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6 Sep 2010 : Column 213W—continued
Departmental Consultants
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) average and (b) highest daily rate paid to consultants by his Department was in each of the last five years. [12657]
Alistair Burt: Responsibility for procuring external consultants within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is devolved to individual FCO directorates, departments, executive agencies and overseas posts. Information on individual daily rates are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Furniture
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [12793]
Alistair Burt: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental ICT
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [12730]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not cancelled any significant information technology projects during the past five years. To provide more detailed information, on small individual projects, would incur disproportionate cost.
Departmental Manpower
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's specialist human rights staff were posted overseas on the most recent date for which information is available; at which locations each is based; how long each has been in post; at which previous locations each has served his Department; and if he will make a statement. [12759]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) offers human rights training to all staff, particularly those going out to posts overseas. All overseas missions have a responsibility to monitor and raise human rights with their host countries and therefore many FCO staff posted overseas, including ambassadors, work on human rights issues. Staff recruited locally to work at posts overseas may also work on human rights issues. We cannot provide more detailed information or the proportion of time staff spend working on human rights issues overseas without incurring disproportionate cost.
EU External Relations
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what intergovernmental meetings outside the geographical area of the EU the EU was represented as an entity in the last 12 months. [11210]
Mr Lidington: The EU attends a large number of intergovernmental meetings either in its capacity as an international organisation or as an observer. The Government do not keep a central record of all these meetings. The information cannot therefore be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.
Philip Davies:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in respect of which international organisations representatives of
the EU have an increased right of participation to represent Community interests since the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon. [11211]
Mr Lidington: The Lisbon Treaty does not give the EU increased rights of representation in any international organisation. We will carefully examine any request for additional rights of representation for the EU delegation in an international organisation after a thorough cost- benefit analysis of all the legal and political issues. Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty the EU has only sought enhanced observership rights in respect of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Further to my written ministerial statement issued on 14 July 2010, Official Report, column 31-32WS we agree that the EU delegation should have these rights so that it can represent EU member states in the same way as the EU rotating presidency has previously done. Our support for the proposed UNGA resolution does not imply agreement to additional rights for the EU in any other forums.
European External Action Service
Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the contribution of the Minister for Europe in the debate on the European External Action Service of 14 July 2010, Official Report, column 1056, if he will give a detailed breakdown of the £400 million estimated cost of the European External Action Service. [10630]
Mr Lidington [holding answer 22 July 2010]: Any calculation of the cost of the European External Action Service (EEAS) will necessarily be provisional until presentation of the EEAS draft budget, expected in mid-September 2010. We expect that the European Commission will issue an amending letter detailing the redistribution of expenditure. I will deposit this letter in Parliament. However, taking the most recent year for which actual figures are available, 2009, the total cost of the Commission and Council services which, according to provisional plans, will be transferred into the EEAS is in the order of €398.5 million. This figure does not represent the entire cost of the EEAS, which will also include seconded member state nationals, a part of the staff of the EU Special Representatives, and administrative costs which have not yet been fully laid out. This figure is based on the assumption (subject to some change as details are worked through) that the units that will move are:
the Directorate-General for External Relations (DG Relex) (although not all staff in delegations);
half of Directorate-General Development (including staff in delegations);
half of the cost to DG Relex of delegations;
12.5% of the non-building (ie staff and ancillary costs) of the Council Secretariat.
The costs of these four items for the last year for which we have actual figures of money spent, 2009, are: €11 million; €97.4 million; €128 million; and €59 million. This gives a combined total of €398.5 million.
Gambia: Elections
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the government of Gambia on the conduct of elections in that country in 2011. [11567]
Mr Bellingham: The UK, as Permanent Representative of the Presidency of the European Union (EU) in The Gambia, has raised issues surrounding the upcoming elections during the consultation process under Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement between EU countries and the Gambia. The UK is also active in International Donor Group meetings with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) which are designed to assist in the capacity building and strengthening of the IEC and other local civil society organisations to organise credible elections.
Hezbollah
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Israeli, (b) Egyptian, (c) Lebanese and (d) US counterpart on bilateral counter-terrorist co-operation, with particular reference to action in respect of Hezbollah. [12577]
Alistair Burt: The UK has ongoing dialogue with these countries on a wide range of bilateral co-operation issues, including counter-terrorism.
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with (a) his Israeli counterpart, (b) his Egyptian counterpart, (c) his Lebanese counterpart and (d) his US counterpart on Hezbollah's military capability in southern Lebanon. [12963]
Alistair Burt: During my recent visit to Lebanon, I raised the issue of Hezbollah's military capability with Foreign Minister Ali Shami and with Prime Minister Hariri, underlining the need for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and for tackling Hezbollah disarmament.
Indonesia: EU External Relations
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether religious freedom was discussed as a priority in the recent EU-Indonesia human rights dialogue; and what assessment he made of the outcomes of that dialogue. [11571]
Mr Jeremy Browne: At the UK's request, freedom of religion was included as a substantive item on the agenda of the first EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue held in June 2010. The EU noted Indonesia's efforts in promoting interfaith dialogue and raised concerns over the persecution of the Ahmadiyya community and recent attacks on Christians.
