Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 20 July 2010
Attorney-General
Departmental Billing
Mr Anderson: To ask the Attorney-General what information he holds on the time taken by contractors employed by the Law Officers' Departments to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9261]
The Attorney-General: Like other Government offices the Law Officers' Departments follow the principles of the Prompt Payment Code, but no records are maintained on the time taken by contractors to pay sub-contractors. Such information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
Departmental Civil Servants
Graham Evans: To ask the Attorney-General how many employees of the Law Officers' Departments attended Civil Service Live in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010; and what estimate he has made of the (i) employee working hours taken up by and (ii) cost to the Law Officers' Departments of such attendance in each such year. [9041]
The Attorney-General: The following table details the number of Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) staff who attended Civil Service Live, and an estimate of working hours on the basis of a 7:24 working day:
| Number of staff | Number of working hours | |
It is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the cost for each year as the identity of each of the members of staff that attended Civil Service Live is not available.
Some 14 members of Serious Fraud Office staff attended Civil Service Live 2010. Some 13 members spent half a day at the conference with one further employee attending for three days. These attendances were undertaken as part of their professional duties and came at no extra cost to the taxpayer. There are no records of SFO employees attending in 2008 or in 2009.
According to records the approximate number of Treasury Solicitor's Department staff who booked to attend Civil Service Live for one day or a part of one day was:
| Number of staff | |
The figures for 2010 also include members of staff in the Attorney-General's Office who attended the event. Records on attendance by staff in the Attorney-General's Office are not held for previous years and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
The Department does not hold information relating to the number of hours taken up attending Civil Service Live and the cost of attendance.
The National Fraud Authority and Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate have not identified any employees who attended Civil Service Live in 2008, 2009 or 2010.
Wales
Departmental Civil Servants
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many employees of her Department attended Civil Service Live in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010; and what estimate she has made of the (i) employee working hours taken up by and (ii) cost to her Department of such attendance in each such year. [9058]
Mr David Jones: No employees attended the Civil Service Live events in any of the three years listed.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Birds: Licensing
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people in England have (a) applied for and (b) been granted (i) in full and (ii) in part a licence to control herring gulls and greater black-backed gulls since those species were removed from general licences; what the reasons were for each such application; and how many birds of each species (A) have been allowed to be culled and (B) have been culled under such licences. [9307]
Richard Benyon [holding answer 19 July 2010]: Herring gulls and greater black-backed gulls were removed from some English general licences on 1 January 2010, as a result of their declining conservation status. The following table gives statistics regarding applications and individual licences for these two species from 1 January 2010 to 14 July 2010.
Natural England records full details of the licences that are issued rather than all the activities applied for, so the licences may have granted the application in full or in part. Information on the numbers of birds killed under these licences will be available when the licences expire.
| Application s received | Granted | Purpose/reason | Action permitted | Licences issued | Number licensed | |
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much it has cost to administer the individual licensing arrangements for the culling of herring gulls and greater black-backed gulls since these gulls were removed from English general licences for the control of pest birds. [9308]
Richard Benyon [holding answer 19 July 2010]: Herring gulls and greater black-backed gulls were removed from some English general licences on 1 January 2010, as a result of their declining conservation status.
Natural England estimates the cost of processing individual licence applications for these species from 1 January 2010 to 14 July 2010 to be £57,000.
This includes set-up costs; future costs will be substantially less. These costs are partly off-set by the addition of two species of parakeet and two species of goose to general licences.
Fisheries: Quotas
Peter Aldous: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fish were discarded for the purpose of meeting EU quotas in 2009. [9331]
Richard Benyon: UK fisheries laboratories send observers to sea to record the quantity of fish discarded and retained by fishing vessels. This sampling is intended to provide estimates of discards of the main commercial species, but at present is not representative of all UK fisheries. It is also only possible to sample a proportion of the vessels participating in any fishery. As a consequence, estimates of total discards are subject to uncertainty and the resolution of the data does not usually allow us to distinguish between the specific reasons for discards (e.g. over-quota, under legal minimum landing size or high-graded).
The analysis of 2009 discards data is not yet complete. We are therefore unable to provide an estimate of how many fish were discarded in pursuit of EU quotas in 2009. However, in 2008 around 440,000 tonnes of quota stocks were landed by UK vessels. These were caught in a wide range of different areas and fisheries, many of which were not sampled by scientific observers. Estimates of discards for 2008 are available for the following fisheries:
English and Welsh vessels over 10 metres in length.
North sea (ICES area IV), and waters to the south and west of England and Wales (ICES area VII).
Demersal quota species (cod, haddock, plaice, sole, anglerfish etc.)
37,000t - 27,600t were landed and 9,400t discarded.
Scottish vessels over 10 metres in length.
North sea (ICES area IV), and west of Scotland (ICES Division VIa).
Cod, haddock, whiting and saithe.
91,700t - 56,600t were landed and 35,100t discarded.
UK vessels fishing for pelagic species.
All areas.
Mackerel, horse mackerel, herring, sprat, blue whiting.
203,200t - 198,300t were landed and 4,900t discarded.
In total these fisheries are estimated to have caught around 332,000t of the relevant species in 2008, of which 283,000t was landed and 49,000t were discarded.
Hill Farming
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications were received for assistance under the hill farm allowance scheme in 2009. [9341]
Mr Paice: The total number of claims received for the hill farm allowance payment for 2009 was 8,213. Of these, 7,023 claims were eligible with payments totalling £23.9 million.
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications have been received for the Upland Entry Level Scheme. [9361]
Mr Paice [holding answer 19 July 2010]: As of 1 July, over 2,000 applications had been received for Uplands Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), and a total of 1,888 agreements were able to be given this earliest start date. Under Uplands ELS, 103,000 hectares of land were covered, and a further 163,168 hectares of land under combined Uplands ELS/Higher Level Stewardship.
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in respect of what area of land in England hill farm allowance payments were made in 2009. [9362]
Mr Paice [holding answer 19 July 2010]: The hill farm allowance (HFA) was a Less Favoured Area measure under the Rural Development Programme for England and was replaced this year by Uplands Entry Level Stewardship. HFA payments in 2009 totalled £23.9 million in respect of just over 968,000 hectares of land within the Severely Disadvantaged Area (SDA).
