Written Answers to Questions
Friday 12 November 2010
Business, Innovation and Skills
Broadband: Ealing
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of the funding proposed to be allocated to broadband programmes in the comprehensive spending review will be spent on programmes based in Ealing Southall constituency. [23575]
Mr Vaizey: £530 million of funding to support broadband rollout is available up to 2015. However, to date no specific allocation of funds has been made for programmes in Ealing Southall constituency, or any other constituency.
Business: Regulation
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses. [23805]
Mr Prisk: A number of steps are being taken:
This month the Prime Minister asked Lord Young to look at what this Government can do to make life easier for small businesses. This will include examining ways in which the Government can remove barriers to growth and remove or minimise regulatory and bureaucratic burdens on business.
Recently, the Better Regulation Executive, published a report 'Lightening the Load' which highlights the cumulative regulatory burden affecting the smallest businesses-the findings will feed into Lord Young's review.
The BRE is actively working with Departments to identify regulation which is overly burdensome, particularly on small businesses, and support policy makers in using non-regulatory approaches.
The BRE is also undertaking a series of regional visits, speaking to SMEs all over the country to further identify ways to improve the business environment.
In September, the Government introduced the One-in, One-out rule-a significant step in stemming the flow of regulation and will focus Whitehall's attention on finding alternatives to regulation.
Cement: EU Action
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the likely effects on the economic performance of the UK cement industry of the European Commission's proposal for a hybrid clinker benchmark for Phase III of the European Union Emissions Trading scheme. [23842]
Mr Prisk: The European Commission's proposal for the free allocation rules for Phase III of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) was sent to member states on 22 October. My officials, along with officials from the Department for Energy and Climate Change, are in the process of analysing the proposal in detail in order to assess its impact, including economic effects. I have met with representatives from the UK cement sector in order to discuss the proposal and ensure that we have a full understanding of the implications of the proposed approach. Officials from both departments will be having discussions with the European Commission on this issue.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the likely effects on competition in the European cement industry of the European Commission's proposal for a hybrid clinker benchmark for Phase III of the European Union Emissions Trading scheme. [23843]
Mr Prisk: The European Commission's proposal for the free allocation rules for Phase III of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) was sent to member states on 22 October. My officials, along with officials from the Department for Energy and Climate Change, are in the process of analysing the proposal in detail in order to assess its impact on UK industry, including competitiveness issues. I have met with representatives from the UK cement sector in order to discuss the proposal and ensure that we have a full understanding of the implications of the proposed approach. Officials from both Departments will also be having discussions with the European Commission on this issue.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the likely financial effects on the UK cement industry of the European Commission's proposal for a hybrid clinker benchmark for Phase III of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. [23845]
Mr Prisk: The European Commission's proposal for the free allocation rules for Phase III of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) was sent to member states on 22 October. My officials, along with officials from the Department for Energy and Climate Change, are in the process of analysing the proposal in detail in order to assess its impact on UK industry, including financial effects. I have met with representatives from the UK cement sector in order to discuss the proposal and ensure that we have a full understanding of the implications of the proposed approach. Officials from both Departments will also be having discussions with the European Commission on this issue.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what (a) meetings and (b) discussions his Department has had with representatives of cement producers who do not manufacture cement in the UK on the proposed hybrid clinker benchmark for Phase III of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. [23846]
Mr Prisk:
The European Commission's proposal for the free allocation rules for Phase III of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) was sent to member states on 22 October, including the proposed hybrid clinker
benchmark. There have been no meetings with cement producers who do not manufacture in the UK about this proposed hybrid approach.
Officials have met with Holcim, which does not manufacture cement in the UK, on two occasions in January and February 2010. These meetings were about the broad issue of cement benchmarking, rather than the currently proposed hybrid approach.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the likely effects on the UK ready-mix concrete industry of the European Commission's proposal for a hybrid clinker benchmark for Phase III of the European Union Emissions Trading scheme. [23844]
Mr Prisk: The European Commission's proposal for the free allocation rules for Phase III of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) was sent to member states on 22 October. My officials, along with officials from the Department for Energy and Climate Change, are in the process of analysing the proposal in detail in order to assess its impact, including the effects on the UK ready-mix concrete industry. I have met with representatives from the UK cement sector in order to discuss the proposal and ensure that we have a full understanding of the implications of the proposed approach. Officials from both Departments will also be having discussions with the European Commission on this issue.
Green Investment Bank
Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding from the sale of Government assets he expects to be allocated to the proposed Green Investment Bank. [23146]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 11 November 2010]: We are unable to provide commercially sensitive information on expected proceeds from individual asset sales at this stage. However, at an aggregate level, the Government are confident that the asset sales they are considering will be sufficient to provide significant additional funding above the £1 billion allocated to the Green Investment Bank from departmental budgets. They will make further announcements on this funding stream in due course.
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the proceeds from the sale of High Speed 1 are to be used as start-up capital for his Department's proposed Green Investment Bank. [23151]
Mr Prisk: We are unable to provide commercially sensitive information on expected proceeds from individual asset sales at this stage. However, at an aggregate level, the Government are confident that the asset sales they are considering will be sufficient to provide significant additional funding above the £1 billion allocated to the Green Investment Bank from departmental budgets. They will make further announcements on this funding stream in due course.
Higher Education: Student Wastage
Dan Byles:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many UK-based students started but did not complete a degree course within a
specified period at a university in England in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the average student debt of such individuals. [21946]
Mr Hayes: The numbers of UK-domiciled full-time first degree entrants to higher education institutions in England who were projected to neither gain an award nor transfer to another higher education institution in the UK are shown in Table 1. Figures are taken from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Performance Indicators in Higher Education in the UK. Information for the 2008/09 academic year will become available from April 2011.
| Table 1: UK-domiciled full-time first degree entrants to higher education institutions in England projected to neither gain an award nor transfer to another UK higher education institution-academic years 2003/04 to 2007/08 | |||
| Academic year | Entrants | Number projected to neither gain an award nor transfer | Percentage projected to neither gain an award nor transfer |
| Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest five and percentages are given to one decimal place. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency Performance Indicators in Higher Education in the UK | |||
Table 2 shows the latest available information from the Student Loans Company (SLC) on students with a student loan balance who are known to have withdrawn. These figures are on a different basis to the HESA figures in Table 1 and should not be combined in calculations. SLC figures cover England domiciled students who attended a Higher Education Institution (HEI) in England, took out a student loan, and for whom the HEI subsequently informed SLC that the student had withdrawn from their course. SLC figures may include postgraduate and part-time Initial Teacher Training students with loans, and refer to the position at 30 April 2010.
| Table 2: Students with loans who are known to have withdrawn( 1) England domicile, England Higher Education Institutions-academic years 2004/05 to 2007/08 | ||
| Academic year of entry to Higher Education | Number of students with loans known to have withdrawn | Average student loan balance at end of financial year of withdrawal (£)( 2) |
| (1) New entrants in the given academic years for whom the higher education institution have provided SLC with confirmation of withdrawal. (2) Average loan balances include balances in respect of any previous courses (which the student may have completed successfully). Notes: 1. Data are provisional. 2. Student numbers are rounded to nearest 100. Source: Student Loans Company (SLC) | ||
SLC data are not available before 2004/05. Comparable HESA and SLC data are not available.
