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19 Nov 2010 : Column 988W—continued

UK Trade and Investment

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of UK Trade and Investment in the latest period for which figures are available; and how much of that cost was recovered in fees in that period. [25443]

Mr Prisk: UK Trade and Investment's 2009-10 Resource Accounts (which were published on 22 July reference No. HC 3) report total resource expenditure of £356.4 million and recoverable income of £6.0 million, of which £4.7 million relates to fees and charges.

Yorkshire Forward: Assets

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for the future of the assets owned by Yorkshire Forward in Bradford following the closure of that agency. [25056]

Mr Prisk: Where assets and liabilities belonging to a regional development agency are not disposed of, either locally or nationally, prior to its abolition, the likelihood is that they will transfer to a residuary body which will continue the process. The form, status or functions that residuary body might have are being considered as part of the closure preparations.


19 Nov 2010 : Column 989W

Women and Equalities

Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Racial Equality Centre: Finance

Graham Evans: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities whether her Department has provided funding for the Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Racial Equality Centre since its creation. [25073]

Lynne Featherstone: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an arm's length body; the following is based on information it has provided.

Between the financial year 2007-08, during which the EHRC was formed, to 17 November 2010 inclusive, Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Racial Equality Centre has received grants payments totalling £100,470 from the EHRC.

Departmental Conferences

Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how much the Government Equalities Office spent under each budget heading on its stakeholder conference held in March 2010. [22065]

Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office spent a total of £34,535 on its stakeholder conference. 119 people attended as part of the Government's engagement with partners from across business, the voluntary and public sectors to explain the Equality Bill (now the Equality Act 2010) and to help shape future priorities for action.

The costs were allocated as follows:

Budget category Amount (£)

Conference set up charges

11,262

Meeting room hire

2,500

Day delegate rate

13,800

Equipment hire

6,973

Total

34,535


Government Equalities Office: Finance

Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what grants of what monetary value the Government Equalities Office has allocated to each organisation in each of the last five years; and how much it plans to allocate in each such grant to each organisation for each of the next five years. [24204]

Lynne Featherstone: Since its creation on 12 October 2007 the Government Equalities Office has issued grants to the following organisations:


19 Nov 2010 : Column 990W
Grant recipient Amount (£)

2007-08( 1)

British Association for Adoption and Fostering

30,825

2008-09

East Riding of Yorkshire Council

36,074

Ethnic Minority Foundation

6,000

London School of Economics

220,000

Rape Crisis England and Wales

128,000

Survivors Trust

153,350

2009-10

Civil Service Rainbow Alliance

45,000

British Association for Adoption and Fostering

13,450

Equality South West

41,417

London School of Economics

120,000

Rape Crisis England and Wales

1,085,000

2010-11

East Riding of Yorkshire Council

6,574

Equality South West

41,550

London School of Economics

91,053

(1) From 12 October 2007

No plans have yet been made for any future allocation for grant funding.

Institute for Fiscal Studies

Robert Halfon: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how much the Government Equalities Office spent on services provided by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in each year since its creation. [23405]

Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office (GEO) was created on 12 October 2007. GEO spent £1,600 on services provided by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in 2009 and £60 in 2010.

Work and Pensions

Protect Employees in the Workplace

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what mechanisms are in place to ensure that the Health and Safety Executive has adequate resources to enforce legislation to protect employees in the workplace. [23574]

Chris Grayling: Ensuring good health and safety in the workplace remains vitally important. In the current economic climate, it is appropriate both that HSE should deliver its fair share of the required savings, and that those businesses who create health and safety risks should share more of the cost. Equally, it is important that burdens on low-risk businesses are reduced. We shall be working with HSE to develop such mechanisms over the coming months. It remains for HSE to decide what interventions-including enforcement-will best deliver its policy and operational objectives.

Access to Work Programme

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications were (a) made and (b) approved in respect of grants under the Access to Work scheme in 2009-10; and what the monetary value was of such grants made (i) in 2009-10 and (ii) in the period from 1 April to 31 September 2010. [22314]

Maria Miller: 24,340 individuals were helped through Access to Work between April 2010 and June 2010. Information on the number of people helped up to
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31 September is not yet available. This information is from the Access to Work Official Statistics, available on the Office for National Statistics Hub. I have also arranged to place a copy in the House of Commons Library. We estimate that more people will be helped in 2010-11 than in the previous year.

Spend figures for directly delivered programmes such as Access to Work are subject to in-year review and adjustment so information on spend in the 2010-11 financial year will not be available until after the end of the financial year.

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the savings likely to be made by restrictions on grants under the Access to Work scheme in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12. [22315]

Maria Miller: Access to Work has the objective of helping disabled people take up or retain paid work, by helping to meet the extra costs faced by disabled people or their employers beyond what is reasonable for the employer to meet. There have not been any restrictions on grants that disabled people are awarded against this objective.

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has made an assessment of the effects on disabled people seeking employment of recent changes to the operation of the Access to Work scheme. [22316]

Maria Miller: Access to Work has the objective of helping disabled people take up or retain paid work, by helping to meet the extra costs faced by disabled people or their employers beyond what is reasonable for the employer to meet. There have not been any changes made which would impede the delivery of this objective.

