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9 Nov 2010 : Column 206W—continued
Community Orders
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 1 November 2010, Official Report, columns 516-20W, on sentencing, what estimate he has made of the average time between a community sentence being issued for an offence of each type and the recipient starting their designated programme of action. [22998]
Mr Blunt: Waiting times for designated programmes are managed locally by each probation trust. This information is not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by obtaining information held on offender files or on local data systems, validating it, and then collating it in a common format in order to provide a response.
Criminal Injuries Compensation
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) whether he plans to bring forward proposals to change the categories of people eligible for compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme; [22387]
(2) whether he plans to change the monetary value of awards made under the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme; [22388]
(3) whether the Government have commissioned research into options for the reform of the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme; [22389]
(4) what plans he has for the future funding of the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme in each of the next four years. [22398]
Mr Blunt: The Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme is currently subject to review. No decisions have been made.
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) in respect of how many cases under consideration by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority the claimant had not been notified of a resolution on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many of those cases had been filed more than (a) six, (b) 12, (c) 18 and (d) 24 months prior to that date; [22390]
(2) how many compensation awards to victims of crime are outstanding; and how many such people have been waiting for such awards for more than (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) nine months and (d) one year. [22400]
Mr Blunt: The information requested is set out in the following table:
| Number | |
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the monetary value is of outstanding compensation payments to victims of crime. [22399]
Mr Blunt: The monetary value of outstanding compensation payments to victims of crime is £598.6 million.
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many award decisions made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in the last 12 months have been referred to the Tribunals Service (Criminal Injuries Compensation); and how many such tribunals have (a) overturned and (b) amended such an award decision. [22401]
Mr Blunt: The information requested is set out in the following table and relates to tariff cases which have been referred to the Tribunals Service.
| Number | |
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he made of the mean average compensation payment paid by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in each year since its inception. [22402]
Mr Blunt: The information requested is set out in the following table.
| Mean cases values (including all cases resulting in a nil payment) FY End | |
| £ | |
Departmental Redundancy
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the number of redundancies arising from the spending reductions proposed in the comprehensive spending review in respect of (a) his Department, (b) its non-departmental public bodies and (c) other public bodies which are dependent on his Department for funding. [21542]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: My Department is developing firm plans to deliver its priorities within the funding baselines announced in the spending review. We will be consulting widely on proposals for change but as yet no internal budgets have been set.
Preliminary estimates suggest that the Department will lose around 14,000-15,000 posts, including a significant reduction in our headquarters and administrative areas. Where possible, staff reduction will be through natural turnover and voluntary redundancy, avoiding compulsory redundancies if possible.
My Department's response to the spending review marks the beginning of a programme of radical change which will fundamentally reform the way justice is provided by 2015. I am confident that the process will lead to a transformed Ministry of Justice which is efficient, transparent, and affordable.
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of staff redundancy in each of the next four years. [21543]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: My Department is developing firm plans to deliver its priorities within the funding baselines announced in the spending review. We will be consulting widely on proposals for change but as yet no internal budgets have been set. We are therefore currently unable to provide estimates of the costs of staff redundancy for the years in question.
Where possible, staff reduction will be through natural turnover and voluntary redundancy, avoiding compulsory redundancies if possible.
Employment Tribunals Service
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2010, Official Report, columns 350-1W, on the Employment Tribunals Service, how much was paid out in compensation in each category in each such year. [22261]
Mr Djanogly: Compensation awards are recorded by the Tribunals Service for the discrimination and unfair dismissal jurisdictions. For other types of claims any award by the Employment Tribunal will be a statutory entitlement, such as a redundancy payment or unpaid paid wages, rather than an award of compensation. Table 1 shows the compensation awards of which the Tribunal is aware for the financial years 2007-08 to 2009-10.
Further, statistical information published annually by the Tribunals Service includes a breakdown of the maximum awards, median awards and average awards in each type of case where such data are recorded centrally. To set the information in Table 1 in context, Table 2 shows the median awards made in each jurisdiction, in each of the three relevant financial years. In 2009-10, the median award across all jurisdictions for which the Tribunals Service collates data was £5,056.
| Table 2: Median compensation awarded in discrimination and unfair dismissal claim in financial years 2007-08 to 2009-10 | |||
| £ | |||
| Financial year | |||
| Jurisdiction | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
| (1) Not recorded. Notes: 1. Compensation awarded is that of which the tribunal is aware and entered onto IT systems. For awards in cases of Discrimination there is no statutory cap. 2. The Tribunals keeps records on compensation awarded for the discrimination and Unfair dismissal jurisdictions. 3. All judgments are held in the public registry in Bury St Edmunds or Glasgow. 4. Religious Belief Discrimination: there were only two awards recorded centrally in FY 2007-08; therefore, the average and median values are the same, £3,203. Source: ET Annual Reports 2007-08 to 2009-10 | |||
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2010, Official Report, columns 350-1W, on the Employment Tribunals Service, whether his Department holds information on the (a) legal costs incurred by claimants whose claims were (i) upheld and (ii) dismissed and (b) the proportion of such costs which were paid by the employer in each case in each such year. [22262]
Mr Djanogly: Information in relation to legal costs incurred by claimants and the proportion of such costs which were paid by the employer is not held by the Tribunals Service.
In March the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills published a report in March, the 'Survey of
Employment Tribunal Applications', details of which can be found at the following link:
This includes some data on legal costs for both respondents and claimants.
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2010, Official Report, columns 350-51W, on the Employment Tribunals Service, what estimate has been made of the number of complaints in each category classified as vexatious that were dismissed. [22263]
Mr Djanogly: Information in relation to the number of complaints that were classified as vexatious and were dismissed by the Employment Tribunal is not collated and held centrally by the Tribunals Service. The information can be provided only at a disproportionate cost by manually checking individual case files and records.