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what area of land is eligible for applications for Uplands Entry Level Scheme payments. [9363]
Mr Paice [holding answer 19 July 2010]: Uplands farmers managing land in Severely Disadvantaged Areas (SDA) of England are eligible for applications under the Uplands Entry Level Stewardship (ELS). In total, this covers nearly 1.3 million hectares of land. However some of this land is currently managed under existing Countryside Stewardship Scheme or Environmentally Sensitive Areas agreements, and will become eligible for Uplands ELS when these agreements expire between 2011-14.
Marine Disposal: Rame Head South
Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received on the location of marine disposal site PLO31 at Rame Head South; and if she will make a statement. [9336]
Richard Benyon: I have received several representations from local people, and am aware that the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has held a meeting with local representatives to listen to their concerns about the Rame Head disposal site.
In order to ensure that these concerns are addressed, I have therefore asked the MMO to re-examine the Rame Head case by commissioning an independent review of evidence from CEFAS, and local sources. This will enable us to assess whether the original conditions, under which licences were granted, remain valid and environmental effects are tolerable.
This process will be personally overseen by the chair of the MMO, and the MMO's new chief scientific adviser. I will write to my hon. Friend with further details once the terms of reference for the review have been finalised.
Peat
Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to continue to (a) phase out the use of peat by 2020 and (b) reduce the use of peat by 90 per cent. by 2010. [9038]
Richard Benyon: We are currently considering our approach to a new policy to reduce the horticultural use of peat in growing media, including future targets for its reduction. The most recent data for peat sales throughout 2009 will be published shortly, and will feed into the development of future policy.
Northern Ireland
Departmental Billing
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9244]
Mr Paterson: The Department does not hold this information.
In line with the recent Budget announcement, the Department is including a clause in all new contracts awarded with suppliers to ensure that suppliers pay their sub-contractors within 30 days. The Department will also be encouraging its suppliers to pay faster than 30 days where the Department itself is paying in 10 days or fewer.
Scotland
Broadband: Scotland
Mr Spencer: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps the Government plans to take to support access to high-speed broadband in Scotland. [9155]
Michael Moore:
As stated in the Coalition's joint programme for government, we will seek to introduce superfast broadband in remote areas at the same time as in more populated areas. On 8 June, the Secretary of
State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport set out the Government's plans for ensuring the UK has the best superfast broadband network in Europe by the end of the Parliament.
These plans include enabling access to existing infrastructure to reduce the cost of deployment. A discussion document on how best to do this was launched on 15 July. Further, the Secretary of State has proposed three market testing projects for superfast broadband in rural areas, to be paid for with money left over from the Digital TV Switchover Help Scheme. The venues for these projects are currently under consideration.
Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been paid in reimbursable expenses to special advisers in his Department in respect of (a) travel, (b) accommodation and (c) telephone calls since 6 May 2010. [10138]
Michael Moore: The Scotland Office has paid £17 in reimbursable expenses to special advisers in respect of travel since 6 May 2010. Similarly, £482 has been paid in respect of accommodation. No reimbursable expenses have been paid to special advisers in respect of telephone calls since 6 May 2010.
Departmental Press: Subscriptions
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland to what newspapers and periodicals his Department subscribes; and at what cost in the last 12 months. [10137]
Michael Moore: The Scotland Office currently subscribes to the following papers and periodicals:
Courier
Daily Express
Daily Mail
Daily Record
Daily Telegraph
Financial Times
Herald
Press & Journal
Scotsman
Sun
Times.
Our estimated cost for the year is £4,090.
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he (a) has had and (b) plans to have discussions with the US administration on an offer to loan or transfer to NATO allies a package of counter-improvised explosive devices measures, including detection equipment; and if he will make a statement. [5272]
Dr Fox:
I have discussed the seriousness of the threat NATO troops face from improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan with my US counterpart on a number of occasions, including during my recent visit to the US, from 28 June to 2 July. We have had no formal discussions
on whether to loan or transfer a package of counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) measures to our NATO allies.
We have effective mechanisms in place to share C-IED information with our allies, and this is regularly reviewed.
Armed Forces: Housing
Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the highest amount paid by service personnel for (a) service family and (b) single living service accommodation was in the last 12 months. [9627]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 19 July 2010]: The highest service family accommodation charge is for type 1 grade 1 furnished accommodation at £25.15 per day plus a contribution in lieu of council tax (CILCOT) charge of £5.65 per day. The highest single service living accommodation charge is for senior officer grade 1 accommodation at £6.05 per day plus CILCOT of £0.32 per day.
Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total monetary value was of rent subsidies provided for service accommodation in the last 12 months. [9628]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 19 July 2010]: While a level of abatement to reflect the disadvantages of living in service accommodation is applied to accommodation charges of service personnel, this is a matter of judgement for the independent Armed Forces' Pay Review Body which is responsible for providing advice to the Government on the remuneration and charges for service personnel.
Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the public purse of (a) repairs, (b) water and sewage rates and (c) council tax in respect of service accommodation was in the last 12 months. [9629]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 19 July 2010]: The cost in financial year 2009-10 of repairing and maintaining service family accommodation (SFA), excluding major upgrade projects, other new works or the replacement of carpets, was £124.1 million.
SFA occupancy charges for service personnel include an element to cover the costs of water and sewage rates, so there is effectively no cost to the public purse. Occupants also pay contributions in lieu of council tax to cover the cost to the Department of paying council tax.
Information relating to single living accommodation is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to reply to the Royal British Legion's request to publish details of the proposed upgrade of armed forces accommodation. [9647]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 19 July 2010]: As part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review we will look at whether there is scope to refurbish armed forces accommodation from efficiencies within the MOD.
Armed Forces: Mental Health Services
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to improve support for those in the armed forces at risk of post-traumatic stress. [9353]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 19 July 2010]: The Ministry of Defence has a wide range of measures in place to manage the mental health of our personnel. In addition, the current Strategic Defence and Security Review will include consideration of possible enhancements to medical care for armed forces personnel, including mental health care. The Prime Minister has also asked my hon. Friend the Member for South West Wiltshire (Dr Andrew Murrison) to carry out a study into the health of both serving and ex-service personnel to see what more can be done to assess and meet these needs; a focus of this study will be mental health.
Army: Radio
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many army radios have been reported (a) lost and (b) stolen in each of the last 12 months. [8863]
Nick Harvey: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Chiefs of Staff: Expenses
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to publish the expenses of senior members of the armed forces on a quarterly basis; and if he will make a statement. [9575]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 19 July 2010]: Work on the first period to be published, the quarter from January to March this year, is under way and the information will be published as soon as we can be sure that it is complete and accurate.
