| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
6 Sep 2010 : Column 108W—continued
Wales
Departmental Assets
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which former (a) buildings and (b) land owned by (i) her Department and (ii) (A) non-departmental public bodies and (B) agencies for which her Department is responsible have been sold since May 2005; what the sale price of each was at the time of sale; and to which body the funds from the sale accrued in each case. [12358]
Mr David Jones: There has been no disposal of land or of buildings by the Wales Office since May 2005.
Departmental Billing
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of invoices from suppliers her Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010. [13280]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office has paid the following proportion of invoices within 10 days of receipt:
| Percentage | |
Departmental Buildings
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much office space per employee her Department and its predecessor occupied in each year since 1997. [12998]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office has an office in London and an office in Cardiff. The following figures are the average office space per employee since 2004. Figures prior to 2004, and each year since 1997 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
| Site | Footage( m2 ) (approx) | Staff numbers (approx) | Average( m2) per employee |
Departmental Consultants
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent on external consultants and advisers by her Department in each year since 2005. [12478]
Mr David Jones: Since 2005 we have spent the following on external consultants:
| £ | |
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the (a) average and (b) highest daily rate paid to consultants by her Department was in each of the last five years. [13065]
Mr David Jones: The average and highest daily rates paid to consultants by my Department in the last five years were:
| £ | ||
| Average | Highest | |
Departmental Coordination
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which Ministers in each Department have been designated to liaise on Welsh issues with her Department. [12104]
Mrs Gillan: An announcement will be made shortly and the list will be placed in both Libraries of the House.
Departmental Empty Property
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department and its predecessor spent on vacant properties in each year since 1997. [13017]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office does not hold any vacant property, and has not previously.
Departmental Fines
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many transport-related fines her Department has settled on behalf of its staff in each year since 2005; and what the cost to the public purse was in each such year. [13282]
Departmental Furniture
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many chairs her Department and its predecessor purchased in each year since 1997; how much was spent in each such year; and what the five most expensive chairs purchased in each such year were. [12797]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was created in 1999. Records are held from 2006-07 onwards and are as follows:
| Number of chairs | Cost (£) | |
1. £883.60
2. £659.76
3. £499.39
4/5. £79.00
The three chairs in 2009-10 were ergonomic chairs, purchased following occupational health assessments that deemed the chairs essential for the individuals concerned. They were procured through the Ministry of Justice.
Departmental ICT
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [12725]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office has not awarded any IT contract in the last five years. Its IT services are provided by the Ministry of Justice.
Departmental Motor Vehicles
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the annual expenditure on vehicles of her Department was in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2010-11. [12479]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office has paid the following amounts on vehicles over the last three years:
| £ | |
The planned expenditure for 2010-11 is yet to be finalised. My office has already cancelled the car contracted for my use in London and we are currently looking at value for money options for the car used by myself and the Secretary of State in Wales.
Departmental Pensions
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the cost was of pension contributions incurred by her Department in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2010-11. [12477]
Mr David Jones: Costs incurred by the Wales office for pension contributions in each of the last three financial years were:
| £ | |
The expenditure figure for 2010-11 is likely to be around £430,000.
Departmental Training
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many external training courses were attended by staff of her Department in the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public purse was of each such course. [13281]
Mr David Jones: In the 12 month period from 1 September 2009 to 31 August 2010 officials in the Wales Office have attended 14 training courses. In addition a senior manager is undertaking a 12 month leadership programme at a cost of £10,500.
The cost of each course is broken down as follows:
£1,315.00
£464.13
£2,240.00
£450.00
£665.00
£176.25
£176.25
£395.00
£395.00
£395.00
£2,750.00
£39.50
£908.50
£908.50
Railways: Electrification
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date the Government informed the Welsh Assembly Government of its decision not to proceed with proposals to electrify the rail line between South Wales and London. [12034]
Mrs Gillan: No such decision has been taken.
Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the Government's decision on proposals for the electrification of the rail line between South Wales and London. [12035]
Mrs Gillan: I am meeting my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport on 9 September 2010 and I have recently written to my right hon. Friend regarding the issue of rail electrification.
Taxis
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department and its predecessor spent on taxi fares in each year since 1997. [12979]
Mr David Jones: The Wales Office was established in July 1999. We do not hold records on the amount spent on taxi fares prior to 2002.
My Department has spent the following amounts on taxis:
| £ | |
Wines
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much her Department and its predecessor spent on wine in each year since 1997. [12816]
Mr David Jones: There has been no Wales Office expenditure on wine since my appointment.
For previous, Wales Office records do not disaggregate the cost of wine from other expenditure for ministerial receptions.
International Development
Afghanistan: Overseas Aid
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much development aid his Department has allocated to Afghanistan in each year since 2002. [12762]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) has spent aid in Afghanistan since 2002 as follows:
| £ million | |
The 2010-11 commitment will rise in light of the Prime Minister's announcement of a £200 million uplift up to 2013-14. However, allocations by year have not yet been finalised.