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2010, Official Report, columns 350-1W, on the Employment Tribunals Service, what the average length of time was of a hearing in each category. [22264]
Mr Djanogly: The following table gives the overall average time taken, in minutes, for a hearing at an employment tribunal, and a jurisdictional average. This information is management information and is used for internal purposes only; it has not been validated and relies on manual data input.
| Average hearing times, in minutes, for claims at an employment tribunal 2007-08 to 2009-10 | |||
| Minutes | |||
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | |
Foreign Nationals: Bereavement
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what budget his Department has allocated for helping foreign nationals bereaved by murder and manslaughter while in the UK in 2010-11. [22899]
Mr Blunt: Lead responsibility for ensuring provision of support services and assistance to victims of crime rests with the Ministry of Justice.
In 2009-10 the Ministry of Justice provided funding of £38.2 million to Victim Support to support their work across England and Wales. Victim Support provides assistance to victims of crime in England and Wales, regardless of their nationality. An additional £250,000 was provided to specialist organisations providing support to relatives bereaved by murder and manslaughter from the Victims Fund and £140,000 to the organisation Support after Murder and Manslaughter.
For 2010-11 the Ministry of Justice has allocated £45 million for Victim Support, £140,000 for Support After Murder and Manslaughter and £270,474 for specialist organisations supporting bereaved relatives via the Victims Fund.
Grandparents
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to bring forward proposals to extend the rights of grandparents to have access to their grandchildren following a divorce or separation. [22222]
Mr Djanogly: The Family Justice Review, which is currently under way, is considering how best to promote further contact rights for non-resident parents and grandparents following the breakdown of a relationship, as well as the wider issues around the family justice system. The Review Panel, which is independently chaired, is due to issue an interim report in March 2011 and a final report in the autumn of 2011, following a full, national consultation.
HM Courts Service: Wales
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much funding he allocated to the Court Service in North Wales in 2009-10; and how much such funding he plans to allocate in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12. [22258]
Mr Djanogly:
Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) is responsible for administration of courts in England and Wales. HMCS allocates financial resource to Wales and the six regions of England; however some costs for providing court services in Wales such as payment of rent and rates are met nationally. During 2009-10 the
funding allocated to North Wales by HMCS Wales was £8,039,170 which included staff and judicial salary payments, estates maintenance costs, including security, cleaning, utility costs, judicial costs and other office expenditure. Additionally HMCS in Wales allocated a further £1,762,000 for capital estates schemes in North Wales that included refurbishment works and essential improvements that ensured compliance of legislative responsibilities.
Funding allocations for court services in North Wales for 2010-11 currently stands at £7,546,155. Additionally HMCS in Wales allocated a further £2,888,000 for capital estates schemes in North Wales that included works and essential improvements that ensured compliance of legislative responsibilities and an integration scheme at Wrexham.
HMCS is unable to confirm the level of funding that will be provided for North Wales for 2011-12. HMCS and HM Tribunals service will merge to form a new agency on 1 April 2011. The settlement for HMCTS has yet to be agreed.
Information Commissioner
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what meetings the Information Commissioner has had with his international counterparts in the last 24 months. [22244]
Mr Djanogly: The Information Commissioner and his staff regularly meet their international counterparts. Meetings include attendance at the annual International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners; the European Privacy and Data Protection Commissioners' Conference; the Article 29 Data Protection Working Party and the Joint Supervisory Authority for Customs and the Schengen information System.
Note:
This information was provided by the Information Commissioner's Office.
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the average annual salary is of an employee in the Office of the Information Commissioner. [22245]
Mr Djanogly: The average full-time equivalent salary of an employee of the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), including the Information Commissioner, is £26,422.
Note:
This information was provided by the Information Commissioner's Office.
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff are employed by the Office of the Information Commissioner. [22246]
Mr Djanogly: On 31 October 2010, 354 staff (equivalent to 330 full-time staff) were employed by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). This includes the Information Commissioner.
Note:
This information was provided by the Information Commissioner's Office.
Robert Halfon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the (a) annual salary and (b) benefits including (i) car scheme, (ii) pension contributions, (iii) bonus payments and (iv) expenses payments were of (A) each Deputy Information Commissioner, (B) the Director of Corporate Affairs, (C) the Director of Operations, (D) the Director of Organisational
Development and (E) each non-executive Director in the Office of the Information Commissioner in the last 24 months. [22250]
Mr Djanogly: The annual salary and pension contributions for the Information Commissioner's executive team are set out in the following table in £5,000 pay bands:
| Deputy Commissioner (1-Data Protection) | Deputy Commissioner (2-Freedom of Information) | Director of Corporate Affairs | Director of Operations | Director of Organisational Development | |
| (1) From 1 July 2008 (2) From 1 July 2009 | |||||
The remuneration packages and expenses for the Information Commissioner and members of his executive team are published in the Information Commissioner's annual report 2009-10, which was laid before Parliament in July 2010. There was no increase in the salaries or pension contributions from the 2009-10 financial year to the 2010-11 financial year for members of the executive team.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) does not operate a car scheme. However, members of the executive team have access to a cash health plan on subscription with a value of £60 per annum. Members of the executive team are eligible for bonus payments of £250 per annum.
The ICO has four non-executive directors. They each receive a salary of £12,000 a year, which is non-pensionable. The non-executive directors are required to work 15 days per year and they are not entitled to bonus payments or additional benefits.
The expenses for members of the executive team (excluding the Information Commissioner) and the non-executive directors are set out in the following table:
| Expense claims paid in the following financial years | |||
| £ | |||
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-11( 1) | |
| (1) Until 31 October 2010 | |||
Note:
This information was provided by the Information Commissioner's Office.
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was spent by the management board of the Office of the Information Commissioner on (a) taxi fares and (b) other transport in the last 24 months. [22251]
Mr Djanogly: The management board comprises the executive and non-executive directors. Expenditure by the management board on taxis and other transport since the 2008-09 financial year is set out as follows:
| £ | ||
| Financial year | Taxis | Other transport |
Note:
This information was provided by the Information Commissioner's Office.
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the annual leave entitlement is of each member of the management board of the Office of the Information Commissioner. [22252]
Mr Djanogly:
The Management Board comprises the Executive Team and the non-executive directors. The Executive Team members are entitled to annual leave of
25, 27 or 30 days per annum depending on their length of service. Non-executive directors are not entitled to annual leave.