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when changes to be proposed to the Access to Work scheme were agreed; and what consultation his Department undertook with (a) users, (b) businesses and (c) disability groups on those proposed changes. [22394]

Maria Miller: Changes to the Access to Work programme made by the previous Government are designed to improve take-up among under-represented groups, including people working for small employers, people with mental health conditions and people with learning difficulties. In February 2010 Access to Work officials held a series of focus groups across the country with a number of key external stakeholders, including disability charities, business groups and ethnic minority groups with regard to plans to refocus the Access to Work programme. All parties in attendance valued the service that Access to Work provides but agreed that the programme should be more flexible, and more available to those who are in need of most help and that larger employers could contribute more. These changes were announced in the White Paper 'Building Britain's Recovery' published in December 2009.

The operation of Access to Work is kept under regular review to ensure that the programme is delivered effectively. Access to Work guidance has for many years
19 Nov 2010 : Column 992W
specified that funding cannot be provided for standard equipment that an employer would need to provide for any employee to do their job. We have in the past allowed Access to Work advisers to form local judgments about what should be regarded as standard equipment and this has led to inconsistent decisions. A revised list of equipment has therefore been included in the Access to Work guidance in order to assist advisers in making operational decisions on each case under consideration for funding and ensure consistency across the country. This list will be updated from time to time to ensure it reflects latest developments. The list of examples provided is not exhaustive and advisers have the discretion to identify other types of equipment as standard for a particular industry or occupation.

The coalition agreement set out our commitment to Access to Work, including plans to reform the programme so disabled people can apply for jobs with funding already secured for any adaptations and equipment they will need and I expect to make an announcement about this shortly.

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what equipment his Department (a) classifies as standard provision and (b) expects employers to fund under the Access to Work scheme since 1 October 2010. [22395]

Maria Miller: Access to Work guidance has for many years specified that funding cannot be provided for standard equipment that an employer would need to provide for any employee to fulfil their legal obligations. We have in the past allowed Access to Work advisers to form local judgments about what should be regarded as standard equipment and this has led to inconsistent decisions. A revised list of equipment has therefore been included in the Access to Work guidance in order to assist advisers in making operational decisions on each case under consideration for funding and ensure consistency across the country. This list will be updated from time to time to ensure it reflects latest developments. The list of examples provided is not exhaustive and advisers have the discretion to identify other types of equipment as standard for a particular industry or occupation.

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what internal guidance his Department is using on the operation from 1 October 2010 of the Access to Work scheme. [22396]

Maria Miller: Jobcentre Plus provides guidance to staff on the operation of the Access to Work programme and this is updated regularly. Access to Work funds employment support that is over and above that which a business is legally obliged to put in place under 'reasonable adjustments'. Jobcentre Plus are happy to issue a copy of the full Access to Work guidance to anyone who requests it. I have made arrangements to place the latest version of the guidance in the House of Commons Library.

Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2010, Official Report, column 422W, on Access to Work programme, which areas of the Access to Work programme are under review; which are likely to be
19 Nov 2010 : Column 993W
subject to reform; which are likely to be subject to restrictions; what instructions his Department has given to staff of the programme in relation to the availability of Access to Work (a) funds and (b) facilities since 1 October 2010; and if he will make a statement [24983]

Maria Miller: The Government are committed to ensuring disabled people are given the support they need to get a job and remain in employment. We will continue to review welfare to work programmes to ensure the support they provide remains appropriate, effective and value for money.

In line with the coalition agreement we are committed to Access to Work and including plans to reform the programme so disabled people can apply for jobs with funding already secured for any adaptations and equipment they will need. In line with the previous Government's decisions there are also changes in place which support disabled people working for smaller employers, to ensure Access to Work is as efficient and effective as possible.

Jobcentre Plus provides detailed guidance to staff on the operation of the Access to Work programme and this is updated regularly to ensure it reflects the statutory obligations on businesses. Access to Work can only provide support over and above employers' legal obligations to provide reasonable adjustments. I have made arrangements to place the latest version of the guidance in the House of Commons Library.

Children: Maintenance

Miss Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department expects to publish a target for the collection of child maintenance arrears by the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. [22249]

Maria Miller: The Government are currently considering the role that the child maintenance system can play in their overall commitment to support shared parenting and promote parental responsibility. In this context, and that of the spending review, the Department are in discussion with the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission about a strategy for the collection of arrears, including options for an in-year target.

Housing Benefit

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under what criteria the additional discretionary housing funding will be allocated to local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [24183]

Steve Webb: We are discussing the 2011-12 allocation of the additional discretionary housing payment funding with the local authority associations. Our discussions will be informed by our detailed analysis of the impact of the changes to local housing allowance rates which we published on 23 July 2010. A copy of that document-'Impacts of Housing Benefit proposals: Changes to the Local Housing Allowance to be introduced in 2011-12'-has been placed in the Library.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has provided an additional £10 million homelessness prevention funding. This has been paid to
19 Nov 2010 : Column 994W
London local authorities this month. Allocations were based on this Department's analysis of the impacts of the local housing allowance caps within individual London boroughs which is contained in the document mentioned above.