Local Enterprise Partnerships
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will bring forward proposals to ensure that local enterprise partnerships have at least one representative from a co-operative or other mutual organisation on their boards. [24082]
Mr Prisk: As set out in the White Paper on Local Growth the Government will normally expect to see business representatives form half the board, with a prominent business leader in the chair. Partnerships will want to work closely with other key economic stakeholders including social and community enterprises.
Northwest Regional Development Agency: Assets
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the current monetary value of properties owned by the Northwest Regional Development Agency; and what advice he has received on (a) the amount (i) likely to be realised by an early sale of those properties and (ii) which might be realised if a sale was delayed and (b) alternative uses for those properties. [23606]
Mr Prisk: The current value of properties owned by the Northwest Regional Development Agency, as for all other RDAs, is currently under review. It is not possible at present to estimate the extent of receipts arising from the disposal of the assets of the regional development agencies as decisions have yet to be made on the scope and timing of any sale. No decision has yet been made on any specific asset and no dates have been set for the transfer or disposal of specific assets and liabilities other than ordinary disposals.
Overseas Trade: India and China
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to support access for UK technology companies to new markets in (a) India and (b) China; and if he will make a statement. [23502]
Mr Prisk: The coalition Government have committed to enhanced partnerships with emerging powers, including India and China, with trade and investment at the centre of our prosperity and growth. This includes maximising our comparative advantages, including for world-class UK technology companies.
We have ongoing Government to Government dialogue with India and China through the respective Joint Economic Trade Committee and Commission. By this process, we are seeking greater access for UK companies, including SMEs. In addition, we continue to provide advice, support and expertise through UK Trade and Investment to help our firms access these markets.
Specifically for the technology sector, UKTI has been running campaigns in China and India to enable UK technology companies to access supply chain opportunities with large overseas customers.
The Prime Minister has also launched the global Technology Taskforce which, with £15 million of funding, will recruit the very best technology companies and talent to Britain and help entrepreneurial and innovative start-ups in the UK to internationalise.
Personnel: Drugs
Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what regulations govern the ability of employers to conduct workplace tests for alcohol and drugs on employees. [21475]
Mr Prisk: There is no legislation specifically governing the ability of employers in general to conduct alcohol and drug tests on their employees. It is a criminal offence for some workers in certain sectors, such as train drivers for example, to be unfit to work through the use of drink or drugs. Professional associations may also impose sanctions on their members.
Testing for alcohol and drugs cannot be carried out without an employee's consent. When employers collect personal information about their employees through drug or alcohol testing, this will be subject to the Data Protection Act. The Information Commissioner has produced an Employment Practices Code including guidance on alcohol and drug testing in the workplace which can be found at:
Radio Frequencies
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 28 October 2010, Official Report, column 458W, on public expenditure, who is undertaking the work to identify spectrum suitable for release; and what representations he has received on the proposed release of public sector spectrum. [22872]
Mr Vaizey: Work to create an appropriate governance structure to manage the process of release and an implementation timetable is currently under way, led by the Shareholder Executive and the Treasury. Once this is approved by Ministers, expected to be no later than March 2011, we will be able to give more detail on how the work to identify spectrum will be taken forward.
Current discussions involve the relevant Departments, particularly MOD and Ofcom. To date I have received no representations from outside Government.
Regional Growth Fund
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what support his Department is providing (a) for small enterprises and (b) to create employment prior to the implementation of the Regional Growth Fund. [22641]
Mr Prisk: A number of measures are being undertaken with the purpose of stimulating growth which is targeting support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
As the regional development agencies are decommissioned I will introduce a new and flexible delivery system which will include a national website, a national contact centre and access to mentors which should help SMEs to grow. I also intend to establish a network of growth hubs in England to support businesses with high growth potential.
The Government will provide highly focused support to SMEs through a renewed and streamlined portfolio
of business improvement products through Solutions for Business to be launched by this Department by April 2011.
We are establishing Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) as set out in the White Paper on Local Growth. This will involve local business and civic leaders working together to drive economic growth and create new jobs in their communities.
The coalition Government have articulated their ambition to ensure the flow of credit to viable SMEs. The Government have published their response to the consultation on business finance issues, "Financing a private sector recovery". It is available at:
Government are aware of the need to support small enterprises and we have set out our strategy "Backing small business" which is available at:
Among other measures, we have confirmed our intention to continue the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme until 2014-15, providing up to £600 million of additional commercial lending to around 6,000 small and medium-sized enterprises next year alone and over £2 billion in total over the next four years, subject to demand.
We have also undertaken to continue the programme of Enterprise Capital Funds by increasing our commitment by £200 million over the next four years, providing more than £300 million of investment for early stage innovative SMEs.
The Regional Growth Fund was launched on 28 October with the publication of the Local Growth White Paper, 'Local growth: realising every place's potential'. It is available at:
Prior to the implementation of the Regional Growth Fund, Government intend to pursue their strategy as stated in "Backing small business" to promote small business procurement by aspiring to award 25% of Government contracts to SMEs.
We also intend to continue to support those starting a business by making it easier for new entrants to enter the market faster and enabling persons on jobseeker's allowance and in social housing to move into self-employment.
Science: Finance
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will assess the effect on gross domestic product of a reduction of £1 billion in science funding from his Department in the comprehensive spending review period. [23059]
Mr Willetts:
The comprehensive spending review 2010 (CSR 2010) maintains constant cash funding for science programmes through to 2014-15. While there is a significant literature base examining the link between Government science funding and its effect on GDP, it is extremely difficult to derive specific estimates of the income effects of particular changes in science funding. As with all savings being made in the BIS settlement, within the science budget, we are working closely with research councils and HEFCE to deliver savings as far as possible
through a combination of reform and efficiencies, for example through the Wakeham proposals to incentivise efficiency in university research.
Students: Fees and Charges
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the likely effects on postgraduate education of proposed increases in the level of tuition fees for undergraduate education. [23673]
Mr Hayes: The Government are committed to Britain being a world leading place to do research and despite huge pressure on public spending, the overall level of funding for science and research programmes has been protected in cash terms in a ring-fenced budget. We will, as Lord Browne suggested in his recent review, monitor participation in postgraduate study to identify whether changes to the undergraduate funding and finance system have any effect on entry to postgraduate courses, but we are confident that we will continue to have a world class research base. As now, postgraduate students have access to professional career development loans to support their studies.
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects on the number of students deferring entry to higher education from 2011 until 2012 of the increase in the cap on tuition fees in 2012. [23860]
Mr Hayes: Statistics on deferred entry to higher education are available via the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). In 2010 479,057 applicants accepted a place; 32,983 of these deferred entry to 2011. This covers applicants from all domiciles to all UK institutions.