Defence Equipment
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the £19 million funding for dismounted close combat equipment announced by his Department on 7 July 2010 will provide equipment additional to that announced prior to 6 May 2010; [8642]
(2) whether the £158 million funding for base equipment announced by his Department on 7 July 2010 will provide equipment additional to that announced prior to 6 May 2010; and what proportion of the funding will be allocated to (a) Bowman tactical radios and (b) patrol satellite systems. [8643]
Peter Luff: The funding of up to £189 million announced on 7 July will provide additional equipment for UK troops in support of operations in Afghanistan, all of which is over and above any announcements made prior to 6 May 2010. Subject to HM Treasury approval, this will include up to £19 million for dismounted close combat equipment, up to £158 million for base protection equipment, including communications and surveillance equipment, of which approximately £35 million will be allocated to Bowman tactical radios and £0.9 million to patrol satellite communications.
Ex-Servicemen
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he plans to take to increase the level of support available to veterans provided by his Department. [8636]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 15 July 2010]: The Government provide a comprehensive programme of support for ex-service personnel. This includes: an excellent resettlement package for service personnel returning to civilian life; high-quality pension and compensation schemes; measures to meet veterans' health and welfare needs.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has recently put in place a number of initiatives to improve the support given to veterans, including:
The launch of a national point of contact to ensure that service personnel, families and veterans are able to access the help and support available from the MOD, from statutory providers and from the voluntary and charitable sector facilitating the delivery of services across all sectors by raising awareness of entitlement at all levels.
Working with the Department for Communities and Local Government and the devolved Administrations to improve the access of early service leavers (ie those that have served less than four years) to social housing and temporary accommodation.
Working with a range of partners across Government, the Prison Service, the devolved Administrations, and with voluntary and charitable sector organisations to better serve veterans in prison. The Ex-Service Offenders Working Group promotes the support available to veterans both before and after their release. MOD will continue to work with these agencies to help reduce the risk of re-offending amongst the ex-service community.
Changes to the legislation governing the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) following the review led by Admiral the Lord Boyce and the setting up of an independent medical expert body to advise on compensation on particular illnesses and injuries are being implemented. All legislative changes will take place by February 2011.
The Prime Minister has asked Dr Andrew Murrison MP to conduct an independent study into the provision of MOD and NHS support and services to the armed forces and ex-service personnel and to make recommendations particularly in the area of mental health.
Iraq and Afghanistan: Members
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances hon. Members who have visited (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan on official business are eligible to receive operational service medals. [9984]
Mr Robathan: Members of Parliament who visit operational theatres do not meet the qualifying criteria for the campaign medal and as a consequence are not eligible and do not receive any such medal.
A Member of Parliament would only qualify for an official campaign medal if he or she was a member of the reserve forces and officially mobilised to an operational theatre. There are Members of the House who are Reservists and as such have been mobilised to operational theatres.
Military Bases
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many permanent UK military headquarters there are; where each is located; who has command at each such headquarters; and what the staff is of each. [8815] [Official Report, 16 September 2010, Vol. 515, c. 3-4MC.]
Mr Robathan
[holding answer 15 July 2010]: There are five permanent military headquarters (HQ) in the
UK. Details of the location, who has command and staff employed at each are shown in the following table:
| Of which: | |||||
| Military HQ | Location | Commanded by | Number of staff | Military | Civilian |
Type 45 Destroyers
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received of the outcomes of the recent test firing of Type 45 missile systems; and if he will make a statement. [8838]
Peter Luff: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 July 2010, Official Report, columns 3-4W.
Transport
A338
Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on the roadworks on the A338 between Ringwood and Bournemouth. [10126]
Mike Penning: The Department has received no representations on the mentioned scheme.
Departmental Lighting
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much (a) his Department and its predecessors and (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on light bulbs in each year since 1997. [7625]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport was formed in 2002 and therefore no records exist for the Department prior to that date.
The majority of the Department does not record the purchase of light bulbs as a separate category as they are an integral part of facilities management or mechanical and electrical contracts.
The following table shows the known expenditure on light bulbs for those parts of the Department who record those costs separately. The non-departmental public body figure includes Northern Lighthouse Board and Trinity House Lighthouse service.
| Expenditure on light bulbs (£) | ||||||||
| Organisation | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
Driving: Training
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons his Department plans to introduce mandatory eco-driving training as part of the driver certificate of professional competence; what definition his Department uses of the term eco-driving; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of such a programme; and what estimate he has made of the cost of the programme to the public purse. [9235]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport has consulted on options for increasing the up-take of eco-driving training for large goods vehicle and passenger carrying vehicle drivers. One of the options was to make eco-driver training a mandatory part of the driver certificate of professional competence. The two other options were: (i) to keep the voluntary nature of eco-driving training; and (ii) to keep it voluntary and also increase promotion of the benefits of the training. The consultation closed on 30 June 2010 and the Government will publish their response following a full analysis of the consultation responses.
The definition of eco-driving training used in the consultation document is training that includes some or all of the following elements: how to improve aerodynamic performance; how to drive at efficient speeds; fuel efficiency and choice of gear; best practice for acceleration and braking; and anticipation of traffic and driving conditions. This definition was also subject to consultation.
The Department's preliminary analysis showed that if 90% of large goods vehicle drivers were eco-driving trained and continued to drive in that manner, around 3 million tonnes of CO2 and £300 million in fuel costs could be saved by the industry over a five year period. An initial impact assessment for each of the options was published with the consultation document and views invited. A further full assessment of the effectiveness of the option chosen and its cost to Government will be undertaken once the analysis of responses is complete.
Electric Vehicles
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to encourage the development of the infrastructure needed for electric cars. [9534]
Norman Baker: We announced in the coalition agreement, that the Government will mandate a national charging infrastructure for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. We are carefully considering a range of delivery options, but decisions have yet to be taken.
Freight
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to encourage a modal shift of freight from road to rail. [9881]
Mike Penning: The Government currently encourage the transfer of freight from road to rail, where it is practical, economic and environmentally sustainable to do so, through two grant schemes to assist with the operating costs where these are higher than for road, and to help offset the capital cost of providing freight handling facilities.