Housing Benefit: Brighton

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will estimate the number of householders in receipt of housing benefit who will have to vacate their home as a result of the planned cap on local housing allowance in (a) Brighton Pavilion constituency, (b) Brighton and Hove unitary authority and (c) nationally, if the level of rents remains unchanged when the cap is implemented; [23797]

(2) if he will assess the ability of householders in receipt of housing benefit who move to less expensive properties when the planned cap on local housing allowance is introduced to afford the train travel to their place of work following the rise in the regulated cap on rail fares from 2012. [23798]

Steve Webb: The information required to carry out these assessments is not available.

On 23 July the Department published a document on "Impacts of Housing Benefit proposals: Changes to the Local Housing Allowance to be introduced in 2011-12". This included estimates of the number of losers and average losses per week for each local authority and each bedroom entitlement category. A copy of the document has been placed in the Library.

Housing Benefit: Rossendale and Darwen

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid in housing benefit to individuals in Rossendale and Darwen constituency for a (a) one bedroom, (b) two bedroom, (c) three bedroom and (d) four bedroom property in each year since 1996-97. [24151]

Steve Webb: The information requested is not available.

Housing benefit expenditure is available for the two local authorities covering the constituency, Rossendale, and Blackburn with Darwen, and is shown in the following table.


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Housing benefit expenditure for Rossendale, and Blackburn with Darwen local authorities
£ million

Rossendale Blackburn with Darwen

1996-97

10.8

31.2

1997-98

10.4

32.3

1998-99

10.6

33.2

1999-2000

10.7

33.5

2000-01

10.6

33.9

2001-02

10.7

34.3

2002-03

11.4

37.8

2003-04

11.2

37.0

2004-05

11.4

36.7

2005-06

11.6

37.6

2006-07

11.7

39.1

2007-08

13.7

42.3

2008-09

14.0

43.5

2009-10

16.3

49.3

Note:
All figures are consistent with housing benefit expenditure information published on the internet at:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/h_tables_budget2010.xls
Source:
Local Authority Subsidy returns

Maternity Payments: Adoption

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received on extending maternity allowance to adoptive parents; and if he will make a statement. [23207]

Maria Miller: I have received no other representations on extending maternity allowance to adoptive parents.

Statutory adoption pay enables adopters to take a period of leave from work when a new child joins the family. It is paid by employers to employees who satisfy qualifying conditions based on length of employment and a minimum level of earnings. There are around 4,000 adoptions each year and only a very small number do not qualify. Local authorities can consider making payments equivalent to maternity allowance for adopters who are ineligible for statutory adoption pay. Because of this it is not economic to create a specific allowance within the benefit system for this small group.

Social Security Benefits: Disability

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disabled people will no longer receive contributory employment and support allowance (ESA) annually as a result of his decision to limit to one year the period for which contributory ESA may be paid. [23345]

Maria Miller: The requested information will be available on 29 November 2010 alongside the autumn statement and will be deposited in the Library.

Claimants in the work-related activity group who stop receiving contributory employment and support allowance after 12 months will be able to claim income-related employment and support allowance if eligible. we estimate that 60% will be able to claim some income-related employment and support allowance once their contributory entitlement has ended. There will always be a safety net to support those who have no means of supporting themselves.

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effects of the introduction of fortnightly benefit payments of disability living allowance and incapacity benefit on the propensity of claimants to take out high interest loans; and if he will make a statement. [24075]

Maria Miller: We have not made an assessment of any effects that the introduction of fortnightly benefit payments of disability living allowance and incapacity benefit may have had on the propensity of claimants to take out high interest loans.


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Paying benefit fortnightly is intended to give customers more personal responsibility for their finances. Fortnightly payments more closely mirror monthly salary payments than weekly payments, and align better with utility bills, which are generally paid monthly. Fortnightly payments also help to simplify customers' movement between different benefits, as jobseeker's allowance is paid fortnightly.

Customers can receive weekly payments in exceptional circumstances-if the customer has a mental health condition and has found it difficult to budget on a fortnightly basis, for example, or if they have had debt counselling to help them manage significant financial problems. However, weekly payments are generally intended to be on a temporary basis, and most customers should be helped to move towards fortnightly payments.

Social Security Benefits: Prisoners

Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what mechanisms are in place to ensure that those released from jail can promptly obtain jobseeker's allowance or employment support allowance payments. [25399]

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.

Letter from Darra Singh:

State Retirement Pensions

Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of state pension provision in each year from 2009-10 to 2020-21; what proportion of this cost is attributable to each category of state pension provision in each such year; and if he will make a statement. [23303]


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Steve Webb: The available information is in the table:


19 Nov 2010 : Column 998W
State pension expenditure, Great Britain and overseas
£ million (cash terms)
Financial year 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

Basic state pension

51,370

53,520

56,620

59,010

61,380

64,570

68,090

of which category A

33,300

35,320

38,010

40,400

42,750

45,680

48,910

of which category AB

7,710

7,970

8,320

8,490

8,680

8,990

9,350

of which category ABL

3,330

3,350

3,410

3,410

3,400

3,410

3,430

of which category B

4,510

4,400

4,390

4,300

4,220

4,220

4,240

of which category BL

2,450

2,400

2,390

2,320

2,230

2,170

2,100

of which category D

80

80

90

100

100

110

120

Additional pension

12,700

13,100

14,150

15,090

15,890

16,670

17,570

of which state earnings related pension scheme (SERPS)