British Council
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether any work undertaken by the British Council is classed as aid for the purposes of monitoring performance against the commitment in the Coalition Agreement to spend 0.7 per cent. of gross national income on aid. [11800]
Mr Duncan: Any work undertaken by the British Council that meets the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) definition of Official Development Assistance (ODA) will be classed as aid for purposes of monitoring performance against the commitment to spend 0.7% of gross national income on aid.
Departmental Billing
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of payments made by his 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. [11163]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) paid the following percentage of suppliers within 10 days of receipt of invoice in the last three months. DFID does not hold payment performance information against agreed payment terms or specifically relating to small and medium-sized enterprise suppliers.
| Percentage payments made within 10 days | |
Departmental Fines
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many transport-related fines his Department has settled on behalf of its staff in each year since 2005; and what the cost to the public purse was in each year. [13309]
Mr Duncan: DFID had one transport related fine of £30 paid on behalf of staff. The payment was made in 2007.
Departmental Pensions
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost was of pension contributions incurred by (a) his Department and (b) each non-departmental public body for which he is responsible in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2010-11. [12493]
Mr Duncan: The cost of pension contributions incurred by the Department for International Development (DFID) is as follows:
| £ | |||
| Financial year | Total employers contributions (ASLCs) paid to the PCSPS. (Classic, Classic+, Premium, Nuvos) | Total employers partnership contributions paid to the partnership providers. (Scottish Widows, Standard Life, TUC/Prudential) | Employer's contributions to the PCSPS to cover death in service and ill health benefits of partnership optants (0.8%) |
| (1 )From financial year 2009-10, the Department for International Development has included the employer's pension contributions of its locally engaged overseas staff in the staff costs entry in its resource accounts. In 2009-10 these costs were approximately £225,000. (2) Projected figures. | |||
DFID has one non-departmental public body, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK (CSCUK). No pension contributions were paid by CSCUK in the last three financial years. CSCUK does not plan to make pension contributions in 2010-11.
East Kilbride
Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff at each (a) grade and (b) pay band are employed at his Department's offices at (i) Abercrombie House, East Kilbride and (ii) Palace Street, London SW1. [12162]
Mr Duncan: In the Department for International Development, grade and pay band are aligned. Therefore, the grade and the pay band are the same.
As at 30 June 2010 the numbers of Home civil service (HCS) staff in (i) Abercrombie House, East Kilbride and (ii) Palace street, London, by job grade, were:
| Grade | Pay band (£) | East Kilbride | London | Total |
Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will ensure that the work of his Department's evaluation section will stay in East Kilbride. [12165]
Mr Andrew Mitchell:
The Department for International Development's (DFID's) Evaluation Department will remain in East Kilbride with substantial changes to its
role, size and staffing. Once established in 2011, the Independent Aid Watchdog will commission all independent evaluations, while the role of the Evaluation Department will focus on embedding rigorous evaluation within DFID programmes as part of a wider drive on evidence.
Mr McCann: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps have been taken to make his Department's evaluation section based in East Kilbride independent of his Department. [12166]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Once the Independent Aid Watchdog is established in 2011, it will commission all independent evaluations of the Department for International Development (DFID). DFID's Evaluation Department based in East Kilbride will continue to exist but its role will change significantly, from delivering evaluations to supporting policy and operational staff in embedding rigorous evaluation within DFID programmes.
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he intends to retain the evaluation unit based at his Department's headquarters in East Kilbride. [11657]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development's (DFID's) Evaluation Department based in East Kilbride will continue to exist with substantial changes to its role, size and staffing. Once established in 2011, the Independent Aid Watchdog will commission all independent evaluations, while the role of the Evaluation Department will focus on embedding rigorous evaluation within DFID programmes as part of a wider drive on evidence.
Gaza: Humanitarian Aid
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on whether goods requested for import to Gaza by humanitarian agencies not listed in the publication Gaza: Dual Use Arrangements, published on 4 July 2010, have been denied access. [11539]
Mr Duncan: Neither the Secretary of State nor I have had discussions with the Government of Israel regarding access for goods requested by humanitarian agencies for import to Gaza which are not on the dual use list.
Department for International Development (DFID) officials continue to raise the issue of access for humanitarian goods with the relevant Israeli authorities.
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he has requested information from his Israeli counterpart on whether any (a) humanitarian and (b) commercial items have been refused or delayed entry to Gaza by the Israeli authorities since the Israeli Prime Minister's announcement on 5 July 2010; and if he will make a statement. [11536]
Mr Duncan: Neither the Secretary of State nor I have requested information from the Government of Israel regarding humanitarian or commercial items that have been refused access or have been delayed.