In June this year the Government decided to maintain the current level of expenditure on rail and water freight operating grants for 2010-11 and 2011-12.
While I recognise the benefits that grant funding to encourage modal shift from road to rail freight can bring, the current financial climate means that we will have to make difficult spending decisions across Government. Decisions on the future of freight grant schemes will therefore be reached as part of the spending review.
M1
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the M1 motorway to be free of roadworks between junctions 1 and 32; and if he will make a statement. [9113]
Mike Penning: Given its usage, age and strategic importance, there will always be a need to undertake routine and emergency works on the M1 to keep the motorway in a safe and serviceable condition. Some resurfacing/patching will be carried out over the next two years. These works will be carried out in the majority of cases overnight to keep disruption to a minimum, and in most cases delays will be minimal.
It is anticipated that the works to the M1 motorway between junction 10 and 13 will be completed in spring 2013.
The replacement of Catthorpe viaduct at M1 junction 19 started on 12 July 2010 and is due to end in spring 2012.
Details of maintenance works will be published in weekly press bulletins, and on the Highways Agency website.
There may also be some additional works required on sections of the M1 motorway this year to finalise and complete technology works between M1 junction 6a to 10 and M1 junction 25 to 28. Works will be carried out overnight to keep the disruption to the travelling public to a minimum.
The M1 has recently been widened to four lanes in both directions from junctions 25 to 28. The lanes opened to traffic in May this year completing ahead of the programme schedule.
The information above relates to schemes currently in construction and ongoing maintenance of the network.
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons two separate sections of contraflow are in operation on the M1 north and south of Toddington services; what consideration was given to carrying out each roadworks project consecutively; and if he will make a statement. [9135]
Mike Penning: Two contraflows with a 50 mile per hour speed limit are currently in operation between M1 junctions 10 and 11 and junctions 12 and 13 while work to repair embankments, build emergency refuge areas and install gantries is ongoing.
As the proposed improvements to junction 11 and junction 12 require the acquisition of land, statutory process has to be followed and therefore work cannot be carried out on these junctions in advance of completion of that process. Work has subsequently been sequenced so that this does not have a detrimental effect on the overall length of the contract.
The two sections of contraflow between junctions 10 and 13 on the M1 form part of the same scheme and are being delivered as part of the same contract.
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the roadworks north of junction 10 of the M1 to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [9073]
Mike Penning: Two contraflows with a 50 mile per hour speed limit are currently in operation between Junctions 10 and 11 and Junctions 12 and 13 on the M1 while work to repair embankments, build emergency refuge areas and install gantries is ongoing.
It is anticipated that the roadworks north of Junction 10 of the M1 will be completed in spring 2013.
Merchant Shipping
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 8 July 2010, Official R eport, column 14WS, on Merchant Shipping (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) Regulations, what representations he has received on his proposal to review the Regulations from (a) harbour authorities, (b) oil and shipping companies or representative associations, (c) environmental non-governmental organisations and (d) others to date. [8618]
Mike Penning: Since making the announcement on 8 July, I have, to date, received the following representations from:
(a) Harbour authorities: One.
(b) Oil and shipping companies or representative associations: None.
(c) Environmental non-governmental organisations: None.
(d) Others: Two.
Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department takes to ensure registered keepers of private cars pay vehicle excise duty; and if he will make a statement. [8704]
Mike Penning: A comprehensive package of measures is in place making vehicle excise duty convenient to pay but difficult to evade. Registered keepers are sent renewal reminders to alert them that the vehicle excise duty is due and offering a variety of ways to license their vehicle. Online and telephone services are used by a large number of customers together with the traditional paper service at the Post Office.
Those who fail to license their vehicles are subject to proportionate enforcement measures ranging from automated penalties from the vehicle record, through to direct enforcement action such as the wheel clamping, impounding and, ultimately, disposal of the unlicensed vehicle. The latest national statistics on vehicle excise duty evasion shows that this package of measures has been successful and 99.4% of all revenue payable in 2009 was collected.
Railways: East Anglia
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to take in response to the Greater Anglia rail franchise: what passengers want report produced by Passenger Focus in April 2010; and if he will make a statement. [8905]
Mrs Villiers: We will consult shortly on rail franchising policy and will announce the time frame for responding when it is published. We intend to let the new Greater Anglia franchise under the reformed system on which we will be consulting shortly and expect to advertise it by the end of the year.
Evidence from Passenger Focus on passenger priorities will be taken into account when decisions on the franchise specification and the award of the franchise are made.
Railways: Overcrowding
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make an assessment of the merits of putting a legal limit on the number of passengers who can travel in a train carriage. [5603]
Mrs Villiers: I currently have no plans to assess the merits of putting a legal limit on the number of passengers who can travel in a rail carriage. There is no evidence that a limit is required for safety reasons. A legal limit would be difficult to enforce and might require all rail passengers to book in advance or risk not being allowed to travel. This would be very unpopular with many rail users and probably unworkable on commuter sections of the railway, where most crowding occurs.
The scope for future investment in additional rolling stock capacity will depend on decisions that will be made in the spending review.
The forthcoming consultation on rail franchising will also consider ideas for addressing passenger concerns regarding crowding levels.
Railways: Theft
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to reduce the incidence of cable theft close to railway lines in the North East. [8697]
Mrs Villiers: Metal theft is a crime which hits the railway particularly hard and causes levels of disruption out of all proportion to the value of the material stolen. That is why the British Transport Police (BTP), as the national police force for the railway, is in the forefront of efforts to tackle the problem.
The British Transport Police led a national day of action on 14 July bringing together police forces, Network Rail, the scrap metal industry and others with an interest in the subject. The aim was to target both the thieves themselves and the scrap yards where they seek to sell stolen material. This is part of a continuing campaign to deal with cable and other metal theft, both in the north-east and across the country as a whole.
Roads: Nottinghamshire
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what road improvements will take place on the A1 in Nottinghamshire in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [7893]
Mike Penning: Currently there are no road improvements (as opposed to maintenance activity) that will take place on the A1 in Nottinghamshire in the next 12 months.
In the longer term, there are two schemes planned on the A1 in Nottinghamshire:
A1 Elkesley Junction Improvement: In line with other schemes, the public inquiry for this scheme has been deferred until the spending review is concluded.
A1/B6387 Twyford Bridge Improvements: This scheme is split into two phases with the first phase (slip road improvements) being developer funded.