11,660

11,830

12,580

13,200

13,680

14,130

14,650

of which state second pension (S2P)

1,040

1,280

1,570

1,890

2,210

2,540

2,920

Graduated retirement benefit

1,820

1,850

1,960

2,060

2,130

2,200

2,260

Increments to basic state pension and graduated retirement benefit

430

420

430

430

420

430

430

Lump sum deferral

500

590

590

600

630

650

670

Adult dependency increases

90

80

60

50

40

30

20

Child dependency increases

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Invalidity allowance

70

70

70

80

80

80

90

Age addition

30

30

40

40

40

40

40

Adjustments

-110

-100

-100

-100

-90

-90

-80

Total state pension

66,900

69,560

73,820

77,260

80,520

84,580

89,150

Notes
1. Figures are given in cash terms and rounded to the nearest £10 million. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
2. Figures after 2015-16 are not available.
3. Annual expenditure on child dependency increases is less than £5 million.
4. Lump sum deferral expenditure refers to payments made to individuals claiming a deferred state pension, and relates to all elements of state pension.
5. Increments to additional pension are included under total additional pension expenditure.
6. Basic state pension expenditure includes non-contributory retirement pension.
7. Category D covers total basic state pension paid to anyone receiving some non- contributory retirement pension.
8. Adjustments cover small additional payments or reductions that occur during the year, including recovery of overpayments.
9. Additional pension includes state second pension (S2P) and state earnings related pension scheme (SERPS) expenditure.
Source:
DWP accounting and statistical data, and June 2010 Budget forecasts

International Development

Pakistan: Overseas Aid

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's humanitarian aid to Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [24984]

Mr Andrew Mitchell: Humanitarian programmes funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) in Pakistan are continually assessed by humanitarian advisers working for DFID to ensure that they remain appropriate, deliver results and are value for money. Fuller internal reviews are scheduled to take place in 2011. To date UK aid has helped approximately 900,000 people access health care services, 620,000 people access clean drinking water and 420,000 people benefit from shelter kits. More details of the UK's humanitarian aid can be found on the Floods Monitor on DFID's website:

In parallel, I have launched an independent review of the way the UK responds to humanitarian emergencies, chaired by Lord Ashdown, which will consider the Government's response to the floods in Pakistan as a case study.

Home Department

Animal Experiments

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many regulated procedures were carried out on animals under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to test the potency of botulinum toxin in 2009. [24958]

Lynne Featherstone: Information is not available on how many regulated procedures were carried out on animals in 2009 under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to test the potency of botulinum toxin. Figures for numbers of procedures involving pharmaceutical safety/efficacy testing are included in table 9 of "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2009". It is not possible from the format of the data returns collected for statistical purposes to identify the number of procedures used in testing a particular substance or product.

The annual publication "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2009" was published on 27 July 2010, and is available via the Library of the House and on the Department's website at:

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what strategy her Department plans to adopt to reduce the number of animals used in experiments. [24959]


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Lynne Featherstone: We are currently developing a strategy to deliver the coalition commitment to work to reduce the use of animals in scientific research and will announce our plans in due course. We will be looking for genuine reductions which improve animal welfare.

Animal Experiments: Botulinum Toxin

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the practice of using death as an experimental end point in relation to the use of mice for the potency testing of botulinum toxin in projects licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [24623]

Lynne Featherstone: The Home Office does not authorise death as the experimental endpoint in the botulinum toxin potency assay. The authorised humane endpoint is appropriate observation and intervention by use of humane euthanasia to limit animal suffering.

Animal Experiments: Primates

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-human primates imported into the UK and recorded as F1 generation were from Mauritius in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010. [23881]

Lynne Featherstone: From the information available we estimate that of the non-human primates imported into the United Kingdom during 2009 and 2010 for scientific research, 1,139 and 970 respectively were F1 generation from Mauritius.

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has plans to review the suitability of non-human primate companies in Mauritius that are designated as breeding and supply establishments to supply non-human primates to the UK for the purposes of scientific research. [24829]

Lynne Featherstone: Overseas centres supplying non-human primates to the United Kingdom for the purposes of scientific research are appraised by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate initially when identified as potential new sources of primates by United Kingdom users seeking to acquire animals. Once deemed acceptable, the status of overseas centres is subject to periodic review, typically every two years.

The two Mauritian centres which have supplied animals to the United Kingdom in the past two years are next due for review by 31 January 2011 and 31 August 2011.

Asylum: Deportation

Mr Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers there were in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010; and how many have subsequently been deported. [23342]

Damian Green: We have interpreted the first question to mean the number of asylum applications in 2008, 2009 and 2010 who were refused asylum, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave.

We have interpreted the second question to mean the number of asylum claimants in 2008, 2009 and 2010 that was subsequently removed.


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Published data are not available for 2010. However figures for 2008 and 2009 can be found in Control of Immigration: United Kingdom 2009 which is available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate web site at:

Asylum: Glasgow

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effects of asylum seekers moving from Glasgow city council accommodation on requirements for individuals to report at reporting centres or police stations. [23931]

Damian Green: We are very hopeful that the vast majority of service users will be able to remain in their current accommodation. Where this is not possible accommodation will be sourced by alternative providers operating in Glasgow and they will take into account the need for service users to be within a reasonable distance of a reporting centre.