Department for International Development (DFID) officials continue to raise the issue of access for humanitarian and commercial goods with the relevant Israeli authorities.
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent reports he has received on (a) the access arrangements and (b) the daily number of laden goods vehicles transiting the Karni crossing to Gaza. [12842]
Mr Duncan: The only goods currently permitted through the Karni crossing into Gaza are those which can be transferred via the conveyor belt. This includes grain, animal feed, and aggregates.
Statistics compiled by the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) show that 604 truckloads worth of goods entered Gaza through Karni between 1 and 23 August. With Karni currently operating two days per week, this equates to an average of 86 truckloads per day.
Data on import volumes into Gaza are published online by the UN at:
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he last made representations to the Israeli authorities on reopening the Karni crossing into Gaza; and what response he received. [12947]
Mr Duncan: Neither the Secretary of State nor I have discussed the Karni crossing with the Israeli authorities. In early August, senior officials from the Department for International Development (DFID) discussed Gaza with General Dangot, the Co-ordinator for Government Activities in the Territories. General Dangot cited security concerns as the reason for not fully reopening Karni.
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the highest number of import and export truckloads passing through the Karni commercial crossing between Israel and Gaza between November 2005 and June 2007. [12948]
Mr Duncan: The United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the period of greatest activity between November 2005 and June 2007 was 4 to 17 February 2006. An average of 414 truckloads of goods entered and 62 truckloads left Gaza through the Karni crossing each day it was operational during this period.
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports he has received of the reasons given by the Israeli government for not reopening the Karni crossing; and whether he has made an assessment of the reasons for its continued closure. [12951]
Mr Duncan: The Government of Israel has cited security concerns as the reason for not fully reopening the Karni crossing. The UK Government are continuing to work closely with the international community to assist in delivering practical solutions to the many access issues currently facing Gaza.
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent reports he has received on the truckload capacity of the Kerem Shalom crossing point for imports and exports to Gaza, excluding fuel. [12952]
Mr Duncan: According to the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 924 truckloads of goods entered Gaza through Kerem Shalom in the period 8 to 12 August. The highest daily amount entering Gaza was 211 truckloads on 9 August. Since the beginning of August Israel has expanded the import capacity of Kerem Shalom to 250 truckloads. However there is currently no capacity for processing exports.
Data on import volumes entering Gaza are published online by the UN at
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the levels of access to Gaza for workers and for the import of humanitarian goods since Prime Minister Netanyahu's announcements of 20 June and 5 July 2010. [12021]
Mr Duncan: Since the announcements made by Prime Minister Netanyahu, the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported an increase in the amount of goods entering Gaza, including humanitarian goods.
Humanitarian organisations continue to report delays in processing approvals for a number of items needed for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of vital infrastructure. Difficulties in obtaining the necessary visas or permits for the staff of humanitarian organisations to enter or leave Gaza have also been reported.
The UK is funding a United Nations team to work with the Government of Israel, the Palestinian Authority, UN agencies and aid agencies to facilitate the transfer of goods and the movement of humanitarian workers.
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had in the United Nations on his Department's contribution to the costs incurred by UN agencies in (a) providing food and other humanitarian assistance to the population of Gaza and (b) transporting goods to Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing since June 2007. [13081]
Mr Duncan: Neither the Secretary of State nor I have had discussions in the United Nations (UN) about the Department of International Development's (DFID) contribution to costs incurred by UN agencies in the provision of aid to Gaza, or for transporting aid through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
DFID funds a UN team who help co-ordinate and facilitate the movement of aid and other necessary items into Gaza to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
International Assistance: Climate Change
Mr Douglas Alexander:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will discuss with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury the continuation of
the policy of the previous administration that not more than 10 per cent. of development assistance be used in respect of climate change. [11656]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: Our position on climate finance is clear. Fast Start finance, covering 2010-12, will come out of Official Development Assistance (ODA), as committed by the previous Government. Climate finance beyond this period is to be determined as part of the UK's comprehensive spending review (CSR), which will report in the autumn.
Overseas Aid
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of reported official development assistance was spent by Government departments other than his Department in each year since 1997. [12433]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The percentage of Official Development Assistance (ODA) provided by Government Departments other than the Department for International Development (DFID) in each year since 1997 is provided in the following table. This includes contributions from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence to the Conflict Pool, which is managed jointly by these Departments and DFID. Figures for 2009 also include a contribution from the Department of Energy and Climate Change to the Environmental Transformation Fund, which is also managed jointly with DFID.
| Percentage ODA | |
| (1) 2009 figures are provisional. Final figures will be published in Statistics on International Development 2010. | |
Overseas Trade
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he plans to publish a new strategy on trade and development. [12210]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills is developing a White Paper on trade. I will be working closely with him and with Lord Brittan, the Government's trade adviser, to ensure that this White Paper sets out an ambitious trade agenda that supports both UK businesses and wealth creation that advances global poverty reduction.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he plans to retain the joint Department for International Development and Business, Innovation and Skills Trade Unit. [12211]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Government will retain and strengthen the joint Department for International Development (DFID) and Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Trade Policy Unit.