It is still very early in the UCAS application cycle for entry in 2011 or beyond, so no information is held on the extent of deferred entry. Applicants can make up to five choices on their application form and this can include courses that start in 2011 or 2012.
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects on organisations that operate gap-year placement programmes of the likely reduction in demand for such placements in 2011 resulting from the increase in the cap on tuition fees in 2012. [23861]
Mr Hayes:
A relatively small number of prospective students apply each year for deferred entry to higher education, including those who decide to undertake a gap year. Statistics on deferred entry to higher education are available via the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). In 2010, 479,057 applicants accepted a place; 32,983 of these deferred entry to 2011. UCAS has sent a message to those who have applied for 2012 entry alerting them to the Government's recent announcement about future funding for higher education, directing them to the BIS website for additional information and suggesting further discussion with their preferred university. The decision to defer entry to higher education is not generally taken lightly and there will be a number
of considerations that individuals will, doubtless, take into account. It is not possible to say at this stage whether any of those who have applied for deferred entry will seek to reapply for 2011 and so no assessment has been made of the impact on gap-year placement organisations.
Students: Finance
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether students who finish A-levels in the 2010 academic year who apply for deferred entry to university in 2012 will be eligible to apply for financial support under (a) existing arrangements and (b) new arrangements coming into force for students applying in 2012. [22367]
Mr Hayes: The new support arrangements we are introducing from the 2012-13 academic year will apply to all students starting university in that year, including those who have deferred entry.
Technology Strategy Board
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding each research council allocated to the Technology Strategy Board in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and (c) 2010-11. [21215]
Mr Willetts: The research councils have allocated the following funding to the Technology Strategy Board-the figures include co-funding and aligned funding activities:
| £ | ||||
| Research council: | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 | Total |
Cabinet Office
Voluntary Work: Young People
Ben Gummer: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans his Department has for future funding of the youth volunteering organisation v. [23116]
Mr Hurd: We are continuing to finalise the details of our spending review settlement. I will be able to say more about the future funding position of v once this process has been concluded.
Communities and Local Government
Affordable Housing: Construction
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many new affordable homes his Department plans to fund in each of the next five years. [23564]
Grant Shapps: In the spending review we announced almost £4.5 billion investment for new affordable housing to deliver up to 150,000 affordable homes in England over the spending review period. We are giving housing associations much more flexibility on rents and use of assets, so our aspiration is to deliver even more homes through our investment and reforms. We will publish details of how these proposals will work shortly.
Local Government Finance
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether it is his policy to seek to ensure that all local authorities receive the same level of reduction in formula grant; and if he will make a statement. [23670]
Robert Neill: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 11 November 2010, Official Report, column 459W.
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment he has made of the average change in the level of central Government funding for a local authority in the next four years. [23681]
Robert Neill: The spending review 2010 provides a fair though challenging settlement for local government. It enables the Government to tackle the massive budget deficit and drive economic growth, while protecting the interests of hard working families and the most vulnerable in society. It provides significant new freedoms and flexibilities for local government to enable councils to become more efficient and effective in delivering local public services.
The picture for individual local authorities will be dependent on decisions on both formula grant distribution and on individual specific grants. We will announce our proposals for the distribution of formula grant in the usual manner in due course. Our aim is also to make as much information available on other grants at the same time.
Mortgages
Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions he has had with the Council of Mortgage Lenders on the Financial Services Authority's responsible lending proposals and their effects on the housing market. [23849]
Grant Shapps: The Government welcomes all contributions to the debate on the Financial Services Authority consultation, including the substantial research commissioned by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. Responsible lending, including to first-time buyers and the self-employed, is essential to support access to homeownership and new housing supply.
My officials have worked closely with the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Financial Services Authority on these proposals and will continue to do so.
Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effects of the Financial Services Authority's mortgage market review proposals on (a) the housing market and (b) the supply of new homes; and if he will make a statement. [23858]
Grant Shapps: The Government support the objective of the Mortgage Market Review to create a sustainable market for all participants. Responsible lending, including to first-time buyers and the self-employed, is essential to support access to homeownership and new housing supply.
The Financial Services Authority's proposals are of great importance to the future of the housing market and deserve wide debate based on the best possible evidence.
Culture, Media and Sport
Commonwealth Games 2014: BBC
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he had with the BBC Trust on the decision of the BBC not to act as host broadcaster for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. [23737]
Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport has not had any discussions with the BBC Trust on this matter.
Commonwealth Games: BBC
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what discussions he had with the BBC Trust on the costs to the BBC of covering the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games. [23736]
Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport has not had any discussions with the BBC Trust on this matter.
Departmental Official Hospitality
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on hospitality for events hosted by each of its Ministers in (a) September and (b) October 2010. [21776]
John Penrose: All expenditure on hospitality is made in accordance with published departmental guidance, based on the principles set out in Managing Public Money.
Hospitality was provided for one event in September: an official function hosted by the Minister for Sport and the Olympics at a cost of £220.50.
Departmental Policy
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what departmental policy reviews his Department has undertaken since 6 May 2010; on what date each such review (a) was announced and (b) is expected to publish its findings; what estimate he has made of the cost of each such review; who has been appointed to lead each such review; to what remuneration each review leader is entitled; how many (i) full-time equivalent civil servants and (ii) seconded staff are working on each such review; from which organisations such staff have been seconded; and how much on average such seconded staff will be paid for their work on the review. [21888]
John Penrose: All of the Department's arm's lengthbodies were reviewed in the lead up to the spending review announcements in October, using existing resources. On 8 June, the Secretary of State announced that Nicholas Shott had been appointed to carry out an independent and pro bono assessment of the conditions necessary for commercially viable local television to emerge in the UK. He receives no remuneration from the Department but receives some support from four full-time equivalent DCMS officials who are working on the DCMS local TV project. Nicholas Shott presented the Secretary of State with his initial findings on 24 September, which can be found on the DCMS website at:
Nicholas Shott's final conclusions are expected to be published in December 2011. On 20 July the hon. Member for Bath (Mr Foster) was asked to review abandoned betting accounts and other unclaimed winnings. He is not being paid to lead the review, and is working with two civil servants as part of their existing daily role. The report will look at how much money is left abandoned in betting accounts and uncover the value of unclaimed winning tickets, defining "dormant" and looking at how these funds could potentially benefit local communities through investment in sport. The report will be published by the end of 2010.
Also, on 19 July Tim Lamb, chief executive of the Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) was commissioned to review both its voluntary code of conduct for sports broadcasting, with a view to generating a funding boost to grassroots sport, and the bureaucracy affecting sport. No civil servants work on these reviews and they have no direct cost to DCMS. The reports are expected to be published by the end of November and by the end of February 2011 respectively.