Sea Rescue
Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rescue boats operating in the UK are not operated by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution but have the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as their launching authority. [8873]
Mike Penning: Independent lifeboats are rescue boats which are declared facilities according to a specific standard or set criteria as agreed with the MCA.
There are 52 independent lifeboats in the UK that are declared for Search and Rescue (SAR) to the MCA. The MCA will request their attendance for search and rescue purposes as part of its role in the co-ordination of UK SAR activities. Authority to launch following a request from the MCA rests with the operators of the boat concerned.
Speed Limits: Cameras
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will issue guidance to local authorities and Transport for London on the implementation of his policy not to fund additional speed cameras; and if he will make a statement. [9087]
Mike Penning: On 24 June I wrote to all local authorities in England and Wales, including Transport for London, setting out the Government's position on speed cameras. My letter confirms that central Government will no longer fund new fixed speed cameras and encourage authorities to consider the full range of local road safety interventions, including educational and engineering solutions. I want to work with local authorities and the police on ways of making local partners accountable to local voters for the decisions they take on the location of cameras and the scale of camera operations, and for the financial consequences of those decisions. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to require that his Department is consulted on any proposals to introduce average speed camera checks; and if he will make a statement. [9202]
Mike Penning: There are no plans to compel authorities to consult the Department for Transport prior to introducing average speed cameras. The use of cameras is a matter for highway authorities who are able to use their own resources to fund them if they wish to do so. However, I am keen to improve the transparency of camera operations and will ask authorities to make data about effectiveness and impact of individual cameras available to local people.
Vehicle Operator Services Agency
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the future of the Vehicle Operator Services Agency. [8671]
Mike Penning: The scope for improving value for money from the Department for Transport and its Agencies is being assessed in the context of the current spending review.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: International Assistance
David Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many micro-grants the International Security Assistance Force has made to Afghan citizens who own businesses in the last two months. [7876]
Mr Hague: The International Security Assistance Force has no allocated funds for 'micro-grants'.
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
David Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the number of active fighters in the Haqqani network. [7877]
Mr Hague: We conduct regular assessments on the nature and scale of the insurgency in Afghanistan. This includes the use of International Security Assistance Force reporting and statistics.
The Haqqani network is a familial network with its leadership based in North Waziristan. It historically operates within the Zadran tribal areas centred on Paktia, Paktika and Khost provinces. It is reliant on a committed group of insurgents which we judge to be in its hundreds, but it also has links to other insurgent groups.
Afghanistan: Politics and Government
David Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the number of reintegration shura which have taken place in (a) Marjah and (b) Helmand Province. [7875]
Mr Hague: We are aware of one public reintegration shura in Helmand. On 23 June 2010, the Deputy Governor of Helmand, Abdul Sattar, and Haji Zahir-who was at the time District Governor of Marjah-presided over a shura focused on reintegration. The shura was held at Forward Operating Base Sher Wali, in northern Marjah. It is estimated that 80-100 Marjah elders attended.
Reintegration messages are delivered frequently by Afghan authorities throughout Helmand, at more general public shura. Reintegration messages are also provided in a range of other forums, such as at prisoner release shura and at more general district outreach events. In addition, we understand that Afghan officials and bodies frequently discuss reintegration at internal meetings.
David Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the absence of provincial governors from the Kabul Peace Jirga; and if he will make a statement. [7878]
Mr Hague: The Consultative Peace Jirga in Kabul was an inclusive event that was attended by a representative cross-section of Afghans. The 1,600 attendees comprised representatives from Parliament, Provincial Councils, Provincial and District Governors, civil society and women's groups. All Provincial and District Governors were invited, and the Conference was delayed by two days to try and enable those travelling longer distances to attend. We understand that most Provincial Governors were able to attend.
As the Prime Minister said in his statement to the House on 14 June 2010, Official Report, column 603, this Government will provide regular updates to the House on the progress we are making in Afghanistan.
Asia: International Cooperation
David Miliband: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards setting a date for the trilateral meeting between the governments of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [7686]
Mr Hague: The next trilateral meeting between Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan is due to be hosted in Pakistan. The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet announced when this meeting will take place.
Departmental Billing
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9253]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not capture data covering payments between contractors and sub-contractors. All FCO contracts include the following paragraph to ensure that payments are made promptly:
"Where the Contractor enters into a sub-contract for the provision of any part of the Services, the Contractor shall ensure that a term is included in the sub-contract which requires the Contractor to pay all sums due to the sub-contractor within a specified period, not exceeding 30 days from the date of receipt of a valid invoice as defined by the terms of that sub-contract."
English Channel
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to oppose any proposals to change the name of the English Channel at the next United Nations Conference on the Standardisation of Geographical Names. [9096]
Mr Lidington: The Government are not aware of any formal proposals in this regard and would vigorously oppose any such action.
European Parliament
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement on European Parliament Transitionary Protocol of 6 July 2010, Official Report, columns 6-7WS, when he expects to announce details of the process to be undertaken to elect the additional MEP for the UK. [9800]
Mr Lidington: Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials are consulting colleagues in government on the process to be undertaken. The Government will announce the details once this process has been completed.
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement on European Parliament Transitionary Protocol of 6 July 2010, Official Report, columns 6-7WS, who the British representative was at the intergovernmental conference. [9801]
Mr Lidington: The Intergovernmental Conference took place in the margins of the 23 June 2010 meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of EU member states. Therefore, the Government's representative was Sir Kim Darroch, the UK's Permanent Representative to the EU.
European Parliament Elections
Priti Patel:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 6 July 2010, Official Report, columns 6-7WS, on the European Parliament Transitionary Protocol, whether the Electoral Commission was consulted on the arrangements for
electing a new UK MEP before the intergovernmental conference on 23 June 2010; and if he will make a statement. [8599]
Mr Lidington: The transitionary Protocol concerning the composition of the European Parliament is a technical change to the Treaty relating to numbers of MEPs. It allows 18 extra MEPs provided for by the Lisbon Treaty to take their seats now rather than in 2014. The UK receives an extra MEP as a result.
The Protocol does not determine how, or from which UK European parliamentary electoral region, the UK's additional MEP should be elected; rather that the MEP should be elected using one of the methods set out in the Protocol. Therefore, no prior consultation of the Electoral Commission was needed. Details of the process to be undertaken to elect the UK's extra MEP will be announced in due course, and the Electoral Commission will be consulted fully at the appropriate time, as required by the relevant legislation.