Trade Unions
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has paid to trade unions in each year since 1997; and what estimate he has made of the monetary value of facilities provided by his Department for use by trade unions in each year since 1997. [11703]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development's (DFID) annual publication "Statistics on International Development" (SID) gives details of DFID expenditure through civil society organisations, including trade unions. Details are in the following link:
Details of payments to civil society organisations for previous years can be found in back copies of SID, available in the House of Commons Library.
Similar information in relation to payments made in 2009-10 will be released in the new edition of Statistics in International Development, to be published in the autumn. Summary details of current DFID-funded projects are published on the Department's website:
DFID provides one room for use by our full-time trade union official in our East Kilbride office and another room is available if required for trade union business in our London office.
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many paid manpower hours civil servants in his Department spent on trade union-related duties and activities in each year since 1997. [11704]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not collate this information centrally and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
DFID follows the ACAS code of practice "Time off for Trade Union Duties and Activities".
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many civil servants in his Department 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. [11705]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not collate this information centrally and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
DFID has one full-time member of staff allocated to trade union activities under a "facility time" agreement. This member of staff represents the departmental trade union side and members of both the First Division Association (FDA) and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS). In 2008-09 the salary of that
staff member was in the range £25,000 to £30,000 a year; and in 2009-10 it was in the range of £30,000 to £35,000 a year.
DFID has three other staff who are elected trade union representatives. However, these individuals only spend a minimal amount of time on trade union activity. Details are recorded by line managers and are not collated centrally.
Northern Ireland
Departmental Allowances
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on (a) reimbursement of staff expenses and (b) the 10 largest staff expense reimbursement claims in each year since 1997. [13038]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
However, the amount spent on the reimbursement of staff expenses for the period from 12 April 2010 to 31 July 2010 for the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), excluding its Executive NDPB, is £59,445.
The 10 largest individual staff expense reimbursement claims within the aforementioned period are listed in the following table:
| Claim | £ |
Departmental Assets
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which former (a) buildings and (b) land owned by (i) his Department and (ii) (A) non-departmental public bodies and (B) agencies for which his Department is responsible have been sold since May 2005; what the sale price of each was at the time of sale; and to which body the funds from the sale accrued in each case. [12346]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
In the period since 12 April 2010, neither the Department nor its non-departmental public body has sold any buildings or land.
Departmental Billing
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in July and August 2010. [13286]
Mr Paterson: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) made the following percentage of payments to suppliers within 10 days of receipt of invoice:
| Month | Percentage |
| (1) Not currently available. | |
It is not possible to provide the requested information in relation to August 2010.
Departmental Buildings
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much office space per employee his Department occupied in each year since 1997. [13000]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
In the period since 12 April 2010, the core Department occupied approximately 12.35 square metres of office space per employee in its offices in Belfast and London.
Departmental Consultants
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) average and (b) highest daily rate paid to consultants by his Department was in each of the last five years. [13062]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
Since 12 April 2010, the Northern Ireland Office has made no payments for consultancy services.
Departmental Empty Property
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on vacant properties in each year since 1997. [13019]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
In the period since 12 April, the Department has not spent any money on vacant properties.
Departmental Fines
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many transport-related fines his Department has settled on behalf of its staff in each year since 2005; and what the cost to the public purse was in each year. [13288]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
In the period since 12 April 2010, the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) did not settle any transport-related fines on behalf of its staff.
Departmental Furniture
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many chairs his Department has purchased in each year since 1997; how much it spent in each such year; and what the five most expensive chairs purchased in each such year were. [12799]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
In the period since 12 April 2010, the Department has not purchased any new chairs.
Departmental ICT
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which IT contracts awarded by his Department in each of the last five years have been abandoned; and what the monetary value of each such contract was. [12726]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
In the period since 12 April, the Department has not abandoned any IT contracts.
Departmental Pensions
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of pension contributions incurred by (a) his Department and (b) each (i) non-departmental public body and (ii) executive agency for which he is responsible in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2010-11. [12495]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
It is not possible to provide an accurate figure for planned expenditure during this financial year as the amount will depend on variants such as staffing changes which cannot be accurately predicted at this time.
We do however estimate that the cost of pension contributions for 2010-11 could be approximately £2.04 million for the Department and all of its sponsored bodies.
Departmental Rents
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was paid by his Department in rent for properties in (a) total and (b) each (i) region and (ii) nation of the UK in each of the last five years. [12347]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
In the period since 12 April 2010 to the end of July, the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has spent a total of £547,754 on property rental. Of this amount, £133,129 was spent on properties in Belfast and £414,625 on properties in London.
