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6 Sep 2010 : Column 23W—continued
Departmental Utilities
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much (a) his Department and its predecessors and (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on (i) electricity, (ii) water, (iii) heating and (iv) telephone services in each year since 1997. [7582]
Robert Neill: The Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies, have published their spending data for 2009-10 on the Department's website:
Details of heating costs are not recorded separately and will relate to electricity and gas. Details of telephone service charges will be a subset of telecommunications expenditure but could be further broken down only at disproportionate cost.
Details of expenditure in earlier years could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
We intend to publish spending data for 2008-09 in due course as part of our continuing transparency initiatives but details of expenditure in earlier years could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Written Questions
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what proportion of questions for (a) ordinary written answer, (b) for written answer on a named day and (c) tabled in the House of Lords to his Department have been answered on the due date in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [12230]
Robert Neill: The information for the current Session of Parliament is set out follows:
| Questions tabled in the period: | |||||||||
| 25-31 May | 1-30 June | 1-31 July( 1) | |||||||
| Total | Number answered on due date | Percentage answered on due date | Total | Number answered on due date | Percentage answered on due date | Total | Number answered on due date | Percentage answered on due date | |
| (1 )Excluding questions tabled for answer in September. | |||||||||
Farms: Change of Use
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will take steps to amend the planning system to assist farmers securing change of use permission for redundant and derelict farm buildings; and if he will make a statement. [10318]
Robert Neill: Local planning authorities are able to grant planning permission for changes of use for redundant and derelict farm buildings. Planning Policy Statement 4 (PPS4): "Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth" asks local planning authorities to support diversification of farms for business purposes that are consistent in scale and environmental impact with their rural location.
In the coalition agreement we have also said we will promote Home on the Farm schemes, which will enable redundant and underused farm buildings to be used for homes.
The Government 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, including for rural areas.
Fire Services: Finance
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the merits of including a sparsity factor in the Fire Formula Grant Review. [12379]
Robert Neill: We are currently consulting on options for formula grant distribution from 2011-12.
These options include the possibility of including a negatively weighted population sparsity factor in the Fire and Rescue Relative Needs Formula.
We welcome views on the options presented in the consultation paper and we are also prepared to consider alternative proposals put forward during consultation.
This consultation closes on the 6 October 2010.
Government Office for the North West
Julie Hilling: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total monetary value was of assistance provided by the Government Office for the north-west to third sector organisations, community groups and voluntary groups in the last three years. [10792]
Robert Neill [holding answer 27 July 2010]: The total running costs for Government office for the north-west throughout this period was £39.5 million. Of this, the estimated monetary value of assistance paid directly from GONW to infrastructure organisations that represent third sector, community and voluntary organisations is £300,000.
Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the role of the Government office for the north-west in securing European funding for that region to date. [11405]
Greg Clark [holding answer 27 July 2010]: European funding allocations for the regions are determined at the national level, with subsequent overall responsibility for the management of the European Regional Development Fund resting with my Department. The Government office for the north-west was responsible for the day to day management of the funds available to the North West through the 2000-6 ERDF programmes.
We will be using the Spending Review process to test which activities currently carried out by the Government offices should continue, including management of European funding, and to decide the most cost-effective ongoing arrangements.
Government Offices for the Regions
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what consultation he undertook on the closure of the Government Office Network with (a) local authorities and (b) trade unions between 15 and 22 July 2010. [12521]
Greg Clark: The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government met trade union representatives between 15 and 22 July 2010 to discuss the case for closure of the Government office network.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark) and the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs Ellman) on 27 July 2010, Official Report, column 1037W.
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the effect on levels of employment of the closure of the (a) Government Office Network and (b) Government office for the west midlands. [12522]
Greg Clark: The Secretary of State's announcement on 22 July 2010 made clear that final decisions will be made at the end of the spending review following consideration of consequential issues including the effect on jobs across the Government and on specific Government offices. Until the spending review is complete it is premature to speculate on these matters.
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations he has received from (a) local authorities, (b) trade unions and (c) individuals on the closure of the Government Office Network. [12523]
Greg Clark: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs Ellman) on 27 July 2010, Official Report, column 1037W, and as of 31 August the Secretary of State has received a number of representations from local authorities, trade unions and individuals regarding the Government's announcement of their intention in principle to abolish the Government office network.
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people were employed by the (a) Government Office Network and (b) Government office for the west midlands on the latest date for which figures are available. [12524]
Greg Clark: As at 31 July there were 1,691 staff working in the Government office network, of these, 191 work in the Government office for the west midlands.
Homelessness
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the oral answer of 15 July 2010, Official Report, column 1088, whether funding from the £40 million fund may be used by local authority housing departments to fulfil their statutory responsibilities on homelessness; to what other purposes such funding may be put; and if he will make a statement. [11475]
Steve Webb: I have been asked to reply.
The Department for Work and Pensions currently provides local authorities with funding of £20 million towards discretionary housing payments. This will be trebled to £60 million by 2012-13.
Discretionary housing payments can be made, subject to an annual cash limit, where a person is entitled to housing benefit or council tax benefit and the local authority considers that person is in need of further financial help to meet any shortfall in their housing costs or council tax. This can include payments for a rent deposit or rent in advance schemes for a property that the customer is yet to move into if they are already entitled to housing benefit for their present home.
The scheme is discretionary so it is up to local authorities to decide how they operate it, with any decisions on its use being made on a case by case basis.
Housing
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many regulated tenancies there were in each local authority area on the latest date for which figures are available. [12253]
Andrew Stunell: Data on the number of regulated tenancies at local authority level are not available.
The latest estimate at national level, based on data from the Survey of English Housing, is that there were 120,000 regulated tenancies in England in 2007-08.
Housing Benefit
Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effect of proposed changes to housing benefit on housing markets in areas with a high number of properties in the private rented sector. [12172]
Andrew Stunell: The Department for Work and Pensions published an impact assessment on 23 July 2010. This included a detailed assessment of impacts on households, local authorities and the affordability of accommodation, including breakdowns by government office region and by broad rental market area.