The dialogue was constructive. Agreement was reached to take forward co-operation in support of the Association of South East Asian Nations Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights in multilateral forums (such as the Human Rights Council) and to explore possible assistance for juvenile justice and efforts to combat child labour, trafficking and child sexual exploitation in Indonesia.
Intergovernmental Conference
Philip Davies:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) the agenda and (b) each
other paper circulated to participants relating to each Inter-governmental Conference attended by the UK before each such conference. [11263]
Mr Lidington: I have placed a copy of the recent Protocol concerning the composition of the European Parliament in the Library of the House.
The other information requested can be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
International Atomic Energy Agency: Finance
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding his Department allocated to the International Atomic Energy Agency in each of the last five years. [12686]
Alistair Burt: The UK's Global Threat Reduction Programme, which is run jointly by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Ministry of Defence (MOD), has given the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) a Nuclear Security Fund of £6 million since 2005, paid in two instalments of £2 million in 2006 and £4 million in 2009.
The FCO has also paid the IAEA tax refunds totalling £270,397.55 since 2005, broken down into payments of £5,454 in 2005; £3,219.96 in 2006; £45,541.89 in 2007; £111,282.46 in 2008; and £104,899.24 in 2009. The FCO has not allocated any further funds to the IAEA in each of the last five years, as DECC and the Department for International Development (DFID) are primarily responsible for UK contributions to the Agency.
Iran: Missiles
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the range of Iran's ballistic missiles; [12965]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with his (a) Israeli, (b) US, (c) Egyptian and (d) Jordanian counterpart on the range of Iran's ballistic missiles; [12966]
(3) what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the range of Iran's ballistic missiles. [12967]
Alistair Burt: The Iranian ballistic missile programme continues to be of serious proliferation concern because of their utility as weapons of mass destruction (WMD) delivery systems. Recent developments have greatly increased the range of the missiles and reduced the launch preparation time. This technology has facilitated the construction of a missile capable of delivering a payload both regionally and into western Europe, from Moscow to Greece.
The threat that Iran poses has been at the top of the counter-proliferation agenda, with the UK working with others on six UN Security Council Resolutions condemning Iran's activities. These have repeatedly called for the cessation of Iranian enrichment activity, transparency over its nuclear facilities and suspension of its long range ballistic missile programme. During the negotiations of these resolutions, we considered the threat posed by Iran's WMD and ballistic missile programme in its entirety, making it impossible to isolate individual conversations on the missile threat.
The UK rigorously imposes sanctions authorised by these resolutions, including embargoes on the supply of technology for the Iranian missile programme. Complementing this work is the UK membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime that maintains a watch-list on sensitive technology and materials for Iran.
Iraq: Trade Unions
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of Iraq on the effect of its recent ministerial decree regarding trade unions in the electricity industry. [12010]
Alistair Burt: Our ambassador to Iraq met the Acting Electricity Minister on 1 August 2010 to discuss the Ministerial Order of 20 July 2010 relating to activities of unions at the Ministry of Electricity and its departments and sites. Officials from our embassy in Baghdad also raised the issue with the Inspector General of the Ministry of Electricity on 5 August 2010. The UK will continue to encourage the Government of Iraq to ensure a just, fair and International Labour Organisation-compliant union law. The right to form and join trade unions in Iraq is embodied in Article 22 of the Iraqi constitution. This is a principle to which the Government attach great importance and take very seriously.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the position of trade unions in Iraq in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [12011]
Alistair Burt: Officials from our embassy in Baghdad and Consulate General in Erbil have discussed the situation of unions with union representatives in Iraq in the last 12 months. These include representatives from the Electricity, Journalists, Teachers and Kurdish Workers Unions. The right to form and join trade unions in Iraq is embodied in Article 22 of the Iraqi constitution. This is a principle to which the Government attach great importance. The draft Iraqi Labour Code, which will include regulations affecting unions, remains with the Council of Ministers for comment. The UK will continue to encourage the Government of Iraq to ensure a just, fair and International Labour Organisation-compliant union law.
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department holds on the position of trade unions in the electricity sector in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [12012]
Alistair Burt: Officials from our embassy in Baghdad held discussions with the Leader of the Electricity Workers and Employees Union in July and they expressed concern about the current situation relating to unions in Iraq. The Ministry of Electricity has informed officials at our embassy that an investigation into the conduct of activities relating to unions at the Ministry of Electricity is being carried out. The results of the investigation will be made public. We await the outcome of this investigation. We will continue to discuss the situation with Iraqi officials and US and EU colleagues.
Israel
Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to support co-existence education projects in Israel. [10743]
Alistair Burt: Our embassy in Tel Aviv is supporting the Hand in Hand Centre for Jewish-Arab Education in Israel. Our embassy has supported a range of projects through the centre including the development of new IT facilities, a sports field and a music room. The objective of this work is to contribute to a positive educational environment for Jewish and Arab Israeli children based on equality and co-existence.
Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on social equality in Israel. [10746]
Alistair Burt: Our embassy in Israel continues to engage with the Government of Israel and with Israeli civil society on social equality matters in Israel. The UK has also highlighted its concerns in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Annual Report on Human Rights 2009.