Forced Marriage
Jessica Lee: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the number of forced marriages which occurred in the UK in 2009-10; and if he will make a statement. [8536]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government are clear that forced marriage is an abuse of human rights, a form of domestic violence and, where minors are involved, child abuse.
The very nature of forced marriage means that cases often go unreported. The statistics we do have are based on the work of the Forced Marriage Unit. In calendar year 2009 the Unit dealt with 1,682 reports of possible forced marriage and, as of the end of June, has dealt with 893 in 2010. This includes cases in the UK and involving British nationals overseas. It is likely that there are many more cases that are not drawn to the Unit's attention and we will continue to raise awareness of the help available.
Kashmir
Kris Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the prospects for peace in Kashmir; and if he will make a statement. [9924]
Alistair Burt: We discuss Kashmir with both Indian and Pakistani Government officials regularly, and make clear our hope that they can make progress on the issue. But the long standing position of the UK is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, one which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to mediate in finding one.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of (a) India, (b) Pakistan and (c) Israel to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. [9538]
Alistair Burt: We continue to call on all three countries to sign the non-proliferation treaty (NPT). Most recently the final document agreed at the NPT Review Conference in May 2010 called again for India, Pakistan, and Israel to accede to the treaty as non-nuclear-weapon states and to place all their nuclear materials and facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. Universalisation of the NPT is a long-standing UK and EU objective.
Palestinians: Politics and Government
Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed with his counterpart in (a) the government of Israel and (b) the Palestinian Authority the evacuation notices served on members of the Palestinian Legislative Council; and if he will make a statement. [9075]
Alistair Burt: We regard East Jerusalem as occupied territory. Its Palestinian population has rights under the Geneva conventions. Forcibly transferring people out of the city for political reasons-however much we may find their views abhorrent-as Israel appears to be trying to do in this case, is illegal. The EU has raised the matter with the Israeli Government and the British ambassador to Tel Aviv has raised this with the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister-Danny Ayalon.
Somalia
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support his Department is providing to the government of Mogadishu on (a) the influence of al-Qaeda in Somalia, (b) the spread of violence in East Africa and (c) Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. [9733]
Alistair Burt: The Government continue to support the UN-led Djibouti Peace Process and the political reconciliation efforts of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). We do not provide direct budget support to the TFG. However we provide significant support to the African Union Mission in Somalia, which continues to play a leading role in maintaining sufficient security to allow the TFG to operate in Mogadishu. We are actively supporting the ongoing EU training mission to train Somali security forces.
Al-Shabaab, the main insurgent group in Somalia, has self-declared links to al-Qaeda and is responsible for numerous terrorist attacks in Somalia and has claimed responsibility for the 11 July 2010 bombings in Uganda. The UK talks regularly to governments in the region about countering Somali terrorism and reducing the threat it poses both in Somalia and the wider region.
Developing internal peace and stability in Somalia will take time given the lack of state structures, but in the long term it is the best way to deny terrorists the space they need to operate. We will continue to work with international partners and the TFG to prevent Somalia from being a safe haven for terrorists and to protect UK citizens from the terrorist threat. Over the course of 2010 we will look to increase out counter-terrorism support across the region.
On piracy, the Government regularly engage with the TFG to discuss piracy in the critical Gulf of Aden trade artery and wider Indian Ocean. This includes sponsoring TFG representation at meetings of the UK-chaired
working group of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, discussing regional capability development.
Western Sahara: Politics and Government
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made recent representations to (a) the UN and (b) the Government of Morocco on a referendum on the future Government of the Western Sahara. [9764]
Alistair Burt: Lord Howell discussed the question of a referendum on the future status of Western Sahara with Ambassador Christopher Ross, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara on 22 June 2010. Following their meeting, Ambassador Ross also discussed the issue in more detail with Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials.
Culture, Media and Sport
Arts Industry
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his most recent assessment is of the effects on the arts industry of the recession. [8789]
Mr Vaizey: Our Department monitors the impact of the recession across our sectors closely.
While some areas of the arts industry continue to perform well-the resilience of London theatre must be praised-other areas, such as private giving, have been negatively impacted.
We will continue to liaise with the sector and ensure the arts receive appropriate support during this difficult time.
Departmental ICT
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much (a) his Department and (b) its agency and non-departmental public bodies spent on information and communication technology in each year since 1997. [7332]
John Penrose: Since 1997 this Department has spent the following resource costs on information and communication technology:
| £ | ||
| Financial year | IT | Telecoms |
Information on the amount spent by the DCMS agency and arm's length bodies is held by them and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Manpower
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many staff his Department employed on (a) full-time and (b) part-time contracts in each year since 1997. [8805]
John Penrose: The information relating to part-time and full-time staff is set out in the table.
| As at 1 April: | (a) Full-time | (b) Part-time | Total |
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is unable to provide data prior to 2004 as electronic records were only held from 2004 onwards.
Departmental Official Hospitality
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much (a) his Department and (b) its agency and non-departmental public bodies spent on hospitality in each year since 1997. [7439]
John Penrose: All expenditure on entertainment is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
| Financial year | Total (£) |
Information on the amount spent by the DCMS agency and arm's length bodies is held by them and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Digital Broadcasting: Radio
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had on the (a) financial and (b) other effects on local radio stations of the switch off of analogue radio. [8788]
Mr Vaizey: The Government have no plans to switch off analogue radio as FM would be retained for small local commercial and community radio stations.
The Government have published a Digital Radio Action Plan which sets out a range of considerations before a decision on whether to set a radio switchover date can be made. This includes an assessment of the costs and benefits, to both the industry and consumer, of a digital radio switchover programme.
Libraries
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his most recent estimate is of the average number of people in each age group who use a local library each month. [8799]
Mr Vaizey: Information related to the percentage of the population in each age group who use libraries each year is collated in the DCMS Taking Part Survey. The survey does not record data on a month by month basis. The most recent published data which include a breakdown of age groups are presented in the table:
| January to December 2009 | |
| Age group | Percentage |
London 2012 Business Network
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he plans to review the operation of the London 2012 Business Network. [8678]
Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply.