Housing: Construction
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take to encourage sustainable housing development in (a) the UK and (b) Coventry. [9573]
Andrew Stunell: The Coalition programme for government sets out our ambitions for a low carbon and eco friendly economy and to be the greenest Government ever. Within that, we have set out a number of actions to encourage sustainable housing development, such as the Green Deal to encourage home energy efficiency improvements paid for by savings from energy bills; continuing improvements in the energy efficiency of new homes; incentives for local authorities to deliver sustainable development, including for new homes; and retaining energy performance certificates.
In addition enhanced provisions for Part L of the building regulations will be introduced from 1 October this year, representing a 25% increase in existing energy efficiency requirements for new homes.
These policies and programmes will support sustainable housing development in Coventry as elsewhere in the country.
Housing: Greater London
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many housing nominations have been received by each London local authority from each partner authority in each London sub-regional partnership since their inception. [12680]
Andrew Stunell: This information is not held by the Department for Communities and Local Government as made clear in the reply to the hon. Member's question of 30 March 2010, Official Report, column 1141W.
Local Government
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has to reorganise local government; and if he will make a statement. [12229]
Robert Neill: The Government have no plans for further reorganisation of local government and in particular for further invitations for unitary authorities.
Local Government Finance
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what account he takes of population growth in deciding on levels of funding for local authorities. [12376]
Robert Neill: In distributing formula grant to local authorities, we use the sub-national population projections that are produced by the Office for National Statistics.
Local Government: Petitions
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his plans are for bringing into effect regulations requiring local authorities to make provision for responding to petitions. [12216]
Greg Clark: The requirement for local authorities to make provision for responding to petitions came into effect on 15 June 2010. The requirement for local authorities to provide a facility for making petitions in electronic form comes into effect on 15 December 2010. We are concerned that the implementation of these regulations by the last Government have been bureaucratic and cumbersome, and are reviewing how unnecessary prescription can be removed, while protecting and enhancing the democratic voice of local residents.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Tottenham of 2 July 2010 on the Decentralisation and Localism Bill. [12129]
Greg Clark: A response was sent to the right hon. Member on 20 July inviting him to contact my office to arrange a personal meeting with me to discuss his concerns.
Mortgages: Government Assistance
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 20 July 2010, Official Report, columns 221-22W, on mortgages: Government assistance, if he will continue to maintain and fund his Department's Mortgage Help website beyond the Comprehensive Spending Review. [12525]
Grant Shapps: I am committed to working with partners, including lenders, debt advisers and local authorities, to provide effective help and advice for homeowners at risk of repossession, including through provisions of the MortgageHelp website.
Decisions on funding for future years will be taken as part of the spending review process.
Non-domestic Rates
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what consideration he has given to making small business rate relief automatic; and if he will make a statement. [11978]
Robert Neill: We are committed to finding a practical way to make SBRR automatic. We are currently considering how best to do this and to what time scale. Any measure to automate small business rate relief requires primary legislation.
Non-domestic Rates: Charities
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of the extent to which local authorities exercise the power to grant additional discretionary business rate relief for charity shops. [12609]
Robert Neill: As at 31 December 2009, local authorities reported they were granting discretionary charity relief to 32,100 hereditaments. It is not possible to identify shops separately from other hereditaments granted charity relief.
These data were published in Table 4 of a Statistical Release, "National Non-domestic rates to be collected by local authorities in England 2010-11", that is available on the Communities and Local Government website at:
The data were collected on the NNDRl (Supplementary) form completed by all billing authorities in England in January and February 2010.
Ordnance Survey: Public Sector
Mr Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to announce his decision on whether to proceed with the Public Sector Mapping Agreement with Ordnance Survey; and if he will make a statement. [12620]
Robert Neill: The Public Sector Mapping Agreement (PSMA) has now been formally concluded between Ordnance Survey and the Department for Communities and Local Government and will come into effect from 1 April 2011. This commercial agreement enables all parts of the public sector in England and Wales to access core national mapping data free at the point of use. The agreement will better enable the sharing of information between public sector organisations and will help to maximise the use of geographic information for the benefit of the nation.
A transition plan for migration from the current public sector collective purchasing arrangements to the PSMA is available on the Departmental website at:
Mr Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what meetings (a) he and (b) officials in his Department (i) have had in the last 12 months and (ii) plan to have with private sector organisations on the proposed Public Sector Mapping Agreement with Ordnance Survey. [12621]
Robert Neill: During the consultation on "Policy options for geographic information from Ordnance Survey" officials met with the following private sector organisations:
Getmapping
Infoterra.
Officials have since met with the following private sector organisations to discuss the Public Sector Mapping Agreement:
Association for Geographic Information
Getmapping
Locus Association
Intelligent Addressing
Microsoft.
Baroness Hanham is scheduled to meet with Locus Association soon and officials will also be meeting The GeoInformation Group.
Renewable Energy: Planning Permission
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to paragraph 22 of Planning Policy Statement 22, whether he plans to maintain the provision that local planning authorities can set minimum separation distances between different types of renewable energy projects and existing developments. [12596]
Robert Neill: This paragraph in Planning Policy Statement 22 concerns noise impacts. It looks to local planning authorities to ensure renewable energy developments are located and designed to minimise increases in ambient noise levels.
The paragraph advises that plans may include criteria that set out the minimum separation distances between different types of renewable energy projects and existing developments. For wind energy developments, paragraph 22 explains that the 1997 report by the Energy and Technology Support Unit for the Department of Trade and Industry should be used to assess and rate noise. This report considered that absolute noise limits applied at all wind speeds are not suited to wind farms in typical UK locations and that limits set relative to the background noise are more appropriate in the majority of cases.
We have stated in the coalition agreement that we 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.
Right to Buy Scheme
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether his Department issues guidance on the appropriate timetable for right to buy sales to individual tenants. [12690]
Andrew Stunell: The Department's booklet, "Your Right to Buy your home", provides information on the statutory time scales for right to buy applications. The booklet is freely available in hard copy and on the Department's website.