Israel: Expenditure
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department paid to (a) B'Tselem, (b) HaMoked, (c) Yesh Din, (d) Ir Amim, (e) Bimkom, (f) the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, (g) the Israeli Committee Against House Demolition, (h) Gisha, (i) Association for Civil Rights in Israel, (j) Peace Now, (k) Mossawa and (l) Breaking the Silence in each financial year since 2005-06; for what purposes those payments were made; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's spending on each such programme or project undertaken by each such organisation. [11499]
Alistair Burt: The tri-departmental Conflict Pool and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Bilateral programme funds support the Government's aim of reducing conflict in the middle east and North Africa region in order to help safeguard British national security. Our Conflict Prevention programmes in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories are jointly managed by the FCO, the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence. They work to improve the political environment in support of the peace process, including tackling difficult issues such as settlements and alleged human rights violations on both sides. Our Bilateral programme strengthens our relations with countries in the middle east and North Africa region. We work with both the Palestinian Authority to enhance their capacity for tackling violence and with Israeli institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Many of the initiatives we support work to promote equality and human rights, build trust between communities, reduce violence inside the Occupied Palestinian Territories and advance peace. The NGOs we work with have helped to raise awareness of Israel's obligations under international law with regard to settlement activity and human rights violations. They also work to ensure due legal process is adhered to by Israeli authorities. Regular
monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of all programmes is a requirement for all our funding commitments. Since we began supporting these programmes there have been a number of changes to Israeli civil and military judicial practice and decisions, and increased public debate on these issues.
A vibrant, independent and diverse civil society is one of Israel's great strengths and we believe that continuing British support will assist in strengthening democratic processes. By raising awareness and creating an environment where people are able to learn more about the situation and realities on the ground, the projects we support play a crucial role in creating sustainable conditions for peace.
Of those NGOs referred to in my hon. Friend's question, the following have been funded through our Conflict Prevention programmes (the Middle East and North Africa Conflict Pool-MENA CP):
Project purpose: Using film and video documentation as a tool for accountability to improve the human rights situation in the west bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. Funding: 2010-11-£135,000 (provisional allocation).
Project purpose: To support freedom of movement for Palestinians in the Occupied Territories through legal and administrative action, advocacy and public education. Funding: 2005-06-£140,000, 2006-07-£150,000.
Project purpose: (2006 to 2008) Using legal action and public advocacy to challenge and ensure compliance with due process within Israeli military courts.
Project purpose: (2008 to 2010) To challenge Israeli settlement construction and increase Palestinian access to lands in the west bank through legal actions and public advocacy. Funding: 2006-07-£55,529, 2007-08-£74,256, 2008-09-£125,000, 2009-10-£142,000, 2010-11-£83,755 (provisional allocation).
Project purpose: To influence the nature and quality of public policy debate and ultimately Israeli policy in line with political options for a sustainable two-state solution. Funding: 2005-06-£70,000, 2006-07-£100,133, 2007-08-£60,000, 2008-09-£127,850.
Project purpose: (2006 to 2010): To provide comprehensive information on the planning situation of Palestinian villages in Area C, to support the prevention of house demolitions and improve living conditions of residents. Funding: 2006-07-£11,366, 2007-08-£45,956, 2009-10-£22,978.
Project purpose: To use legal actions and public advocacy to support free movement and access to goods, and to document human rights violations in Gaza. Funding: 2008-09-£70,010.
Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI)
Project purpose: (2006 to 2008) To raise awareness of Israeli obligations under international law to safeguard the rights of Palestinians in Hebron, through public advocacy and legal actions.
Project purpose: (2008-2009) To raise awareness of Israeli obligations under international law to safeguard the rights of Palestinians and to reduce incidents of violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of Palestinians in the west bank through public advocacy and legal actions Funding: 2006-07-£42,000, 2007-08-£36,742, 2008-09-£73,000.
Project purpose: To record, highlight and challenge settlement expansion activities, through legal action, public advocacy and dialogue with Israeli officials. Funding: 2006-07-£109,990, 2007-08-£52,696, 2008-09-£117,000, 2009-10-£100,000, 2010-11-£93,000 (provisional allocation).
Project purpose: To raise international and Israeli public awareness of human rights violations in the Hebron area. Funding: 2006-07-£19,144, 2007-08-£32,856, 2008-09-£26,701, 2009-10-£56,455, 2010-11-£74,434 (provisional allocation).
Two of the NGOs referred to were supported by our bilateral programme funds. They were:
Project purpose: (2005-06): To investigate planning considerations of the route of the Separation Barrier and assist Palestinian communities to raise concerns. Funding: 2005-06-£30,000.
Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI)
Project purpose: To increase legal aid and advocacy work in cases of alleged torture and to support adoption of a human rights-based agenda. Funding: 2006-07-£15,000, 2007-08-£29,955.
Israeli Committee against House Demolition (ICAHD) and Mossawa have not been funded by either the MENA CP or the FCO Bilateral programme fund.
Israel: Overseas Trade
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate his Department has made of the cost of importing and exporting goods through the (a) Kerem Shalom crossing in the latest period for which information is available and (b) Karni crossing in 2006. [11996]
Mr Duncan: I have been asked to reply.