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value was of the UK Border Agency's housing contract with Glasgow city council; and what the value is of contracts with the replacement suppliers. [23935]

Damian Green: The current estimated annual value of the contract held with Glasgow city council is £8.610 million. The estimated current annual values for Glasgow YMCA and Angel Group (Scotland) are for £6.516 million and £2.706 million respectively. The value of the YMCA and Angel Group contracts will increase as and when the Glasgow CC service users transfer to one or both providers but we cannot estimate what the future contract values will be at the present time. The additional costs paid to Glasgow YMCA and/or the Angel Group will be significantly less than the current expenditure to Glasgow city council.

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the minimum notice period will be for asylum seekers being moved from accommodation with Glasgow City Council; and whether tenants will have any right of appeal. [23938]

Damian Green: The intention is to give any affected asylum seekers who need to move accommodation minimum notice of between three and five months. However, given the common use of Glasgow Housing Association by both Glasgow city council and YMCA the UK Border Agency hope that the numbers who have to move property will be minimal. Where a move has to take place accommodation is provided on a no choice basis and there is no right of appeal, just as it is on initial dispersal.

Asylum: Social Services

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will publish her Department's assessment of the cost effectiveness and quality of
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social care services provided by Glasgow city council in respect of asylum seekers based in the city of Glasgow; and if she will make a statement. [25332]

Damian Green: There is no assessment with regards to the quality of social care services provided by Glasgow city council in respect of asylum seekers based in the city of Glasgow. The Secretary of State has no plans to make a statement.

Criminal Records Bureau: Scout Association

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recent discussions she has had with the Scout Association on the introduction of charges for Criminal Records Bureau checks; and if she will make a statement; [R] [24867]

(2) if she will meet representatives of the Scout Association to discuss the introduction of charges for Criminal Records Bureau checks; and if she will make a statement; [R] [24868]

(3) what recent representations she has received from (a) hon. Members, (b) Members of the House of Lords and (c) members of the public on the introduction of charges for Criminal Records Bureau checks for members of the Scout Association; what response she provided; and if she will make a statement; [R] [24874]

(4) if she will reverse her decision to introduce charges for Criminal Records Bureau checks for members of the Scout Association; and if she will make a statement; [R] [24875]

(5) if she will estimate the likely annual cost to the Scout Association of the payment of charges for Criminal Records Bureau checks; and if she will make a statement. [R] [24876]

Lynne Featherstone: The Home Office wrote to representatives of the Scout Association earlier in November on the issue of charging volunteers for Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks and confirmed that while the ongoing review of the criminal records regime may have an impact on the requirements to undertake CRB checks, the terms of reference will not review the provision of free disclosure certificates for volunteers. The Government remain committed to reducing the barriers to volunteering and free disclosure certificates for volunteers remain Government policy.

There are no plans for Ministers to meet with representatives of the Scout Association at the present time.

Human Trafficking

Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of sentence given to a person originally charged with offences related to
19 Nov 2010 : Column 1002W
human trafficking and subsequently prosecuted for a lesser charge was in each of the last five years. [21737]

Damian Green [holding answer 4 November 2010]: The following figures are provided by the UK Human Trafficking Centre's analysis of the Police National Computer as at 31 August 2010. The averages include consecutive sentences but do not include concurrent and suspended sentences. The figures relate to year of conviction.

Trafficking for Forced L abour (including conspiracy to traffic)

Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation (including in some cases additional offences)

Immigrants: Children

Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children were detained for immigration purposes (a) on each of the last 14 days for which figures are available, (b) in each of the last 12 weeks, (c) in each of the last 12 months and (d) in each of the last five years. [25397]

Damian Green: The requested information is not available as figures on persons entering detention have been published only since the beginning of 2009. The following tables show the number of children who entered detention each month, solely under Immigration Act powers, between January 2009 and June 2010.

Statistics published in the Quarter 2 Control of Immigration publication state that at 30 June 2010 there were five children detained solely under Immigration Act powers. The figure in the publication is rounded to the nearest five to preserve data confidentiality and so represents a number between three and seven.

Information on children detained solely under Immigration Act powers are available in the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary, United Kingdom, April-June 2010 in the Library of the House and the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at:

The next quarterly publication will be released on 25 November 2010 which will show the number of children, detained solely under Immigration Act powers, at 30 September 2010.