Social Rented Housing
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many social housing units there were in each local authority area in (a) 1981, (b) 2001 and (c) the most recent year for which figures are available; and how many of these were (i) studio and one-bedroom, (ii) two-bedroom, (iii) three-bedroom and (iv) four-bedroom properties. [11902]
Andrew Stunell: Information from the 1981 and 2001 Censuses is available for the number of households occupying social housing-in 1981 this includes households occupying local authority housing, housing associations and charitable trusts; in 2001 this includes households occupying local authority housing and other social housing including rented from registered social landlords, housing associations, housing co-operatives and charitable trusts.
The most recent figures provide the number of social dwellings in 2009. The number of local authority owned dwellings as at 1 April is supplied by local authorities through the annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA). The number of registered social landlord (RSL) owned dwellings as at 31 March is supplied by RSLs through the annual Regulatory and Statistical Return (collected by the Tenant Services Authority). These figures include vacant dwellings.
A table showing information on the number of social housing units in each local authority in 1981, 2001 and 2009 has been placed in the Library of the House.
Information on the number of units by bedroom size for each local authority area is not collected centrally.
Taxis
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department and its predecessors spent on taxi fares in each year since 1997. [12985]
Robert Neill: The Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies have published their spending data for 2009-10 on the Department's website:
Details of taxi fares are included in these figures.
Staff also claimed £38,678 back through the Department's Travel and Subsistence system and a further £3,142 through the Government Procurement Card (GPC) for taxi use.
We intend to publish spending data for 2008-09 in due course as part of our continuing transparency initiatives but details of expenditure in earlier years could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
Trade Unions
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department and its predecessors has paid to trade unions in each year since 1997; and what estimate he has made of the value of facilities provided by his Department and its predecessors for use by trade unions in each year since 1997. [11658]
Grant Shapps: This Department does not pay any money directly to the trade unions representing staff nor are we able, without disproportionate cost, to make an estimate of the total value of facilities provided since 1997. We pay the salary and related costs (travel and subsistence etc) for a number of CLG headquarters staff undertaking industrial relations and trade unions activities in this Department on a full and part-time basis. This totalled £145,000 in 2008-09 and £93,000 in 2009-10. In addition, a number of staff receive facility time alongside their normal departmental roles. All these staff are provided with accommodation, IT equipment and use of meeting rooms on the same basis as other departmental staff.
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many paid manpower hours civil servants in his Department and its predecessors spent on trade union-related duties and activities in each year since 1997. [11659]
Grant Shapps: In 2008-09, the number of days staff in the Department spent on all trade union activities was 1075.50 days. Equivalent information is not currently available for 2009-10 and could not be obtained for the period prior to 2008-09 without disproportionate cost. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as information for 2009-10 is available.
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many civil servants in his Department and its predecessors spent the equivalent of (a) five days or fewer, (b) five to 10 days, (c) 10 to 15 days, (d) 15 to 20 days, (e) 20 to 25 days and (f) 25 days or more on trade union-related activities or duties while being paid salaries from the public purse in each year since 1997. [11660]
Grant Shapps: In 2008-09, the number of staff in the Department who spent specified numbers of days on all trade union activities was as follows:
| Number of days | Number of staff |
Included in the seven staff working 25 days or more are staff working on trade union activities on a full or part-time basis. Equivalent information is not currently available for 2009-10 and could not be obtained for the period prior to 2008-09 without disproportionate cost. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as information for 2009-10 is available.
Wines
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department and its predecessors spent on wine in each year since 1997. [12822]
Robert Neill: Since December 2008 the Department has spent £6,443 on wine through its facilities management supplier.
Wine was supplied in connection with official functions and the expenditure has been incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
Details on expenditure for earlier years could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
Home Department
Police Time: Administration
18. Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on the proportion of police officers' time spent on administrative tasks. [13100]
19. Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on the proportion of police officers' time spent on administrative tasks. [13101]
Nick Herbert: I have spoken to many officers about the time that they have to spend filling out forms. The Government are committed to reducing bureaucracy so that the police can get back on to the streets dealing with crime.
European Investigation Order
20. Mr Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received on the implications for the UK of the decision to opt into the provisions of EU legislation on the European investigation order; and if she will make a statement. [13102]
24. Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received on the decision that the UK should opt in to the provisions of EU legislation on the European investigation order. [13106]
Mrs May: As my hon. Friend is aware, I made an oral statement in this House on 27 July 2010, Official Report, columns 881-82, confirming our decision to opt into the European Investigation Order. Since opting in, I have received representations from Justice and Fair Trials International. Copies of these will be provided to the European Scrutiny Committees in both Houses.
Licensing
21. David Rutley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of implementation of the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003. [13103]
Mrs May: The coalition Government made a commitment to overhaul the Licensing Act, as it had failed to ensure that communities were protected from crime and antisocial behaviour associated with the night time economy. We launched the consultation 'Rebalancing the Licensing Act' on 28 July and it closes on 8 September. Following the analysis of the responses, we will be taking forward proposals in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill.
Alcohol Sales
22. Guy Opperman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received from industry bodies on proposals to ban the sale of alcohol at below cost price. [13104]
Mrs May: The Government set out a commitment to ban the sale of alcohol below cost price in the coalition agreement. This proposal forms part of the consultation 'Rebalancing the Licensing Act' which closes on 8 September. The responses to the consultation have not yet been analysed, however, we have held seven national and seven regional stakeholder events where the issue of below cost sales was discussed with representatives' of the alcohol trade.
Asylum Backlog
23. Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress her Department is making in processing the backlog of asylum applications made prior to 2010. [13105]
Damian Green: In 2006 a backlog of approximately 450,000 older paper and electronic asylum cases were identified, this is widely known as the "legacy" caseload. I informed this House during oral questions in June 2010 that that the Case Resolution Directorate had concluded 277,000 legacy cases up to the end of May 2010. The chief executive of the UK Border Agency, Lin Homer updates the Home Affairs Select Committee on a regular basis regarding the progress made in resolving these cases. She is due to report again to the Committee this autumn.