The Department for International Development (DFID) has not made an estimate of the costs incurred in exporting or importing goods through either Karni or Kerem Shalom crossings. It would be very difficult to make an estimate of these costs and there are a number of factors which may affect the cost, such as whether or not the goods need to be stored, and by whom the goods are being imported or exported.
Kashmir
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to visit Kashmir. [11561]
Alistair Burt: At present there are no plans for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to visit either Indian Administered Kashmir or Pakistan Administered Kashmir. The Foreign Secretary visited Pakistan from 23 to 25 June and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary visited India from 28 to 30 July.
These visits demonstrate the importance the Government attaches to our bilateral relationships in South Asia.
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed the political situation in Kashmir with his Pakistani and Indian counterparts; and when he next expects to do so. [11562]
Alistair Burt: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi during his visit to Pakistan from 23 to 25 June 2010. He also met Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna during his visit to India from 28 to 30 July 2010. The Foreign Secretary discussed regional issues including relations between India and Pakistan during these meetings.
The long standing position of the UK on Kashmir is that it is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution to the situation on both sides of the Line of Control, one which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It is not for the UK to prescribe a solution or to mediate in finding one.
Maldives: Politics and Government
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on political disturbances in the Maldives; and if he will make a statement. [12371]
Alistair Burt: As I have made clear publicly, the Government welcome the progress being made in the Maldives towards resolving the political stalemate which has unsettled the country in recent weeks. On 10 August 2010, the Parliament passed the Judges Act and endorsed the nominees to the Supreme Court including the Chief Justice, all of which had previously been subject to deadlock by the political parties.
I have spoken with senior Maldivian Government, Parliamentary and Opposition figures in the light of this welcome step forward, to express the UK's continued support for the democratic process in the Maldives, which is so essential for the country's future, and to urge all parties to work together to resolve their differences, so that the people of the Maldives can have renewed confidence in the political and constitutional process.
Mexico: Foreign Relations
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take to strengthen the UK's relations with Mexico. [11563]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government are increasing high-level engagement with Mexico. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met President Calderon at the G20 Summit in Toronto; my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has met his equivalent, Patricia Espinosa; and the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham) and I regularly meet the Mexican ambassador to the UK.
In these exchanges there has been a focus on how we can work closer in the Security Council-and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers will be taking this work forward at the UN General Assembly in September.
We are fully supportive of Mexico's leadership of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and we are working in close co-operation to ensure an international agreement on a balanced package of measures at the Cancun Summit.
The UK and Mexico are also stepping up efforts to boost bilateral trade and investment. This will be an important focus of our annual High Level Political Talks in the autumn. I will host the talks and the Mexican delegation will be led by the Mexican Deputy Foreign Minister, Lourdes Aranda.
Nagorno Karabakh
Christopher Pincher:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the UK contribution to a resolution of the political
situation between Azerbaijan and Armenia to enable internally displaced persons to return to Nagorno Karabakh and surrounding regions. [12691]
Mr Lidington: The Government continue to support the conflict settlement efforts of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Minsk Group to find a solution for Nagorno Karabakh on the basis of international norms and principles, including non-use of force, territorial integrity and self-determination. In our bilateral contacts, we continue to encourage Armenia and Azerbaijan to work towards a lasting solution to the conflict. Most recently I raised the issue with the Armenian and Azeri Foreign Ministers in the margins of the OSCE Ministerial held in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 16-17 July. UK bilateral funding continues, through the Conflict Pool, to support peace-building projects in Nagorno Karabakh and elsewhere in the South Caucasus.
Pakistan: Ahmadiyya
Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Pakistan on the safety of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in that country; and if he will make a statement. [12945]
Alistair Burt: Our high commissioner in Islamabad has raised the issue of discrimination suffered by the Ahmadiyya community with the Chief Minister of Punjab alongside his European Union colleagues. Our high commission has also raised the issue bilaterally with the Pakistani authorities, including with the Ministry for Minorities and the Ministry of the Interior.
During her visit to Pakistan in July 2010, Baroness Warsi discussed the Punjab Government's response to the attacks in May with the Punjab's Chief Minister and Chief Secretary.
Palestinians: Imports
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate his Department has made of the monthly volume of imports (a) required to meet the needs of the population of Gaza and (b) the volume of imports to Gaza in the latest period for which figures are available. [12014]
Mr Duncan: Estimating Gaza's import need is difficult. Most international aid agencies and NGOs use a benchmark of 11,228 truckloads per month or 2,807 per week. These figures represent the average number of truckloads that entered Gaza during the first five months of 2007, before Israel imposed severe access restrictions. However this benchmark does not include imports of materials needed for reconstruction following Operation Cast Lead. Gaza's population has also grown and fuel for the power station is now delivered by truck, rather than pipeline.
The United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that during the period 8-14 August 2010, 1129 truckloads of goods (55 humanitarian and 1,074 commercial) were imported into Gaza through Kerem Shalom and Karni crossings. This is 40% of the 2007 weekly average.
Data on import volumes entering Gaza are published online by the UN at:
Palestinians: International Assistance
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Hamas and Egypt to comply with their obligations to facilitate access to Gaza under the Agreement on Movement and Access of November 2005 and UN Security Resolution 1860; and if he will make a statement. [11535]
Alistair Burt: The Government have made clear that the situation in Gaza is a tragedy and unsustainable. We continue to underline the need for implementation of the steps Israel announced on 20 June and to work with all relevant parties to secure concrete change on the ground. We also reiterate, to those concerned, the need to implement their commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 1860 and the Movement and Access Agreement of November 2005.