Note:
This information was provided by the Information Commissioner's Office.
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the annual (a) revenue and (b) capital budget was for the Office of the Information Commissioner in each year since it was established. [22253]
Mr Djanogly: This information is being collated. I will write to the hon. Member with this information as soon as possible.
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which buildings the Office of the Information Commissioner (a) owns and (b) rents; and how much funding the Office of the Information Commissioner allocated to property expenditure in the last 24 months. [22255]
Mr Djanogly: The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) owns no buildings. The ICO leases the following properties:
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire (entire building)
Cambrian Buildings, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff (part floor)
51 Adelaide Street, Belfast (one floor).
In addition, the ICO occupies the following properties under licence:
93-95 Hanover Street, Edinburgh (part floor)
Millbank Tower, London (part floor)
Earl Road, Nr Cheadle, Cheshire (storage space).
The following table outlines expenditure on property, which includes rent, rates and refurbishment costs.
| Financial year | Cost in £ |
| (1) Up until 31 October 2010. | |
The increase in expenditure between 2009-10 and 2010-11 reflects the refurbishment costs of Wycliffe House.
Note:
This information was provided by the Information Commissioner's Office.
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the (a) highest and (b) lowest salary is of an employee in the Office of the Information Commissioner. [22256]
Mr Djanogly: The highest salary of £140,000 is paid to the Information Commissioner and is published in his annual report. The lowest salary paid to an employee of the ICO is within the salary band £11,939 to £16,152.
Note:
This information was provided by the Information Commissioner's Office.
Judges: Public Appointments
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects to announce the changes his Department proposes to the way in which judicial appointments are made; and if he will make a statement. [22409]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: On 28 June I announced my intention to review the operation of the judicial appointments process in close consultation with the Lord Chief Justice. We have decided that the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) and the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman will remain in place as valued independent bodies, which do much to bring openness to the way candidates are selected for judicial appointments.
However, it is clear that at times the appointments process can take too long and cost too much. The first duty of the Commission is to maintain the high quality of Judicial appointments but I believe that the JAC should also focus on delivering efficiency in the selection of judges, working with the judiciary and the unified Courts and Tribunals Service. The recruitment of the new Chair of the JAC is underway and, with the Lord Chief Justice, I look forward to working with the Commission on more detailed proposals for improving the appointments process, in the first instance within the existing statutory framework. Any subsequent proposals requiring legislation would be brought forward in the usual way.
Prison Sentences
Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to review the powers in respect of indeterminate public protection sentences under the Criminal Justice Act 2003. [22647]
Mr Blunt: We have announced that we are conducting an assessment of sentencing. The sentencing assessment is looking at the full range of penalties and restorative measures available in the criminal justice system including sentences of imprisonment for public protection.
We will publish a Green Paper later this year, setting out plans to reform sentencing and rehabilitate offenders more effectively.
Prisons: Employment
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what expenditure his Department has incurred on employment support for prisoners in England and Wales in the latest period for which figures are available; and what percentage of prisoners secure employment within six months of release in that period. [22850]
Mr Blunt: No such information is held centrally. There is considerable employment support work undertaken to help prisoners across the NOMS estate. Expenditure for this work is part of prison baseline funding and it is not currently possible to disaggregate the costs. A considerable amount of work in this area is also undertaken in partnership with the Department of Business Innovation and Skills as well as the Department of Work and Pensions.
In 2009-10, 24.5%(1) of prisoners discharged from prison entered employment upon release. NOMS does not track the employment status of discharged prisoners within six months of their release date.
(1) NOMS Annual Report for 2009-10 Employment on Release figures. Employment outcomes were expressed as a proportion of recorded discharges. Performance was calculated using recorded employment status and discharge data. The National Offender Management Service Annual Report and Accounts for 2009-10 was published on 9 September 2010.
International Development
Developing Countries: Climate Change
Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development under which budget headings he plans to allocate the £2.9 billion funding for climate finance announced in the comprehensive spending review. [22767]
Mr O'Brien: The £2.9 billion International Climate Fund (ICF), funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will be used to support adaptation and low carbon development and to help tackle deforestation in developing countries. Specific spending decisions have not yet been made.
Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the £2.9 billion allocated to climate finance in the comprehensive spending review includes all of the UK's £1.5 billion share of the fast-start finance pledged at Copenhagen. [22768]
Mr O'Brien: No. Part of the UK's fast-start commitment will be spent in 2010-11, before the new spending review period, which runs from 2011-12 to 2014-15. Spending on Fast Start in 2011-12 and 2012-13 will come from the International Climate Fund (ICF), which is budgeted for in the new spending review period.
Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of international climate finance he expects to be delivered in the form of loans in the period from 2010 to 2015. [22769]
Mr O'Brien: UK international climate finance will include grants and loans. The balance between them will depend on specific spending decisions that have not yet been made.
St Helena: Airfields
Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether funding provided by his Department for the construction of an airfield on St Helena will be classified as official development assistance. [22644]
Mr Duncan: All the Department for International Development's (DFID's) support for St Helena, including any funding proposed for the airport, meets the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD's) definition of Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department plans to allocate to the construction of an airfield on St Helena. [22651]
Mr Duncan: It would be inappropriate to announce the proposed funding allocation for the St Helena airport, since doing so could prejudice our future commercial negotiations.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Cotton
Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has undertaken of the effects of European Union cotton subsidies on farmers in sub-Saharan Africa; and if he will make a statement. [22226]
Mr O'Brien: The UK Government have supported significant research into the impacts of cotton subsidies on African farmers, including EU cotton subsidies. These subsidies have a significant negative impact on farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and their removal is a key objective of the UK Government.
The Department for International Development (DFID) will work closely with DEFRA to reform the EU Common Agricultural Policy and eliminate direct support to the EU cotton sector.