19 Nov 2010 : Column 1003W

19 Nov 2010 : Column 1004W
Children entering detention( 1,2,5) held solely under Immigration Act powers, by place of initial detention, by month, (excluding Harwich), January 2009 to June 2010( 3,4)
Number of children
2009
Place of initial detention Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total

Yarl's Wood

90

55

10

45

40

60

75

60

65

65

75

60

695

Tinsley House

15

5

15

25

25

15

40

20

20

25

25

5

235

Dungavel

15

5

5

5

10

5

15

10

5

10

15

5

100

Oakington Reception Centre

10

10

5

*

*

*

-

-

5

5

*

*

35

Campsfield House

-

*

*

-

-

-

*

*

-

-

-

*

5

Haslar

-

-

*

-

-

-

*

-

-

-

*

-

5

Brook House

-

-

-

-

-

*

-

-

-

-

-

-

*

Harmondsworth

-

-

-

-

*

-

-

-

-

-

-

*

*

Dover Immigration Removal Centre

-

-

-

*

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

*

Lindholme

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

UK Border Agency short term holding facilities

Dover Harbour

*

5

5

5

5

*

5

*

-

5

-

-

30

Colnbrook Short Term

-

*

-

-

-

5

-

*

*

-

-

-

10

Pennine House

-

-

-

-

-

-

*

-

-

*

-

-

*

Total

135

80

40

80

85

85

135

95

90

105

115

75

1,120


Number of children
2010

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Total Jan-Jun

Yarl's Wood

70

55

55

30

20

5

235

Tinsley House

5

10

5

15

10

20

65

Dungavel

5

5

5

-

5

-

20

Oakington Reception Centre

5

-

-

*

5

-

10

Campsfield House

-

-

*

-

-

-

*

Haslar

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Brook House

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Harmondsworth

-

-

-

-

*

-

*

Dover Immigration Removal Centre

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Lindholme

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

UK Border Agency short term holding facilities

Dover Harbour

10

-

-

-

-

-

10

Colnbrook Short Term

*

-

-

-

-

-

*

Pennine House

-

-

-

-

-

*

*

Total

95

70

65

50

40

25

345

(1) Some detainees may be recorded more than once if, for example, the person has been detained on more than one separate occasion in the time period shown, such as a person who has left detention, but has subsequently been re-detained.
(2) Figures for children will overstate if any applicants aged 18 or over claim to be younger.
(3) Figures rounded to the nearest five (- = 0, * = 1 or 2) and may not sum to the totals shown because of independent rounding. Figures exclude persons recorded as entering Harwich Short Term Holding Facility, police cells and Prison Service establishments, those recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers and their dependants.
(4) Figures include dependants
(5) Management information.

Jimmy Mubenga

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response she has given to the family of Jimmy Mubenga to the letter delivered to her Department on 12 November 2010; and if she will make a statement. [24694]

Damian Green [holding answer 17 November 2010]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary received a letter on 12 November 2010 from a number of individuals calling for the family of Jimmy Mubenga to be granted indefinite leave to remain and for an inquiry into the process for removing non-compliant detainees from the UK. The contents of the letter are under consideration and a response will be sent to the authors of the letter in due course.

I am not able to comment on the immigration status of the Mubenga family in public or the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Mubenga given the investigations which are underway by the police and prisons and probation ombudsman. However, both the UK Border Agency and G4S are co-operating fully with both investigations.


19 Nov 2010 : Column 1005W

Vetting: Standards

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 1 November 2010, Official Report, column 499W, on the Criminal Records Bureau, on how many occasions in respect of enhanced disclosures received in 2010 which took over 28 days to process the processing time included time out with customers. [23648]

Lynne Featherstone: The following table details the total number and percentage of Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks that were despatched after 28 days for the period 1 January 2010 to 30 September 2010. This table now includes the total number of checks that were out with the customer and the percentage over 28 days that required customer contact.

With customer contact
Form received date Total enhanced receipts Despatched after 28 days % over 28 days Over 28 days % over 28 days

2010

January

282,738

98,285

34.8

8,876

9.0

February

352,462

130,406

37.0

11,053

8.5

March

411,374

174,498

42.4

13,043

7.5

April

323,130

127,577

39.5

11,438

9.0

May

345,044

117,253

34.0

12,724

10.9

June

388,810

124,515

32.0

13,369

10.7

July

362,762

115,853

31.9

14,944

12.9

August

259,184

73,406

28.3

8,750

11.9

September

339,617

92,094

27.1

9,629

10.5

Total

2,725,504

1,053,887

38.7

103,826

9.9


Visas

Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas or equivalent were issued in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [24642]

Damian Green [holding answer 17 November 2010]: Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visas were introduced on 30 June 2008 and replaced the former Business Person visas. The number of such visas issued in each of the five years 2005 to 2010 (January-June) is shown in the following table:

Entrepreneur/Business visas issued
Number

2005

42

2006

31

2007

36

2008

92

2009

164

2010 (January to June)

106


Wickham Research Laboratories: Animal Experiments

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2010, Official Report, column 232W, on Wickham Research Laboratories: animal experiments, when she expects to be in a position to (a) consider the findings of the review and (b) publish the review. [24658]


19 Nov 2010 : Column 1006W

Lynne Featherstone: I have received the Home Office Inspectorate's review report and I am considering its findings. I expect to announce the outcome of the review and publish the report shortly.

Youth Justice: Greater London

Mr Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding her Department has allocated for youth crime provision in London in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what estimate she made of the amount of such funding allocated in respect of young people aged (a) 12 years and under, (b) between 13 and 17 years and (c) between 18 and 24 years in 2009-10. [24630]

James Brokenshire: Between 2008-11, 13 boroughs in London (listed as shown) have received youth crime prevention funding from the Home Office, Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Department for Education (DfE) under the Youth Crime Action Plan to tackle offending by young people aged under 18. Each of these local authorities received:

In 2010-11, the Home Office is separately providing £700,000 allocated between 16 London Community Safety Partnerships (listed as shown) to support them in working to tackle violence committed by and against young people aged 13 to 24.

