in developing relationships with investors and will be further supported across Government.

House of Commons Commission

Food: Waste

Mrs Main: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission what recent estimate the House of Commons Commission has made of the monetary value of the food not consumed from the House of Commons in the last 12 months. [7125]

Sir Stuart Bell: The cost of food waste for the latest period for which records are available, from April 2009 to March 2010, is estimated to be some £70,000, or approximately 4% of food cost. This is within industry norms.

House of Commons: Buildings

Mr Knight: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission for what reasons the railings in New Palace Yard were painted during a period when the House was sitting; and for what reasons such work was not scheduled to be carried out during the summer recess. [9093]

Sir Stuart Bell: The railings in New Palace Yard were originally planned to be painted during the summer recess, but this non-disruptive work has been brought forward in view of the shortened time now available. Other maintenance tasks in the area, which would disrupt business, will take place over the recess.

House of Commons: Parking

Mr Knight: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission when the refurbishment of the ventilation system for the underground car park is scheduled to (a) begin and (b) be completed. [9095]

Sir Stuart Bell: This programme is due to start in early 2012 and is scheduled for completion in late 2013. The programme requires a detailed survey, design and procurement processes before commencement. The programme will be managed to ensure minimum impact on the users.


19 July 2010 : Column 52W

Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit

Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission what recent representations he has received on the level of charges levied by the Board of the Parliamentary Broadcasting Unit; and if the Commission will review the effect of such charges on the ability of (a) Isle of Wight Radio and (b) other small independent broadcasters' to use short clips of parliamentary business in news reports. [8998]

Sir Stuart Bell: No representations have been received. Television coverage during the first 14 days is licensed and distributed by PARBUL; television coverage after 14 days and all audio coverage is licensed and distributed by the Parliamentary Recording Unit. The licensing portion of the charge to broadcasters for the provision of television coverage of parliamentary proceedings after 14 days has now been ended, leaving only the duplicating charge. This will give independent broadcasters easier access to parliamentary proceedings. Audio-only content for broadcast radio use within the 14 day period will be treated in the same way.

Poultry: Animal Welfare

Luciana Berger: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission whether any farms from which eggs are sourced for the House's catering outlets practise beak-trimming. [8974]

Sir Stuart Bell: All fresh eggs are sourced from British higher-welfare standard flocks assured under the RSPCA's Freedom Food scheme and the BEIC British Lion code of practice, where beak-trimming is carried out in accordance with a code of best practice. Pasteurised egg products come from Belgium and are sourced from farms where beak trimming is carried out under the German regulatory KAT scheme, which is an equivalent European scheme for high standards of welfare in animal husbandry.

Security

Mr Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2010, Official Report, column 1W, on departmental security, whether staff of Government Departments who hold parliamentary passes may use each of the souvenir shops on the House of Commons portion of the parliamentary estate; and if he will make a statement. [8685]

Sir Stuart Bell: Staff of Government Departments who hold parliamentary passes have access to each of the souvenir shops on the House of Commons portion of the parliamentary estate.


Next Section Index Home Page