Digital Broadcasting: Radio
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what consideration his Department has given to concerns of local radio stations in respect of digital switchover. [23907]
Mr Vaizey: The Department holds regular discussions with representatives of the radio sector, including local commercial radio, about digital radio switchover.
In addition, the Digital Radio Action Plan, published earlier this year, provides a number of fora for all stakeholders to engage with and contribute to the development of Digital Radio Switchover policy.
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on services provided by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in each of the last 10 years. [23390]
John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has made no payments for services to the Institute of Fiscal Studies in the last 10 years.
Television: Licensing
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many people aged 75 or over in Livingston constituency are in receipt of a free television licence. [23901]
Mr Vaizey: The Department does not hold this information. Free television licences for people aged 75 or over are issued by TV Licensing as agents for the BBC. This is, therefore, a matter for the BBC.
I understand, however, that the BBC does not collate information on licence holders aged 75 or over by constituency, county or nation as this is not necessary for the purposes of licence fee collection.
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many registered blind people in Livingston constituency are in receipt of a discounted television licence. [23902]
Mr Vaizey: The Department does not hold this information. Free television licences for the blind are issued by TV Licensing as agents for the BBC. This is, therefore, a matter for the BBC.
I understand that the BBC does not collate information on blind licence holders by constituency, county or nation as this is not necessary for the purposes of licence fee collection.
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will discuss with his German counterpart the provision by Germany of field hospital (a) equipment and (b) medical technicians for the NATO mission in Afghanistan. [21687]
Dr Fox: Germany is a key ally in NATO and Europe, and I regularly discuss Defence issues with the German Defence Minister. We last met, in London, on 28 June 2010, where we discussed a range of Defence issues including Afghanistan. Medical support in Afghanistan is, however, controlled and co-ordinated through the international security assistance force (ISAF) headquarters. Coalition assets already work closely together with great success, with the requirement for medical support based on the operational need. ISAF has developed protocols to ensure all coalition personnel are supported in the most appropriate manner.
Armed Forces: Facilities
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force facilities there are in each (i) Government Office region, (ii) local authority area and (iii) parliamentary constituency. [21437]
Mr Robathan: Annex A of the Defence Estate Development Plan 2009 provides a list of defence sites, by Service, government region and parliamentary constituency as at July 2009.
Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.
A corresponding list of sites by local authority area is not held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Atomic Weapons Establishment
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the terms of reference are of the Atomic Weapons Establishment's Nuclear Weapon Policy Development Group; when the group was first established; how often it has met; and on what date it last met. [21968]
Peter Luff: The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) does not have a body named the Nuclear Weapon Policy Development Group; there is, however, a Nuclear Weapons Policy Discussion Programme (NWPDP).
The aim of the NWPDP is to provide a forum for discussion for nominated AWE employees to develop their competencies and understanding of nuclear weapons policy and the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Established in April 2006, it has met approximately 50 times, most recently on 26 October 2010. The NWPDP does not formulate nuclear weapons policy.
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the reasons were for the increase in estimated costs of Project Hydrus at the Atomic Weapons Establishment; and how much the estimated cost increase was. [21974]
Peter Luff: I am withholding information relating to the costs of Project Hydrus as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) permanent staff, (b) temporary staff and (c) contractors were employed at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in each of the last three years; and how many such staff he expects to be employed at the establishment in each of the next three years. [21976]
Peter Luff: The numbers of staff employed at the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in the last three years are provided in the following table.
| Permanent staff | Contractors | Temporary staff | |
All figures represent full-time equivalent staff, and are as of the end of March in each year. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. These staff are employed by either AWE plc or their sub-contractors.
Based on current planning assumptions, AWE plc staffing targets for the next three years are approximately 4,700 permanent full-time equivalent staff, no temporary staff and 1,000 'integrated personnel', who are contractors employed by AWE plc for a fixed term to provide specific skills and expertise.
AWE Aldermaston: Fires
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who will lead the independent review of the fire at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston; and when he expects the findings of the review to be published. [21970]
Peter Luff: The independent review will be led by Mr Peter McIntyre, an independent member of the Atomic Weapons Establishment's Nuclear Safety Committee. It is expected that the findings will be published before the end of the year.
Defence: Expenditure
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether part of the Government's contribution to the NATO defence spending target of 2 per cent. of gross domestic product will be drawn from his Department's counter-terrorism budget. [23684]
Nick Harvey: The majority of the Ministry of Defence's counter-terrorism activities are provided in support of other Government Departments, for which it is reimbursed. No part of this funding from other Departments was included in the estimate that future defence spending will meet the NATO target. The MOD counter-terrorism activities funded from its core budget form part of the NATO definition of Defence spending.
Ex-servicemen
Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veterans there are who served in the armed forces between 1939 and 1945. [23223]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence does not hold information on the overall number of surviving veterans who served in the armed forces between 1939 and 1945.
Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2010, Official Report, column 953W, on the joint strike fighter aircraft, what views his US counterpart expressed on the decision not to purchase the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the F35 aircraft. [23691]
Mr Robathan:
The United States Department of Defense has been supportive of the UK Strategic Defence and Security Review. However, it is not the practice of the
Government to make public the details of all discussions with foreign Governments as this could prejudice international relations.
Military Aircraft
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the relative capabilities of (a) hunter-killer submarines and (b) maritime patrol aircraft to (i) detect and (ii) counter the threat from potentially hostile submarines. [22602]
Peter Luff [holding answer 11 November 2010]: Both submarines and maritime patrol aircraft, as well as a number of other military assets, have capabilities to detect and counter the threat from potentially hostile submarines. In view of the sensitive and classified nature of these military tasks, and the implications for the protection of our armed forces, I am not prepared to provide further detail.
Nimrod Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the likely effect on the level of long-range search and rescue provision of the cancellation of the Nimrod MR4A project; [21385]
(2) what assessment he has made of the effect of the cancellation of the Nimrod MR4A aircraft order on the ability of the UK to honour its obligations under section 2.6 of Annex 12 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation; [21444]
(3) what assets he has designated for search and rescue under section 2.5 of Annex 12 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation; and where each is located; [21445]
(4) what assessment he has made of the effect of the closure of the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre at RAF Lossiemouth on the UK's ability to honour its obligation in section 2.1 to 2.4 of Annex 12 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation; [21449]
(5) where the rescue co-ordination centre required to be designated under section 2.6 of Annex 12 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation is located. [21446]
Peter Luff: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 October 2010, Official Report, column 450-51W, to the hon. Member for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow (Mr McCann), the right hon. Member for Coventry North East (Mr Ainsworth) and the hon. Member for North Durham (Mr Jones) which made it clear that we are now developing a longer term plan to mitigate the impact of the cancellation of Nimrod MRA4. Meanwhile the UK will continue to provide search and rescue services using a range of assets depending on the response required.
No decision has been taken to close the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre, though future arrangements are subject to further work following the decision to withdraw the RAF from Kinloss.