The Ministry of Justice has provided the following amounts to London Youth Offending Teams over the last five years:

£

2009-10

24,428,567

2008-09

23,572,365

2007-08

21,311,756

2006-07

19,983,897

2005-06

17,118,846


These figures include funding from both the Home Office and the Department for Education but cannot be separated out due to disproportionate cost.

It is not possible to provide separate figures for different age categories of young people beyond the broad distinctions set out above.

A. 13 Boroughs who have received Youth Crime Action Plan funding


19 Nov 2010 : Column 1007W

B. Home Office funding to London Community Safety Partnerships for work to tackle serious youth violence

Treasury

Foreign Workers

Dr Poulter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the level of (a) income earned, (b) income tax paid and (c) benefits claimed by non-EU migrants in the UK in the most recent tax year. [24718]

Mr Gauke: The information is not available as the UK's tax, tax credit and benefit systems do not capture the necessary details of nationality and immigration status.

Non-EU migrants in the UK are generally not entitled to income-related and non-contributory social security benefits or to the child and working tax credits because they are subject to immigration controls which preclude access to public funds. This follows long-standing Government policy.

Green Investment Bank

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to launch the Green Investment Bank; and what funding will be made available to it. [24858]

Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply.

Further design and testing work are being undertaken to ensure the Green Investment Bank (GIB) is effective in mobilising additional private sector investment into green infrastructure projects. All decisions on the GIB's business and operating model is subject to the Government's tests of effectiveness, affordability and transparency.

Working Tax Credit

Kate Green: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of tax credit claimants were sent renewal reminder notices in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010. [24399]

Mr Gauke: Around 47% of tax credits claimants who were required to make an annual declaration for 2008-09 and renew their claim for 2009-10 were sent a reminder
19 Nov 2010 : Column 1008W
letter. Reminder letters were not issued in 2010 although tax credits customers who are required to make a declaration and renew their claims by the second specified date of 31 January 2011 and have not already done so will be sent reminders in January 2011.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Afghanistan: Peace Negotiations

Mr Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is his policy that an essential step for a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan is that al-Qaeda should not be allowed a presence in the country. [25198]

Alistair Burt: President Karzai has made clear that the conditions for a reconciliation process are to renounce violence, respect the Afghan Constitution and cut ties with al-Qaeda. We fully support these conditions and the Afghan-led process.

Aung San Suu Kyi

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has had discussions with Aung San Suu Kyi since her release from house arrest. [25295]

Mr Jeremy Browne: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke to Aung San Suu Kyi on 15 November to congratulate her on her release and convey the UK's solidarity and support for her stand on democracy and human rights in Burma. Our ambassador in Rangoon has met Aung San Suu Kyi twice since her release, on 14 and 17 November. The UK will continue to listen to her views and discuss with her how we can best support her efforts to promote democracy and respect for human rights in Burma.

BBC

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings (a) officials and (b) special advisers in his Department have had with the Director-General of the BBC; and whether pensions were discussed at those meetings. [25017]

Mr Jeremy Browne: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met the Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation on 20 October 2010. Officials and special advisers were also present.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the transfer of the funding of the BBC World Service to the licence fee in 2014-15.

There have been no separate meetings by officials or special advisers with the Director-General of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Burma: Political Prisoners

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with the Burmese government the date of the release of the political prisoners held in Burmese prisons. [24951]


19 Nov 2010 : Column 1009W

Mr Jeremy Browne: We remain deeply concerned about the continued imprisonment of over 2,200 political prisoners in Burma. Their immediate release remains one of the international community's long standing demands. The Government have helped to secure tough statements in the UN and from the Group of Eight (G8) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience. We will continue to press the Burmese regime on this issue, to lobby regional countries with influence and to raise the matter in the UN's human rights bodies.

Burma: Thailand

Fiona O'Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Thai and (b) Burmese government on migrant workers who have crossed the border into Thailand since the Burmese elections. [25475]

Mr Jeremy Browne: We have not received any specific reports of migrant workers crossing the Thai-Burma border since elections on 7 November 2010. Recent reports have concerned refugee flows into Thailand as a result of a resumption of conflict between the Burmese army and ethnic militia in border areas. We understand that the majority of refugees have now returned home.

Cyprus: EU Trade

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the proposed EU regulation for direct trade with the Turkish Cypriot community. [25469]

Mr Lidington: The UK supports improving the economic situation of the Turkish Cypriot community through both financial aid and trade liberalisation. At this stage we encourage both sides to focus on reaching a settlement, which will bring prosperity to all Cypriots.

Departmental Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was paid to officials in his Department and its non-departmental public bodies in bonuses and other payments in addition to salary in each year since 1997; how many officials received such payments; and what the monetary value was of the largest 20 payments made in each such year. [18767]

Alistair Burt: For details of payments made in addition to salary I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 18 November 2010, Official Report, columns 903-04W.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has two types of non-consolidated, variable performance pay schemes, both of which are focussed on rewarding high levels of performance. These types of payment are an integral element of the reward package for staff, have to be re-earned each year and do not add to future pay bill costs (eg pensions).

The FCO paid a total of £7,457,502 in non-consolidated, variable, performance related pay in 2009-10. This represents 2.6% of the total pay bill for UK based staff.
19 Nov 2010 : Column 1010W
5,604 staff received a payment. The largest 20 payments were £15,000 (x 1 individual), £14,000 (x 3), £13,000 (x 3), £12,500 (x 25).

Total paid (£) Recipients

2008-09

7,597,836

4,712

2007-08

6,748,152

4,871

2006-07

6,553,288

6,076

2005-06

5,989,100

5,097

2004-05

5,765,800

5,094

2003-04

5,567,100

-

2002-03

4,027,100

5,085

2001-02

2,771,800

4,753


Details of amounts and number of recipients prior to 2001-02, and the number of recipients in 2003-04 can be obtained only at disproportionate cost as could a breakdown of the 20 largest payments in the years 2001-02 to 2008-09.

The information for non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Postal Services

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the monetary value was of contracts between his Department and (a) Post Office Ltd and (b) Royal Mail in (i) 1997-98 and (ii) each year since 2004-05. [24926]

Alistair Burt: Although the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and FCO Services currently use the services of Royal Mail there have been no contracts between the FCO, FCO Services and the Post Office Ltd and Royal Mail for the periods mentioned.

Departmental Reviews

Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [21882]

Alistair Burt: Since 6 May 2010, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has been closely engaged in the cross-Government Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) which will have an important impact on many areas of FCO activity. FCO work in support of the SDSR has taken place within existing resources. In addition to its contribution to this major exercise, the FCO has also conducted or is in the process of conducting the following reviews of specific policies for which it is responsible:


19 Nov 2010 : Column 1011W

a. Review of Government Policy on Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs)

b. Review of Overseas Territories Policy

c. Review of Policy towards the Commonwealth

European Union

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional resources have been allocated to EU institutions by the UK since May 2010; and what powers have been transferred from the UK to the EU since that date. [23700]

Mr Lidington: The UK has transferred no additional resources or powers to the EU since May 2010.

Hamas

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Palestinian Authority counterpart on levels of support for the Hamas political movement within Palestinian society. [24579]

Alistair Burt: Our consulate general in Jerusalem is in regular dialogue with the Palestinian Authority on a wide range of issues, including elections and internal political dynamics.

Iran: Human Rights

Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations at UN level to establish a monitoring mechanism to report on human rights in Iran to the (a) General Assembly and (b) Human Rights Commission. [25471]

Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to the response given by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Mr Browne) on 16 November 2010, Official Report, column 662W.

Iran: Nuclear Power

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the state of the Iranian nuclear programme since September 2010; and if he will make a statement. [24879]


19 Nov 2010 : Column 1012W

Alistair Burt: We continue to be greatly concerned about Iran's nuclear programme. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has issued a number of reports on Iran, all making clear that Iran has shown no sign of suspending its enrichment related activities as required by six UN Security Council resolutions. The figures in his September 2010 report showed Iran had produced 2803 kg of low enriched uranium since the start of operations in February 2007, and that Iran had also produced a total of 22 kg of uranium enriched to nearly 20%, a significant step towards weapons grade enrichment.

Iran: Sanctions

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the recently-introduced sanctions against Iran; and if he will make a statement. [R] [24878]

Alistair Burt: It is too early for a full assessment. However, early indications are that sanctions and other political pressure are having an impact. We urge Iran to accept our repeated invitation to talks, in order to reach an agreement that satisfies the international community's justified concerns about Iran's nuclear programme.

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the effectiveness of the Iranian sanctions programme; and if he will make a statement. [24998]

Alistair Burt: I have discussed Iran with many of my counterparts, including on the importance of using sanctions to get Iran to engage with the EU 3+3 on its nuclear programme. In particular, I have pressed those whose countries have not imposed sanctions as tough as those adopted by the EU to move in that direction.

Iran: Terrorism

Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Iranian links with militants in (a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan since September 2010; and if he will make a statement. [24880]

Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to my response of 9 November 2010, Official Report, columns 231-232W.

Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government is taking to prevent weapons from Iran reaching terrorist organisations in the Middle East. [25304]

Alistair Burt: We have longstanding and serious concerns about Iranian support to militia in the Middle East. We regularly raise this issue with senior political leaders in the region. I raised arms transfers to Hizbollah with Prime Minister Hariri during my visit to Lebanon earlier this year and underlined the importance of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701 which calls for the disarmament of all armed groups. We will continue to push for full implementation of all such UNSCRs and give our full support to the UN sanctions committees pursuing and investigating sanctions violations.


19 Nov 2010 : Column 1013W

Israel: Human Rights

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to his EU counterparts to request that Israel complies with the provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement relating to human rights; and that no further moves be made to develop closer political and economic ties with Israel until the terms of the agreement have been satisfied. [25167]

Alistair Burt: We are in regular discussions with EU partners on a number of issues related to the Middle East peace process including the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

The UK has worked hard, with support from other member states, to ensure that the EU has regular discussions about human rights in Israel. This is in line with the human rights elements of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

The EU has made clear that any progress on this agreement must be seen in the context of progress in the wider peace process.


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