Antisocial Behaviour Orders
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) anti-social behaviour orders and (b) parenting orders have been issued in each local authority area since their introduction. [12883]
Nick Herbert: Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) became available from 1 April 1999. The latest available data on the number of ASBOs issued covers the period 1 April 1999 to 31 December 2008.
Data collected centrally by the Ministry of Justice on the number of ASBOs and parenting orders issued are not available below criminal justice system (CJS) area level. A further breakdown could only be ascertained by reference to individual court files, which could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.
Parenting orders were piloted between 30 September 1998 and 31 March 2000 and commenced in England and Wales in June 2000. Data showing the breakdown by area for the period 30 September 1998 and 31 March 2000 are not available. The Youth Justice Board (YJB) has since April 2000 collected the number of parenting orders by youth offending team (YOT) area, as reported to it by youth offending teams. The available information is shown in the table A which has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.
The Department for Education has collected and published data on education-related parenting orders since 2004. The number of parenting orders issued in each local authority in England between September 2004 and August 2009 is shown in table B which has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued in (a) Doncaster, (b) South Yorkshire and (c) England since 2007. [12964]
James Brokenshire: The latest available data on the number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued cover the period up to 31 December 2008.
During 2007, the number of ASBOs issued at all courts in (b) South Yorkshire Criminal Justice System (CJS) area and (c) England was 49 and 2,136 respectively. The equivalent figures for 2008 are 47 and 1,902 respectively.
Data collected centrally by the Ministry of Justice on the number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) are not available below Criminal Justice System (CJS) area level. A further breakdown could be ascertained only by reference to individual court files, which could only be achieved at disproportionate cost.
Asylum
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department measures the incidence of destitution as defined under the National Assistance Act 1948 among the asylum seeker community. [12868]
Damian Green: No asylum seeker need be destitute while their claim is being determined. The UK Border Agency provides support to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute from the time they arrive in the UK until their claim is decided, and any appeal rights are exhausted. Therefore, we do not measure the incidence of destitution among the asylum seeker community.
Asylum: Deportation
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the UK Border Agency spent on (a) scheduled air flights and (b) chartering flights for the deportation of failed asylum seekers in each of the last 12 months. [12188]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency spent £18,073,370 on scheduled flights and £10,300,000 on chartered flights for the financial year 2009-10 on public expense removals.
The total cost of scheduled and chartered flights includes administration cost plus cancellation fees.
It is not possible to disaggregate the costs for removal of unsuccessful asylum seekers from the overall removal figures without the examination of individual records at disproportionate cost. Therefore this cost represents the removal of failed asylum seekers, foreign national prisoners and immigration offenders.
This is internal management information and has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. It is provisional and therefore may be subject to change.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (1) failed asylum seekers have been deported under the fast-track process in each of the last 24 months; [12254]
(2) deportations of failed asylum seekers were pending under the fast-track process at the time of Mr Justice Silber's ruling that the process was unlawful; [12255]
(3) appeals made by failed asylum seekers deported under the fast-track system were upheld following removal in each of the last two years; [12256]
(4) failed asylum seekers deported under the fast-track process were removed with (a) 72 hours of notice, (b) 48 hours of notice and (c) 24 hours of notice in each of the last two years; [12257]
(5) failed asylum seekers deported under the fast-track process in each of the last two years were children. [12258]
Damian Green: On 16 July 2010 Mr Justice Silber quashed the UK Border Agency's policy of giving less than 72 hours notice of removal in certain exceptional categories of persons being removed from the UK. This policy applied to all removals, including non-asylum removals, and was entirely different from the detained fast-track process which covers asylum decision making.
According to management information, the policy which was quashed by the court was applied 145 times between 12 March 2007 and 21 May 2010, when the policy was suspended by order of the court as an interim measure. We have broken this down by year as follows:
| Number of children served removal directions with less than 72 hours notice | Total number served removal directions with less than 72 hours notice (includes the children figures above) | |
We only have information on the number of cases where less than 72 hours notice of removal was given. We do not have information on how many of these cases were given less than 48 hours or 24 hours notice of
removal. We do not have information on how many of these removees were failed asylum seekers.
Cases which would have been removed under this policy are being processed in alternative ways and are currently all being given at least 72 hours notice of removal. There are not any cases on hold pending the outcome of this litigation.
Those who were removed under the policy will have already exhausted any statutory rights of appeal against the UK Border Agency's decision not to grant leave and/or to remove before removal action was initiated. However, those being removed under the policy may apply for permission to seek judicial review of their removal directions or they may seek an injunction preventing removal from the court. In the 145 cases set out above, management information that we provided to the court shows that 11 removals were prevented from proceeding because an injunction was sought or obtained, a judicial review application was lodged or threatened, or further representations were submitted for consideration.
Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to make an order under section 58(2) of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 to commence sections 39 to 41 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. [11961]
Damian Green [holding answer 27 July 2010]: Sections 39-41, part of section 49 and section 58 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009 contain new provisions on naturalisation. The previous Government planned to commence this legislation in July 2011 as part of their plans for an "earned citizenship" policy. Until this happens the legislation is not in force and so does not alter the British Nationality Act 1981 and applicants for naturalisation continue to be considered under the current provisions of that Act.
I believe that broad reform to the path to settlement and citizenship is necessary and I am currently considering the best way to achieve that. I hope to make an announcement in the near future.
Borders: Personal Records
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department assessed the merits of changing the scope of the e-Borders contract in response to representations from Raytheon on the implications of EU data privacy regulations for the roll-out of the e-Borders programme. [12503]
Damian Green: The decision to terminate the contract with Raytheon was taken after careful consideration of all the issues and on the basis of the supplier's performance not having been compliant with their contractual obligations.
Officials continue to engage in regular dialogue with the EU Commission on matters relating to the e-Borders programme, including the EU personal data protection directive. This dialogue has informed the management and direction of the e-Borders programme.