Departmental Training
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many external training courses were attended by staff of his Department in the last 12 months; and what the cost to the public purse was of each such course. [13287]
Mr Paterson: From 12 April to 31 August 2010, two members of staff have attended external training courses at a cost of £746.63.
For the period 1 September 2009 to 11 April 2010, comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
Taxis
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on taxi fares in each year since 1997. [12981]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
From 12 April 2010 to 31 July 2010, the Department has spent £3,587 on taxi fares.
These figures exclude taxi fares paid by employees and reimbursed as miscellaneous expenses. These costs can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) keeps the cost of travel on official business under regular review. Departmental guidance requires all staff to use the most efficient means of transport.
Wines
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on wine in each year since 1997. [12818]
Mr Paterson: Comparable figures for the Department as it is now configured are not available following the completion of devolution on 12 April 2010.
Since 12 April, the Department has spent £360.61 on wine.
Justice
Civil Litigation Costs Review
Damian Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects to complete his assessment of the implications of the principal recommendations of the report by Lord Justice Jackson on civil litigation costs; and if he will make a statement. [12299]
Mr Djanogly: The Government are very grateful to Lord Justice Jackson for his comprehensive report which makes a broad range of significant recommendations for reducing costs in the civil justice system. As I announced to the House on 26 July 2010, Official Report, column 68WS, we will be consulting in the autumn on implementing Lord Justice Jackson's recommendations on the reform of funding arrangements. This will include in particular the recommendations on the significant reform of conditional fee agreements (CFAs) and other related proposals. The Government are taking these proposals forward as a matter of priority.
Prisoners: Video Games
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many prisoners have (a) gaming consoles and (b) digital televisions in their cells; and what channels are available to prisoners with televisions in their cells; [10265]
(2) what guidance his Department provides to prisons about the eligibility of prisoners in each category to have access to (a) Sky, (b) digital television and (c) gaming consoles in their cells. [10266]
Mr Blunt: The number of prisoners who have gaming consoles in their cells is not held centrally and could be found only at disproportionate cost.
Since 23 July 2008, no public money has been used to purchase games consoles or games. A one-off survey in 2008 identified that at that time over 11,000 prisoners had games consoles in their possession. This figure has not been updated since then and there are no plans to do so now that no consoles are provided at public expense.
Only prisoners on the enhanced level of the Incentives and Earned Privileges scheme are allowed to have in possession or to use games consoles that have been purchased with their own money or given to them by family or friends. The current policy is set out in PSI 32/2008: Restricting Prisoner Access to Games Consoles which is available in the Libraries of both Houses.
Access to in-cell television is one of the key earnable privileges of the Incentives and Earned Privileges scheme. PSO 4000 Incentives and Earned Privileges sets out the current policy and is available in the Libraries of both Houses. Prisoners pay a rental charge for their television sets. Prisoners who do not reach the standards of behaviour expected lose their right to in-cell television.
No prisoners have digital televisions sets in their cells. In line with the rest of the population, prisons are preparing for the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting. In the 62 establishments where digital channels are available, and where prisoners have earned Standard or Enhanced Privileges under the IEP scheme, prisoners have access to nine free-to-view channels in-cell. These are BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky News Sport (E4 in female prisons), ITV3, VIVA and Film 4. Governors have discretion to change any of these channels to other free-to-view channels if they wish.
In addition a number of prisoners have non-subscription set top boxes bought with their own money. However, in October 2006, public sector prisons were instructed that no new set top boxes were to be allowed as they will not operate with the digital head-end conversion system, although existing ones could remain until the digital equipment was installed.
No prisoners in public sector prisons have satellite television in their cells. It is available in association areas only in two public sector prisons. In contracted prisons, approximately 4,070 prisoners had access to satellite TV in their cells as of 10 December 2009.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Agriculture: Subsidies
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of outstanding claims under the single payment scheme in each year of the operation of that scheme has been paid to claimants in the form of an advance. [11135]
Mr Paice: The information is not readily accessible and I will write with the information when it is available, with a copy being placed in the House Library.
Crime: Dogs
Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she plans to take to reduce the use of attack dogs in criminal activity. [13091]
Mr Paice: The Government take the matter of dangerous dogs very seriously. A public consultation on dangerous dogs legislation closed on 1 June 2010. We are currently analysing the responses and will make an announcement about the way ahead in due course.
Departmental Assets
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which former (a) buildings and (b) land owned by (i) her Department and (ii) (A) non-departmental public bodies and (B) agencies for which her Department is responsible have been sold since May 2005; what the sale price of each was at the time of sale; and to which body the funds from the sale accrued in each case. [12336]
Richard Benyon: A table listing the freehold property interests that have been sold by (i) the Department and (ii) (A) non-departmental public bodies and (B) agencies since 2005, the sale price and the body to which the receipt accrued, has been placed in the House Library.