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on changes to access that have occurred since the new Israeli access regime for Gaza was introduced following the statements of Prime Minister Netanyahu on 20 June and 5 July 2010; and if he will make a statement. [11538]
Alistair Burt: The UK has an ongoing dialogue with the Government of Israel at both ministerial and official level covering a wide range of issues including Gaza. We, together with the EU and Quartet, have called on Israel to ease restrictions on access and enable a return to economic normality. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has also underlined the important role the Palestinian economy, whether in Gaza or on the West Bank, will play in contributing towards a viable Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace and security.
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts on access for people and goods to Gaza since the statements of Netanyahu on 20 June and 5 July 2010; and if he will make a statement. [11540]
Mr Duncan: I have been asked to reply.
Neither the Secretary of State nor I have had any discussions with Israeli or Palestinian Ministers regarding access for goods and people into Gaza since 20 June.
Department for International Development (DFID) officials continue to raise the issue of access for goods and people with the relevant Israeli and Palestinian authorities.
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on restoring the customs code for Gaza. [12949]
Alistair Burt: The UK has an ongoing dialogue with the Government of Israel at both ministerial and official level covering a wide range of issues including Gaza.
We, together with the EU and Quartet, have called on Israel to ease restrictions on access. It is imperative that all parties now work together urgently to deliver real change on the ground. This will mean building capacity at the crossings, getting vital reconstruction projects up and running and ensuring that Gazans can export as well as import goods.
We have not had specific discussions on a customs code for Gaza. However, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has underlined the important role the Palestinian economy, whether in Gaza or on the West Bank, will play in contributing towards a viable Palestinian state living alongside Israel in peace and security.
Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the compatibility of access restrictions on Gaza with the Interim Association Agreement between the EU and the Palestinian Authority. [12950]
Alistair Burt: Two of the objectives of the Interim Association Agreement on Trade and Co-operation between the European Union and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority are to contribute to the economic and social development of Gaza and the west bank and to encourage regional co-operation towards peace and stability. The restrictions on Gaza clearly do not contribute to the achievement of these objectives. Along with our EU partners, we have called on Israel to ease restrictions on access and enable a return to economic normality. All parties must now work together urgently to deliver real change on the ground.
Somalia: Foreign Policy
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his long-term foreign policy objectives are for Somalia. [11566]
Mr Bellingham: For Somalia, our long-term foreign policy objective is to create sufficient stability to gradually deny space for those who threaten both UK interests and regional security, providing security and development for the Somali population.
To this end, it is essential that the international community is closely co-ordinated behind the Djibouti Peace Process to ensure coherent and effective support to overcome obstacles to progress.
There is not simply a military solution in Somalia; political reconciliation is vital to Somalia's future security.
South America: Foreign Policy
Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his foreign policy priorities are for South America. [11565]
Mr Jeremy Browne:
As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has publicly stated, the Government are determined to increase the UK's engagement with the countries of South America, and Latin America more broadly. The region is an important ally in helping
deliver our objective of safeguarding Britain's national security by countering weapons proliferation and working to reduce conflict. Latin America also includes a number of economic partners that are an important focus of the Government's prosperity agenda. In this we are not only aiming to increase bilateral trade and investment with countries in the region, but also promoting sustainable global growth, including by working with Brazil, Mexico and Argentina in the G20.
In advance of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Conference of Parties summit in Cancun, the Government will also be prioritising engagement with the region on the climate change agenda. As my right hon. Friends the Prime Minster and the Foreign Secretary have repeatedly stated, it is important to raise ambitions in advance of the summit and to secure a balanced package of measures in Cancun.
I was pleased to visit Colombia and Chile in August to discuss these issues personally with Presidents Santos and Piñera and their teams.
Strategic Defence and Security Review
Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what involvement his Department has had in the Stategic Defence and Security Review; and if he will make a statement. [12784]
Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has been playing a central role in setting the foreign policy context for the Cabinet Office-led Strategic Defence and Security Review process. This is a comprehensive review of the defence and security threats facing the UK and the capabilities that we have and shall need to address those threats and exploit opportunities for the UK. The FCO itself, and our network of overseas posts, are important capabilities which will be covered by the review. The FCO will continue to be involved at official level and the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt), shall remain engaged through discussions in the National Security Council until the conclusion of the review.
Taxis
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on taxi fares in each year since 1997. [12975]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently uses two contracts with private hire taxi companies: Addison Lee, covering the London area; and Raffles Taxis, covering the Milton Keynes area. Both contracts are used for both FCO departmental usage, and FCO Services. As FCO Services has been an independent trading fund since 1 April 2008, its expenditure is recorded and shown separately since that date. The following table shows the breakdown of costs by year.
FCO staff travel by the most efficient means of transport, bearing in mind the operational requirement and the need to secure value for money for the public purse. Public transport is used whenever possible and staff avoid using taxis on official business unless it is
absolutely necessary. Expenditure is now closely monitored and as a result expenditure in financial year 2009-10 has shown a decrease.
Staff should not normally use a taxi at public expense between home and office-nor between airports and
central London-except for journeys during the hours when public transport is not running. If it is absolutely necessary for staff to work after 9 pm or before 7 am, they may consider taking a taxi from their destination station to their home address or vice versa.
| Taxi expenditure-Addison Lee and Raffles Taxis | ||||||||||
| £ | ||||||||||
| 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | |
| (1) Unavailable Note: All figures quoted are exclusive of VAT | ||||||||||
Trade Unions
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many paid manpower hours civil servants in his Department spent on trade union-related duties and activities in each year since 1997. [11674]
Alistair Burt: This information is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [11675]
Alistair Burt: We do not hold data going back to 1997 on the number of days Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff spent on trade union activities. Since 2005 however, there have been 9.5 full-time equivalent staff in the FCO and FCO Services elected by FCO union members each financial year to represent members. This equates to 0.2% of the Department's overall whole time equivalent staffing headcount. The FCO also allows up to 25 days time off for staff elected to the branch executive committees of their unions to engage in union activities. Actual time taken is not recorded centrally and is at the discretion of line management. We currently have 33 volunteer members of staff who are branch committee members.
The amount of trade union facility time allowed in the FCO is in compliance with the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) code of practice 'Time off for trade union duties and activities'.
Wines
Matthew Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on wine in each year since 1997. [12812]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not keep central records of expenditure on wine across the Department.
Government Hospitality, which manages the Government Wine Cellar on behalf of all Government Departments, recorded the following expenditure on purchases (wines, spirits, beers, etc) in each year since 1997:
| £ | |
The running down of stocks and low expenditure in 2004-05 was due to preparations for the UK presidencies of the G8 and European Union. It is not possible to separate the costs of wines from other stock for the cellar.
Health
Abortion
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of each document in his Department's file (1) CPO 5/5, Publicity Material and Publications from Anti-Abortion Organisations; and if he will make a statement; [5535]
(2) CPO 3/6, Abortion Act 1967, Correspondence between Sir Bernard Braine MP and Minister of Health on matters concerning abortions in NHS hospitals; and if he will make a statement; [5536]
(3) CPO 2/10, Abortion (Amendment) Bill Committee Stage Briefing; and if he will make a statement. [5537]
Anne Milton: I have asked departmental officials to retrieve and examine the documentation requested by my hon. Friend. Once this has been done I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library.
AIDS: Health Services
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make it his policy to ring-fence the revenue grant for AIDS support; and if he will make a statement; [11040]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect of removal of protection of the revenue grant for AIDS support on the provision of (a) (i) counselling, (ii) peer support and (iii) care services for people living with HIV and (b) funding for local HIV organisations providing specialist social care support to HIV-positive people not catered for by mainstream services. [11042]
Anne Milton: On 24 May, it was announced that the ring fence would now be lifted from a number of specific social care grants, including the AIDS support grant (ASG) with immediate effect.
The Government's view is that, in the current economic climate, local authorities are best placed to prioritise their own spending commitments based on the local pressures they face. By removing the ring-fencing of grants, we are giving authorities more freedom to direct funding in the most effective way and give local people the best service possible.
The AIDS support grant is now a long-running and embedded social care grant, and existing commissioning networks and local scrutiny arrangements will monitor grant spend at a local level. The Department has confirmed that the AIDS support grant will still be administered as a separate, specific social care grant in 2010-11, and that it will be maintained at the previously announced level of £25.5 million.
Alcoholic Drinks: Labelling
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the voluntary industry agreement to place health warnings on the labels of alcoholic drinks. [11644]
Anne Milton: The most recent assessment of the effectiveness of the voluntary agreement was the second stage of independent monitoring conducted using samples taken in April 2009. The results of this exercise were published, alongside a public consultation on options for improving information on the labels of alcoholic drinks, in February this year and are available at the following web address:
The public consultation closed on 31 May and the responses to this exercise are now being analysed by departmental officials, who will be advising Ministers. We will set out our plans for next steps, in the coming months.
Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse
Mr Stewart Jackson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals were admitted to Peterborough District Hospital as a result of alcohol-
related harm in each year since 2001; what the cost of treating such individuals was in each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [11395]
Anne Milton: Information is not held in the format requested.
The following table shows the number of finished admission episodes which are estimated to be alcohol-related for Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust from 2004-05 to 2008-09 and Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust from 2002-03 to 2003-04. We are unable to provide costs specifically related to alcohol harm.
However, the National Audit Office has carried out an audit of national health service spend on alcohol treatment. Its report, "Reducing Alcohol Harm: health services in England for alcohol misuse", was published in November 2008 and found, that where primary care trust expenditure on alcohol services was known, an average of £600,000 was spent on commissioning alcohol services in 2006-07.
| Number of finished admission episodes which are estimated to be alcohol-related( 1) for Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust from 2004-05 to 2008-09 and Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust from 2002-03 to 2003-04 | ||
| Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector | ||
| Trust name | Alcohol-related admission episodes | |
| Notes: 1. Due to organisational changes Peterborough Hospital NHS Trust may not directly map to Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and therefore caution should be taken when comparing the figures before and after 2004 as data may not be directly comparable. 2. Alcohol-related admissions. The number of alcohol-related admissions is based on the methodology developed by the North West Public Health Observatory (NWPHO), which uses 48 indicators for alcohol-related illnesses, determining the proportion of a wide range of diseases and injuries that can be partly attributed to alcohol as well as those that are, by definition, wholly attributable to alcohol. Further information on these proportions can be found at http://www.nwph.net/nwpho/publications/AlcoholAttributableFractions.pdf 3. The application of the NWPHO methodology has recently been updated and is now available directly from HES. As such, information about episodes estimated to be alcohol related may be slightly different from previously published data. 4. Number of episodes in which the patient had an alcohol-related primary or secondary diagnosis. These figures represent the number of episodes where an alcohol-related diagnosis was recorded in any of the 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and seven prior to 2002-03) primary and secondary diagnosis fields in a HES record. Each episode is only counted once in each count, even if an alcohol-related diagnosis is recorded in more than one diagnosis field of the record. 5. Data quality. HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. | ||
| 6. Assessing growth through time. HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. Changes to the figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS practice. For example, apparent reductions in activity may be due to a number of procedures which may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and so no longer include in admitted patient HES data. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. | ||
Alcoholic Drinks: Prices
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations his Department has received in support of a minimum unit price for alcoholic products. [11862]
Anne Milton: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence issued public health guidance, "Alcohol-use disorders: preventing the development of hazardous and harmful drinking" in June. The guidance recommended that Government consider reviewing alcohol pricing and duty to reduce the affordability of alcohol, and to consider introducing a minimum price per unit.
In May, Tesco wrote to the Department saying it would support the Government in the event of a decision to introduce minimum unit pricing.
The Department has received correspondence supporting minimum unit price from the public. However, identifying the exact number could be done only at disproportionate cost.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
James Wharton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on assistance for those with ankylosing spondylitis. [10862]
Mr Burstow: Ankylosing spondylitis is a specialist condition which can cause chronic pain. Treatments are aimed at monitoring mobility and managing pain. To do this effectively it is important to fully involve patients in decision making about their care through personalised care planning and where appropriate provide information to support self management.
Autism
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings he has had with representatives of (a) the Royal Colleges and (b) other relevant professional bodies on training of staff working in mental health settings in autism. [12053]
Mr Burstow: Departmental officials have met with the Royal College of Psychiatrists and British Psychological Society to support the training of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists working across mental health services. The Department has commissioned specific training with these organisations addressing recognition, diagnosis and health needs of people with autism presenting to mental health services.
In addition we are working with the Royal College of Nursing, which includes psychiatric nurses working across all mental health services in the development of raising awareness of people with autism.
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with stakeholders on the effectiveness of child and adolescent mental health services for children with autism and co-occurring mental health problems. [12199]
Mr Burstow: This was discussed in a meeting that Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society and I had on 27 July 2010.
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to ensure that his Department's White Paper will lead to improvements in the provision of health care for those with the most complex needs, with particular reference to children with autism and mental health problems. [12200]
Mr Burstow: The intention of the White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS" is to create a national health service which is much more responsive to patients and is focused on what really matters to patients and carers-continuously improving the outcomes of health care. The proposals will set the NHS free from day to day political interference. Services and commissioning, including for those with the most complex needs, will be clinically-led, evidence-based and bottom-up, not dictated top-down by politicians.
By publishing the White Paper the Government are now able to engage fully on the detail of how best to implement these changes, and this engagement process is now under way.
Autism: Health Services
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to support (a) children and (b) adults with autism. [11908]
Mr Burstow: We are committed to fulfilling the requirements of the Autism Act 2009 with the aim of addressing the disadvantages that children, young people and adults with autism can experience.
We launched consultation on draft statutory guidance to support delivery of the autism strategy. The guidance for health and social care bodies will be available by the end of the year. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has been commissioned to produce new clinical guidelines for children and adults with autism. Details of the consultation are available at:
Blood: Cancer
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 14 July 2010, Official Report, column 780W, on blood: cancer, which cancer networks are not in a position to set up haemato-pathology services by the end of December 2010; and what issues relating to the implementation of the guidance on setting up haemato-pathology services by this date remain to be resolved. [11646]
Mr Burstow:
Of the 28 cancer networks, eight have fully implemented haemato-pathology services in line with the Improving Outcomes in Haematological Cancers guidance. Information regarding the remaining 20 is currently being collated by the National Cancer Action
Team. When this is complete, it will provide a clearer picture of which networks will be compliant by December 2010 and those that may not be, and the reasons for this.
Listed as follows are the 28 cancer networks and their status of compliance.
| Strategic health authority | Network | Status |
Cancer: Children
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of trends in the survival rates for osteosarcoma in children in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [12003]
Mr Burstow: No assessment has been made of trends in the survival rates for osteosarcoma in children. The Office for National Statistics only produces cancer survival statistics for adults aged 15 to 99.
The following table provides the number of newly diagnosed cases of osteosarcoma in England for children aged between 0 and 14 years, in each year from 2003 to 2007.
| Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of osteosarcoma( 1) , children( 2) , England( 3) , 2003 - 07( 4) | |
| Children | |
| (1) Osteosarcoma is defined using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes C40-C41. (2) Children aged 14 years and under. (3) Based on boundaries as of 2010. (4) Newly diagnosed cases registered in each calendar year. | |
We know that the prognosis for children diagnosed with osteosarcoma is significantly better if the cancer is found early and has not spread from the bone to other parts of the body. In 2005, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published "Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer", to help general practitioners (GPs) refer patients with suspected cancers more quickly. The guidance includes a section focusing on children and young people with bone cancers, including osteosarcoma. The guidance can be found at the following link:
Cancer survival rates are improving for many cancers, and patients' experience of their care has improved. However, we believe more needs to be done. It is now generally agreed that the most important reasons for lower survival rates in England, compared with other European countries, are low public awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer, delays in people presenting to their GPs, and patients having more advanced disease at diagnosis. We will be looking carefully at how best to achieve earlier diagnosis.
Care Homes: Diabetes
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of patients admitted to hospital from residential care as a result of their diabetes in each of the last five years. [12360]
Mr Burstow: Although the NHS Information Centre for health and social care collects and publishes details of all admissions to national health service hospitals in England as Hospital Episode Statistics, the data returned for this question were not specific enough to identify those admitted from residential care. Therefore, a meaningful estimate of the number of patients admitted to hospital from residential care as a result of their diabetes in each of the last five years cannot be made.
Change4Life
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's Change4Life campaign. [11607]
Anne Milton:
Assessing the effectiveness of the Change4Life campaign is an ongoing process, which measures targets such as brand saliency, response to the
family diet and activity survey "How are the Kids" , and sign up to the C4L programme as well as capturing attitudes towards eating and physical activity and self-reported improvements in behaviour in those areas. A range of methods are used such as tracking (reporting monthly), bespoke surveys, web statistics (monthly) and buzz monitoring (regular reporting) to measure awareness of both the campaign overall and specific activities taking place at a national and local level as part of Change4Life campaign activity.
The most recently published assessment of the effectiveness of the campaign is in the "Change4Life One Year On" report published in February, which has been placed in the Library.
The direct marketing component of the Change4Life campaign is also subject to an ongoing academic evaluation by Professor Jane Wardle and Dr Helen Croker from University College London, the results of which will be published next year.
Dementia
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what criteria have been used under the national audit of dementia services to determine the appropriateness of use of anti-psychotic drugs to treat dementia; [12399]
(2) who has been invited to join the stakeholder reference group to advise his Department on the national audit of dementia services. [12404]
Mr Burstow: The Department is in the process of developing the detail of the scope of the audit following an initial meeting of the stakeholders' reference group on 6 July. The results of the audit are expected by October 2010.
This Antipsychotic Working Group met for the first time on 6 July and membership of this group is shown in the following list.
Royal College of General Practitioners
Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Royal College of Physicians
Wylde Consortium, Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Four Seasons Health Care Ltd.
Alzheimer's Society
Government office for Yorkshire and the Humber
Care Quality Commission
Alzheimer's Research Trust
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust
Centre for Mental Health
Oxleas NHS Trust
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions of anti-psychotic medication there were for people with dementia (a) in each primary care trust area and (b) in each region in each of the last five years. [12400]
Mr Burstow: Information on the number of patients prescribed a medicine and the condition for which that medicine is prescribed is not collected centrally.
Information is collected on the number of prescription items for anti-psychotic drugs within sections 4.2.1 "Antipsychotic drugs" and 4.2.2 "Antipsychotic depot injections" of the British National Formulary, written in the United Kingdom and dispensed in the community, in England with the net ingredient cost.
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS spent on work undertaken by carers for people with dementia in the latest period for which figures are available. [12402]
Mr Burstow: The Department does not keep data on national health service spending on carers for people with dementia.
In addition, the Department does not ring fence funding for dementia services to primary care trusts (PCTs). The national audit of dementia services will include an analysis of local spending on services for people with dementia.
The revised NHS operating framework published in June 2010 makes clear that PCTs and their partners should publish how they are implementing the national dementia strategy to increase local accountability for prioritisation.
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been diagnosed with dementia in each region in each of the last five years. [12403]
Mr Burstow: The quality and outcomes framework gives the numbers of patients on the dementia disease register for the financial years 2006-07 to 2008-09. Figures for 2009-10 will be published in autumn this year. The figures by strategic health authority (SHA) are shown in the following table. Figures are not the number of newly diagnosed dementia patients but the number who are on the register at the end of each year.
| SHA | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to reduce the level of use of anti-psychotic drugs for people with dementia. [12405]
Mr Burstow:
The National Clinical Director for dementia is leading the work to implement the recommendations made by Professor Sube Banerjee in his report into the use of anti-psychotic medicines, which was published in November 2009. The Department is working with the
NHS Information Centre to develop an audit of the prescribing of anti-psychotics for people with dementia. The audit will be a key mechanism for measuring the reduction in the use of anti-psychotic drugs.
Departmental Assets
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [12338]
Mr Simon Burns: The following table provides details of the major land and buildings sold by the Department between April 2005 and March 2010. There have been no sales by non-departmental public bodies or agencies for which the Department has been responsible during this period.
The receipts from these sales are credited to the Department's capital budget and can be used to support further capital spending by the Department, the national health service, agencies and non-departmental public bodies.
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