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions changes were made to the e-Borders contract specification between the letting of that contract and May 2010; and what assessment she made of the effect on the timetable for delivering the contract of (a) changing the location of the National Border Targeting Centre and (b) the change in security clearance requirements for personnel working on the e-Borders programme. [12515]
Damian Green: There were 58 changes to the specifications for the contract formally agreed between the parties, many of which dealt with relatively minor changes.
The change in location of the National Border Targeting Centre did not affect the timescale for delivering the contract.
A number of concessions were made to expedite the security clearance requirements for personnel from the service provider working on the e-Borders programme to ensure the time scale for delivering the contract could be met.
David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has paid Deloitte Consulting for its work on the e-Borders programme since September 2005. [12896]
Damian Green: Since September 2005 the Home Department has paid Deloitte Consulting £37,300,000 in respect of work connected with the e-Borders programme.
Community Policing
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood police teams there were in (a) May 1997 and (b) May 2010. [12222]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office did not keep a record of the number of neighbourhood policing teams that there were in 1997. While elements of neighbourhood policing were being practiced in 1997, it was not until 2003 that the Home Office began a National Reassurance Policing programme to pilot neighbourhood policing teams in their present form. The Home Office collected information on the number of neighbourhood policing teams until 2008. The last count, in September 2008 showed 3,603 teams. To reduce the burden of bureaucracy on forces, the Home Office no longer collects these data. The number of neighbourhood policing teams is an issue for individual police forces and authorities.
Crime: Wildlife
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to increase provision for the recording of wildlife crime. [12866]
Nick Herbert: We have no plans to increase provision for the recording of wildlife crime in England and Wales.
Departmental Allowances
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department spent on (a) reimbursement of staff expenses and (b) the 10 largest staff expense reimbursement claims in each year since 1997. [13035]
Nick Herbert: Due to the wide scope of the question and the period of time required this information cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
The Home Office accounting systems do not identify separately expense claims from other types of payment. This information cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.
Home Office expenditure on reimbursement of staff expenses conforms to departmental guidance and policy which complies with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
Departmental Billing
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of payments made by her Department to (a) small and medium-sized enterprise suppliers and (b) all suppliers were made (i) within 10 days of receipt of invoice and (ii) on the agreed payment terms in the last three months for which information is available. [11385]
Nick Herbert: The Department's performance of paying all compliant invoices from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within 10 days of receipt for the last three months is:
| Total compliant SME invoices paid on 10 day terms | (a) (i) Compliant SME invoices on 10 day terms paid within terms | Percentage within terms | |
The Department does not pay SMEs to terms other than within 10 days of receipt. The Department's performance of paying all compliant invoices for all suppliers within 10 days of receipt for the last three months is:
| Total compliant invoices paid on 10 day terms | (b) (i) Compliant invoices on 10 day terms paid within terms | Percentage within terms | |
The Department's performance of paying all compliant invoices for all suppliers within agreed payment terms for the last three months is:
| Total compliant invoices paid-all payment terms | (b) (ii) Compliant invoices paid within terms-all payment terms | Percentage within terms | |
Departmental Communication
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions have been issued by the private office of each Minister in her Department on the preparation of briefing, speeches and replies to official correspondence. [9672]
Nick Herbert: Guidance on drafting briefings, speeches and replies to official correspondence for Home Office Ministers is held on the internal website which is accessible to all Home Office staff. The guidance includes information on ministerial preferences and general best practice on preparing effective briefing.
Departmental ICT
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which IT contracts awarded by her Department in each of the last five years have been abandoned; and what the monetary value of each such contract was. [12728]
Nick Herbert: In the last five financial years no IT contracts awarded by the Home Department have been abandoned.
Departmental Motor Vehicles
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual expenditure on vehicles of (a) her Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which her Department is responsible in each English region was in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is in each case for 2010-11. [12463]
Nick Herbert: Please see the following table for the answer to parts (a) and (b). It is not possible to divide the vehicle expenditure into each English region without incurring disproportionate costs.
| £000 | ||||||
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | |||
| (1) Included in HO figure. | ||||||
The Identity and Passport Service, Criminal Records Bureau, Security Industry Authority and Office of the Immigration Service Commission have confirmed that they have had no expenditure on vehicles during the last three years and do not forecast any expenditure in 2010-11.
These figures do not include any expenditure on chauffeur services incurred by the Home Office.
Departmental Pensions
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of pension contributions incurred by (a) her Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which she is responsible in (A) Scotland, (B) Wales, (C) each of the English regions and (D) Northern Ireland in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2010-11. [12462]
Nick Herbert: The Department does not record employer pension contributions based on employee region or country. The Department publishes consolidated resource accounts which detail the pension costs for headquarters and the Executive Agencies; UK Border Agency, Identity and Passport Service and Criminal Records Bureau. Table 1 details the consolidated employer pension costs for this group, as published in the annual Resource Accounts.
The Home Office has responsibility for a number of executive, advisory and tribunal NDPBs. Table 2 shows the pension costs of the executive NDPBs, which are taken from the relevant annual publications. The pension costs for the other Home Office NDPBs are not recorded centrally and would incur disproportionate to obtain. A list of advisory and tribunal NDPBs is shown in Table 3.
For 2007-08 and 2008-09, employer pension contributions to the principle civil service pension scheme were payable at one of four rates in the range 17.1% to 25.5% of the employees pensionable pay, based on salary bands. The Scheme Actuary reviews employer contributions every four years. Following a full scheme valuation the rates for 2009-10 were in the range 16.7% to 24.3%. The employer contribution rates are set to meet the cost of the benefits accruing during the financial year when the member retires, and not the benefits paid during the period to existing pensioners.