This is a consolidated response for DEFRA, including its executive agencies, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and Natural England.
Departmental Buildings
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much office space per employee her Department and its predecessor occupied in each year since 1997. [13002]
Richard Benyon: The amount of office space occupied per employee as measured by the mandated Office of Government Commerce Property Benchmarking exercise for DEFRA, for the years from 2004 is as follows. These figures include (from 2007-08) data for Natural England, one of our NDPBs, which is included in the OGC data.
| Square metre | |
Departmental Empty Property
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department and its predecessor spent on vacant properties in each year since 1997. [13021]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA has spent the following amounts on wholly vacant property that have been vacant for in excess of six months: £3,907,506 (2007-08); £5,548,874 (2008-09); £6,601,935(2009-10).
DEFRA is unable to supply the vacant property costs for the financial years prior to 2007-08 without incurring disproportionate cost.
Departmental Pensions
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 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 each region of England in each of the last three financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2010-11. [12474]
Richard Benyon: The cost of pension contributions incurred by the Department, its executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies in each of the last three financial years and planned expenditure for 2010-11 is shown in the following table. It has not been possible to split costs by each of the English Regions as this information is not held centrally and would be available only at disproportionate cost. Data are provided for those non-departmental public bodies that are required to submit a pay remit to the core-Department. Data for DEFRA's other NDPBs are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
| £ | ||||
| Organisation | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
The Marine Management Organisation was created as a non-departmental public body on 1 April 2010. Prior to this the organisation's staff were part of the core-Department and their pension contributions are included in core-DEFRA figures.
The Sustainable Development Commission was created as a non-departmental public body on 1 April 2009. Prior to this the organisation's staff were part of the core-Department and their pension contributions are included in core-DEFRA figures.
The Food and Environment Research Agency was created on 1 April 2009. Data prior to this relate to the former Central Science Laboratory.
Planed expenditure on pensions contributions for 2010-11 is based on each organisation's current staff profile.
Departmental Public Bodies
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with public bodies within her Department's area of responsibility on the proposals to be contained in the Public Bodies (Reform) Bill. [12507]
Richard Benyon: The Government are committed to increasing the accountability of public bodies and reducing their number and cost. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has announced to Parliament a number of changes to the DEFRA delivery landscape. Ministers and officials from this Department have an ongoing dialogue with other Government Departments and DEFRA's delivery network including our arms-length bodies.
Discussions are taking place across Government about the appropriate means of effecting these changes and to inform planning. The Government expect to make an announcement on the proposed Public Bodies (Reform) Bill in the autumn.
Departmental Rents
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was paid by her Department in rent for properties in (a) total and (b) each (i) region and (ii) nation of the UK in each of the last five years. [12337]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA paid the following amounts for the rental of property in each of the last five years in each of the categories requested above. This return includes Core DEFRA and Natural England.
(a) Total rent payable for DEFRA properties for past five years.
| Financial year | Total rent payable (£) |
(b) (i) Total rent payable per Government Office Region for past five years.
| £ | |||||
| Region | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
(b) (ii) Total rent payable per country for past five years.
| Total rent payable | |||
| £ | |||
| Financial year | England | Wales | Scotland |
(c) Total rent payable for properties in London for past five years.
| Financial year | Total rent payable (£) |
Garages and Petrol Stations: Rural Areas
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department monitors the number of petrol outlets in rural areas. [12932]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA does not collect this information, but the Commission for Rural Communities has commissioned independent analytical advice.
In 2010, 34% of petrol stations are in rural areas (2,294 out of a total of 6,849).
Since 2009, the number of petrol stations decreased by 8% in rural areas and 4% in urban areas (5% in England).
In 2000, 81% of rural households were within 4km of a petrol station by road. In 2010, the percentage was 74%.
Inland Waterways
Mr Spencer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will issue guidance to local authorities on responsibilities for the clearance and maintenance of waterways. [12683]
Richard Benyon: No. Local authorities that are navigation authorities are responsible for the operation and maintenance of waterways in their care. Where waterways are the responsibility of other navigation authorities, as is usually the case, local authorities can, according to their own priorities, choose to work in partnership with the navigation authority on issues such as the clearance of litter and debris alongside waterways.
In addition the Environment Agency has the power, in connection with a main river, to maintain any watercourse in a due state of efficiency where it deems it necessary to remove debris for the purpose of alleviating flood risk .
Inland Waterways: Leeds
Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to ensure that the Leeds and Liverpool Canal remains open; and if she will allocate funding to increase the level of maintenance of that canal. [12899]
Richard Benyon: Allocation of funding for the maintenance of the Leeds and Liverpool canal is a matter for British Waterways, which maintains its waterways using a risk based approach in order to ensure that its network remains in a reasonable and safe condition.
The present primary closure is due to severe drought causing depletion of the reservoirs feeding the canal, and British Waterways is doing all it can to conserve water levels. It will reopen the canal as soon as sufficient water supplies become available.