The London 2012 Business Network enables a diverse range of businesses across the UK to access contract opportunities from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the support they need to compete for them. More than 6,500 contract opportunities have been made available through CompeteFor, the electronic brokerage system for London 2012 Games contracts; 48,000 businesses have received business support as a result of registering for the service; and this has been accompanied by an extensive programme of business engagement, informing over 10,000 businesses in a series of events across the UK of the opportunities and how to get involved. I support this valuable work but will continue to look at opportunities to ensure we maximize the benefit that businesses throughout the UK obtain from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Public Libraries: Expenditure
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the amount of public funding allocated to public libraries in (a) England and (b) Coventry in each year since 2005. [9407]
Mr Vaizey: The expenditure on library services in (a) England and (b) Coventry, can be seen in the table:
| Net current expenditure( 1) on library service by year | ||
| £000 | ||
| Coventry | England | |
| (1) Net current expenditure is defined here as the costs of staffing, heating, lighting and cleaning, together with expenditure on goods and services consumed within the year. This expenditure is offset by income from sales, fees and charges and other (non-grant) income. Source: This information was provided by the Communities and Local Government Revenue Account (RA) budget returns. | ||
In addition, the Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) has used DCMS grant in aid to develop, share and promote best practice in libraries and has supported libraries to deliver projects such as Boys into Books and Book Ahead which are funded by the Department for Education. Public libraries have also benefited from lottery funding and private finance initiative credits which have been invested in individual projects.
Television: Licensing
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent representations he has received on the television licence fee. [8786]
Mr Vaizey: I am aware of representations on the licence fee made by members of the public in response to the Government publication 'The Coalition: our programme for government'. Furthermore, the Department regularly receives correspondence on the licence fee.
Theatres: Young People
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what expenditure his Department has incurred on the provision of (a) theatre, (b) opera, (c) musical and (d) film for tickets to young people in the most recent period for which figures are available. [8779]
Mr Vaizey: My Department launched the A Night Less Ordinary scheme in February 2009 to provide free theatre tickets to young people under 26. The scheme initially cost £2.5 million, with a £100,000 evaluation running alongside.
In June 2010 we announced that the A Night Less Ordinary scheme was to be curtailed following a review of pilot schemes across government. We expect that £108,000 will be returned to the Department following curtailment.
Home Department
Civil Partnerships
Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward proposals to amend the law to allow religious music and readings at civil weddings and civil partnerships. [9416]
Lynne Featherstone: Civil partnership and civil marriage registrations are entirely secular in nature and prohibited from taking place on religious premises or containing any religious language, or religious music.
An amendment made during the passage of the Equality Act 2010 removed the express prohibition on civil partnership registrations taking place on religious premises. In response to this amendment, the Government committed to talking to those with a key interest in this issue about what the next stage should be for civil partnerships. This will include consideration of whether civil partnerships should be allowed to include religious readings, music and symbols. This commitment was made clear in the Government's published document 'Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality', published on 16 June 2010.
We will begin this exercise before the summer parliamentary recess.
Departmental Official Cars
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her estimate is of the mileage travelled by each Minister in her Department in a Government car in (a) May and (b) June 2010. [8328]
Lynne Featherstone: Departments are unable to estimate the mileage travelled by each Minister in a Government car in May and June 2010 because this information is not recorded.
Domestic Violence
Mrs Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations her Department has received on the level of the conviction rates in cases of domestic violence. [8547]
James Brokenshire: No recent representations have been received on this issue. The proportion of domestic violence prosecutions ending in conviction rose to 72% in 2009-10 up from 59.7% in 2005-06.
Domestic Violence: Refuges
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will meet organisations assisting women subject to domestic abuse who have no recourse to public funds to discuss a permanent successor programme to follow her Department's pilot project on access to refuge accommodation; and if she will make a statement. [8310]
James Brokenshire:
A Home Office pilot project for victims of domestic violence with no recourse to public funds commenced in November 2009 and was scheduled to run to the end of August 2010. On 16 July, the Home Secretary announced an extension to the pilot until the end of March 2011 and a commitment to find a long-term funding solution to the issue. In identifying a long-term solution, we will consult with a range of organisations
assisting this group of victims. The pilot is monitored on a monthly basis and a full evaluation will take place following completion of the pilot.
A number of representations have been received from MPs and charitable organisations regarding the pilot.
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment she has made of the outcomes to date of the pilot scheme implemented in December 2009 and extended until August 2010 to provide women not eligible for funding under the no public recourse rule with access to a safe place; [8425]
(2) what representations she has received from (a) charitable organisations and bodies and (b) local authorities on the pilot scheme implemented in December 2009 and extended until August 2010 to provide women not eligible for funding under the no public recourse rule with access to a safe place; [8426]
(3) what plans she has for the future of the scheme implemented in December 2009 to provide women not eligible under the no public recourse rule with access to a safe place. [10084]
James Brokenshire: A Home Office pilot project for victims of domestic violence with no recourse to public funds commenced in November 2009 and was scheduled to run to the end of August 2010. On 16 July, the Home Secretary announced an extension to the pilot until the end of March 2011 and a commitment to find a long-term funding solution to the issue. The pilot is monitored on a monthly basis and a full evaluation will take place following completion of the pilot.
Firearms
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to control the availability of guns in England. [8823]
James Brokenshire: The Home Office works closely with the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on gun crime issues. NABIS and ACPO monitor trends in the illegal use of firearms and work with local police forces to ensure that they have the intelligence and support they need to address gun crime in their area. NABIS is currently actively looking at the illegal use of shotguns, including how they move into the criminal market, how criminals use them and what can be done by law enforcement and Government to prevent this from happening.
There are a range of strict controls on the lawful possession of firearms, including a ban on handguns. Chief officers of police must be satisfied that an applicant has a good reason for wanting a particular firearm and is fit to be entrusted with it before issuing a certificate.
Forensic Science: DNA
Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Association of Chief Police Officers on the 2007 review of forensic practices involving low copy number DNA. [8087]
James Brokenshire: Since I took office, I have had no discussions with the Association of Chief Police Officers about low copy number DNA.
Immigration Controls
Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to publish the terms of reference of her Department's consultation on the proposed limits on non-EU economic immigration; which groups and individuals she plans to consult; and whether the responses received will be made public. [4673]
Mrs May [holding answer 28 June 2010]: On 28 June we launched a 12-week consultation with businesses and other interested sectors on our plans for implementing annual limits on non-EU economic migration. The consultation document is available on the UK Border Agency website. We will publish a response to the consultation, including a summary of the responses, in due course. At the same time, I commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee to advise the Government on the level at which the first annual limit should be set. The Migration Advisory Committee will also consult widely with business and other interested sectors.