Nuclear Weapons
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the post-exercise report on the Astral Bend 10 nuclear weapons emergency exercise to be completed; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the report. [21969]
Dr Fox: Two separate post-exercise reports have been completed following the Astral Bend 10 nuclear weapons emergency exercise. A copy of these reports will be placed in the Library of the House following a review to identify whether any information in the reports needs to be withheld for security reasons.
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sanctions the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator is able to impose in the event of inadequate arrangements for compliance with regulatory standards for defence nuclear programmes. [21977]
Peter Luff: The Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR), in accordance with the Ministry of Defence's Joint Services Publications, is able to impose the following sanctions:
Public Expenditure
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what his Department's capital expenditure per head was in (a) London and (b) the North West in each of the last five years; [21458]
(2) how much and what proportion of his Department's capital expenditure was allocated to (a) London and (b) the North West in each of the last five financial years. [21468]
Dr Fox: We do not have sufficiently complete data to make a calculation based on the Ministry of Defence's entire capital departmental expenditure limit, our usual measure of capital expenditure. The MOD's equipment expenditure does, however, account for much of the MOD's capital departmental expenditure limit.
We have, therefore, made per capita estimates of the MOD's equipment expenditure by Government office region for the five financial years up to and including 2007-08 as follows:
We have made estimates of our capital expenditure by Government office region for the five financial years up to and including 2007-08 as follows:
| £ million expenditure | Proportion of near cash capital expenditure( 2) (percentage) | |||
| Financial year | (a)London | (b) North-west | (a) London | (b) North-west |
| (1) Near cash at current prices including non-recoverable VAT. The figures exclude indirect expenditure such as on subcontracted work. (2) We define capital expenditure as the MOD's capital departmental expenditure limit which includes investment in equipment and infrastructure that has a life over more than one financial year (e.g. ships, buildings and aircraft). | ||||
We stopped making estimates of regional direct expenditure after 2007-08 as they do not directly support our policy-making or military operations and are time consuming to compile. We do, however, continue to assess the employment effects of MOD decisions on individual defence projects and defence establishments.
The MOD does not allocate funding on a regional basis. The industrial and economic implications of investment decisions are one factor among many in our decision-making processes, which are driven predominantly by the need to meet military requirements in a cost-effective manner, regardless of where items are procured or MOD personnel located.
Deputy Prime Minister
British Constitution
Mr Bain: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on the (a) codification of constitutional conventions and (b) adoption of a codified constitution for the UK; and if he will make a statement. [23026]
Mr Harper: The Government have no current plans to codify the constitutional conventions in operation in the United Kingdom or to bring forward proposals for the adoption of a codified constitution for the United Kingdom.
Education
Academies: Procurement
Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether the provisions of the EU Public Procurement Directive will apply to new academy schools. [9225]
Mr Gibb: The European Union public procurement directive does apply to academies once they have been set up. It does not apply to the process of setting up new academies.
Family Rights Group: Finance
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has for the provision of future financial support for the Family Rights Group. [23839]
Sarah Teather: The Family Rights Group has a long standing financial relationship with the Department. We have announced the overall funding settlement for the Department for Education, but we are still in the process of determining what this means for specific activities, including future funding for activities undertaken by the Family Rights Group.
We will make further announcements about funding for specific programmes and organisations over the coming weeks.
GCSE
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what (a) the postcode and (b) proportion of pupils who (i) achieved five or more A*-C grades at GCSE, including English and mathematics and (ii) were eligible for free school meals in 2009-10 is of each school which had a Building Schools for the Future project stopped in his announcement of 5 July 2010. [14944]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 13 September 2010]: The information requested has been placed in the House Libraries.
Information on free school meal eligibility includes full-time pupils aged 0 to 15 and part-time pupils aged five to 15.
School Food Trust
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the relationship will be between his Department and the School Food Trust once the latter becomes a charity. [23563]
Sarah Teather: The School Food Trust was established as a charity in 2005. From 1 April 2011, it will cease to be an arm's length body, but will continue as a charity. The School Food Trust also plans to set up a Community Interest Company to work alongside the charity.
We expect the School Food Trust will take forward a number of activities for the Department, including continuing to support schools and local authorities to meet national nutritional standards for school lunches, and advising the Government on school food.
The level of future DFE support will be dependent upon decisions to be taken in the light of the spending review and upon the tasks we ask the School Food Trust to undertake. However, it will be free to sell its services to local authorities, schools, caterers and others on a commercial basis.
Schools: Admissions
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) how many children born in (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 resident in (i) Essex local authority area and (ii) Colchester constituency have not been allocated a school place for September 2010; and if he will make a statement; [14698]
(2) how many children born in (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 have not been allocated a school place for September 2010; and if he will make a statement. [14699]
Mr Gibb: The Department does not collect information on the numbers of children in individual local authority areas who have not been allocated school places. We are keenly aware that in many areas of the country there are sharp increases in demand for primary places. On 5 July, the Secretary of State announced a review of all the Department's capital programmes. We are clear that future spending needs to be more efficient and with a sharper focus on real needs. The Secretary of State has also said that providing funding to support the provision of pupil places where they are needed will be a priority for the next spending review period. We will announce allocations to local authorities in due course.
Energy and Climate Change
Energy: Prices
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the average (a) gas and (b) electricity bill in each nation and region of the UK. [23369]
Charles Hendry: Price data and therefore bill data, broken down for the nations and regions, are not available for industrial and other non-domestic consumers.
For the domestic sector, data on energy prices are published by DECC in Quarterly Energy Prices:
Copies of DECC's Quarterly Energy Prices are also available in the House of Commons Library.
Domestic bills are available on a national and regional basis. Electricity prices for England and Wales are not available separately, as data are collected by Public Electricity Supply (PES) area, and some of these areas straddle the England/Wales border. DECC does not publish average gas price and bill data for Northern Ireland, as gas is not widely available.
For 2010, average provisional bills for gas and electricity for domestic consumers were as follows:
| Electricity (bill based on annual consumption of 3,300 kWh) | |||
| £ | |||
| Standard credit | Direct debit | Pre-payment | |
| Gas (bill based on annual consumption of 18,000 kWh) | |||
| £ | |||
| Standard credit | Direct debit | Pre-payment | |
Data by PES region for electricity and by LDZ (Local Distribution Zone) region for gas are published in Quarterly Energy Prices tables 2.2.3 and 2.3.3 respectively.
Gas-Fired Power Stations
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what criteria apply in respect of eligibility for grant support to gas power stations to trial carbon capture and storage technology. [23746]
Charles Hendry: The Government have announced that the CCS demonstration programme (the three projects that will follow the project supported through the current procurement) will be open to projects on gas-fired power plants as well as coal-fired power plants.
All proposals for funding under the CCS demonstration programme will need to meet the objectives and selection criteria for the programme.
We are working on the detailed design of the programme, including the objectives and selection criteria, and are aiming to provide further information by the end of the year.
Gas-Fired Power Stations: Wrexham
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent discussions (a) he and (b) officials of his Department have had with representatives of Wrexham county borough council on construction of a gas power station on the Wrexham industrial estate; and whether the proposed power station will be eligible for financial support in respect of the installation of carbon capture and storage technology. [23747]
Charles Hendry: Neither I nor my officials have had any discussions with Wrexham county borough council on any proposal to construct a gas fired power station on the Wrexham industrial estate.
All proposals for funding under the CCS demonstration programme will need to meet the objectives and selection criteria for the programme.
We are working on the detailed design of the programme, including the objectives and selection criteria, and are aiming to provide further information by the end of the year.
Nuclear Power Stations
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress has been made in replacing the generating capacity of those nuclear power stations which are approaching the end of their working life; and if he will make a statement. [23204]
Charles Hendry: The Government are fully committed to enabling the development of new nuclear power stations in the UK. The Office for Nuclear Development continues with its programme of facilitative actions aimed at removing unnecessary barriers to private sector investment in nuclear power. So far, energy companies have declared plans to build some 16 GW of new generating capacity with the first new station planned to come online in 2018.
The existing fleet of nuclear power stations will continue to operate to their published closure dates, although operators may, subject to the approval of regulators, seek lifetime extensions on a case by case basis.
Renewable Energy
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on potential risks to the national grid posed by intermittent energy production from onshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement. [22242]
Charles Hendry: The Department of Energy and Climate change was part sponsor for a study carried out by Poyry Energy Consulting on the impacts of intermittency, published in 2009. More broadly, the Government are considering how security of supply can be maintained in the context of decarbonising the electricity system through our work on electricity market reform. The Government will consult on electricity market reform in December 2010.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Aviation
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what flights on official business he has taken with commercial airlines since his appointment; in which class he travelled; and in which class any accompanying (a) officials and (b) advisers flew. [21611]
Alistair Burt: As set out in the Ministerial Code, Departments publish, at least quarterly, details of all travel overseas by Ministers. I refer the hon. Member to the Official Report of 28 October 2010, column 18WS, where my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced the publication of details concerning Ministers' overseas travel during the period 13 May to 31 July 2010.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary travels in business class on scheduled flights. Subject to operational requirements, officials and advisers travelling with him normally travel in the same class. If the flight is under five hours, one official normally travels in business with him, and the rest in economy. By exception the Foreign Secretary travels on charter flights only when a scheduled service is not available or when the requirements of official or parliamentary business or security considerations preclude the journey being made by a scheduled service.
All expenditure occurred on official travel is kept under rigorous scrutiny to ensure value for money and effectiveness. Travel is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial code and Civil Service Management code.
Cyprus
Mr Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Turkey on its military presence on the island of Cyprus. [23637]
Mr Lidington: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the House on 9 November 2010, Official Report, column 128, namely that British Ministers raise the Cyprus settlement process with our Turkish counterparts at every opportunity. I last did so with both Turkey's Foreign Minister and Minister for Europe on 23 October. The presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus is one of the issues that will need to be resolved as part of a comprehensive settlement.
Mr Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage a settlement on Cyprus. [23638]
Mr Lidington: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the House on 9 November 2010, Official Report, column 128, namely that at both ministerial and official level, we are urging the leader of the Greek Cypriot community, President Christofias, and of the Turkish Cypriot community, Mr Eroglu, to demonstrate leadership, flexibility and willingness to compromise in the interests of everybody living on the island of Cyprus. We welcome the decision by both leaders to attend the meeting with Ban Ki-moon on 18 November. We remain in very close contact not just with the Governments of Cyprus and of Turkey, but with Mr Downer, the UN special envoy, and we will lend whatever support we are able to in the hope of bringing the negotiations to a successful conclusion.
EU Law
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which EU Directives were agreed by means of a first reading agreement between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010 to date. [21712]
Mr Lidington:
In 2008 119 legislative acts out of 147 agreed under co-decision between the Council and the European Parliament were agreed at first reading. In
2009 the number was 50 out of 72, and in the first six months of 2010 28 out of 33. Lists of all these legislative acts can be found on the website of the Council at:
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/App/codec/default.aspx?command=phase&;phase=6&lang=en&cmsid=534
European Parliament
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts on the environmental effects of holding plenary sessions of the European Parliament in Strasbourg; and if he will make a statement. [23194]
Mr Lidington: I have raised the dual sitting of the European Parliament in bilateral discussions with ministerial counterparts in other EU member states, with the European Commission and the European Parliament. This includes both the financial cost and the environmental impact. The Government will continue to press for the European Parliament to have only one seat, in Brussels.
Iraq: Christianity
Conor Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Iraq on the recent killing of Christians in that country; and what response he has received in respect of the safety of Christians and their freedom to worship in that country. [23441]
Mr Lidington: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari on Wednesday 10 November and raised the issue of Christians in Iraq. Zebari confirmed that the Iraqi government will safeguard the rights and freedoms of all minorities in Iraq.
Our ambassador to Iraq met with the Iraqi Minister for Human Rights on Thursday 11 November and raised our concerns with her.
In the wake of the attack on the Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad on 31 October, the Iraqi Prime Minister called on the armed forces and the security forces to remain on maximum alert, and to exert maximum efforts to secure mosques, churches and all places of worship.
The Under-Secretary for State for Foreign and Common-Wealth Affairs, my hon. Friend Alistair Burt released the following the Member for the North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) released the following statement on the attack:
"I utterly condemn the attack against Our Lady of Salvation Church in Baghdad. My thoughts are with the families and friends of all those that have been killed or injured in this tragic event. I urge the Iraqi authorities do all they can to bring to justice those who are responsible for this attack on innocent worshippers, and all Iraq's politicians and diverse communities to work together to tackle the threat of violent extremism."
Sri Lanka: Armed Conflict
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions (a) he, (b) other Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in the British High Commission in Sri Lanka have had with the Government of Sri Lanka on the (i) independence and (ii) credibility of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission. [23452]
Alistair Burt: During the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister's visit to the UK on 19-20 October, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I raised the importance of ensuring the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission is open and transparent and that it should work with the UN Secretary General's Panel of three Experts. Our High Commission in Colombo has regularly raised the issue in their discussions with the Sri Lankan Government and we will continue to continue to closely monitor its progress given the need for an independent and credible process.
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions (a) he, (b) other Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in the British High Commission in Sri Lanka have had on the internment conditions of alleged ex-combatants; and if he will make a statement. [23456]
Alistair Burt: We are concerned about the lack of humanitarian access to former combatants and the continued lack of clarity over their legal status. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I raised these concerns with the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister during his visit to the UK on 19/20 October. Our High Commissioner in Colombo regularly raises these issues with the Sri Lankan Government. We hope that the interim recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, seeking a speedy resolution of cases relating to detainees and information on their whereabouts, can be acted on promptly.
Sudan: Politics and Government
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the African Union on the political situation in southern Sudan. [23247]
Mr Bellingham: The UK has regular discussions on Sudan with the African Union and the African Union (AU)/UN High Level Panel led by Thabo Mbeki, most recently at the AU/UN Consultative Forum in Addis Ababa on 6 November. I discussed Sudan with AU chairperson Jean Ping at the AU summit in Kampala from 21-25 July. Sudan will be discussed at the EU/AU summit in November.
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the EU on the political situation in southern Sudan. [23248]
Mr Bellingham: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Sudan at the Foreign Affairs Council in July and will do so again in November and December. Sudan will also be discussed at the EU/African Union Summit in November.
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the UN on the political situation in southern Sudan. [23249]
Mr Bellingham:
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced on 2 November that Sudan would be the priority issue for the UK Presidency of the UN Security Council. He will chair a special session of the
Security Council devoted to Sudan on 16 November. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and I participated in a high level meeting on Sudan on 24 September in New York.
Turkey: Cultural Relations
Mr Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to increase the level of cultural exchange with Turkey. [23640]
Mr Lidington: In the UK-Turkey Strategic Partnership, signed in Ankara by both Prime Ministers in July, we committed to encouraging and facilitating wider human and inter-societal contacts between the two countries. The British Council leads such efforts in Turkey. Programmes include English Teacher training, vocational skills, higher education and science and climate change.
Turkey: EU Enlargement
Mr Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects Turkey to accede to the European Union. [23636]
Mr Lidington: EU Accession is a condition-based not a time-based process. Turkey's accession is a key goal for the British Government, subject to the rigorous application of the accession criteria. We believe that Turkish accession would be to the wider benefit of the UK and EU, contributing to our security and prosperity. The accession process is challenging and Turkey must prove that it can meet the accession criteria and the requirements of the EU acquis before it can join the Union.
United Arab Emirates: Foreign Policy
Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his foreign policy objectives are for the United Arab Emirates. [23298]
Alistair Burt: The Government are strongly committed to elevating our relations with all our partners across the Gulf including the United Arab Emirates. This is a key priority for this Government, as demonstrated by the visit of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to Abu Dhabi in June, the announcement of the establishment of the UK/UAE Taskforce in July and engagement of Ministers across Government under the Gulf Initiative.
We are expanding our existing cooperation in defence and security, trade and investment, energy, foreign policy co-operation, culture, sport and education. High-level visits such as the State Visit of Her Majesty The Queen to Abu Dhabi later this month celebrate and help develop our partnerships.
Health
Abortion
Mr Amess:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 November 2010, Official Report, columns 626-7W, on abortion, what estimate he
has made of the cost to the public purse of extracting the data for 1984 and 1985; and if he will make a statement. [23717]
Anne Milton: The estimated cost for extracting this data for 1984 and 1985 is £1,437 (plus VAT).
Cancer Drugs Fund
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which (a) drugs and (b) conditions are dealt with under the interim Cancer Drugs Fund in each strategic health authority. [23109]
Paul Burstow: Strategic health authorities have set up regional clinically-led panels which will decide on the use of the £50 million interim funding for cancer drugs made available to the national health service in this financial year. Decisions on which cancer drugs are funded and what forms of cancer are treated are a matter for the local clinically-led panels based on the advice of cancer specialists.
Health Services: Older People
Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications for the delivery of NHS services of the proposed ban on age discrimination in such services set out in the NHS White Paper; and if he will make a statement. [23232]
Paul Burstow: Departmental officials have contributed to the Impact Assessment, and Equality Impact Assessment, which will accompany proposals to implement the ban on age discrimination, which will explore the implications of the ban for the national health service and social care. This builds on the detailed review of age in health and social care carried out in 2009, which highlighted where age discrimination may occur, and recommended some non-statutory actions.
We are committed to promoting equality, which is why, as well as implementing the recommendations from the Age Review, we will implement the ban on age discrimination in NHS and social care to take effect from 2012. Our aim is to eradicate harmful discrimination while at the same time allowing service providers to treat people of different ages differently where this is beneficial or justifiable. The Department is working with the Government Equalities Office to consider how this is best achieved in implementing the ban.
Hospitals: Wellingborough
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 3 November 2010, Official Report, column 871W, on hospitals: construction, what procedure will apply to the establishment of any new NHS hospital in Wellingborough following the abolition of strategic health authorities and primary care trusts; who would be responsible for overseeing that process; and if he will make a statement. [23848]
Paul Burstow:
The Government have already announced that strategic health authorities will be abolished by April 2012; and primary care trusts by 2013. By April 2013 all national health service provider units are timetabled to have become NHS foundation trusts, which are free
to make their own investment decisions as long as their schemes are clinically driven, affordable and take into account local circumstances, in particular the intentions of the local general practice commissioning consortia.
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on services provided by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in each financial year from 2000-01 to 2008-09. [23498]
Mr Simon Burns: Payments made by the Department to the Institute of Fiscal Studies in each year for the period requested are as follows.
| £ | |
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medicines have been assessed by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence under end-of-life criteria since it was established. [23110]
Mr Simon Burns: Information on published appraisals to which a National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Appraisal Committee applied the flexibility for the appraisal of potentially life extending treatments for patients at the end of their lives is shown in the table.
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether he plans to establish an orphan medicines appraisal process for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; [23111]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on the adequacy of the health technology appraisal process for appraising (a) orphan medicines and (b) treatments for rarer cancers. [23112]
Mr Simon Burns: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) already appraises orphan medicines where these meet the published criteria for referral and we have no plans to establish a separate appraisal process within NICE. Neither have there been any recent discussions with NICE on these issues. NICE consults periodically on its technology appraisal processes, and last did so in 2008-09.
Mr Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to his Department's announcement of 1 November 2010 on the future role of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, whether the cost-effectiveness element of the health technology appraisal will be phased out prior to the planned introduction of value-based pricing. [23123]
Mr Simon Burns: Prior to the proposed introduction of value-based drug pricing from January 2014, we expect that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) will continue to appraise the clinical and cost-effectiveness of specific drugs and treatments.
Our plans for value-based pricing aim to ensure that clinically effective drugs are also cost-effective, with the national health service paying a price that reflects the value of a drug to patients. As we develop and implement our plans for value-based drug pricing, NICE's role will inevitably evolve with NICE continuing to have an important advisory role, including in assessing the clinical benefits of new medicines. We will be consulting shortly on our plans for value-based pricing.
NHS: ICT
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many computers procured by the NHS in the last three years have not yet been used. [23698]
Mr Simon Burns: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Primary Care Trusts
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the future ownership of buildings currently owned by primary care trusts following their abolition. [22515]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department is currently examining the implications for the management and ownership of the estate following the dissolution of primary care trusts in 2013. An option appraisal of the various alternatives is being undertaken before making recommendations to Ministers. It is anticipated that an announcement will be made by the end of the year.
Home Department
Animal Experiments: Primates
Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2010, Official Report, column 877W, on animal experiments: primates, how many of the breeding centres that supply primates for use in scientific research in the UK have a policy in place to reduce their dependence on the use of wild-caught primates. [23900]
Lynne Featherstone: Of the two overseas breeding centres supplying animals to the United Kingdom during the past two years and using wild populations of non-human primates for breeding purposes, both have policies for reducing dependence on wild-caught animals for future breeding stock at least in relation to the animals likely to be bred for supply to the United Kingdom.
Counter-terrorism
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to publish the outcomes of her review of counter-terrorism powers. [22749]
Mrs May [holding answer 8 November 2010]: I will announce the outcome of the review to Parliament when it is completed later in the year.
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department's budget for counter-terrorism policing is in 2010-11. [22750]
Mrs May [holding answer 8 November 2010]: The Home Office budget for counter-terrorism policing in 2010-11 is £569 million.
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department's budget for counter- terrorism policing will be in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15; and what her estimate is of the change in funding level in each year from 2010-11 in real terms. [22751]
Mrs May [holding answer 8 November 2010]: We are in the process of determining levels of funding for counter-terrorism policing to 2014-15 within the 10% reductions set out by the Chancellor in the comprehensive spending review. A written ministerial statement will be tabled on the Police funding settlement in December which will provide the annual allocation for counter-terrorism policing.
Umar Farouk Abdulmuttalab
Mr Khalid Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent reports she has received on (a) investigations undertaken by members of the US Congress and (b) materials held by the US Department of Justice on the attendance of Umar Farouk Abdulmuttalab at events addressed by Anwar al-Awlaki at North London Central Mosque since 2005; and what assessment her Department has made of the role of the North London Central Mosque in deradicalisation in the context of her Department's review of each strand of the Prevent strategy. [R] [10247]
Nick Herbert: There is an ongoing investigation into the case of Umar Farouk Abdulmuttalab and it would be inappropriate to comment.
The Prevent review, which will evaluate the programme's effectiveness and value for money, will include examination of the role of mosques and their governance in countering radicalisation and deterring people from supporting violent extremism. The review will be concluded by the end of this year.
International Development
Adaptation Fund
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to process donations received from the public intended for the UN Adaptation Fund; and if he will make a statement. [23745]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: We do not have the legal authority to accept donations from the public. We have written to the World Development Movement to ask them to accept them on our behalf.
Alternatively, DFID will have to surrender the donations to the Treasury, or deal with them at an unofficial level and divert the money to a local charity (in accordance with Treasury advice).
Departmental Lobbying
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which of his Department's non-departmental public bodies have undertaken activities to influence public policy for which they engaged (a) public affairs and (b) public relations consultants in each year since 1997; and at what monetary cost in each such year. [23783]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has one non-departmental public body, the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC). CSC has not, in any year since 1997, engaged public affairs or public relations consultants in activities to influence public policy.
Departmental Manpower
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff of his Department are based in (a) each country where his Department operates programmes, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland. [23837]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development does not publish the numbers of staff in each country where we operate, as this may represent a security risk, especially to our staff serving in hostile environments or fragile states.
However, as at 31 October 2010, 410 UK home civil servant staff, plus 760 staff appointed in country, were based in 55 countries overseas. In the UK, 742 UK home civil servant staff were based in England, and 479 were based in Scotland. No staff were based in Wales or Northern Ireland.
Departmental Policy
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what departmental policy reviews his Department has undertaken since 6 May 2010; on what date each such review (a) was announced and (b) is expected to publish its findings; what estimate he has made of the cost of each such review; who has been appointed to lead each such review; to what remuneration each review leader is entitled; how many (i) full-time equivalent civil servants and (ii) seconded staff are working on each such review; from which organisations such staff have been seconded; and how much on average such seconded staff will be paid for their work on the review. [21879]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 13 October 2010, Official Report column 349W, which outlines the reviews I have launched since 6 May 2010.
The Bilateral Aid Review (BAR) was announced on 16 June 2010, the Multilateral Aid Review (MAR) on 9 June 2010 and the Humanitarian Emergency Response Review (HERR) on 14 July 2010. All three reviews will report in early 2011 as set out in the Department for International Development's (DFID's) Structural Reform Plan.
To date £137,000 has been committed for the BAR and £62,000 for the MAR. The HERR is estimated to cost £437,711.
The team coordinating the BAR consist of three full-time civil servants and one part-time civil servant (working on the review 80% of their time), while the MAR team is made up of three full-time civil servants and one part-time civil servant (working on the review 60% of their time). Two external reviewers are also acting as peer reviewers during the course of the MAR. The HERR secretariat consists of three full-time civil servants, two part-time civil servants (working on the review 60% and 80% of their time) and one part-time seconded staff member from the Development Assistance Research Associates (DARA) (working on the review 50% of their time). We are unable to provide details of remuneration received by this secondee as the number of staff involved is fewer than five. Staff across DFID are also providing inputs into all three reviews and it is, therefore, not possible to determine the total number of officials working on these reviews without incurring disproportionate cost.
Lord Ashdown has been appointed as Chair of the HERR and is not receiving remuneration for his role. The BAR team leader is a DFID Deputy Director, while the MAR is being overseen by the Director of DFID's International Financial Division. In line with the Coalition Government's transparency commitments, DFID is now publishing salary details of its senior civil servants in the format agreed with the Cabinet Office, which can be accessed at:
https://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-DFI D/Our-organisation1/Top-salaries/
Overseas Aid: Caribbean
Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he plans to allocate funding for assistance programmes for those affected by recent hurricanes and storms in the Caribbean. [23131]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: I am aware of the considerable damage and loss caused across the Caribbean by recent tropical storms and hurricanes including Tropical Storm Nicole, Hurricane Richard and Hurricane Tomas. For several Caribbean countries it has been a worse than normal storm season. My Department will consider whether to allocate assistance for the countries most severely affected once more detailed information has been finalised on the key areas of need beyond immediate humanitarian assistance.
Justice
Courts: Wales
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his most recent estimate is of the total monetary cost to his Department of backlog maintenance of all court buildings in Wales scheduled for closure. [23743]
Mr Djanogly: The most recent estimate of the total backlog maintenance for the court buildings in Wales currently being proposed for closure is £1,151,000.
Fraud: Prosecutions
Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many prosecutions for the use of fraudulent identity documents there were in each of the last five years; [23124]
(2) how many prosecutions for the use of fraudulent identity documents following traffic accidents there were in each of the last five years. [23125]
Mr Blunt: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for selected fraud offences in England and Wales from 2005 to 2009 (latest available) can be viewed in the following table.
The Ministry of Justice's Court Proceedings Database holds information on defendants proceeded against, found guilty and sentenced for criminal offences in England and Wales. The data held do not include the circumstances of each case beyond those specified in the statute and fraud offences do not specify whether fraudulent documents were produced following a traffic accident.
Court proceedings data for 2010 are planned for publication in 2011.
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