The Department is currently undertaking cost savings initiatives, which includes running an early departure scheme for surplus staff. This will affect the total staff numbers in service and the grade mix meaning it is not possible to provide an accurate estimate of 2010-11 pension contributions.
| Table 1: Home Office Forensic Science Service and Executive Agencies, total employer pension costs | |
| £000 | |
| Source: Home Office Resource Accounts 2008-09 and 2009-10. | |
| Table 2: Home Office Executive-NDPBs, total pension costs | |||
| £000 | |||
| NDPB | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
| Sources: IPCC Annual Report and Statements of Accounts 2008-09 to 2009-10 ISA Annual Report and Accounts 2008-09 to 2009-10 NPIA Annual Report and Accounts 2008-09 to 2009-10 OISC Annual Report and Accounts 2008-09 to 2009-10 SIA Annual Report and Accounts 2008-09 to 2009-10 SOCA Statement of Accounts 2008-09 to 2009-10 | |||
| Table 3: List of Home Office Advisory and Tribunal NDPBs | |
| NDPBs | |
Departmental Public Consultation
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to increase the involvement of young members of the public in the making of decisions that affect them by (a) Ministers in her Department, (b) officials in her Department and (c) public bodies which fall within her Department's area of responsibility. [12263]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office aims to enhance public involvement in policy and decision-making. We want young people to be more engaged in this work and are currently considering how best to increase their involvement.
For example, initiatives have included internship programmes to provide exposure to policy-making for a number of young people. We will also ensure that young people have every opportunity to contribute their views to public consultations.
Departmental Public Relations
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the monetary value was of (a) public opinion research and (b) public relations contracts awarded by her Department in each of the last five years in (i) each (A) nation and (B) region of the UK and (ii) London. [12464]
Nick Herbert: The monetary value of public opinion research and public relations contracts awarded by the Home Office (excluding executive agencies) during each of the last five financial years (2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 20008-09 and 20009-10) is shown in the following table:
| Public opinion research (£) | PR contracts (£) | |
All polling during these years was undertaken using a nationally representative sample. We have not undertaken any polls by individual city or region. Costs are provided on this basis and cannot be broken down by specific expenditure per nation, region or city.
Public relation contracts are awarded for national campaigns in England and Wales, and therefore cannot be broken down further by region or city.
Departmental Responsibilities
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding her Department has allocated to external organisations which undertake work for her Department in respect of immigration and asylum matters in each of the last three years. [7075]
Damian Green: Details of the funding allocated to external associations in each of the last three years will be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Deportation
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) foreign national offenders, (b) failed asylum seekers, (c) foreign nationals who have overstayed in the UK and (d) illegal entrants to the UK were deported in each of the last five years. [12744]
Damian Green: The information requested is shown in the following table:
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
| * Published statistics figures are rounded to the nearest 5 (- = 0, * = 1 or 2) and may not sum to the totals shown because of independent rounding. (1 )In answering this PQ "foreign national offenders" has been taken to mean immigration offenders and deportation has been taken to mean removals. Total removals relates to all immigration offenders removed and includes total removals and voluntary departures from the United Kingdom. This includes both in country and port removals. This data was taken from published immigration statistics (http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html). (2 )The PQ asks for the number of failed asylum seekers that have been deported in each of the last five years. It is not possible to say what stage in the asylum process the returnees as a whole have reached at the time of their removal, including whether their claim has failed at that point, because those departing voluntarily can do so at any stage. For this reason we have interpreted this as the number of asylum cases, including dependants, removed and departing voluntarily from the UK. This data was taken from published immigration statistics (http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats, html). (3) Data on the number of non-asylum cases, including dependants, removed and departing voluntarily from the UK has been provided from published immigration statistics (http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html). (4) Data on non-asylum overstayers and non-asylum illegal entrants is taken from Management Information as the published statistics do not break the removals down into these case types. These figures form part of the total number of non-asylum cases. Other cases that contribute to this figure include for example, administrative removal cases such as breach of employment restrictions. It should also be noted that Management Information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols and hence is subject to change. Statistics to be used publicly or for other Government Departments or agencies must be agreed with the Migration Statistics. | |||||
Deportation: Children
Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many times physical force has been used to board a child under the age of 18 years on to an aeroplane by each company contracted to provide UK Border Agency escorts in each month of the last five years; [11167]
(2) whether (a) staff in immigration removal centres and (b) UK Border Agency escort providers have been authorised to use the holds and techniques on children under the age of 18 years referred to in the Physical Control in Care manual; [11168]
(3) what training on the control and restraint of children under the age of 18 years has been provided by the Prison Service (a) in each immigration removal centre and (b) to each company contracted to provide UK Border Agency escorts; [11169]
(4) how many times (a) she and (b) the manager of a (i) directly-managed and (ii) contracted-out immigration removal centre has ordered a detained child in each removal centre under the age of 18 years to be put under special control or restraint for (A) injuring himself or others, (B) damaging property and (C) creating a disturbance in each month of each of the last five years; [11170]
(5) what techniques are in the category of special control and restraint; how many times each of the techniques has been used on a child under the age of 18 years (a) in each immigration removal centre and (b) by each company contracted to provide UK Border Agency escorts in each of the last 12 months; and for how long each technique was used in each case. [11171]
Damian Green: Use of restraint is governed by schedule 13 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and specifically in relation to Immigration Removal Centres, by the Detention Centre Rules 2001.
In order to exercise any use of restraint, detention custody officers and escorts must be accredited by the Secretary of State, a condition of which is that they have undergone training of techniques approved by the National Offender Management Service. Officers receive refresher training every 12 months. Any use of restraint must be justified, proportionate and for the shortest possible period to achieve the objective.
Some officers receive specialist training in the use of restraint on children using non-pain compliant techniques (Physical Control in Care), including shepherding and guiding.
We only use restraint on a child where it is strictly necessary to prevent self-harm or to protect others and property. In very exceptional circumstances, officers may be given authority to restrain a child in order to enforce their removal from the United Kingdom where every effort has been made to secure their compliance, but unfortunately they refuse to do so, often encouraged by their parents.
In the 12 months to June 2010, the period for which data are available, officers have been authorised to restrain children on 18 occasions for the purposes of removal. However, it was only necessary to restrain three of them. One further child was restrained in an immigration removal centre when officers had reason to believe she might self-harm.
The following table shows the occasions from 2008 to the present time when children were restrained by officers to board an aircraft. Such information is not available prior to 2008. The officers were provided by G4S on each occasion.
| Number of times restraint used | |
The above data are based on management information, and are not subject to the detailed checks carried out for National Statistics. They are provisional and subject to change.
Special restraint involves the use of any device other than handcuffs such as leg restraints (velcro straps). No child has been subjected to special control or restraint in the last five years.
Detainees: Children
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been detained in each UK Border Agency immigration removal centre since 6 May 2010. [12190]
Damian Green: Information on children detained solely under Immigration Act powers relating to the second quarter 2010 is available in the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary, United Kingdom, April-June 2010, published on 26 August 2010, in the Library of the House and the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at:
The Government have been clear in their commitment to end the detention of children for immigration purposes. We therefore continue to work with our corporate partners to find an alternative that protects the welfare of children, without undermining our immigration laws.
Detention Centres
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places there are in each immigration removal centre in England and Wales; and what the planned number of places is for each of the next five years. [12742]
Damian Green: The following table details the current numbers of beds in each immigration removal centre (IRC) in England.
| Immigration removal centre | Location | Capacity |
The UK Border Agency operates a further IRC in Scotland, Dungavel House, which provides 217 beds and three short-term holding facilities providing 118 beds. There are no IRCs in Wales.
The UK Border Agency will be closing the centre at Oakington in November 2010 and the short-term holding facility at Harwich in the same month; it is considering options for expanding the detention estate but decisions will not be taken until after the comprehensive spending review.
DNA: Databases
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will estimate the number of DNA matches made with the National DNA Database since 4 December 2008 in respect of individuals who were not (a) charged or (b) found guilty of the offence for which their DNA was originally taken. [12420]
James Brokenshire: The information requested is not collected
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress she has made on her proposals to adopt the protections of the Scottish model for the national DNA database; and if she will make a statement. [12668]
James Brokenshire: We have made clear that the National DNA Database should focus on the guilty rather than the innocent, including those who have been convicted but whose DNA has not previously been taken.
The Government will bring forward proposals in the Freedom Bill later this year to adopt the protections of the Scottish model and end the indefinite retention of DNA taken from those not convicted of crime. This will mean that DNA from those not convicted is only held in the case of serious offences, and then only for a limited period. DNA taken in respect of a minor offence will not be retained at all for those who are not convicted.
Driving Under Influence: Drugs
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to issue type approval for drug testing devices to be used by the police for the screening of motorists. [12734]
James Brokenshire: We aim to issue and discuss with manufacturers by the end of September a final draft specification for a device that could be type approved. How soon after that devices are approved will depend on how quickly manufacturers put forward devices for approval, how well those devices perform in tests, how quickly manufacturers make any adjustments identified as necessary and how quickly they sign formal agreements with the Home Office recognising their obligations under type approval.
Entry Clearances
Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken from application date to issue date for a visa to enter the UK from (a) overseas and (b) Pakistan was in the latest period for which figures are available. [12561]
Damian Green: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 26 July 2010, Official Report, column 655W.
Please note that visa processing times are counted from the date that the application is lodged to the date that either (a) the applicant's passport is sent back to the applicant, or (b) the applicant is contacted and informed that their passport is ready for collection.
Firearms: Licensing
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many gun licences were granted to people under the age of 16 years in each of the last four years. [12682]
Damian Green: The requested information is not collected centrally. It is not possible to provide the number of shotgun certificates broken down by age.
Human Trafficking
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with her EU counterparts on measures to combat human trafficking for sexual exploitation; and if she will make a statement. [12177]
Damian Green: The Home Secretary discussed the importance of international co-operation in combating human trafficking with G6 counterparts (France, Germany, Spain, Poland and Italy) at a meeting in Varese, Italy, between 28-29 May.
Ministers have also discussed human trafficking with EU counterparts at Justice and Home Affairs Council meetings. The Justice Secretary attended the Council meeting on 4 June (on behalf of the Home Office) where the proposed EU Directive on Human Trafficking was discussed and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime Prevention, James Brokenshire, attended an informal Council meeting held on 15 July, where human trafficking was discussed in the context of the proposed EU internal security strategy.
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to prevent human trafficking for sexual exploitation during the London 2012 Olympics; and if she will make a statement. [12179]
Damian Green: Our intelligence does not suggest there is any increase in human trafficking linked with the Olympics at the moment. This is in line with the research evidence, which does not suggest a link between major sporting events and an increase in trafficking.
However, we remain vigilant. We are reviewing the intelligence on a quarterly basis and have law enforcement measures in place to deal with any potential increase in the threat. The Metropolitan police are working to
disrupt prostitution and recover victims in areas around the Olympic Park. Closer to the event we will, in line with need, consider whether additional awareness raising and victim care arrangements need to be put into place.
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding her Department has allocated for research into the prevention of human trafficking and the rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking in each year from 2010 to 2015; and if she will make a statement. [12180]
Damian Green: For the current financial year the Home Office is providing £1 million, together with £0.9 million from the Ministry of Justice, in grants to support adult victims of human trafficking.
There is no funding for research into prevention of human trafficking for the current financial year.
The level of funding available in future years for human trafficking is yet to be decided.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the number of illegal immigrants who were trafficked for the purpose of prostitution who are resident in the UK. [12646]
Damian Green: The latest estimate of the numbers of victims of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation in the United Kingdom is provided by the Acumen Report which was produced by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
This wide ranging study carried out in 2009 estimates that there are at least 2,600 victims in England and Wales. The report did not attempt to investigate the immigration status of victims but attempts to understand the nature and scale of trafficking among foreign sex workers in the off-street market.
Tackling border and immigration crime is a top priority for the UK Border Agency which is actively combating illegal working, sham marriages, bogus colleges and facilitation.
Identity Documents Bill
Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State had with officials on the effects on transgender people of enactment of the provisions of the Identity Documents Bill prior to 25 June 2010; and whether the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State considered any written submissions from officials on this subject. [11587]
Damian Green [holding answer 27 July 2010]: It is not the normal practice to publish details of the content and timing of written or oral advice provided by departmental officials to Ministers.