Attorney-General
Robert Halfon: To ask the Attorney-General what representations the Crown Prosecution Service has received on prosecution of Google for illegal offences under (a) the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and (b) the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 in respect of its Street View project; and if he will make a statement. [22705]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was contacted by Avon and Somerset police in May of this year for advice on what its likely view would be on prosecuting Google for potential offences arising out of its Street View project. The CPS position is that if, following an investigation, a file were to be submitted to the CPS, then the case would be reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and dealt with accordingly. No other representations are known to have been received, although such requests would not be collated centrally.
Human Trafficking: Prosecutions
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Attorney-General what steps the Government is taking to increase the proportion of prosecutions of those engaged in human trafficking which result in conviction. [22378]
The Solicitor-General: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Attorney-General to the oral parliamentary question from my hon. Friend the Member for South West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous) on 26 October 2010, Official Report, columns 161-62.
Offences Against the Person Act 1861: Prosecutions
Andrea Leadsom:
To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions the Crown Prosecution Service has brought under section 35 of the Offences against the
Person Act 1861 for the offence of wanton and furious driving in the last five years; how many such prosecutions there have been in each such year; and what proportion of the prosecutions relating to the riding of a bicycle in each such year resulted in a conviction with a (a) custodial sentence of (i) two years and (ii) between one and two years and (iii) less than one year, (b) fine and (c) community sentence order. [23023]
The Solicitor-General: The records held by the Crown Prosecution Service identify the number of offences charged under Section 35 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 in which a prosecution commenced, rather than the number of defendants prosecuted. During the last five years the number of these offences was as follows:
| Number | |
CPS records do not identify the number of defendants prosecuted for specific offences. Rather, they show the number of offences in which a prosecution commenced and reached a first hearing in magistrates courts. CPS records do not identify the proportion of offences in which a bicycle was involved.
The following table outlines the total number of people sentenced under the above Act for causing bodily harm by furious driving where that was the principal offence sentenced. The Ministry of Justice data do not record how many of these cases involved bicycles.
| Persons sentenced to immediate custody, by sentence band, or other outcome for causing bodily harm by furious driving( 1) , England and Wales, 2005-09( 2, 3) | |||||
| Outcome | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| (1) Offences against the Person Act 1861 S.35 (2) The figures given in the table relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics-Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice | |||||
Rape: Prosecutions
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Attorney-General what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Crown Prosecution Service in bringing prosecutions for rape; and if he will make a statement. [22854]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is committed to ensuring that offenders are brought to justice through successful prosecutions, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The CPS works with the police and others partners to ensure that investigations and prosecutions are as effective as possible; and that victims are given appropriate support.
Sovereignty of Parliament
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Attorney-General what recent representations he has received on the judicial basis for parliamentary sovereignty. [22411]
The Solicitor-General: By long-standing convention, observed by successive Administrations and embodied in the Ministerial Code, the fact that the Law Officers have advised or have been requested to advise (or have not advised or have not been requested to advise) on a particular issue, and the content of any advice, is not disclosed outside Government.
House of Commons Commission
Accommodation
Mr Knight: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many staff in the House of Commons Service are provided with (a) overnight and (b) residential accommodation and facilities other than a worktime office; what positions are held by such persons; what accommodation is provided; and for what reason in each case. [22509] [Official Report, 12 November 2010, Vol. 518, c. 3MC.]
Sir Stuart Bell: The House of Commons provides single-room hostel-style sleeping accommodation in John Islip street, for up to 17 staff who undertake occasional late duties. Staff including doorkeepers and administrative staff are eligible to use the sleeping accommodation provided they satisfy the following guidelines:
They are expected to be on duty to support the House or its Committees after 10.30 pm and they live outside the 25 mile taxi radius.
They are on duty until the rising of the House if this is expected to be after 7.30 pm and they are required for duty before 8.30 am the following day.
There is a departmental business reason and they have prior approval.
In addition, sleeping facilities on the estate are provided for the Deputy Serjeant at Arms, Assistant Serjeant at Arms, Clerk Assistant, Clerk of Committees, Clerk of Legislation, Assistant Secretary to the Speaker and the Speaker's Trainbearer. This reflects the requirement that they are present on the parliamentary estate over prolonged periods and at unpredictable times.
Six staff are entitled to residential accommodation so that they can be available for duty at short notice. They are the Clerk of the House, Serjeant at Arms, Speaker's
Secretary, Head Office Keeper and two Senior Office Keepers. The addresses of the accommodation are: 2 Parliament street, 3 Parliament street, 2a Canon row, 2b Canon row, 4 Canon row and a flat at 102 Rochester row.
Early Day Motions
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost to the House of Commons Service was of processing early-day motions in Session (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10. [22571]
Sir Stuart Bell: The estimated cost to the House of administering and processing early-day motions (EDMs) in financial year 2009-10 was approximately £1 million. Figures for the previous year are not readily available but there is no reason to suppose that they were significantly different in real terms, other than that the number of EDMs tabled may be higher in a longer session.
Most of this cost was accounted for by printing and publication of early-day motions, amendments to them, and names added to them, under the House's contract with TSO. This cost nearly £776,000 in 2009-10.
Expenditure is incurred on staff time to process and input notices relating to early-day motions, and to index that material. Staff who deal with EDMs also undertake other duties, but a rough estimate of the full salary costs incurred from the estimated amount of their time spent on EDMs, including employer's pension contribution and national insurance, is of the order of £150,000 for 2009-10.
In addition, technical support for the EDMi database and the Table Office's software application for processing EDMs cost approximately £87,000 in 2009-10.
Genetically Modified Organisms: Food
Mr Knight: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether any (a) genetically modified and (b) irradiated food is served or offered for sale in House of Commons catering and retail outlets. [22510]
Sir Stuart Bell: In line with its procurement policy, the House of Commons Catering Service avoids, wherever identifiable, the procurement of foods that contain genetically modified organisms. To this end, as part of the tendering process, food suppliers are required to work to a strict GMO policy and give assurances that goods supplied be free from genetically modified materials.
In line with guidance from the Food Standards Agency there is no defined policy which covers the procurement of irradiated foods; however the House of Commons Catering Service does not knowingly purchase any foodstuffs that are irradiated.
House of Commons: Pay
Mr Knight: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many staff employed in the House of Commons Service on 1 November 2010 earned as much as or more than an hon. Member; and what the (a) posts and (b) current salaries are of such staff. [22511]
Sir Stuart Bell: The basic salary payable to Members is £65,738 per annum as at 1 November 2010. At that date, 78 staff were paid an annual salary above this figure. A list of the posts in the Senior Commons Structure and at pay band Al, which have pay maxima higher than Members' current salary, will be placed in the Library, together with the individual pay of SCS2 and SCS3 staff in £5,000 bands. Details of the staff pay bands and staff pay arrangements are available on the parliamentary intranet. The salaries of Members of the Board of Management are disclosed in the House of Commons: Administration annual accounts.
Official Report: Finance
Mr Knight: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the total cost was of producing an edition of the Official Report to record the Youth Parliament debate on 29 October 2010; and from what budget the money will be drawn. [22729]
Sir Stuart Bell: Official Report staff produced the report of the Youth Parliament debate on 29 October 2010; no additional staff costs were incurred. Parliamentary Print Services produced the printed copies of the report at a cost of £186. This will come from the budget of the Department of Chamber and Committee Services.
UK Youth Parliament
Philip Davies: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost to the public purse was under each budgetary heading of hosting the UK Youth Parliament debate on Friday 29 October 2010. [22239]
Sir Stuart Bell: The additional cost was:
| Budget | £ |
Culture, Media and Sport
BBC: Broadband
Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will bring forward proposals to provide independent access to broadband for providers dependent on BBC licence fee funding for the extension of such services. [22991]
Mr Vaizey: I have been asked to reply in my capacity as a Minister in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Broadband infrastructure upgrades utilising the public funding announced in the spending review will follow public procurement guidelines. Those guidelines require
competitive tendering and additionally require wholesale access to that infrastructure to be made available to all suppliers of broadband services.
Olympic Games 2012
Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to decide on the route for the Olympic torch; and if he will consider including Hastings as a location on the route. [22723]
Hugh Robertson: The Olympic and Paralympic torch relays are the responsibility of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). LOCOG has announced its vision for welcoming the Olympic flame, when the torch arrives in the UK on Friday 18 May 2012. The torch will travel around the UK for 70 days, arriving in London the weekend before the games begin.
LOCOG has not finalised the Olympic torch relay route at this stage but is currently undertaking initial route planning. LOCOG has confirmed that the torch will come within a one-hour journey time of 95% of the UK population. Earlier this year, local communities were invited to contribute expressions of interest and ideas for hosting a welcome event for the torch during a three-month tour of the UK's Nations and Regions. These evening celebration events will be announced next year, as they are confirmed.
Olympic Games 2012: Counterfeit Manufacturing
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to deter counterfeit ticketing for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. [22472]
Hugh Robertson: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is responsible for the ticketing arrangements for the London 2012 Games. As the almost entirely privately-financed Organising Committee, LOCOG must raise a significant proportion of its £2 billion budget from ticket sales.
Tickets are protected by the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act of 2006, which makes any unauthorised sale of London 2012 tickets in a public place, in the course of a business, or for profit a criminal act. LOCOG works very closely with the Metropolitan police unit charged with working to prevent ticket fraud. A dedicated Metropolitan police team from the Specialist Crime Directorate-Operation Podium-has been working with key Olympic stakeholders to profile the risks, share intelligence and build in prevention measures associated with ticketing fraud.
Through the launch of its 'Sign Up' campaign, LOCOG is educating the public on where the official outlets for tickets are-in the UK, tickets will only be available through LOCOG, its partner Thomas Cook and prestige ticketing suppliers. Outside of the UK, tickets will only be available for purchase through each National Olympic Committee's appointed ticket agent. LOCOG now owns significant numbers of online domain names, and where other sites claim to sell tickets LOCOG takes action, including reporting them to the police. It will be illegal to sell tickets on auction websites.
Olympic Games 2012: Low Income Families
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to allocate tickets for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to low income families. [22473]
Hugh Robertson: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is responsible for the ticketing arrangements for the London 2012 Games. As the almost entirely privately-financed Organising Committee, LOCOG must raise a significant proportion of its £2 billion budget from ticket sales.
LOCOG has announced pricing for Olympic tickets, which provides for accessible and affordable tickets to achieve full stadia at Games-time, and in doing so offer as many people as possible the chance to attend the Games. Almost a third of Olympic tickets will cost £20 or less, and these tickets will feature in every sport. LOCOG has also announced special pricing arrangements for seniors, a "Pay Your Age" scheme at nearly a third of all sessions for those 16 or under, and "Ticketshare", a scheme where 100,000 tickets have been paid for by those buying prestige hospitality tickets which will be distributed to school children via schools registered as part of the London 2012 Get Set Network. Tickets for events in London will also include a travel card, zones 1-6 on the day of the event. Arrangements for Paralympic ticket prices will be announced in 2011, which will demonstrate further affordability.
Redundancy
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding to meet staff redundancy costs was identified in his Department's settlement letter in respect of the comprehensive spending review. [21520]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: All pressures on Departments' budgets were taken into account as part of the spending review and settlements were allocated accordingly. The full costs of redundancies will be met from within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's resource DEL settlement.
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of staff redundancy in each of the next four years. [21522]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: Determining optimal work force reforms in order to live within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport spending review resource DEL settlement is an ongoing process.
The Department is not able to provide an accurate estimate of the cost of redundancies as yet for each of the next four years as we, alongside other public sector bodies across Government, are awaiting the outcome of the Superannuation Bill which is due to be finalised in December 2010.
Energy and Climate Change
Departmental Official Hospitality
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department spent on hospitality for events hosted by each of its Ministers in (a) September and (b) October 2010. [21779]
Gregory Barker: The amount spent in September was £118.44.
The provisional figure, pending the receipt of final invoices, for October was £1,040.82.
Renewable Energy: Shetland
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he has made an assessment of the merits of capping renewable energy transmission charges for Shetland and Orkney; and if he will make a statement. [21286]
Charles Hendry: Ofgem is currently conducting an overarching review of transmission charges through Project TransmiT which was launched on 22 September. In parallel with Project TransmiT, I will be undertaking analysis so a decision can be made on whether to use section 185 of the Energy Act 2004 to adjust transmission charges for renewable generation on Shetland and Orkney and the Western Isles. I aim to be in a position to act quickly should a section 185 scheme be required once we know the outcome of Project TransmiT.
Communities and Local Government
Anti-Semitism
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who serves on the cross-Government working group to tackle anti-Semitism; on what dates the working group has met since May 2010; on what dates the group plans to meet during the next six months; and if he will make a statement. [20254]
Andrew Stunell: The cross-Government working group to tackle anti-Semitism is made up of civil servants from across Whitehall as well as representatives of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council, the Community Security Trust and a representative of the All Party Parliamentary Group Against Anti-Semitism. The working group met on Friday 23 July 2010. Further meetings are planned for Wednesday 17 November 2010, followed by meetings during the second week of February 2011 and June 2011.
Global Peace and Unity Conference
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Ministers attended the Islam Channel Global Peace and Unity conference on 23 and 24 October 2010; what assessment he has made of the outcome of that conference; and what discussions he has had with (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) officials on ministerial attendance at the conference. [22863]
Andrew Stunell: I attended the Global Peace and Unity event on 24 October on behalf of the Government. No assessment has been made of the outcome of the conference. Ministers and officials have regular discussions about ministerial attendance at public events.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Pakistan
15. Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [22541]
Mr Hague: A stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan is in Britain's interest, and in the interests of all EU member states. I have had intensive contact with my EU counterparts in recent weeks to ensure substantial European support for Pakistan following the floods, including on trade access.
21. Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the policy of the EU on Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [22547]
Mr Hague: The EU is Pakistan's largest trading partner, one of the largest investors in Pakistan, and has a relationship covering counter-terrorism, governance, humanitarian aid and development. We want to see a deeper, more visible EU-Pakistan relationship, including improved market access for Pakistani goods into the EU.
EU Treaties
16. Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the proposed new EU treaty. [22542]
Mr Lidington: There is no proposed new EU treaty. However the European Council asked its President Herman Van Rompuy to "undertake consultations" on a limited treaty change to allow for the creation of a permanent crisis mechanism to "safeguard the financial stability of the Euro area".
Zimbabwe
17. Claire Perry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Zimbabwe. [22543]
Mr Bellingham: Hardliners within the Inclusive Government continue to block reform. However, the Inclusive Government offer the best means of transforming Zimbabwe. We will continue to work with reformers in Zimbabwe and the region to prepare for credible and properly monitored elections.
Weapons Shipment: Lagos
18. Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the origin of the shipment of weapons seized in Lagos by the Nigerian authorities on 26 October 2010. [22544]
Mr Bellingham: We are aware of media allegations about Iranian links to the shipment of weapons seized in Lagos by the Nigerian authorities on 26 October 2010. If true, this would represent a serious and unacceptable breach of UN sanctions and further evidence of Iran's destabilising role in the Middle East. We continue to condemn Iranian support to groups such as Hamas and Hizballah which pursue an ideology of violence directly undermining prospects for peace in the region.
Yemen
19. Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs What recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Yemen; and if he will make a statement. [22545]
Mr Hague: Yemen is fragile and in need of enhanced international support. It faces a combination of instability; poverty and rapid economic decline; and increasing terrorist activity by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The Government of Yemen must take the lead in tackling this threat and pursuing reform and development. We, and others in the international community, remain ready to assist as required.
We have led the international response to this, both bilaterally through our long-standing relationship with the Yemeni Government and our substantial development programme, and multilaterally through the international Friends of Yemen Group.
University Teaching: Italy
20. Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of his recent meeting with the president of the Association of Foreign Lecturers in Italy on the rights of UK citizens teaching in universities in Italy; and if he will make a statement. [22546]
Mr Lidington: I met the President of the Association of Foreign Lecturers in Italy, Professor Petrie, on 28 October. I said that I would raise the issue with the Italian Minister for European Affairs, the Italian ambassador to the UK and the European Commissioner for Employment. Our British embassy in Rome will also meet members of the association and Italian Government officials.
It is wrong and contrary to the spirit of non-discrimination in the single market that the "lettori" should still be denied their rights. I shall continue to press the Italian Government on this issue.
Turkey
22. Iain Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the state of bilateral relations with Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [22548]
Mr Lidington: We have excellent co-operation with Turkey on a wide range of issues, reaffirmed in a new strategic partnership signed by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister during our joint visit to Turkey in July. Priority areas of co-operation include trade and investment, regional security, defence, energy and counter-terrorism.
British Nationals Abroad: Bereavement
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what training his Department provides for consular desk staff on provision of services to UK nationals bereaved by murder and manslaughter abroad. [22477]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is committed to delivering high quality support to British nationals overseas. We continue to invest in our staff to sustain their professionalism through compulsory training designed to give them the relevant skills and knowledge to provide appropriate support in a range of circumstances. Training covers customer care and welfare issues in addition to practical matters. Particular attention is paid to the special circumstances affecting the family of murder victims. Both knowledge of what help the FCO can provide and the skills staff must use when dealing with individuals in difficult circumstances are tested to ensure all staff meet the required standard.
Consular training team won five awards in 2009, including the International Visual Communications Association Gold award for Practical Training.
China: Human Rights
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department monitors the human rights record of Chinese state-owned enterprises which have operations in Africa. [22457]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government attach high importance to responsible business practices in Africa. In May 2010, the Department for International Development supported an international conference in Beijing on 'Corporate Social Responsibility and African Development'. The conference provided an opportunity for delegates from China, Africa, US and the EU to discuss how to promote and practice responsible business that can benefit Africa.
We have an active programme of engagement with China on Africa issues, including an annual official-level UK-China dialogue on Africa. The most recent round took place in Beijing in October 2010.
Colombia
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Colombian counterpart on imprisonment of Rosalba Gavira Toro. [21980]
Mr Jeremy Browne: On 5 November 2010 our embassy wrote to the Presidential Programme for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law to raise Mrs Gavira's case. We will continue to monitor her investigation and raise the matter with the Colombian authorities again should it prove necessary.
Colombia: Trade Unions
Mr Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to his Colombian counterpart on an investigation of the killing of trade union representative Nelson Murillo. [21350]
Mr Jeremy Browne: On 29 October, officials at our embassy in Bogota sent a letter to the Office of the Presidential Program of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, the International Unit of the General Prosecutor's Office and the Human Rights Division of the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the assassination of Mr Murillo. We asked to be kept informed on the progress of the investigation. We will continue to monitor the investigation and raise the case again with the Colombian authorities should it prove necessary.
The safety of trade unionists in Colombia remains of great concern to us. Staff at our embassy in Bogota continue to visit those who are under threat and make representations to the Colombian authorities in cases of violence or intimidation against trade unionists. We are also working with the UN on a research initiative to help improve trade union human rights protection and the development of positive labour relations.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Minerals
Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that minerals sourced in the Democratic Republic of Congo and sold by UK companies are ethically sourced. [22526]
Mr Bellingham: The UK is committed to promoting responsible corporate behaviour amongst British companies wherever they operate. We promote high standards of accountability and responsibility with regard to human rights from British companies trading in natural resources sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adherence to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) voluntary Guidelines for Multinationals. We support new OECD due diligence guidelines for mineral supply chains.
Departmental Early Retirement
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff of (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have been offered enhanced early retirement packages in each of the last three years. [22025]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has offered the following numbers of staff early retirement on compulsory early retirement (CER) or flexible early retirement (FER) terms. CER and FER are the only schemes which allow for an enhancement of service. The Civil Service pensions website at:
has descriptions of the various terms currently on offer under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS).
2008-09: 59 staff (20 CER, 39 FER)
2009-10: 95 staff (14 CER, 81 FER)
2010-11: 51 staff (0 CER, 51 FER)
For FCO Services the position is:
2008-09: One CER
2009-10: Nil
2010-11: Nil
2008-09: Nil
2009-10: Nil
2010-11: four FER
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our agencies only offer early departure schemes where they will help to address staffing issues within the organisation which have been identified by our Strategic Workforce Plan. Applications are assessed against a number of criteria including business need and value for money. All packages which are agreed are calculated and paid in strict accordance with the rules of the CSCS.
EU Law
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many EU (a) regulations and (b) directives affecting the UK were passed in each year since 1997; and how many were transposed into domestic law in each year since 1997. [22057]
Mr Lidington: This information is not held centrally as it is the responsibility of each Government Department to ensure that EU legislative instruments are transposed into UK law. It would entail disproportionate cost to research and compile this information.
However, research has been conducted concerning the amount of UK legislation that is affected by EU regulations and directives which is available in the Library of the House titled "How Much Legislation Comes from the EU" under reference 10/62.
European External Action Service
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many former staff of his Department terminated their employment to join the European External Action Service in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010. [21800]
Mr Lidington: No members of Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff have terminated their employment to join the European External Action Service (EEAS). If recruited, Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff will join the EEAS on secondment for a fixed period and will then return to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
European Union
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress he has made on his proposals to repatriate powers from the EU to the UK; what opportunities for the UK to repatriate powers from the EU he expects in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [22054]
Mr Lidington: The Government's priority has been the European Union Bill. The aim of the forthcoming Bill is to increase democratic and parliamentary control, scrutiny and accountability over EU decision making. The Bill will introduce a 'referendum lock'. This referendum lock will ensure that any proposed future treaty, or treaty amendment, that transferred competences or areas of power from the UK to the EU would be subject to a referendum.
Our national priority is getting our budget under control, and that includes getting the EU budget under control. We have had a significant success at the October European Council in doing that, not just for this budget but in framing the debate for the next multi-annual EU budget. That is what we will be focusing on in the months ahead.
In fulfilment of the coalition agreement we have begun initial work on the balance of the EU's competences. In addition we will continue to work to limit the application of the working time directive in the United Kingdom.
Foreign Nationals: Bereavement
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on assisting foreign nationals bereaved by murder and manslaughter while in the UK in 2009. [22474]
Mr Blunt: I have been asked to reply.
Lead responsibility for ensuring provision of support services and assistance to victims of crime rests with the Ministry of Justice.
In 2009-10 the Ministry of Justice provided funding of £38.2 million to Victim Support to support their work across England and Wales. Victim Support provides assistance to victims of crime in England and Wales, regardless of their nationality. An additional £250,000 was provided to specialist organisations providing support to relatives bereaved by murder and manslaughter from the Victims Fund and £140,000 to the organisation Support after Murder and Manslaughter.
For 2010-11 the Ministry of Justice has allocated £45 million for Victim Support, £140,000 for Support After Murder and Manslaughter and £270,474 for specialist organisations supporting bereaved relatives via the Victims Fund.
Iran: Higher Education
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of restrictions imposed by the Government of Iran on university courses in (a) law, (b) philosophy, (c) management, (d) psychology, (e) political science and (f) women's studies and human rights in that country; and if he will make a statement. [21936]
Alistair Burt: We are aware of reports of restrictions on a number of social science university courses in Iran, including reports that no new departments will be opened and existing courses will have their content revised. Restrictions to women's studies and human rights courses are of particular concern and we will continue to monitor these developments closely.
Iran: Iraq
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent reports he has received of the (a) supply and (b) training by Iran of militias and insurgents in Iraq; and if he will make a statement; [R] [21939]
(2) what recent reports he has received on the supply to al-Qaeda of suicide vests by the Government of Iran; and if he will make a statement. [R] [21940]
Alistair Burt: We have not seen recent reports of Iran supplying suicide vests to al-Qaeda. But we have longstanding and serious concerns about Iranian financial and material support to militia groups in Iraq, and the Taliban. We have repeatedly called on Iran to work with the international community to build a stable and secure future for the region.
Iran: Nuclear Power
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Government of Iran complies with its international obligations in relation to nuclear non-proliferation. [22415]
Alistair Burt: The UK has been at the forefront of international efforts to intensify pressure on Iran to comply with its obligations. We have supported unprecedented UN and EU sanctions to this end. We are fully focused on a diplomatic resolution to this issue and are using all channels to urge Iran to enter into negotiations.
Iraq: Prisoners
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the letter from the Minister of State of 30 September 2010, ref. 88511, what response embassy officials received from the Iraqi Chief of Prisons Monitoring Department on prison conditions for (a) Dr Mahdi Saleh, (b) Mr Haman Yousif Hamadi and (c) Dr Amwer Rashid after they had made representations in each case; and if he will make a statement. [22342]
Alistair Burt: Our embassy has made no representations to Iraqi Chief of Prisons Monitoring Department with regard to these individuals, who are Iraqi citizens standing trial in accordance with Iraqi Law at the Iraqi High Tribunal, nor was any undertaking made to make such representations in the letter of 30 September.
We regularly discuss the justice system, and prison conditions, with senior members of the Iraqi Government. In August 2010 our ambassador in Baghdad met with the Iraqi Human Rights Minister and raised concerns over prison conditions. On 7 September our embassy officials in Baghdad met with the Chief of Prisons Monitoring Department during a Human Rights working group with EU embassies and also discussed conditions of prisons and treatment of detainees. We will continue to look for opportunities to remind the Iraqi authorities that any prisoners detained without charge should be dealt with by due process and, should be treated in line with internationally accepted standards regarding fair trials and prisoners' rights.
Israel: Sanctions
Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received recent representations from trade union leaders on trade boycotts against Israel; and if he will make a statement. [20970]
Alistair Burt:
We do receive representations from groups who advocate a trade boycott against Israel.
However, we do not think boycotts are a constructive way forward. They are an obstruction to the close friendship and trade links shared between the UK and Israel.
Lebanon: Anti-Israeli Missile
Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will undertake pre-emptive multilateral diplomatic action to prevent the escalation of anti-Israeli missile deployment in Lebanon. [22902]
Alistair Burt: We continue to press for the full implementation of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions, most notably UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls upon Hizballah to disarm.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 with Prime Minister Hariri during his visit to the UK last week. I also raised these issues during my visit to Syria and Lebanon in July underlining the need to prevent the flow of arms to Hizballah.
Mental Health
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recommendations relevant to his Department's policy responsibilities contained in the Foresight Report on Mental Capital and Wellbeing by the Government Office for Science; if he will ensure that his Department takes steps to promote wellbeing; if he will ensure that his Department's policy development process takes account of psychological research into subjective wellbeing; and if he will make a statement. [22204]
Alistair Burt [holding answer 8 November 2010]: The Foresight Report recognises the important role employers have to play in promoting the mental well-being of those in their care. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) already has in place many of the initiatives highlighted in the report. These include a health care scheme for staff and families posted overseas, an in-house welfare and occupational health service, access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme, a stress management framework, based on the Health and Safety Executive's management standards and a regular programme of health promotion activities. The FCO regularly reviews its policies towards mental well-being in the light of operational experience and the prevailing academic research. Additional support is offered to staff serving in high threat posts (Iraq, Afghanistan), and to those who have been involved in traumatic incidents while serving overseas.
North Korea: Nuclear Power
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Government of North Korea comply with their international obligations in relation to nuclear non-proliferation. [22416]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The UK remains deeply concerned by North Korea's illicit nuclear weapons programme, which we regard as a threat to regional and international security. We strongly support the tough sanctions imposed by UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874. These are targeted to limit North Korea's proliferation activities, and we continue to work closely with international partners to ensure that these measures are robustly implemented. We hope that the Six-Party Talks process, which we view as the most realistic mechanism for making progress towards denuclearisation, recommences soon. In the meantime, we urge North Korea to refrain from any further provocative actions.
Taiwan: EU External Trade
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on the proposal for a free trade agreement between the EU and Taiwan. [22626]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We value our strong trade links with Taiwan and seek to enhance them. We support active consideration of practical measures to strengthen trade between the EU and Taiwan.
Terrorism: Expenditure
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's projected overseas counter-terrorism expenditure is for 2010-11. [22911]
Alistair Burt: The counter-terrorism department overseas programme budget in 2010-11 for counter-terrorism is £38 million.
UK Membership of EU
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the total annual gross benefit to (a) the public purse and (b) the UK economy as a result of the UK's membership of the EU. [21950]
Justine Greening: I have been asked to reply.
The UK's projected public sector receipt from the EU budget in 2010-11 is £4.8 billion. These figures can be found in the latest Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis document (see Table C1, page 176).
The Treasury reviews as part of its analysis of the EU economy, a wide range of studies by external commentators that attempt to assess the costs and benefits of EU membership.
Venezuela: Human Rights
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on human rights in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement. [21930]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The EU Heads of Mission in Caracas compiled a report on Venezuela, including human rights, for the EU Latin America Working Group (COLAT) meeting held on 6 July 2010 in Brussels. We also receive regular reporting from our embassy.
The EU report focuses in particular on human rights concerns in the pre-electoral period. It said that while freedom of expression existed, there had been increasing cases of journalists being intimidated and harassed, as well as the closure of media outlets and some overt censorship by the press. Our embassy in Caracas continues to monitor the situation.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions (a) HM Ambassador to Venezuela, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with the president of Venezuela on human rights in Venezuela; on what date each such meeting took place; who was present at each such meeting; and if he will make a statement. [22004]
Mr Jeremy Browne: There have not been any recent discussions with the President on issues of human rights.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary General of the United Nations on human rights in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement. [22005]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We have not had discussions with the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) on human rights in Venezuela. However, we do work closely with the UN on the ground. We have helped refugees on the Venezuela-Colombian border in joint projects with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and are in regular contact with them.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the incidence of anti-Semitism in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement. [22009]
Mr Jeremy Browne: There have been anti-Semitic incidents in the past including an attack on a synagogue in January 2009. Our embassy in Caracas monitors this issue and has reported that there have not been any similar incidents of anti-Semitism since. We understand that President Chavez met members of the Jewish community in September this year.
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