Private Roads: Almondbank
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to her Department's letter, ref mc178586, dated 19 April 2010, what progress has been made on discussions with the Scottish Executive on matters relating to the transfer of the solum of the roadway to Site 6 at Almondbank. [12207]
Richard Benyon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 July 2010, Official Report, column 856W.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to her Department's letter, ref mc167191/rt, dated 3 February 2010, what progress has been made on discussions with the Scottish Ministers on the issue of maintenance burdens on estate roads within the site 5/6 complex at Almondbank. [12208]
Richard Benyon: While the principle of release of maintenance burdens has been communicated to the Scottish Executive, there are currently no ongoing discussions in respect of the maintenance burdens associated with the estates roads serving Sites 5 & 6 Almondbank, Perthshire.
Sustainable Development Commission
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she held with the (a) Scottish Executive, (b) Welsh Assembly Government and (c) Northern Ireland Assembly Government in advance of the announcement to reduce the level of funding to the Sustainable Development Commission. [12204]
Mr Paice: The Secretary of State wrote to the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales and the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland on 14 July 2010 to inform them that she was planning to announce on 22 July 2010 that she would be withdrawing funding for the Sustainable Development Commission. All of the Ministers replied to the letter.
The Secretary of State also had a phone conversation on 19 July 2010 with the Welsh Assembly Government's Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing to discuss the decision and future arrangements.
Whales: Conservation
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will assess the merits requiring fishermen to take steps to reduce the number of dolphins and porpoises killed as by-catch by means of (a) changes to net design and (b) the fitting of an acoustic deterrent to fishing craft; and if she will make a statement; [12572]
(2) what estimate she made of the number of (a) dolphins and (b) porpoises killed as bycatch in the last 12 months; what steps she is taking to reduce the level of cetacean by-catch; and if she will make a statement. [12573]
Richard Benyon: In 2009, our detailed monitoring programme indicated by-catch mortality figures of 260 common dolphins and 620 harbour porpoises in UK Waters.
The UK is committed to avoiding the by-catch of cetaceans wherever possible. We have and continue to undertake focused research and monitoring programmes to better understand, and so reduce, the incidental by-catch of cetaceans.
In terms of net design, as part of a five-year research contract between the Sea Mammal Research Unit and DEFRA that ended in 2008, research was conducted into modifications to fishing gear to reduce the by-catch of small cetaceans. This research produced inconclusive results, and highlighted the need to focus effort on developing more effective deterrents to prevent capture, such as acoustic devices.
The focus of our current research and monitoring is, therefore, to identify those fisheries responsible for high levels of cetacean by-catch, and to test acoustic deterrents that are effective at preventing cetacean bycatch in these fisheries. We are committed to finding an acoustic deterrent that is both safe for fishermen to use, and effective at deterring cetaceans from fishing gear, and eagerly await the results of this research, due in April next year.
Energy and Climate Change
Carbon Emissions
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate his Department has made of the proportion of UK carbon dioxide contribution emissions attributable to (a) aviation, (b) road vehicles, (c) power stations, (d) industry and (e) domestic households. [12754]
Gregory Barker: The most recent year for which emissions estimates are available is 2008. These estimates were published as National Statistics on 25 March 2010.
The proportion of UK carbon dioxide emissions attributable to the sectors in question can be found in the following table. It should be noted that the figures for aviation represent domestic aviation only. We do produce an estimate of emissions from international aviation, but since there is no agreed international approach to doing so, these emissions are not included in the UK total.
| Carbon dioxide emissions-by end-user sector | ||
| Sector | CO 2 emissions (Mt) | Percentage of total |
Carbon dioxide emissions from power stations totalled 173.2 Mt for the year (32.5% of total carbon dioxide emissions); these have been attributed to other "end-user" sectors in the table.
For further information, please see the following link.
Carbon Emissions: ICT
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate his Department has made of the annual amount of carbon dioxide emissions attributable to the IT industry. [12953]
Gregory Barker: The Department of Energy and Climate Change does not hold any data specifically in respect of emissions from the IT industry.
Civil Nuclear Constabulary
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what regard he has to pay scales for police forces set by the Secretary of State for the Home Department in establishing pay policy for the Civil Nuclear Constabulary; and if he will make a statement. [13070]
Charles Hendry: Pay policy for the CNC is the responsibility of the Civil Nuclear Police Authority (CNPA), a non-departmental public body for which my Department is responsible.
CNC police officer pay scales and other terms and conditions are linked to relevant Home Office police terms and conditions, and remuneration is determined by the established link with the outcome of negotiations for the police negotiating body structure for Home Office Forces. The original principles determining the basic pay of members of CNC (up to and including Chief Superintendent ranks) is that it is linked to the pay of corresponding members of the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) which, in turn, is linked to that of Home Office Police taking account of the 95% weighting (i.e. MDP and CNC pay is set at 95% of Home Office Police force pay). Ranks above Chief Superintendent i.e. Chief Police Officer ranks have personally negotiated contracts that are aligned to Level 1.0 of the Police Negotiating Board agreed Chief Officer pay scales.