Immigration: Departmental Co-ordination
Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Education, (b) Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and (c) Minister of State for Universities and Science on the planned cap on net immigration; and what the outcome of those discussions was. [7085]
Mrs May [holding answer 12 July 2010]: I have conducted discussions with colleagues across Government regarding the Government's plans for limiting economic migration from outside the EEA. In particular I discussed the plans with ministerial colleagues at the recent Home Affairs Cabinet Committee. The outcome of those discussions was set out in the statement I made to the House on 28 June 2010, Official Report, columns 31-32 WS.
Immobilisation of Vehicles
Ms Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to announce the outcome of her review of wheel clamping legislation. [5430]
Lynne Featherstone: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 June 2010, Official Report, column 385W.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provisions in statute law govern (a) wheel clamping and (b) other forms of vehicle immobilisation on (i) public and (ii) private land. [8705]
Lynne Featherstone:
The Home Office is responsible for legislation on vehicle immobilisation activity on private land carried out by the private security industry, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Under the Private Security Industry Act 2001, vehicle immobilisers
involved in immobilising, blocking in or towing away a vehicle with the intention of charging a release fee are required to hold a licence for the purpose issued by the Security Industry Authority. These provisions do not apply in Scotland, where vehicle immobilisation is effectively banned through a decision of the Scottish courts.
Paragraphs 3 and 3A of Schedule 2 to the 2001 Act set out the circumstances in which the licensing requirement applies to vehicle immobilisers. The provisions apply to operatives working in-house and on contract and include those responsible for taking payment of the release fee.
Sections 42 to 44 of the Crime and Security Act 2010 amended the 2001 Act to provide for a licensing requirement applying to vehicle immobilisation businesses. These provisions have not yet been implemented.
The legislation concerning vehicle immobilisation on public land is primarily the responsibility of the Department for Transport.
Offensive Weapons
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to reduce the number of knives on the streets. [8795]
James Brokenshire: This year, the Government are providing £4 million to local areas to support their work in tackling serious youth violence, including knife crime. We will also reduce bureaucracy to give police forces greater freedom to target their activities according to local need, including tackling knife crime, and we will work with Department of Health to ensure that hospitals will share non-confidential information with the police so they can target activity in gun and knife crime hot spots.
In addition, a Home Office Community Fund is providing 144 small local community-based organisations with £10,000 each this year to stop young people from starting to commit violence, or to help young people out of it. The activities being delivered focus on mentoring, outreach or education work with young people involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in gun/knife crime or gang activity, or support schemes for siblings, families and parents of young people involved in or at risk of involvement in gang or knife violence.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with representatives of businesses on controls on the sale of knives. [8806]
James Brokenshire: The Home Secretary has not yet had any discussions with representatives of retail businesses on the sale of knives. Home Office officials continue to work with local police and trading standards officers and with representatives of retail businesses to ensure that the law on the underage sale of knives is properly enforced.
Sexual Offences
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many British citizens who have committed sexual crimes against children overseas have been subjected to notification requirements under section 97 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003; [9012]
(2) what estimate she has made of the number of British citizens convicted of offences related to sexual misdemeanours resident (a) overseas and (b) at an unknown location. [9013]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 19 July 2010]: This question cannot be answered readily and accurately from the Violent and Sex Offenders Register (ViSOR). However, on the convicted person's return to the UK, a summons can be served upon them to present themselves at a magistrates court for a notification order to be applied. The court must be satisfied that a notifiable offence has been committed abroad and then a notification order will be made. This order then requires the individual to register on the Violent and Sex Offenders Register.
Sojourner Project
Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if her Department will continue funding the Sojourner Project beyond September 2010. [8582]
James Brokenshire: A Home Office pilot project for victims of domestic violence with no recourse to public funds commenced in November 2009 and was scheduled to run to the end of August 2010. On 16 July, the Home Secretary announced an extension to the pilot until the end of March 2011 and a commitment to find a long-term funding solution to the issue. The pilot is monitored on a monthly basis and a full evaluation will take place following completion of the pilot.
Violent and Sex Offender Register
Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many additions to the sex offender register have been made other than by a recommendation at the time of sentencing in each year since 1997. [9582]
James Brokenshire: The notification requirements (also known as the sex offenders' register) of part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 are an automatic requirement for offenders who receive a conviction, caution or reprimand for certain sexual offences. There is no "recommendation" which leads to someone to becoming subject to the notification requirements.
The vast majority of offenders subject to notification requirements listed in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 will have been convicted of a relevant offence, either in the UK or abroad. There is a very small number who have been subject to a Risk of Sexual Harm Order (RoSHO) and breached the conditions. This would make them subject to notification requirements. We are unable to ascertain this figure from the Violent and Sex Offenders Register (ViSOR).
Offenders who are made subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) or a Notification Order also become subject to notification requirements.
The number of SOPOs granted in England and Wales are as follows:
| Number | |
However, we are unable to ascertain from these figures, the number of offenders who became subject to SOPOs at the time of sentencing or at any other time.
The number of Notification Orders granted in England and Wales are as follows:
| Number | |
Violent and Sex Offender Register: Offences Against Children
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether British citizens who have committed sexual crimes against children overseas are required to register on the Violent and Sex Offenders Register. [9011]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 19 July 2010]: There is no requirement for British citizens who have been convicted of sexual crimes against children overseas to register on the Violent and Sex Offenders Register. However, on the convicted person's return to the UK, a summons can be served upon them to present themselves at a magistrates court for a notification order to be applied. The court must be satisfied that a notifiable offence has been committed abroad and then a notification order will be made. This order then requires the individual to register on the Violent and Sex Offenders Register.
Health
Departmental Billing
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the time taken by contractors employed by it to pay the invoices of their sub-contractors under prompt payment arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [9252]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not collect this information centrally.
However, all departmental contracts contain the following clause:
"Where the Contractor enters into a sub-contract for the provision of any part of the Services, the Contractor shall ensure that a term is included in the sub-contract which requires the Contractor to pay all sums due to the sub-contractor within a specified period, not exceeding 30 days from the date of receipt of a valid invoice as defined by the terms of that sub-contract."
This clause is consistent with Office of Government Commerce best practice on payments to sub-contractors.
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