Scrapping the identity cards scheme as provided in the Identity Documents Bill, will not impact on the ability of transgendered people to access services or to travel in their chosen gender.
Illegal Immigrants
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants were found (a) at each of the main ports of entry to the UK and (b) in total in each year since 1997. [12197]
Damian Green: It is Government policy to publish UK Border Agency and UK Border Force management information at a regional level, as location specific information could prove valuable to those who seek to circumvent and abuse our immigration controls.
The following table gives the number of illegal entrants detected by officers of the United Kingdom Border Agency at UK ports of entry, between 2005 and 2009.
| Region | |||||
| Central | South | North | Heathrow | Total | |
In addition the UK Border Agency has officers at our juxtaposed controls stopping illegal entrants before they can enter the UK. In the calendar year 2009 for example, officers at the juxtaposed controls stopped over 29,000 people attempting to cross the channel illegally.
The following years cannot be accurately broken down between regions and those detected inland. The following table gives the total number of illegal entrants detected in those years. A significant number of these will have been detected inland.
| Illegal entrants detected | |
Immigration Controls
James Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to page 21 of the Coalition Agreement, what steps she has taken to reintroduce exit checks at UK borders. [12622]
Damian Green: The Government are committed to re-introducing exit checks by 2014. Protecting the border is a priority for this Government, and we are actively looking at how exit checks can be achieved with the support of the e-Borders programme.
Immigration: Deportation
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the UK Border Agency has spent on contractors to facilitate removal of individuals deported in each of the last 24 months. [12191]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency has one contract with a private supplier to escort individuals who are being removed from the United Kingdom.
Additionally, it engages the services of two other suppliers to deliver services at times of high demand. The value of contracts between the UK Border Agency and its escorting suppliers is commercially sensitive and cannot therefore be disclosed since it might compromise competition.
Lindholme Immigration Removal Centre
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of the representations it received during the consultation meetings between her Department and residents of Lindholme on the proposed expansion of Lindholme Immigration Removal Centre. [12696]
Damian Green: Officials from the UK Border Agency held an exhibition at HMP Lindholme on 4 March 2010 to display and discuss plans of the proposed extension at Lindholme Immigration Removal Centre. 12 comments were collected from over 50 residents who attended.
UK Border Agency officials also attended a meeting in July of the Lindholme Village Action Group during which they participated in a question and answer session. Officials were presented with a document prepared by the Action Group which detailed their concerns and points to be addressed as part of any planning consent that Doncaster council may agree to. These were also sent to the Council and included:
Adoption of the roads around the site
Resurfacing of a road
Appointing one of the roads as a "dead-end"
Improved screening of the Centre
Installation of traffic lights
The UK Border Agency considered the points carefully before submitting the application. Many were for the local authority to address rather than the UK Border Agency or indeed the Ministry of Justice. The UK Border Agency has agreed to consider, subject to financial constraints, assisting in the improvement of the immediate area around the Centre as part of any new construction work but it has no influence over the local authority's decision making processes.
The UK Border Agency submitted an application to the local authority for planning consent in July 2010. It is available on Doncaster council's planning portal. A decision on whether to pursue an extension to Lindholme Immigration Removal Centre at this time is subject to approval of the application and the outcome of the Government's spending review in the autumn.
National Border Targeting Centre
David T. C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effect the change in location of the National Border Targeting Centre on the timescale for the establishment of the centre. [12845]
Damian Green: The decision to change the location of the National Border Targeting Centre (NBTC) had no effect on the timescale for establishment of the centre.
Passport Office: Redundancy
Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff on (a) temporary and (b) permanent contracts have been made redundant from each passport office since 7 May 2010. [11630]
Damian Green: The Identity and Passport Service does not have any staff in either of the categories (a) or (b) above who have been made redundant since 7 May 2010.
I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 17 June 2010, Official Report, column 552W, which details the early release of staff from the Durham passport office.
Passports
Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she plans to take to maintain passport security. [12790]
Mrs May: Passport security is extremely important. In operating the passport business, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) will continue to work to UK Government security standards and international standards on document security. To ensure greater efficiency and an improvement in the detection of fraud, IPS plans to develop a risk based approach to processing passport applications. In relation to document security, a new design of the UK passport will be introduced from 5 October 2010 with improved physical security features. IPS also plans to examine the options for enhancing the electronic security of the UK passport, and for greater investment in facial recognition technology. The IPS will continue to closely monitor international developments in passport security in order to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.
Passports: Biometrics
Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has for the future use of biometrics in passports. [12791]
Mrs May: The Identity and Passport Service (IPS) remains committed to the use of facial biometrics in passports. There are no current plans to introduce a second biometric such as fingerprints into passports.
Police: Domestic Violence
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of police overtime was spent on attendance at incidents of domestic violence in each police force area in each of the last 10 years. [11890]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold data on what proportion of overtime is spent on different activities.
Police: Doncaster
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) police community support officers there were in Doncaster on the latest date for which figures are available. [12849]
Nick Herbert: The latest published figures show that there were 478 full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers and 74 FTE police community support officers in post in the Basic Command Unit of Doncaster on 31 March 2010.
These and other related data are published annually in supplementary tables to the annual Police Service Strength Home Office Statistical Bulletin. Bulletins for this and previous years are deposited in the Library of the House and the latest bulletin can be found at:
Police: Finance
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of employing, training and equipping (a) police officers and (b) police community support officers in (i) England and Wales and (ii) each police force in 2010-11. [8123]
Nick Herbert: Police personnel costs are published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy (CIPFA). The latest available actual employment costs are for 2008-09 and are £7,811 million for police officers and £430 million for police community support officers (PCSOs). Actual employment costs for each police force in England and Wales are detailed in the following table.
| Police force expenditure 2008-09 | ||
| £ million | ||
| Force | Police officer paybill | PCSO paybill |
| Source: Chartered institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) 2008-09 | ||
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