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the strategic direction of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary; and if he will make a statement. [13071]
Charles Hendry: DECC Ministers and officials meet representatives of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary and the Civil Nuclear Police Authority on a regular basis to discuss the performance and strategic direction of the Constabulary.
DECC Ministers and officials work closely with relevant Government Departments on matters relating to the strategic direction and operation of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, including the Home Office, given its wider responsibilities for national security, counter terrorism and policing.
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the safety of UK (a) nuclear sites and (b) nuclear materials. [13072]
Charles Hendry: The Government's policy is to secure the protection of people and society from the hazards of the nuclear industry by ensuring an appropriate regulatory framework is in place and by ensuring compliance with that framework through the actions of the health and safety regulator (the Health and Safety Executive). It is also the Government's policy to influence the nuclear sector to strive for continuous improvement in its health, safety and security performance.
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what arrangements there are for the (a) oversight, (b) regulation and (c) strategic direction of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. [13073]
Charles Hendry: The Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) is responsible for operational policing to meet the regulatory requirements to protect UK civil nuclear installations and nuclear material during transport, it is the executive arm of the Civil Nuclear Police Authority (CNPA), a non-departmental public body for which DECC is responsible.
The CNPA was set up by the Energy Act 2004 and came into being in April 2005. Its role is to "secure the maintenance of an efficient and effective constabulary" and the primary function of the CNC is to protect civil
licensed nuclear sites and safeguard nuclear material during transport in the UK and elsewhere.
The Office for Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) sets the regulatory requirements for the security of UK nuclear installations through the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 (as amended). OCNS does so on the basis of the Nuclear Industries Malicious Capabilities (Planning) Assumptions (NIMCA) and assesses the vulnerabilities of individual civil nuclear installations, agreeing site security plans with holders of nuclear material and transport plans and the testing security arrangements at sites through exercises. These plans will include the role of the CNC at the sites where they are deployed.
In addition, the CNC is subject to inspection by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. The CNPA is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the CNC. Under the Energy Act 2004, it is required to publish a Strategic Policing Plan each year setting out the Police Authority's medium and long-term strategies for policing by the Constabulary during the three year period beginning with that year. This plan must be sent to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.
DECC Ministers and officials meet representatives of the CNC, CNPA and OCNS on a regular basis to discuss the performance and strategic direction of the Constabulary and the wider issues of ensuring there is a robust framework for civil nuclear security in the UK.
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what arrangements exist between (a) his Department, (b) the Home Department, (c) the Health and Safety Executive and (d) the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills on the operation of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. [13074]
Charles Hendry: DECC works closely with relevant Government Departments on matters relating to the operation of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, including the Home Office, given its wider responsibilities for national security, counter terrorism and policing. DECC also works as appropriate with the Health and Safety Executive, which regulates civil nuclear security, on matters relating to civil nuclear security, including the policing of civil nuclear sites. DECC works with other Departments as appropriate, including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which has a more limited interest via the Shareholder Executive's role with regard to those sites owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority where the Civil Nuclear Constabulary operates.
Departmental Allowances
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department spent on (a) reimbursement of staff expenses and (b) the 10 largest staff expense reimbursement claims in each year since its creation. [13046]
Gregory Barker: The information requested is as follows:
(a) Since its creation on 3 October 2008, the Department of Energy and Climate Change has spent on reimbursement of staff expenses as follows:
| £ | |
(b) The 10 largest staff reimbursement claims by value are as follows:
| £ | |
Departmental Assets
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which former (a) buildings and (b) land owned by (i) his Department and (ii) (A) non-departmental public bodies and (B) agencies for which his Department is responsible have been sold since May 2005; what the sale price of each was at the time of sale; and to which body the funds from the sale accrued in each case. [12348]
Gregory Barker: The information requested is as follows:
(i) The Department of Energy and Climate Change does not own land and buildings.
(ii) The Department is responsible for four non departmental public bodies of which the Committee on Climate Change and the Civil Nuclear Police Authority have not disposed any former buildings or land since May 2005.
Land and Buildings disposed by the Coal Authority and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority are shown in the following table.
The buildings that the NDA has sold since May 2005 are:
| Address | Sale value (£) | |
| (1) Not sold-transferred on a long lease, including staff and pensions liability. | ||
Land NDA has sold since May 2005 is:
| Address | Sale value (£) | |
| Note: Above are subject to commercial confidentiality clauses. | ||
The buildings that the Coal Authority has sold since May 2005 are:
Land that the Coal Authority has sold since May 2005 is:
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |