Written Answers to Questions
Monday 15 November 2010
Scotland
Asylum: Glasgow
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what (a) discussions and (b) correspondence he has had with (i) the Chief Executive of the UK Border Agency and (ii) the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the termination of the contract for accommodation and other services between the UK Border Agency and Glasgow city council. [24244]
Michael Moore: I am in regular contact with Home Office Ministers on matters related to immigration and asylum. Senior officials in the Scotland Office have regular discussions with the UK Border Agency's director for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with (a) Glasgow city council, (b) the Scottish Executive and (c) the Scottish Refugee Council on the termination of the contract for accommodation and other services between the UK Border Agency and Glasgow city council; and if he will make a statement. [24245]
Michael Moore: My officials have been kept informed of the negotiations between UK Border Agency (UKBA) and Glasgow city council which led to the recent termination of the contract to provide accommodation services. The UKBA informed officials in the Scottish Government and the Scottish Refugee Council of the likelihood of termination and of the final decision to terminate the contract prior to the formal termination letter being issued to Glasgow city council on 5 November 2010. I understand that the UKBA is working with support organisations in Glasgow to ensure individuals and families will be transferred to their new accommodation with minimum disruption.
British Waterways Board: Assets
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what discussions on what occasions he has had with (a) the Scottish Executive, (b) the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, (c) civic organisations in Scotland and (d) the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the future of British Waterways assets in Scotland; [24009]
(2) when he last met representatives of British Waterways Scotland to discuss the future of British Waterways assets in Scotland. [24010]
Michael Moore:
Scottish assets will continue to be managed by British Waterways Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Executive. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will be discussing with the
Scottish Executive and British Waterways other issues relating to assets, and if the hon. Member wishes to make her own representations, I would be happy to receive them.
Scottish Television
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what (a) discussions and (b) correspondence he had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport prior to the Government's decision not to accept the recommendation by Ofcom that Scottish Television should be classified as a qualified independent producer. [24246]
Michael Moore: I am in regular contact with the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on a range of matters important to Scotland. The decision not to reclassify Scottish Television as an independent producer for BBC commissions was taken following a wide-ranging consultation. The Government's approach will ensure a fair chance for small and independent production companies in Scotland.
Voluntary Organisations
Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which voluntary organisations in Scotland he has met to discuss the effect of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review; and on what dates. [23555]
Michael Moore: This Government have inherited the largest peacetime deficit in our history. The comprehensive spending review sets out how the Government will carry out Britain's unavoidable deficit reduction plan.
I am in regular contact with a range of stakeholders on matters concerning aspects of deficit reduction. As was the case under the previous Administration, it is not the Government's practice to divulge Ministers' diary schedules.
Northern Ireland
Departmental Lobbying
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent from the public purse on influencing public policy through (a) employing external (i) public affairs companies, (ii) strategic consultancies and (iii) corporate communications firms, (b) external marketing and (c) other activities in each of the last 10 years. [23763]
Mr Paterson: Information on expenditure by the Department's non-departmental public body and ALBs is a matter for each respective organisation, who operate independently of Government. The Northern Ireland Office does not have any agencies. The hon. Member may wish to write to each organisation.
All expenditure incurred by non-departmental public bodies and ALBs must be in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the HM Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
Immigration: Northern Ireland
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on the effects of implementation of the proposed immigration cap on the academic and research community in Northern Ireland. [23924]
Mr Paterson: None. However, I would be happy to consider doing so if requested by Northern Ireland Ministers or other interested parties.
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on services provided by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in each of the last 10 years. [23395]
Mr Paterson: The Department has not used the services of the Institute for Fiscal Studies in any of the past 10 years.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Compost
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to support the development of in-vessel composting for the recycling of organic material; and if she will make a statement. [23503]
Richard Benyon: Composting is a vital tool for reducing the amount of biodegradable waste which goes to landfill, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Composting is a key component of many local authorities' waste strategies. However, the choice of how to manage organic waste-through windrow composting, in-vessel composting or other technologies-must reflect local circumstances, which will vary. It is important that any plans for waste management facilities emerge out of local waste strategies.
Departmental Energy
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department's Sustainability Unit has made of the adequacy of the energy efficiency standards of the research laboratories operated by and on behalf of her Department. [23885]
Richard Benyon: Many of DEFRA's research laboratories are licensed to hold or work with category 3 and category 4 pathogens. The capability to contain these pathogens requires significant energy input to ensure the building complies to HSE regulations.
DEFRA proactively manages the energy use within its laboratory buildings through a process of monitoring, analysing and benchmarking data from Smart meters to identify excessive or spurious patterns of use. This is then investigated and remedial action taken where appropriate.
During winter 2009 DEFRA carried out in depth energy and water surveys of all of its laboratory sites. These surveys identified good and bad practice and made recommendations to improve both the energy and water consumption performance of the buildings. These recommendations were incorporated into the Department's long-term carbon and energy reduction plan.
This proactive approach to energy management has enabled DEFRA to reduce energy consumption on its estate from 170m kWh in 2006 to 134m kWh in 2010, an average saving of 5% per year.
Sustainability is an essential consideration in the design process of all DEFRA's laboratory facilities and remains a high priority through the development and build process. The most recently built laboratories on DEFRA's estate adopted sustainability measures to reduce the impact of high energy use and have rated from BREEAM Good to BREEAM Very Good.
In 2010 one of DEFRA's laboratories achieved the rating of 37.5 winning the certification of BREEAM Very Good with a commendation for exemplary management of carbon emissions from the site.
Food: Labelling
Gordon Birtwistle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance her Department issues to supermarkets on the handling and sale of halal meat. [22812]
Mr Paice [holding answer 11 November 2010]: I am discussing with the food industry whether labelling and point of sale information can play a greater role in giving consumers a choice. However, DEFRA has not issued any guidance to supermarkets on the handling and sale of halal meat.
Hunting
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to bring forward a motion on a free vote enabling the House to express its views on the repeal of the Hunting Act 2004; and if she will make a statement. [23047]
Mr Paice: The Government remain committed to bringing forward a motion on the Hunting Act, and will do so at the earliest convenient opportunity.
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department spent on services provided by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in each of the last 10 years. [23392]
Richard Benyon: The Department was not formed until 2001 and data before that year are not held. The following table shows the total spent with the Institute for Fiscal Studies by the department, including its executive agencies.
| £ | |
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds: Finance
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the monetary value of payments by her Department to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was in each of the last five years; and in respect of which projects the payments were made. [23329]
Richard Benyon: The payments made by the Department, which include executive agencies, to the RSPB in each of the last five years are shown in the following tables:
| CEFAS: 2007-08 | |
| Project | £ |
Sewers: Private Sector
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on the likely effects on (a) water companies, (b) pump companies and (c) sub-contractors of the proposed transfer of private drains and sewers to private sewerage companies. [23203]
Richard Benyon: Policy proposals and the draft regulations for consultation have been agreed with ministerial colleagues at all relevant stages of the Review.
DEFRA officials have been working closely with a steering group including representatives of a number of other Government Departments throughout the Review of Private Sewers and continue to do so. Officials have also met regularly with their counterparts from across Government to discuss the implications of the proposed transfer for all stakeholders.
Sustainable Development
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions (a) she and (b) senior representatives of her Department have had with PricewaterhouseCoopers on implementation of sustainable development plans. [23886]
Richard Benyon: Neither I nor any of my ministerial colleagues have had any recent discussions with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Although some senior DEFRA officials have met recently with PricewaterhouseCoopers, sustainable development plans were not discussed.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to implement obligations under Article 11 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities regarding humanitarian emergencies in relation to her Department's policy responsibilities. [21126]
Richard Benyon:
It is the responsibility of local responders, including the fire brigade and the police service, to ensure that in accordance with the requirements
of article 11, appropriate provision for the protection and safety of persons with disabilities is in place during situations of risk arising from emergencies.
To assist responders with this, a range of key government publications relating to the UK's response to emergencies include advice and guidance on humanitarian assistance for those groups that require support, such as children, young and elderly people and those with disabilities.
Water Supply: Subsidies
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance she has issued to Ofwat on the effect of Exchequer rules on levy-funded subsidies on the proposals in the Walker Review in respect of charging and metering for water and sewerage services. [23358]
Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not issued guidance to Ofwat on the effect of Exchequer rules on levy-funded subsidies on proposals in the Walker Review. Policy on such subsidies is the responsibility of HM Treasury.
Water: Prices
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to issue guidance on social tariffs under section 44 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. [23478]
Richard Benyon: We will consult on draft guidance on company social tariffs under Section 44 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 following publication of the Water White Paper early next summer. We will invite views later this year on the scope and content of this guidance as part of our consultation on the recommendations made in the Walker Review.
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the remit is of Ofwat's assessment of the recommendations of the Walker Review of charging and metering for water and sewerage services. [23505]
Richard Benyon: The Walker Review made a number of recommendations to Ofwat. Ofwat is taking these forward, including the recommendation that it should advise the Government on options for addressing high water bills in the South West.
The Walker Review also made recommendations to the Government. Ofwat is advising the Government on these in its capacity as the independent economic regulator for the water sector.
Communities and Local Government
Affordable Housing: Dartford
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many affordable homes were built in Dartford constituency in the last five years. [23723]
Andrew Stunell: The available information which is for Dartford local authority is provided in the following table.
Not all affordable housing is provided through new-build completions as supply can also come from the acquisition and refurbishment of private sector homes. In 2009-10, for example, a total (i.e. new build, acquisition and refurbishment) of 200 affordable homes were provided in Dartford.
| Additional new-build affordable homes delivered: Dartford local authority | |
| Number | |
| Note: Data are rounded to nearest 10 homes. Source: Homes and Communities Agency; local authorities. | |
EADS
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Suffolk Coastal (Dr Coffey) of 2 November 2010, Official Report, column 669W, on the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company: contracts, what steps he is taking to ensure that EADS will meet its contractual obligations. [24262]
Robert Neill: In June this year we activated a key milestone in our contract with the main contractor, EADS (now branded Cassidian), for delivery of the FiReControl project. This required EADS to complete the main system in three control centres by mid-2011.
Because their record has not improved on delivery of the project, we informed EADS on 8 November that we consider them to be in material breach of their obligations under the contract and required them to remedy the position in 20 working days.
I have made it clear to EADS that they must deliver to time, cost and quality. The Government are not going to bail out this contractor with additional public funding. We are going to stand up for the interests of the taxpayer and the fire and rescue service.
Fire Services: East of England
Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the running costs of the Eastern Region Fire Control Centre were in the latest period for which figures are available. [23865]
Robert Neill: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Richard Graham) on 18 October 2010, Official Report, column 505W.
Fire Services: Radiation Exposure
Paul Flynn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what (a) national and (b) local agreements there are in relation to the
radiation dose uptake limitation system adopted by each Fire and Rescue Service when attending a radiation emergency at each of the nuclear powered submarine operational berths maintained by the Ministry of Defence as required by Regulation 14 of the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001. [23634]
Robert Neill: The Ionising Radiation Regulations (IRR) 1999 state that the maximum annual dose to all radiation workers (including firefighters attending a radiation incident) is 20 milliSieverts (mSv). There is an additional limit on women of reproductive capacity of 13 milliSieverts in any three month period.
Under the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations (REPPIR) 2001 regulations it is permissible to set aside the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 dose limits at a licensed nuclear site or at an incident involving transport by rail if in doing so it might be possible to save life or maintain critical infrastructure. In this case it is permissible for an informed volunteer to be exposed to a dose of up to 100 milliSieverts.
There is no specific national agreement in regard to radiation doses for firefighters but there are the national standards as outlined above. Information on local agreements (or emergency plans as stated in regulation 14 of the REPPIR) concerning radiation doses is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, under both the REPPIR and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, it is the responsibility of the individual fire and rescue authority, as the employer, to put in place systems to ensure that employees are protected from excessive exposure to radiation.
Housing Revenue Accounts
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to conclude his Department's review of the working of local authority housing revenue accounts; and if he will make a statement. [23882]
Andrew Stunell: On 5 October my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Housing and Local Government (Grant Shapps) stated that the present system of council housing finance was no longer fit for purpose and announced his intention to replace it with a system of self-financing through the Localism Bill. The spending review reaffirmed this commitment and stated that a key role for DCLG will be
"reforming the council housing finance system so local authorities have greater control over their own finances, and can reinvest to meet local housing need".
We will publish further details on the self-financing settlement shortly.
Business Rates
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to increase the support his Department provides to small and medium-sized businesses in respect of business rates. [23908]
Robert Neill: We are already providing additional support by doubling the level of small business rate relief for one year, starting from last month. That will benefit approximately half a million ratepayers. We are also committed to introducing a practical way to make small business rate relief automatic.
Public Lavatories: Standards
Andrew Bingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the number of people who require toilets to a standard equivalent to Changing Places toilets; what steps his Department has taken to increase the provision of Changing Places toilets in the last 12 months; what assessment he has made of the typical quality of such facilities; and if he will make a statement. [23561]
Andrew Stunell: I initiated a review over the summer to consider options for changes to the Building Regulations in 2013 including Part M (Access to and use of buildings); to identify what may be needed in ensuring they continue to operate effectively and to deliver ever better levels of compliance in the future.
During the review DCLG have received evidence from MENCAP and the Changing Places Campaign which suggest that up to 230,000 people could benefit from improved provision of Changing Places facilities.
Local authorities have powers to provide public toilets in their area and are well placed to decide on the provision of local services and amenities in consultation with their residents and communities.
Regional Planning and Development
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost to the public purse was of the production of regional spatial strategies (a) nationally, (b) in each region and (c) in each local authority in the period between 2005 and 2010. [24011]
Greg Clark: The following table illustrates the grants given to regional planning bodies since 2005, to produce regional strategies.
| Costs from 2005-10 | |
| £ | |
These figures exclude the cost to local taxpayers of their payments to the regional planning bodies by the local authorities.
No data are held on the substantial costs incurred by local authorities in the production of regional strategies.
Social Rented Housing: Ealing
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he has made of the (a) average annual income of a household in social housing and (b) number of households in social housing in Ealing, Southall constituency with an income classified as below the poverty line in the latest period for which figures are available. [23577]
Andrew Stunell: Information on the average annual income of a household in social housing is not available at constituency level.
Information on the number of households in social housing with an income below the poverty line is also not available at constituency level.
Social Services: Expenditure
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much each local authority spent on adult social care in each of the last three years. [23947]
Robert Neill: I have today placed in the Library of the House a table that gives, by each local authority in England, the net current expenditure for adult social care for the financial years 2006-07 to 2008-09.
Figures for 2009-10 will be published on 25 November 2010.
Working Neighbourhoods Fund
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what equality impact assessment he has undertaken of the closure of the Working Neighbourhoods Fund. [24042]
Robert Neill: In line with our equalities duties, an equality impact assessment into the end of funding for the Working Neighbourhoods Fund has been completed by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
This assessment will be published in due course.
Justice
Corston Report
Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has for the future funding of projects arising from the recommendations of the Corston Report on women with particular vulnerabilities in the criminal justice system. [24252]
Mr Blunt: Funding for the Women's Community Projects was a one-off grant and ends in April 2011. It has always been the aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of the projects and embed them as part of local commissioning arrangements. Projects receive funding from a wide range of sources, including probation trusts, local authorities, and local health commissioners.
Directors of Offender Management are working with probation who have the lead role in sustaining successful projects through joint local commissioning and partnership arrangements. The Ministry is also taking forward an action plan for building capacity in the Women's Community Projects to help ensure their long-term sustainability which includes targeted activity focusing on local high custodial sentencing hotspots.
Courts: South West and South East
Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he plans to respond to the consultation on the provision of court services in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and Wiltshire. [23295]
Mr Djanogly: The Lord Chancellor hopes to announce decisions on the proposals for the future provision of court services in England and Wales to Parliament by the end of the year.
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department and its predecessors spent on services provided by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in each of the last 10 years. [23402]
Mr Djanogly: Since its formation in May 2007, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has paid a total of £5,250 to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. This expenditure was incurred in the 2007-08 financial year. These are the only payments made to the Institute for Fiscal Studies by MoJ or its predecessors since April 2003.
Information prior to April 2003 is not held centrally since it was only from this date that the Lord Chancellor's Department had adopted the current financial accounting system. It would incur disproportionate cost to identify specific expenditure from before April 2003.
Land Registry
Pat Glass: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what steps he plans to take to include representatives of all relevant trade unions in his consultation on the future of the Land Registry; [23352]
(2) what timetable he has set for his Department's consultation on the future of the Land Registry. [23353]
Mr Blunt: My ministerial colleague, my noble Friend, Lord McNally has already held a meeting with Public Commercial Services Union on 3 November to discuss the Feasibility Study on the future of Land Registry. He has also agreed to meet the First Division Association on a date to be arranged.
In addition the project team leading the study have scheduled a discussion with Union representatives on 22 November.
Ministers will only make a decision on their preferred option once they have received the feasibility study. If our preference is for a materially different business strategy or ownership structure for Land Registry then a full public consultation process will be undertaken.
I expect to be in a position to make a decision on the preferred option in the new year.
Offensive Weapons: Reprimand and Final Warning Scheme
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will take steps to exclude youths charged with the possession of an offensive weapon or a bladed article from his proposed reprimand and final warning scheme. [23699]
Mr Blunt: We are currently undertaking a comprehensive assessment of sentencing which will include youth sentencing and out-of-court disposals, such as reprimands and warnings. We intend to publish a Green Paper later in the year setting out our proposals for consultation.
Prisons: Females
Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he plans to retain the target of the previous administration in respect of reducing the number of women in prisons. [24253]
Mr Blunt: We are committed to diverting women away from crime and tackling women's offending effectively. We are already taking forward a different approach to divert vulnerable women away from custody with a gender specific enhanced bail provision and through the Women's Community Projects. We will publish a Green Paper later this year, setting out plans to reform sentencing and rehabilitate offenders more generally. Our plans for the women's prison estate will be considered in the light of these proposals.
Prisons: Visits
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2010, Official Report, column 83W, on prisons: visits, what the administration costs referred to are. [23824]
Mr Blunt: The administration costs of the Assisted Prison Visits Scheme in the financial year 2009-10 were £673,424. In the last 12 calendar months, October 2009 to September 2010 the amount was £681,111.
Probation: Wales
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he has had any recent discussions on transferring to the National Assembly for Wales responsibility for the Probation Service in Wales. [23228]
Mr Blunt: There are no proposals to transfer overall responsibility for probation services from the Ministry of Justice. As such no discussions have been held or are planned about that matter with the Welsh Assembly Government. We continue to maintain a close working relationship with the Welsh Assembly Government at all levels in relation to devolved and non-devolved responsibilities. This ensures that the commissioning and delivery of offender services take full account of the uniqueness in Wales.
Sexual Offences
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the outcomes of the pilot to introduce polygraph tests for sex offenders; and if he will make a statement. [24116]
Mr Blunt: The Government are committed to the protection of the public through the most effective supervision of offenders. A three-year study of mandatory polygraph testing for sex offenders is under way in the east and west midlands to determine whether such testing might be a helpful tool in the assessment and management of sexual offenders who are released from custody on licence. The Ministry of Justice has commissioned an evaluation of the testing, and the research will consider both implementation and outcomes, including an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of mandatory polygraph testing, should it be shown to be efficacious. The draft report is due at the end of September 2012 and will be published following quality assurance.
Young Offender Institutions
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent reports he has received of the disorder at (a) Moorland Institute in Hatfield and (b) Warren Hill Unit in Woodbridge; what steps he has taken to prevent a reoccurrence; and if he will make a statement. [23778]
Mr Blunt: I received regular reports as these incidents were taking place. Internal investigations are under way into both incidents. In addition the police are investigating incidents at both establishments. The recommendations from the internal investigation will be closely examined.
Young Offenders: Public Expenditure
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has for the future level of funding for youth offending teams in the comprehensive spending review period; and if he will make a statement. [24267]
Mr Blunt: Levels of funding for youth offending teams over the next spending review period are yet to be decided. Work is currently being undertaken to allocate resources to areas of youth justice and these will be communicated to these areas in due course.
Young Offenders: Reoffenders
Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he plans to take to reduce the re-offending rate among offenders aged between 18 and 24 years. [23610]
Mr Blunt: This Government will be setting out their plans for a radical new approach to addressing reoffending-including that of young adult offenders-in our forthcoming Sentencing and Rehabilitation Green Paper. This will outline plans for a system which is more effective in delivering punishment while rehabilitating those who commit crime. To deliver this, we will ensure that offenders face up to their responsibilities, paying back victims and their communities through work, financial penalties and restorative justice.
Mrs Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 22 October 2010, Official Report, column 911W, on youth offenders: reoffenders, what steps the Government are considering to reduce the rate of reoffending. [24572]
Mr Blunt: The reoffending rate for those leaving custody has remained broadly stable over the past 10 years. We are currently reviewing our policies and intend to publish a Green Paper later in the year setting out how we can more effectively sentence and rehabilitate young offenders to reduce reoffending.
Youth Justice
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to increase the number of sentencing options available in magistrates courts where the offender is a youth with no previous convictions and pleads guilty. [23383]
Mr Blunt: Courts are required to give a referral order to a young person aged 10-17 who appears in court for the first time and pleads guilty, unless the offence is so serious that custody is warranted. The referral order is a restorative justice-based order under which the young offender is referred to a youth offender panel consisting of two volunteers from the community advised by a member from the youth offending team.
We are undertaking a full assessment of sentencing and will set out our proposals in a Green Paper to be published later this year. We will do further consultation with the Magistrates Association and others.
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what sanctions are in place for young offenders who fail to comply with the conditions of a youth offending team's rehabilitation plan following a final warning. [23453]
Mr Blunt: There are no direct sanctions, but non-compliance with an intervention programme as part of a warning can be cited in any future criminal proceedings. The likelihood of compliance is a factor in determining whether a warning is appropriate.
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many youths charged with each type of offence have been issued with more than one final warning in each of the last five years. [23454]
Mr Blunt: The following table shows figures for juveniles who received a warning and who had received at least one previous warning, as recorded on the Police National Computer.
| Table 1: Number of juveniles who received a warning and who had been issued with at least one previous warning by offence category, 2005-09 | |||||
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
The figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system, but the police national computer, which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police. The PNC largely covers 'recordable' offences-these are all indictable and triable-either-way offences plus many of the more serious summary offences.
Home Department
Antisocial Behaviour Orders: Greater London
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders applied to residents of (a) the London borough of Bexley and (b) London have been extended beyond their original end date in the last 12 months. [23687]
James Brokenshire: Data collected centrally by the Ministry of Justice on the number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued and breached are collated at Criminal Justice System (CJS) area level, rather than for constituency area level.
Information on ASBOs extended beyond their original date is not available. This information could be obtained only by reference to individual court files which could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.
Antisocial Behaviour Orders: Oxford West
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders were (a) made and (b) breached in Oxford West and Abingdon constituency in the latest year for which figures are available. [24090]
James Brokenshire: Data collected centrally by the Ministry of Justice on the number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued and breached are collated at criminal justice system (CJS) area level, rather than constituency area level. Oxford West and Abingdon are within the Thames Valley CJS area.
The latest figures cover the period 31 December 2008, and show that in 2008, 43 ASBOs were issued and 24 were proved in court to have been breached for the first time in the Thames Valley CJS area.
Asylum
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to shorten the length of time that asylum applications take to be processed. [23909]
Damian Green: The Asylum Improvement Project, which was established by the Government in the summer, is exploring new ways to improve the asylum system to speed up the processing of applications while improving the quality of decision making. It is an internal project but the team are consulting with corporate partners throughout the process and will adapt and change the plans as necessary.
Current work includes a number of pilot initiatives including a project in west London to reduce the number of decisions overturned at appeal, the use of a case triaging tool in Leeds which will help caseworkers decide the most efficient way to sequence their activities, and a number of initiatives across the country to reduce the length of asylum interviews and decisions. We will evaluate progress in April 2011 and will implement the successful pilots nationally.
Asylum: Deportation
Mr Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers have absconded after receiving deportation notices since May 2010. [23343]
Damian Green: We have assumed 'deportation notices' to mean 'removal notices'. Between 1 May 2010 and 31 October 2010, 176 failed asylum seekers absconded after being served with removal directions.
Asylum: Finance
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will place in the Library a copy of each item of guidance issued to retailers on the operation of the section 4 payment card. [23425]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency is not in possession of guidance issued to retailers on the operation of the Section 4 payment card. This is a matter for Sodexo, the contractor who operates the Section 4 payment scheme on behalf of the UK Border Agency. Sodexo liaises directly with the individual participating retailers regarding the provision of guidance.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether retailers participating in the section 4 payment card scheme receive a fee. [23426]
Damian Green: The retailers participating in the section 4 payment card scheme do not receive any fee.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much credit is allocated to section 4 payment cards for individuals with children. [23427]
Damian Green: Section 4 support is paid at the flat rate of £39.39 per person, per week, irrespective of the age of the main supported person and/or their dependants.
In addition, there is provision in the regulations for payments of £5 per week for clothing for children, and for grants of £250 to expectant and new mothers. Further allowances can be made for stationery, phone card and birth certificates. These payments are provided on the payment cards.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the UK Border Agency records instances where individuals using the section 4 payment card have been refused service by participating retailers. [23428]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency records instances where individuals using the section 4 payment card have been refused service by participating retailers. A small minority of attempted transactions result in refusals, and in most cases, are the result of the service user having insufficient funds on their card.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has received reports of any technical difficulties in the operation of the section 4 payment card. [23429]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency records instances where individuals using the section 4 payment card have experienced technical difficulties. The number of unsuccessful transactions caused by technical or supermarket training issues was just over 2% of the total number of unsuccessful transactions to the end of October 2010.
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the UK Border Agency takes to (a) measure and (b) monitor levels of hardship among asylum seekers. [23430]
Damian Green: No asylum seeker need be destitute while their claim is being determined. The UK Border Agency provides support to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute from the time they arrive in the UK until their claim is determined, and any appeal rights are exhausted.
British Nationality: South East
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people (a) applied for and (b) were refused UK citizenship who were resident in (i) Reading West constituency, (ii) Reading, (iii) Berkshire and (iv) the South East in each year since 2001. [23496]
Damian Green: The information requested is provided in the following table:
| Nationality applications received and refusals of British citizenship in south-east England 2004 to June 2010( 1,2,3) | ||||||
| Applications received | Refused( 4) | |||||
| Total for Reading | Total for w est Berkshire( 5) | Total for south - east England | Total for Reading | Total for w est Berkshire | Total for south- east England | |
| (1) Figures have been rounded to the nearest five, '*' = negligible, i.e. two or less. (2) Data are available from 2004 when postcodes mapped to local authorities for the reporting of citizenship ceremonies resulted in capture of location information. (3) We cannot report on constituencies. (4) The refusal figures do not relate to the applications received in the same time period. (5) The local authority in Berkshire is called West Berkshire district council. (6) 2010 figures are available up to 30 June 2010, the last period for which data have been published. (7) January to June 2010 Note: The information has been provided from local management information and is not a National Statistic. As such it should be treated as provisional and therefore subject to change. Source: Local management information provided by UKBA, North West Region Planning and MI Team | ||||||
Counter-terrorism
Mr McFadden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the review of the Prevent strand of the counter-terrorism strategy to be completed. [21761]
Nick Herbert: The review of Prevent is due to be completed by January 2011, as announced in the Home Office Draft Structural Reform Plan published in July.
Departmental Legislation
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many statutory duties were placed on local authorities by legislation introduced by her Department in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [17018]
Nick Herbert: The information requested is not readily available. The Department for Communities and Local Government is currently conducting a review of the statutory duties it places on local authorities by legislation (including EU-imposed duties), with a view to removing duties which are no longer needed. It is also considering how to broaden this review across Whitehall Departments.
Departmental Public Expenditure
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department's capital expenditure per head was in (a) London and (b) the North West in each of the last five years. [21453]
Nick Herbert: The Country and Regional Analysis is a yearly exercise that Departments participate in that allocates departmental spending to regions based on who benefits from that spending, not necessarily where the spending takes place.
On that basis, the results for the Home Office capital expenditure per head per specified region were as follows:
| £ | ||
| London | North West | |
Drugs
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress her Department has made on the development of a framework to evaluate the spending and effectiveness of measures aimed at tackling problem drug use. [23841]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 12 November 2010]: The Government are committed to ensuring that they obtain value for money from drugs policies and interventions. The Home Office has been working with other Government Departments to establish an evaluation framework, which will be used to support assessments of the new drugs strategy, due for publication in December.
Extradition: USA
Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests (a) the UK and (b) the US has made under the terms of the UK-US Extradition Treaty since 2003; and what the outcome of each such request has been. [21837]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 4 November 2010]: The 2003 UK-US Extradition treaty came into force on 26 April 2007.
(a) Since 26 April 2007 and up to 31 October 2010, 48 people had been arrested pursuant to extradition requests received by the UK from the United States. Of these 48, 24 have been extradited and 23 are currently subject to extradition proceedings. There is one absconder.
(b) Since 26 April 2007 and up to 31 October 2010, the UK has made 32 extradition requests to the United States. Of these 32, 24 have been extradited, one has been deported prior to extradition proceedings commencing, one case has been withdrawn and one case closed due to the person not being located.
There are five outstanding requests.
Please note that this information does not include figures for Scotland.
Firearms
Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress her Department has made in its review of the statutory regime affecting firearm ownership; what representations she has received as part of that review from representatives of the gun manufacturing industry; and if she will make a statement. [19058]
James Brokenshire: The Government have submitted evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee which is conducting an inquiry into firearms controls. Their findings will be taken into account and a written response made. The Government will also be taking into account the results of the peer reviews commissioned by the chief constable into the force's handling of the shootings in Cumbria. A meeting has been held to discuss a range of issues with the British Shooting Sports Council which has associate representatives from a number of shooting organisations including the Gun Trade Association. Representations from other organisations both for and against further controls will be fully considered.
Homicide: Pathology
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward proposals to require two pathologists to attend an initial post mortem for a murder inquiry for the purpose of ensuring greater clarity on the cause of death and to reduce the possibility of unnecessary delays to an inquiry. [24128]
James Brokenshire: I do not believe it would be proportionate to require two forensic pathologists to attend every suspicious death post-mortem examination.
The attendance of two forensic pathologists would significantly increase the costs of the examination and would create additional costs throughout the inquest and criminal justice system processes. Given the number of available forensic pathologists it would also delay the examination in a significant number of cases. This could be justified only if there were clear and substantial benefits.
Currently the coroner instructs a forensic pathologist, routinely one on the Home Office Register of forensic pathologists, to perform the examination. The pathologist will perform the examination, according to standards established by the Home Office and Royal College of Pathologists, and prepare a report. In all cases the report is subject to a critical conclusions check by another forensic pathologist prior to issue. The pathologist will also arrange a more extensive "peer review" in more complex cases.
Of the 2,500 to 3,000 suspicious death post-mortem examinations each year about one-third are determined to be homicide. In many of the homicide cases the cause of death is not in dispute and, where it is, this is often based on a disagreement as to the interpretation of the findings established at the examination rather than the accuracy of the findings. Such issues, frequently, becomes clear only when a pathologist is instructed, and has information provided to him, by the defence-which routinely occurs some time after the initial post-mortem examination. It therefore appears that a second pathologist being present at the initial examination would not improve the standards of the examination or, in a significant number of cases, alter (a) the outcome of the examination or (b) the level of dispute that arises in the case.
Independent Safeguarding Authority: Public Finance
Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of (a) establishing and (b) operating the Independent Safeguarding Authority. [22490]
Lynne Featherstone: The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) was formally vested in January 2008 and began operational work in March 2008. The costs of establishing prior to vesting were £9.87 million. The establishment costs cover the development of interim IT and the cost of fitting out the ISA's head offices at Stephenson House, Darlington.
The ISA is funded by grant in aid payments from the Home Office. For the financial year 2010-11, the ISA's total resource budget was £16.8 million.
This figure was established before the Government announced their review of the Vetting and Barring Scheme. The terms of reference for the review were announced on 22 October and outcome of the review will be announced in the new year. The ISA budget will be re-assessed in accordance with this review.
Julian Assange
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports she has received of threats made to the safety of Mr Julian Assange while resident in the UK. [21492]
Nick Herbert: My Department is unable to comment on matters relating to intelligence received. It is Home Office policy not to comment on the operational or security arrangements of any individual or group, as to do so could compromise their safety.
National Crime Agency
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding she plans to allocate to establish the National Crime Agency. [22783]
Nick Herbert: As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said in the House on 26 July 2010, Official Report, columns 723-38, we will publish figures on costs and the business case for the National Crime Agency in due course. This will cover the functions, size and resourcing of the new agency.
Police: Cambridgeshire
Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in the Northern Division basic command unit of the Cambridgeshire constabulary in each quarter since 2005; and if she will make a statement. [22811]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 11 November 2010]: The available data are provided in the following table which shows the police officer strength in the Northern Division basic command unit of the Cambridgeshire constabulary in each of the years 31 March 2005 to 31 March 2010.
Figures are only available as at 31 March in each year.
Police: Olympic Games 2012
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans she has for the number of police bomb detection dog units deployed in respect of the London 2012 Olympics; [22350]
(2) if she will review the adequacy of the training standards for civilian security contractors deploying dog surveillance units as part of the gate security for the London 2012 Olympics; [22351]
(3) if she will discuss with G4S and Wagtail the standards of dog training in respect of the deployment of explosives and firearms dog units at the London 2012 Olympics. [22352]
Nick Herbert: The Olympic Development Authority (ODA), London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG), Police and other security agencies are working to an integrated strategy agreed by the Home Office. There are a number of security layers, of which screening for explosives and other weapons plays a part. The screening solutions being developed are sophisticated and involve a range of technologies, dogs and security personnel. All dogs and their handlers that will be used for the protection of the Games, whether by Police or private security, will operate to defined standards and will be supported by a strong quality assurance programme. The capacity of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) explosives search dogs is being increased ahead of the Games.
At the Olympic Park and Athletes' Village, the Home Office continues to work closely with the ODA and the MPS. Part of this work includes putting in place robust assurance processes to ensure that the explosive detection dog capability on the Park meets the agreed standard. ODA's security department is responsible for the management of that contract.
Proceeds of Crime: Bolton
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money recovered under the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 by Greater Manchester police, Bolton division, was received by her Department in 2009-10; and for what purposes that funding was allocated. [23011]
James Brokenshire: In 2009-10 Greater Manchester police helped recover £3.64 million under the Proceeds of Crime Act, but we do not hold any further detail on how this was broken down by division.
Under the current Asset Recovery Incentivisation scheme half of all assets recovered are returned to all the law enforcement agencies involved; and in 2009-10 Greater Manchester police received £1.17 million.
Money returned under the Asset Recovery Incentivisation scheme is primarily intended to support reinvestment in asset recovery. Some agencies have also used this money to fund crime reduction and community projects.
The other half of all assets is retained as core Home Office funding. Some of this is dedicated to reinvestment in asset recovery, such as £10.5 million annual funding for the nine multi-agency Regional Asset Recovery Teams.
Speed Limits: Cameras
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether proposed regulation of the next generation of speed cameras will be included in her legislative proposals for regulation of the use of CCTV. [23289]
James Brokenshire: Our review of CCTV does not extend to speed cameras and there are, therefore, no plans to include them in our forthcoming proposals.
Telecommunications: Databases
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward proposals to put her Department's Interception Modernisation Programme on a statutory footing; and if she will make a statement. [20464]
Nick Herbert: As was made clear in the strategic defence and security review, the Government will continue to build on an existing programme of work to preserve the ability of the law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies to obtain communications data and to intercept communications within the appropriate legal framework. We will legislate to ensure this is compatible with the Government's approach to civil liberties and use of communications capabilities. Details of this legislation will be announced in Parliament in due course.
Defence
Afghanistan and Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases of post-traumatic stress disorder have been recorded among (a) Royal Marines and (b) army infantry soldiers who have served in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan. [22792]
Mr Robathan: The following table details the number of patients attending a Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) initially assessed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the period 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2009. The figures reflect patients who have deployed as part of Op TELIC and/or Op HERRICK. Some Service personnel may have deployed to both theatres, hence the sub-totals exceed the overall total.
| Royal Marines | Army Infantry | |
These figures report only new attendances (and new episodes of care since July 2009) during the period, not all those who were receiving treatment. Equivalent verified data prior to 2007 are not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Personnel deployment data relating to Afghanistan are not available prior to 14 October 2005. Therefore, it is possible that some patients reporting with PTSD, and who deployed prior to that date, have not been captured within these statistics.
This answer was produced using data from the Annual UK Armed Forces Mental Health Report which includes statistics on PTSD. This information can be found on the Defence Analytical Services and Advice (DASA) website under All Other Publications and Health/Medical Statistics.
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 3 November 2010, Official Report, columns 847-50W, on armed forces: investigations, if he will arrange for his response to be published in the Official Report; and when he plans to write to the hon. Member for Newport West. [23046]
Dr Fox: The records required to answer the hon. Member's questions are not held centrally and it will take time to identify and review them. I will write to the hon. Member once this work is completed and my response will be published in the Official Report.
Air Force: Military Bases
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely effects on his Department's airfields of the outcomes of the comprehensive spending review. [23205]
Mr Robathan: It will take some time to work out the implications of the strategic defence and security review for defence basing. The work is now under way, and we will fully consult all the relevant agencies and the local communities that have given so much support to our armed forces over the years, before any announcements are made.
Aircraft Carriers: Contracts
Mr Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will commission an inquiry into the negotiating process leading to the agreement of the (a) contracts to construct the new aircraft carriers and (b) the penalty clauses in those contracts. [19195]
Peter Luff:
The contract for the aircraft carriers was related to the programme of work agreed when the previous Government entered into arrangements to sustain the ability to design and integrate complex warships in the UK. As such, the Government are not presently
convinced that an inquiry into the negotiating process leading to the carrier contract is needed. We will be reviewing the future of the relevant sector strategy as part of the consultation process the Ministry of Defence will launch next month leading to a White Paper on Defence and Security Industry and Technology policy in spring 2011.
Armed Forces: Disciplinary Proceedings
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rules govern the prosecution of military personnel accused of illegal attacks on civilians in (a) the UK and (b) foreign countries. [21824]
Nick Harvey: Within the UK, members of the armed forces are subject to general criminal law and service law (which in this respect is broadly the same as criminal law) and may be prosecuted through the civilian or military court system. For offences committed in the UK, there is a presumption in favour of a civilian trial if the victim is a civilian.
Every member of the regular forces is subject to service law at all times, wherever in the world they may be serving. Reserves are subject to service law, broadly speaking, when they are with the services wherever they are. The services' disciplinary system will operate effectively anywhere in the world. For offences against civilians abroad, the choice of jurisdiction between the service and local courts generally depends on agreements with the local jurisdiction. Where our armed forces are engaged in an armed conflict in a foreign state it will almost always be the case that the service courts will exercise jurisdiction.
Armed Forces: Food
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to increase the proportion of domestically produced food supplied to the armed forces. [20567]
Nick Harvey: European Union procurement legislation precludes public bodies from discriminating in favour of domestic products when procuring food and Ministry of Defence contractors are required to seek best value for money in the open market. However, where competitive, the MOD gives full consideration to procuring British produce. To this end regular and routine meetings are held between MOD and other Government Departments aimed at assisting British companies to better compete for MOD food contracts.
Armed Forces: Housing
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of the expenditure required to raise the standard of service accommodation in the Falkland Islands to levels required of service accommodation in the UK. [22128]
Mr Robathan: A posting to the Falkland Islands is not permanent (being a form of operational deployment) and although the service accommodation is recognised to be at a lower standard, it is still considered to be at an acceptable level and is graded and charged for accordingly.
If work were carried out to raise the standard of the accommodation in the Falkland Islands to the level expected in the UK, the cost to the public purse of the expenditure is estimated to be at least £85 million.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his most recent assessment is of progress in the modernisation of service family accommodation. [22486]
Mr Robathan: This Government are committed to ensuring that service personnel and their families are housed in good quality, modern service family accommodation (SFA).
The ongoing upgrade and improvement programmes in the UK prioritises investment on a 'greatest needs first' basis. This year's upgrade programme, typically providing a new kitchen, bathroom, heating system and often a new roof and windows, will bring at least a further 800 SFA properties up to the highest standard for condition. In addition, around 4,000 properties will benefit from smaller-scale improvements such as new boilers, bathrooms, kitchens, loft insulation and double-glazing, which may not amount to a full upgrade but will deliver real lifestyle benefits to occupants.
Over 95% of surveyed properties in the UK are now at the top two standards for condition. Those properties at standard four (the lowest) are no longer routinely allocated to incoming families unless specifically requested, and properties at standard three will not be allocated from 2012.
Armed Forces: Medals
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what weighing is given to the time served on operational tours by territorial army soldiers when calculating the requirements for the volunteer reserves service medal. [22237]
Mr Robathan: Members of the reserves forces may be granted the Volunteer Reserves' Service Medal which is awarded to all ranks in recognition of long and efficient service. It is awarded for 10 years' exemplary service in the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marine Reserve, the Territorial Army and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, and clasps are available for additional periods of five years. An individual receiving this award must be above reproach in respect of conduct and performance throughout their service. Reserve personnel who go on operational tours and meet the criteria are entitled to receive the medal that recognises that tour. Time spent on these duties will naturally accrue towards the 10 years' total service required.
Armed Forces: Northumberland
Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of residents in (a) Wansbeck constituency and (b) Northumberland in each age group who were serving in the armed forces on the latest date for which figures are available. [22929]
Mr Robathan: As at 1 July 2010 there were 1,240 service personnel stationed in the Northumberland county council area.
Residential address information with reference to parliamentary constituency and age is not held.
Details of the number and stationed location of military personnel broken down by service, county, unitary authority and local authority area is produced by the Department as Tri Service Publication 10 which can be found at:
http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/index.php?page=48&;pubType=0&thiscontent=100&PublishTime =09:30:00&date=2010-08-26&disText=01%20Jul% 202010&from=listing&topDate=2010-08-26
Copies are available in the Library of the House.
Armed Forces: Smallpox
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence personnel are vaccinated against smallpox for the purposes of first response in the event of a biological attack. [21897]
Nick Harvey: In 2003, a cohort of 107 key medical and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) specialist personnel were vaccinated against smallpox, in order that they could themselves act as vaccinators of further armed forces personnel in the event of an outbreak. In order to ensure that our future vaccination policy is based on an up-to-date, intelligence-informed assessment of the threat, a review of the Ministry of Defence's approach to smallpox vaccination is currently being undertaken.
Atomic Weapons Establishment
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas) of 17 June 2010, Official Report, column 499W, on the Atomic Weapons Establishment, what reviews are currently underway at the Atomic Weapons Establishment. [21964]
Dr Fox: Reviews are being undertaken in the following areas: implementation of measures identified within the Strategic Defence and Security Review; the efficient and effective operation of the AWE contract; and, the future contracting strategies for future phases of the Nuclear Warhead Capability Sustainment Programme.
AWE Burghfield
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of his Department's expenditure on the re-kit programme for the nuclear warhead assembly/disassembly facility at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Burghfield over the lifetime of the programme. [21975]
Peter Luff: Expenditure on the re-kit programme for the nuclear warhead assembly/disassembly facility at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Burghfield, is estimated at £50 million over the lifetime of the programme.
BAE Systems
Mr Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many employees of BAE Systems were on secondment to his Department on 1 April 2010; and if he will make a statement. [17338]
Mr Robathan: The information requested is not held centrally and will take some time to collate. I shall write to the hon. Member with a substantive answer as soon as one is available.
Chief Coroner
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the likely effects of the implementation of the proposal to close the Chief Coroner's Office on the families of armed forces personnel who have died in active service. [23682]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 12 November 2010]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 November 2010, Official Report, column 9, to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Diana Johnson).
Defence: Expenditure
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on meeting the NATO target of spending 2% of gross domestic product on defence. [22794]
Dr Fox: I have had regular discussion with the US Secretary of Defence on the implications of the Strategic Defence and Security Review, including our continued ability to meet the NATO target for defence spending.
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the annual running costs are of (a) a Royal Marine commando unit and (b) an army infantry battalion. [22795]
Nick Harvey: The average annual running cost of a Royal Marine commando unit is £27.5 million. This includes military pay and allowances (including manpower costs of deployed Royal Marines), civilian pay and allowances, and other costs such as utilities, building maintenance, medical support, food, fuel and transport.
An army infantry battalion can either be an armoured, light or mechanised battalion. The average annual cost of an army infantry battalion is approximately £33 million: this includes military pay and allowances and other running costs, but excludes civilian manpower costs.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |