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24 Nov 2010 : Column 314W—continued
House of Commons Commission
Industrial Health and Safety
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost of employment was of (a) health and safety and (b) risk assessment staff in the House of Commons Service in each year since 1997. [26014]
John Thurso: The House of Commons employs two full-time safety advisers. The cost of this service is shared with the House of Lords. Over the last three years, the cost to the House of Commons has been:
| £ | |
Figures for earlier years are not available, but would have been broadly similar. Duties related to health and safety risk assessments are incorporated into line
management responsibilities and individual job descriptions. It is not possible separately to identify the cost of these activities.
Outreach Programme
Caroline Nokes: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, (1) by what measures the outcomes of the Outreach programme are assessed; [25642]
(2) how many people have attended outreach events in the last 12 months; [25645]
(3) how many and what proportion of outreach events have directly involved members of the public, excluding staff of local authorities and non-departmental public bodies, in the last 12 months. [25646]
John Thurso: The Parliamentary Outreach service aims to spread awareness of the work, processes and relevance of the institution of Parliament, encouraging greater engagement between the public and the House of Commons and House of Lords. Since its launch, the level of demand for outreach sessions has increased continuously. Parliamentary Outreach now employs two main methods of increasing levels of public understanding and participation: (a) regional parliamentary training sessions, and (b) sessions explaining how to engage with Select Committees and the process of public Bills.
Over the past 12 months, the Parliamentary Outreach team has run 456 events, of which around 4.39% (20) were run in partnership with local authorities and non-departmental bodies. The majority of events are run in partnership with organisations in the voluntary and community sectors, ensuring maximum reach and value for money. Some 13,000 people have attended outreach events during the past 12 months. The vast majority of attendees are from organisations which have either a strategic remit to increase civic engagement or a direct objective to engage with parliamentary processes. As the partner organisations organise the attendance at the regional events, it is not possible to give an accurate figure of the percentage of attendees who are employed by local authorities or non-departmental government bodies. Analysis of the attendees at the public Bill workshops in the last two months shows that 9.4% of those who registered to attend are employed in these fields.
The success of each outreach event is measured by evaluating whether the participants feel better equipped to engage with Parliament. At least 98% of attendees at the recent public Bill workshops have stated that they felt better equipped to engage with Parliament and at least 94% rated the workshop as good or excellent.
Caroline Nokes: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, how much has been spent on the Outreach programme in each financial year since it was established. [25643]
John Thurso: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer given on 17 November 2010, Official Report, column 844W, to the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies).
Palace of Westminster: Gas
Mr Jenkin: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, pursuant to the answer of 14 September 2010, Official Report, column 953W, on Palace of Westminster: gas, what professional or technical advice has been obtained on the contained gas leaks from gas lanterns in New Palace Yard; and whether there have been discussions with other operators of such lanterns on best practice for the prevention of gas leaks. [25504]
John Thurso: The Parliamentary Estates Directorate retains an onsite specialist "gas safe" contractor for day-to-day technical advice on all gas-related items, as well as the services of a specialist lighting company, which still manufactures gas lamps. The lighting company is currently refurbishing one of the gas globes in New Palace Yard following damage by a lorry.
The Parliamentary Estates Directorate is fully aware of possible reasons for leaks (faulty solenoid, failed mantles, broken glazing, pipe work leaks, etc) having maintained these gas lamps since 1991. It is recognised that the gas lamps are in need of significant refurbishment, which is planned for the summer recess of 2011-12.
In the meantime, the Parliamentary Estates Directorate will carry out an additional overhaul of the gas lighting.
Mr Jenkin: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, who is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the gas lanterns on the parliamentary estate. [25505]
John Thurso: The Parliamentary Estates Directorate, in the Department of Facilities, is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the gas lanterns on the parliamentary estate. Due to the statutory nature of gas appliances all work is carried out by a specialist "gas safe" contractor who has maintained the gas lamps for 20 years.
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions a foreign Government have refused a request from his Department to transfer or give access to (a) technology and (b) software code used by UK forces in Afghanistan since 2001. [26070]
Peter Luff [holding answer 23 November 2010]: Foreign Governments may on occasions provide access to technology and software only to their own forces, sometimes for a set period, for national security or foreign policy reasons or for allowing for their own exploitation of research and development.
The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, if the information was available, I would withhold it as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Counter-terrorism: Finance
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 12 November 2010, Official Report, column 501W on defence: expenditure, how much funding he has allocated from his Department's core budget to counter-terrorism activities in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15. [25613]
Nick Harvey: The Ministry of Defence does not separately identify the specific sums from the core budget that will be spent on counter terrorism activities. There are a wide range of capabilities that the MOD holds and similarly a wide range of activities which the MOD undertakes as part of core business that may contribute towards counter terrorism. The majority of MOD counter-terrorism activities are, however, provided in support of other Government Departments, for which it is reimbursed.
Defence: Procurement
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the projects identified in the National Audit Office's report on major projects include (a) technology and (b) software code over which his Department does not have full access for future upgrades and maintenance support. [26068]
Peter Luff [holding answer 23 November 2010]: There are a number of projects mentioned in the NAO's report on major projects for which the Department does not, or does not yet have full access to the technology or software code to provide the required upgrades and maintenance support. However, where that is the case, we are either negotiating to obtain access or we have an appropriate arrangement with the holder of the technology or software code to provide the required upgrade and maintenance support, or the project is at an early stage where we would not yet expect such matters to be settled. I am withholding the information regarding the specific situation for each project as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.
Military Aircraft
Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many of the 135 Tornados in the UK inventory have been modified for operations in Afghanistan; and what the estimated remaining in-service cost is for the Tornado fleet up to 2023; [23692]
(2) how many of the 79 GR9 Harriers in the UK inventory have been modified for operations in Afghanistan; and what the estimated remaining in-service cost is for the Harrier fleet up to 2023. [23693]
Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what estimate he made of the net financial saving consequent on removing the Tornado fleet from service and retaining the Harrier fleet (a) in the next four years, (b) during the anticipated life of the Tornado fleet and (c) during the anticipated life of a retained Harrier fleet; and if he will make a statement; [24297]
(2) what estimate he made of the financial saving consequent on removing the Tornado fleet from service (a) not taking account of and (b) taking into account the effects of that decision on other capabilities (i) in each of the next four years and (ii) during the anticipated life of the current fleet; and if he will make a statement. [24298]
Peter Luff: In the interests of long-term financial affordability, the strategic defence and security review (SDSR) determined that we would transition to a two platform fast jet fleet consisting of the highly capable multi-role aircraft, Typhoon and joint strike fighter. In the transition period the difficult decision has been taken to remove Harrier from service in 2011.
The overriding factor in deciding between removing either the Tornado GR4 or Harrier was the ability to support operations in Afghanistan. The Harrier fleet would have been too small to support Afghanistan operations at current levels, notwithstanding Carrier Strike and other contingent operations. Conversely, the Tornado GR4 force-even at its reduced size-will be significantly larger than the current Harrier force and would allow continuous UK fast jet close air support to forces in Afghanistan and the ability to support concurrent operations. It also has a number of key capability advantages over the Harrier GR9 including:
greater payload and range and integration of capabilities such as Storm Shadow;
fully integrated dual mode Brimstone;
the Raptor reconnaissance pod; and
a cannon.
We will retain a reduced Tornado GR4 fleet that will drawdown gradually to ensure there is no effect on operations in Afghanistan as we transition to Typhoon and joint strike fighter, from which we will also regenerate our Carrier Strike capability. In line with these transitions, we currently plan to take the Tornado GR4 out of service in 2021. This updates the out of service date and associated costs in the reply given to the noble Lord, Lord West of Spithead in another place by Lord Astor on 16 November 2010, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA178, which were based on pre-SDSR plans. The Prime Minister received full advice on the options regarding our fast jet fleet as part of the SDSR process.
The MOD made estimates of cost savings accrued from measures considered in the SDSR for the purpose of formulating policy. Some of these have been published to help inform the public debate. Release of further detail may prejudice the MOD's negotiating position with its commercial suppliers. Furthermore, final savings figures will depend on detailed implementation, which will generally be subject to full consultation with all relevant parties, including the trade unions and the devolved Administrations, as well as the results of mandatory assessments on the impact that the measures will have on sustainability, equality and diversity and health and safety. The MOD is therefore not prepared to release more detailed savings or updated in-service cost figures at this time.
The MOD calculates the full cost of aircraft per flying hour. The current rates for our fast jets are shown in the table. These figures include forward and depth servicing, fuel costs, crew costs, training costs, cost of capital charge, depreciation and amortisation. The Typhoon cost per flying hour reflects the build up of the fleet
with small numbers of aircraft currently in-service. This cost will comparatively reduce as the fleet builds and is expected to be similar to our other fast jet fleets when we reach a steady state position.
| Financial year 2010-11 | |
| Aircraft | Cost per hour (£) |
These costs will need to be reviewed once we have finalised the SDSR decisions and how they will be implemented.
The Tornado aircraft fleet, consisting of the GR4 ground attack and F3 air defence variants, is supported by two availability based maintenance contracts. The Availability Transformation: Tornado Aircraft Contract (ATTAC), for which BAE Systems is the prime contractor, provides Depth Support until 2016 and has a total value of £1.5 billion. The Turbo-Union RB199 engine which powers the Tornado aircraft is supported by the RB199 Operational Contract for Engine Transformation 2 (ROCET 2) awarded to Rolls-Royce until 2025. The contract has a total value of £690 million. There are no penalty clauses in either contract. However, both contracts include a number of conditions that allow for early termination. Any costs associated with the implementation of these conditions following the SDSR outcome are being negotiated with the contractor.
Under the Capability Upgrade Strategy (Pilot) programme approved in December 2007, 96 Tornado GR4 aircraft will receive capability upgrades between 2011 and 2014 at an estimated cost of around £300 million. This number of aircraft is sufficient to maintain the operational capability of the Tornado GR4 Forward Available Fleet until OSD. There are currently no plans for the aircraft to receive any further capability upgrades after 2014.
For the number of Tornado GR4 modified for Operations in Afghanistan, I refer my hon. Friends to the reply given to the noble Lord, Lord West of Spithead in another place by Lord Astor on 4 November 2010, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA427. To optimise the further 17 Tornado aircraft required for operations in Afghanistan will cost around £0.5 million. The 15 Harrier GR9 aircraft that have returned from Afghanistan would require refitting of equipment to be made ready for operations.
Health
Care Homes
Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will assess the merits of bringing forward proposals to put in place further transparency and accountability mechanisms in respect of its assessment of care homes. [26084]
Paul Burstow: A new registration system for regulated adult social care services, under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, came into force on 1 October 2010. The Care Quality Commission is currently developing a new approach whereby information about regulated services will be made available.
Proposals for improving transparency and local accountability of adult social care were set out for consultation in "Transparency in outcomes: a framework for adult social care", published on 16 November 2010. This publication envisages a new approach, which incentivises improvement in quality, based on transparent information on outcomes at the local level. The role of regulation and assessment of social care providers is discussed in this context. A response to the consultation will be published in March 2011.
Care Homes: Personnel
Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to increase the staff-to-patient ratio in state care homes. [26083]
Paul Burstow: Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, all providers of regulated health and adult social care activities, whether in the public or independent sectors, must register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and meet a set of 16 requirements of essential safety and quality.
The registration requirements set out that providers must take steps to ensure that at all times there are sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff and that staff are supported in relation to their responsibilities by receiving appropriate training, professional development, supervision and appraisal.
Failure to comply with this requirement is an offence and CQC has a wide range of independent enforcement powers under the new registration system to ensure compliance. These powers include the issue of a warning notice that requires improvement within a specified time, prosecution and the power to cancel a provider's registration, removing its ability to engage in regulated activities.
Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to take further steps to ensure that care homes are staffed by (a) appropriately qualified and (b) adequately trained professionals. [26085]
Paul Burstow: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and adult social care services in England. CQC's role is to provide assurance of safety and quality for people who use services and patients.
Under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the 2008 Act), providers of regulated health and adult social care activities must register with CQC and meet a set of 16 requirements of essential safety and quality. The registration requirements, set in secondary legislation, include a requirement that providers must take steps to ensure that at all times there are sufficient numbers of suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff, and that staff are supported in relation to their responsibilities by receiving appropriate training, professional development, supervision and appraisal.
Failure to comply with the registration requirements is an offence, and under the 2008 Act CQC has a wide range of enforcement powers that it can use if a provider is not compliant.
These include the issue of a warning notice that requires improvement within a specified time, prosecution, and the power to cancel a provider's registration, removing its ability to provide regulated activities.
In addition, Skills for Care is working with employers to ensure that care workers can access continued professional development, (Skills for Care is an employer led work force development organisation for adult social care which is largely funded by the Department, and the partner of the Sector Skills Council in England).
National Occupational Standards describe the skills, knowledge and values care workers should meet for a variety of settings at different levels.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many hospital bed days there were for (a) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and (b) all respiratory diseases in each primary care trust area in the latest period for which figures are available; [26123]
(2) how many hospital admissions there were for (a) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and (b) respiratory diseases in each primary care trust area in the latest period for which figures are available. [26124]
Mr Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr Meale) on 9 November 2010, Official Report, column 236W.
Dental Services
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of people in (a) Bolton and (b) England who have access to an NHS dentist. [25620]
Mr Simon Burns: Information is not available in the format requested.
Information on the proportion of patients seen by a national health service dentist in the previous 24 months, in England, is available in Table E2 of Annex 3 of the 'NHS Dental Statistics for England 2009/10' report. Information is available at quarterly intervals, from 31 March 2006 to 30 June 2010 and is provided by primary care trust and by strategic health authority.
This report, published on 18 August 2010, has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the NHS Information Centre website at:
Dental Services: Bolton
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the availability of NHS dentists in Bolton. [25621]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has not received any recent representations regarding the availability of national health service dentists in Bolton.
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists there are in Bolton. [25622]
Mr Simon Burns: The numbers of dentists with national health service activity during the year ending 31 March 2010 in the Bolton primary care trust (PCT) area are 134.
This information is contained within table G1 of annex 3 of the "NHS Dental Statistics for England: 2009-10" report. Information is provided for England and by strategic health authority and PCT. This information is based on the dental contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006. This report, published on 18 August 2010, has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the NHS Information Centre website at:
Following a consultation exercise, this measure is based on a revised methodology and therefore supersedes any previously published workforce figures relating to the new dental contractual arrangements. It is not comparable to the information collected under the old contractual arrangements. This revised methodology counts the number of dental performers with NHS activity recorded via FP17 claim forms in each year ending 31 March.
These published figures relate to a headcount and do not differentiate between full-time and part-time dentists, nor do they account for the fact that some dentists may do more NHS work than others.
Dental Services: Manpower
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to review staffing levels in dental services; and what mechanisms he plans to put in place to ensure that adequate personnel are available over the next five years. [25619]
Mr Simon Burns: We are currently undertaking a dental work force review, which will include a sample survey of dentists' and dental care professionals' working patterns and career plans. Initial results should be available by next spring.
Dental Services: Training
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental schools provide training for dentists in England; and how many places were offered by each dental school in each year since 2005. [25647]
Mr Simon Burns: The information that is available centrally for the 11 university dental schools now operating in England is for students admitted:
| Undergraduates admitted academic year beginning in September | ||||||
| Dental school | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11( 1) |
| (1) Provisional. (2) Opened September 2007. | ||||||
Departmental Regulation
Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what regulations sponsored by his Department have been revoked in the last six months; [24380]
(2) what new regulations sponsored by his Department have been introduced through (a) primary legislation and (b) statutory instrument in the last six months. [24495]
Mr Simon Burns: In the last six months, the Department has revoked the following statutory instruments (SIs):
Tyne Port Health Authority Order 1990 (SI 1990/1119); and
The Rice Products from the United States of America (Restriction on First Placing on the Market) (England) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/622).
We will also be continuing to scrutinise our stock of regulation and pipeline measures inherited from the previous administration with a view to finding OUTs, for the One-in, One-out regulatory management system.
In the last six months, no new primary legislation has been passed. The regulations and orders which have been introduced through statutory instrument are shown in the following table.
Diabetes: Health Services
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to (a) diagnose and (b) support people with diabetes. [26009]
Paul Burstow: The National Service Framework (NSF) for Diabetes sets out the framework for the prevention and diagnosing of diabetes, developing services and improving outcomes for people with diabetes. The national health service has made good progress against the NSF with the number of people getting the key tests and measures to help prevent or delay the complications of diabetes rising year on year. In addition, the National Quality Standard for Diabetes is currently subject to public consultation before being finalised in 2011.
The NHS is taking a structured approach to risk assessment and management of diabetes with the NHS Health Check programme. The Quality and Outcomes Framework encourages general practitioners to maintain a register of people with a diagnosis of diabetes and to ensure that they receive the key processes of care on an annual basis.
Supporting people with diabetes to better understand their condition is key to reducing complications arising from diabetes. Structured education programmes, access to specialist diabetes advice, care planning discussions and annual checks are all part of the wide range of NHS support for people with diabetes.
NHS Diabetes, the national service improvement team has an extensive range of work programmes in place to support the NHS in improving diabetes care at the local level. Specifically, they have produced "Commissioning Without Walls" which provides commissioning advice across a number of facets of diabetes care.
To raise awareness of type 1 diabetes, in July 2010, NHS Diabetes in association with Diabetes UK and the Department published an exemplar patient journey to highlight the diagnosis and entire care pathway for a child with type 1 diabetes. This is aimed at professionals from a broad range of backgrounds including education, the NHS, social services and the voluntary sector.
Mr Amess:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on (a) NHS and (b) social care for people with diabetes in 2009; and how
much was spent on (i) prescription medicines, (ii) glucose testing, (iii) treatment in primary care, (iv) hospitalisation, (v) ambulance services, (vi) treating complications and (vii) other costs in respect of diabetes care. [26065]
Paul Burstow: Diabetes is a life-long, complex condition that can affect every part of the body, which means that it is difficult to calculate its exact cost to the national health service. However programme budget returns estimates that for the year 2008-9, expenditure by the NHS on diabetes was £1.26 billion. For the calendar year 2009, the net ingredient cost of prescribing medicines for diabetes was £488.8 million and the cost for glucose testing was £144.5 million.
We are unable to provide figures for social care costs, treatment in primary care, the cost for hospitalisation, treating complications and other costs in respect of diabetes care or ambulance services for people with diabetes.
Disability: Children
Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether baseline funding for primary care trusts will include an allocation for disabled children's services including (a) short respite breaks, (b) wheelchairs, (c) community equipment and (d) palliative care. [25760]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department currently makes revenue allocations direct to primary care trusts (PCTs) on the basis of a national weighted capitation formula which is used to determine each PCT's target share of available resources. The components of the formula are used to weight each PCTs population according to their relative need (age and additional need) for healthcare and the unavoidable geographical differences in the cost of providing healthcare (the market forces factor).
PCT revenue allocations are not broken down by policy or service area. Once allocated, it is for PCTs to commission the services they require to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations, taking account of both local and national priorities.
Further details about PCT revenue allocations post 2010-11 will be announced in December 2010.
Health Protection Agency: Ex-servicemen
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many atomic veterans have been included in the Health Protection Agency's mortality study; and if he will make a statement. [26603]
Anne Milton: The group of test participants covered by Health Protection Agency's study consists of over 20,000 servicemen and civilians who took part in the tests and a carefully matched control group of a similar size. Controls had served in tropical or sub-tropical areas, but not in test locations. About 85% of those meeting the definition of test participation are included.
The information about causes of death in this study is obtained only from death certificates and cancer registrations. Post-mortems are not part of the study. If participants have post-mortems for other reasons then the findings are duly recorded in the death certificate from which the study gets its information.
Three thorough studies have been carried out since the 1980s and the results have been published in science journals. Through the nuclear test veteran organisations, nuclear test veterans and their families have been kept informed about the studies since their inception in 1983 and the researchers have long been committed to providing the results of studies to the test veterans in advance of publication. The publications are in the public domain and are usually well reported in the news media.
Medical Treatments: Haemophilia
Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many previously untreated patients were used in trials of the Factor VIII concentrate Hemofil T in the early 1980s. [26081]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department does not hold this information. Hemofil T was a commercial product, so the clinical trials would have been conducted by the manufacturer Hyland-Travenol (now Baxter Healthcare).
Prescription Drugs
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance his Department has issued to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on assessing drugs for patient groups of fewer than 500 people; [25605]
(2) how the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence applies its guidance on social value judgements to the appraisal of drugs for patient groups of fewer than 500 people. [25624]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department has not issued any guidance to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on the assessment of drugs for patient groups of fewer than 500 people.
NICE'S "Guide to the methods of technology appraisal specifies that Appraisal Committees should consider the document Social Value Judgements: Principles for the Development of NICE Guidance" in developing any piece of technology appraisal guidance.
The Guide to the methods of technology appraisal is available at:
The "Social Value Judgements: Principles for the Development of NICE Guidance" document is at:
Stem Cells: Fats
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent reports he has received on the use of stem cells taken from waistline fat to treat heart attacks; and if he will make a statement. [26498]
Anne Milton: The Department has not received any reports on the use of stem cells taken from the waistline to treat heart attacks.
Culture, Media and Sport
Copyright: Internet
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his Department has taken to reduce the incidence of illegal online downloads of digital media. [26055]
Mr Vaizey: The Digital Economy Act 2010 contained provisions to help tackle unlawful file-sharing of digital content. Ofcom's initial obligations code, heralded by the Act, will shortly be published and is due to come into effect at the beginning of April 2011. Furthermore, the Department continues to liaise with representatives of the digital content industry, internet service providers and intermediaries to investigate further possible action which could appropriately be taken by industry itself to reduce unlawful online file sharing and promote legitimate digital content.
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent estimates he has made of the cost to the music industry of illegal music downloading. [26056]
Mr Vaizey: I have made no recent estimate of the cost to the music industry of illegal music downloading. However, the British phonographic industry estimate that the loss to the UK music industry from unlawful file-sharing is £180 million per annum (2008).
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department has discussed with representatives of the music industry non-legislative solutions to help reduce illegal online file sharing. [26058]
Mr Vaizey: The Department has had discussions with representatives of the UK music industry together with internet service providers (ISPs) to discuss possible non-legislative solutions to help reduce unlawful online file sharing, as well as the protection and promotion of legitimate digital content.
Departmental Food
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether his Department has guidelines on ensuring that food used for his Department's official functions is of domestic origin. [25546]
John Penrose: The Department provides very little food for official functions and, accordingly, does not have any specific guidelines for ensuring it is of domestic origin.
Football: South Africa
Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department spent on attendance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. [26150]
Hugh Robertson:
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw)
on 6 September 2010, Official Report, columns 321-22W, by the Minister for Tourism and Heritage, my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (John Penrose).
Music: Finance
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will estimate the likely monetary value to the economy of the music industry in 2015. [26057]
Mr Vaizey: We have no plans to estimate the likely monetary value of the music industry in 2015, but in 2006 the Creative and Cultural Skills Council reported that the industry contributed some £6 billion to the UK economy.
S4C: Finance
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of the funds allocated to S4C from the BBC licence fee will be spent in the independent production sector. [25693]
Mr Vaizey: All of S4C's content budget will be spent in the independent production sector, as at present.
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will provide a period of six months for his Department and the BBC Trust to consider and report on the merits of the proposed funding arrangements for S4C; and if he will make a statement. [25694]
Mr Vaizey: Subject to the Public Bodies Bill, the funding arrangements for S4C are set out in the Secretary of State's spending review settlement letter of 20 October to the chair of the Welsh Authority and my right hon. Friend's licence fee agreement letter of 21 October to the chair of the BBC Trust.
Further information on the licence fee agreement can be found in the settlement letter published on our website:
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether the funding to be allocated to S4C will exclude the £20 million the BBC spends on in-house Welsh language programmes for S4C. [25695]
Mr Vaizey: The statutory provision of Welsh programming by the BBC to S4C is in addition to the funding allocated to S4C in the Secretary of State's spending review settlement letter of 20 October to the chair of the Welsh Authority.
Further information on the licence fee agreement can be found in the settlement letter published on our website:
Wales
Departmental Written Questions
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many and what proportion of questions tabled to the Secretary of State for written answer on a named day were answered substantively before or on the day named for answer (a) in Session 2009-10 and (b) since May 2010; how many such questions tabled between May 2010 and 12 November 2010 had not received a substantive answer by 18 November 2010; and what estimate she has made of the average cost to her Department of answering a question for written answer on a named day on the day named for answer in the latest period for which figures are available; [25967]
(2) how many and what proportion of questions tabled to the Secretary of State for ordinary written answer (a) in Session 2009-10 and (b) since May 2010 were answered within (i) seven days and (ii) 14 days of tabling; how many such questions tabled between May 2010 and 12 November 2010 remained unanswered by 18 November 2010; and what estimate she has made of the average cost to her Department of answering a question for ordinary written answer within seven days of tabling in the latest period for which figures are available. [25968]
Mr David Jones: The information requested is as follows:
| 2010-11 Session | |
|
Ordinary written questions answered within two sitting weeks |
No named day parliamentary questions that have been tabled between May 2010 and November 2010 were awaiting a substantive response on 18 November 2010.
No questions tabled for ordinary written answer between May 2010 and 12 November 2010 remained unanswered by 18 November 2010.
The Government have committed to providing the Procedure Committee with sessional statistics in a standard format on the time taken to respond to written parliamentary questions for the 2009-10 session. This information will be submitted to the Procedure Committee shortly.
In relation to the cost of answering written questions, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the figures provided by Her Majesty's Treasury in its written ministerial statement of 20 January 2010, Official Report, column 15WS.
Public Expenditure
Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the effects of the comprehensive spending review on funding for sport in Wales; [26567]
(2) what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the effects of the comprehensive spending review on that Department's expenditure in Wales; [26568]
(3) what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the effects of the comprehensive spending review on funding for transport infrastructure in Wales; [26569]
(4) what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on the effects of the comprehensive spending review outcomes on that Department's expenditure in Wales; [26570]
(5) what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the effects of the comprehensive spending review on cross-border health provision affecting Wales; [26571]
(6) what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the effects of the comprehensive spending review on that Department's expenditure in Wales; [26572]
(7) what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the effects of the comprehensive spending review on that Department's expenditure in Wales; [26573]
(8) what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the effects of the comprehensive spending review on that Department's expenditure in Wales; [26574]
(9) what discussions she has had with the Home Secretary on the effects of the comprehensive spending review on that Department's expenditure in Wales; [26575]
(10) what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the effects of the comprehensive spending review on that Department's expenditure in Wales; [26576]
(11) what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the effects of the comprehensive spending review on that Department's expenditure in Wales. [26577]
Mrs Gillan: I have had regular discussions with my Cabinet colleagues on the comprehensive spending review and the implications for Wales. The importance of a fair settlement for Wales has been at the heart of all of those discussions.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Adult Education
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what organisations he has consulted on his plans to reform adult community learning; and if he will make a statement; [26118]
(2) when he expects to be in a position to announce his proposals for reform of adult community learning; and if he will make a statement. [26119]
Mr Hayes:
We very much welcome the hon. Member's interest. This Government are keen supporters of adult and community learning and the benefits it brings for individuals, families and communities. That is why we
protected the funding for adult safeguarded learning in the recent comprehensive spending review. And that is why we are determined to make it accessible to the people in our society who are most disadvantaged and have had had fewest opportunities to learn in the past.
On 16 November, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced our intention to reform and reinvigorate informal adult and community learning. We are currently at the stage of planning the reform programme and I am considering proposals for the process and timescales. You will know already that we place a high value on the views of our partners in the sector. We will work closely with a wide range of organisations to maximise the potential of informal adult and community learning to support the development of the Big Society and create progression routes into further learning, training and employment for people who are disadvantaged.
Adult Education: Finance
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his Department's budget will be for adult community learning in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15. [26146]
Mr Hayes: As set out in 'Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth', published on 16 November 2010, we are protecting the Department's budget for informal adult and community learning funded through the Adult Safeguarded Learning budget. I can confirm that informal adult and community learning has a budget of £210 million for 2011-12 and the same indicative budget for 2012-13. It will continue to be a priority as we finalise the allocations for future years.
Advantage West Midlands
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects to make a decision on the future ownership of the Ansty Business Park, Coventry, after the closure of Advantage West Midlands. [25734]
Mr Prisk: This Department has been having ongoing discussions on the principles and process for the disposal of all regional development agency (RDA) assets and liabilities. Detailed guidance to RDAs is still being prepared and this will enable plans to be developed for transition. Until these plans are completed there will be no decisions on the sale or transfer of assets (outside ordinary course disposals) unless there are compelling time pressures which require an early decision be made. The plans will aim to secure maximum value for money for the taxpayer and optimum benefits to the region in question.
Apprentices
Mr McFadden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department plans to repeat the exercise undertaken for its study, Apprenticeship Pay: 2007 Survey of Earnings by Sector. [25786]
Mr Hayes:
This Department does plan to undertake a survey of apprenticeship pay in 2011, following the introduction of the new apprentice minimum wage. The
Government have recently strengthened the pay arrangements for apprentices by ending their exemption from the minimum wage and bringing all apprentices within the national minimum wage (NMW) framework. The new rate of £2.50 per hour was introduced from 1 October 2010.
Apprentices: Fees and Charges
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the average cost to an individual aged over 24 years of course fees in respect of an apprenticeship place in 2013-14. [26145]
Mr Hayes: 'Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth' (16 November 2010) sets out our funding strategy for post 19 further education (FE) and skills for the spending review. We have been clear that it is only fair that those who benefit the most from training make a greater contribution towards the costs of their course, but also only fair for them to make this contribution when they are indeed realising those benefits and earning a good salary.
From the 2013/14 academic year, Government will continue to share the costs of level 2 apprenticeships for learners aged 24 and above with employers. Government will no longer co-fund level 3 and higher apprenticeships for those aged 24 and above. In this instance, where learners are expected to contribute towards the costs, they will have access to fee loans to defer the costs of training.
In cases where a contribution is expected from a learner and/or employer, it is not possible to estimate the amount of fees charged to learners because from the 2013/14 academic year (i) as now FE colleges and training organisations will be responsible for determining the amount of fees charged and (ii) learners and employers will need to agree on a case-by-case basis how best to share the costs and what proportion of the fees each will pay.
As set out in 'Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth', over the next few months we will engage with colleges, training organisations and others on the details of how fee loans will be implemented to ensure the approach to fee loans recognises the characteristics of different types of learners and identifies the particular delivery arrangements appropriate for the FE and skills sector.
Astrum: Kuwait
Pat Glass: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to assist Astrum with its bid to supply track spares to the Kuwait fleet of Desert Warrior armoured fighting vehicles. [25819]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 22 November 2010]: UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation has engaged with the Kuwait Ministry of Defence on the competition for Desert Warrior Track and has worked successfully in support of UK companies, including Astrum, which have been invited to tender for this contract. I understand that the tender process has now closed and that the Kuwait Ministry of Defence is currently in the process of considering the bids.
Balance of Trade: Republic of Ireland
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary value was of (a) exports to and (b) imports from each region of the UK in respect of the Republic of Ireland in the last five years for which figures are available. [26155]
Mr Prisk: The data requested are shown in the following tables for trade in goods, based on HM Revenue and Customs regional trade statistics:
| (a) UK exports of goods to the Republic of Ireland (£ million) | |||||
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
| (b) UK imports of goods from the Republic of Ireland (£ million) | |||||
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
Banks: Loans
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps his Department has taken to increase the level of access to finance for small and medium-sized businesses. [26104]
Mr Prisk: The Government are committed to improving access to finance for small and medium sized enterprises to enable them to grow and drive the recovery.
On 1 November we published our response to the consultation on business finance issues, "Financing a private sector recovery" which is available at:
We have also published our strategy "Backing small business" available at:
setting out new measures to help SMEs grow and to boost enterprise.
We have announced the following measures to increase the level of access to finance for small and medium sized firms:
A four year extension to the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) making around £2 billion available to viable SMEs without a credit history or lacking sufficient collateral.
An increased commitment to the Enterprise Capital Fund programme of £200 million to support small businesses with the highest growth potential, providing more than £300 million of venture capital investment into the equity gap after both Government and private sector funding are combined.
Furthermore, we have worked with the banks to create a new £1.5 billion Business Growth Fund, to provide equity funding of between £2 million and £10 million for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) with strong growth potential.
Business: Government Assistance
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many small and medium-sized enterprises have received funding from the Capital for Enterprise Fund since its establishment; and what proportion of his Department's expenditure on that scheme has been in respect of such enterprises. [26101]
Mr Prisk: The Capital for Enterprise Fund (CfEF) is a £75 million fund including £50 million of public funds, supported by £25 million from UK banks.
38 companies have been invested in by CfEF's underlying funds. Overall investor commitment drawn to date is £52.1 million out of which the total Government commitment is £38.3 million.
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many small and medium-sized enterprises have received funding from the Enterprise Finance Guarantee scheme since its establishment; and what proportion of his Department's expenditure on that scheme has been in respect of such enterprises. [26102]
Mr Prisk: As of 17 November, 12,699 businesses have been offered Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) backed loans with a value of £1.29 billion, of which 10,968 business have drawn down loans totalling £1.1 billion.
The EFG scheme guarantees bank lending to small and medium-sized businesses with a turnover of up to £25 million. BIS expenditure on EFG would arise from claims on the guarantee by an accredited lender should a borrower default on their loan repayments. As such, all of the Department's expenditure of EFG has been in respect to loans to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many small and medium-sized enterprises have received funds from the Working Capital Scheme since its establishment; and what proportion of his Department's expenditure on that scheme has been in respect of such enterprises. [26103]
Mr Prisk: The previous Government launched the Working Capital Scheme (WCS) in January 2009 to provide guarantees to banks on portfolios of loans: individual businesses were not eligible to apply for these guarantees. It was announced in November 2009 that no new guarantees would be available under the WCS. All current guarantees will be honoured until the end of the scheme on 31 March 2011. As there have been no defaults to date, there has been no relevant expenditure.
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department had spent on the (a) Enterprise Finance Guarantee, (b) Capital for Enterprise Fund and (c) Working Capital Scheme between their inception and on the latest date for which figures are available. [26107]
Mr Prisk: Both the Enterprise Finance Guarantee and Working Capital Scheme operate as loan guarantee schemes whereby Government expenditure arises from defaults. The Capital for Enterprise Fund is an equity fund scheme.
Under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee, 12,699 businesses have been offered loans with a value of £1.29 billion, of which 10,968 businesses have drawn down loans totalling £1.1 billion. The total Government expenditure to date is £6.1 million.
The Working Capital Scheme provided guarantees to banks of £2.2 billion to release regulatory capital for new lending. To date there have been no defaults to date under the Working Capital Scheme, and as such there has been no relevant expenditure.
Under the Capital for Enterprise Fund, the Government have committed £50 million of funds towards an overall fund size of £75 million. From this £38.3 million has been drawn from the Government contribution of SME investments.
Departmental Press: Subscriptions
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much (a) his Department and (b) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible spent on press cuttings services in each of the last 12 months. [25496]
Mr Davey: Spend on press cuttings services in the 12 months since October 2009 by the Department's Press Office is:
| Month | Total (excluding VAT) (£) |
These figures cover the costs of producing and distributing electronic and printed copies of the daily press cuttings. They excluded the copyright costs paid to the Newspaper Licensing Authority (NLA) via our press cuttings service provider.
Information for spend on press cuttings services for non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Departmental Regulation
Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what new regulations sponsored by his Department have been introduced through (a) primary legislation and (b) statutory instrument in the last six months. [24498]
Mr Prisk: In the last six months, BIS has (a) not introduced any regulations through primary legislation and has (b) introduced 20 regulations through statutory instruments. Of the 20 measures, only four impose a cost on business. During the time period the Postal Services Bill was introduced into Parliament.
Economic Growth
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what contribution he expects regional growth hubs to make to economic growth in the period of the Comprehensive Spending Review. [25803]
Mr Prisk: It is too early to make such an assessment for growth hubs. Where analytical evidence is available from services which might be offered within growth hubs, the evidence suggests the impact will be substantial. The Department will set out its proposals in due course.
Foreign Investment in UK
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many potential inward investment deals UK Trade and Investment has negotiated since May 2010; and in respect of what proportion contracts have been agreed. [25409]
Mr Prisk:
UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) has been involved in 102 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, confirmed as locating or expanding in the UK, between 1 May and 17 November. UKTI has been involved in a further 224 FDI projects confirmed during
the same period as being expected to locate or expand in the UK, but where final confirmation of the location or expansion has not yet been received.
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the monetary value of inward investment attributable to the influence of UK Trade and Investment in each of the last five years. [25444]
Mr Prisk: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) records the numbers of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects entering the UK each year, together with the investing companies estimates of associated jobs and capital expenditure for the first three years of each FDI project. In many cases companies do not provide capital expenditure data so the recorded figures for that are partial. Within the overall total for the UK, the figures for each of the last five years in respect of projects assisted by UKTI are as follow;
| UKTI assisted FDI projects | No. of new jobs | No. of safeguarded jobs | Total No. of associated jobs | Capital investment (where supplied) (£) | |
Foreign Investment in UK: Yorkshire
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of Government-supported inward investment in respect of Yorkshire was attributable to (a) UK Trade and Investment and (b) Yorkshire Forward in the latest period for which figures are available. [25440]
Mr Prisk: For the financial year 2009/10, which is the last period for which full figures are available, a total of 147 foreign direct investment projects was recorded by UKTI in the Yorkshire and Humber region. A total of 93 were assisted by Yorkshire Forward, UKTI or a combination of the two. This breaks down as follows:
(i) UKTI and Yorkshire Forward jointly: 27;
(ii) UKTI alone: 11;
(iii) Yorkshire Forward alone: 55.
HM Government currently fund the work of the regional development agencies (RDAs) through the RDAs' Single Budget, which is administered by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. UKTI is one of the Government Departments which contributes to the RDAs' Single Budget. UKTI's contribution is specifically intended to fund the foreign direct investment work of the RDAs, including Yorkshire Forward, as part of the UKTI-led national foreign direct investment effort.
UKTI's estimated contribution to Yorkshire Forward in the financial year 2009/10 was £2,183,000, 13.31% of the total of £16,401,000 paid by UKTI into the RDAs' Single Budget during this period.
Graduates: Income
Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the average additional lifetime earnings of higher education graduates; when this figure was most recently calculated; and how many students were in higher education at that time. [23712]
Mr Willetts: The Department draws on various estimates of the lifetime earnings benefits for degree holders, arising from both external and internal analysis. Generally they all estimate the lifetime earnings benefits of having a first degree over and above two or more A-levels (the 'graduate premium').
These estimates indicate that first degree graduates can expect to earn, on average, over £100,000 more over their working life, in today's values and net of taxes, than similar individuals who stop their education with two or more A-levels.
This is for the average graduate, and the actual position for any individual will vary around this average.
There have been several calculations of the graduate premium in recent years, using data from different time periods and/or slightly different methods, though they have all used data from the Labour Force Survey (LFS-a sample survey) and the broad approach is consistent. These have all come to similar conclusions, albeit with slightly different estimates, which is why it is generally not expressed as a single figure but rather as a range or being above a certain value.
Some of the estimates are noted as follows, along with an indication of the data periods used for each one:
| LFS data period | Graduate premium estimate | Source |
| (1) "The Return to a University Education in Great Britain, O'Leary, N.C. and P.J. Sloane (2005), National Institute Economic Review, No. 193; pp 75-89. (2) "The Economic Benefits of a degree", UUK/PWC, February 2007. http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/Publications/Documents/research-gradprem.pdf | ||
The number of students in higher education for each academic year since 1999/2000 was as follows:
| All HE students | Undergraduate only | |||
| UK HEIs | English HEIs | UK HEIs | English HEIs | |
| Source: HESA data. All: modes of study, levels of study, domiciles. http://www. hesa.ac.uk/index.php/component/option.com_datatables/ltemid,121/task,show_category/catdex,3/#institution | ||||
Green Investment Bank: South West
Conor Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will put in place measures to ensure that the South West benefits from the creation of the Green Investment Bank. [24894]
Mr Prisk: As outlined in the spending review statement, we are committed to establishing a UK-wide Green Investment Bank, which will focus on the financing of green infrastructure projects and the deployment of late-stage green technologies. Work on the business and operating model is currently under way, and we will be guided by the Government's tests of effectiveness, affordability and transparency.
My hon. Friend may wish to note that we will be completing design work and further market testing by May 2011. Therefore, I am unable to provide further details of the institution's final design at this stage. However, the intention is to create an institution with powers to invest across the UK. The Government's current view is that this should be feasible.
Higher Education
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the likely effects on the behavioural patterns of potential undergraduates in respect of making applications to higher education institutions of his proposed changes to higher education funding; what evidence he took into account in making this assessment; and if he will make a statement. [25691]
Mr Willetts: To support the Browne Review and the Government's response, we commissioned research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) to explore how changes in fees, grants and loans impact on participation. This research drew on variation in grants, fees and loans over the period 1992-2007, and indicated that a £1,000 increase in fees results in a 4.4ppt decrease in university participation, while a £1,000 increase in loans results in a 3.2ppt increase in participation, and a £1,000 increase in grants results in a 2.1ppt increase in participation; therefore offsetting any effect from an increase in fees.
The Government's proposals provide a more generous package of grants and loans to ensure that no students face any up-front costs for tuition and those from lower income households, while studying, get more support for their living costs. The Government are also due to consult on the details of the National Scholarships programme aimed at providing further targeted support for students. The more progressive repayment system of graduate contributions to the cost of university education will also protect any low-earning graduates.
Higher Education: Finance
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect on skills training of his proposed changes to higher education funding; and what statistical evidence he evaluated in making that assessment. [23375]
Mr Willetts: Our proposed changes allow us to maintain the supply of high-level skills. They open up opportunities for new providers, and offer improved student support for part-time students, many of whom will be within the existing work force. Those eligible for part-time support will rise to around 150,000; currently only around 60,000 receive support.
Prospective higher education learners of all ages will be better-informed and have real choice.
The forthcoming higher education White Paper will set out how we expect the higher education sector to develop the high level skills of both our future and existing workforce, and so support economic growth.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department has made of (a) the costs of processing graduate repayments and (b) other costs to the Student Loan Company of implementing his proposals to reform the funding of universities and students; and whether such costs will be met from his Department's budget. [26196]
Mr Willetts: We expect to publish an interim impact assessment relating to the Government's proposals for urgent reforms to Higher Education funding and student finance at the same time as the first draft regulations relating to the these reforms are brought before Parliament. The interim impact assessment will include projections of the costs of processing graduate repayments and other related costs for the Student Loans Company, although it should be noted that these projections will be indicative and will be refined in due course. Costs will be met from within the Department's spending review budget allocation. The interim impact assessment will be published on the BIS website and a copy will be forwarded to the hon. Member.
Higher Education: Mature Students
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment his Department has made of the (a) particular requirements of mature students and (b) reasons for recent trends in respect of the number of university (i) applications and (ii) acceptances in respect of mature students. [26193]
Mr Willetts: We are providing extra help to mature students by ensuring that part-time under graduates, studying for at least a third of their time, will not have to face up front fees because they can access the same progressive finance package as full-time students. 93% of part-time under graduate enrolments are mature students. Those eligible for part-time support will rise to around 150,000; currently only 60,000 receive support.
The most recent data available( )show that the number of applicants in respect of mature students (defined as being aged 21 and over) to English institutions by domicile at the main scheme deadline for the period 2007 to 2010 was as follows:
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
and that the acceptances, for the same period, were as follows:
| 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | |
| Note: In 2008 the Nursing and Midwifery Admissions Service (NMAS) was incorporated into the main UCAS system for the first time. In 2008 there were 9,295 applicants who applied only to NMAS courses, and 8,410 who were accepted. Source: Universities and Colleges Application Service (UCAS). | ||||
Local Enterprise Partnerships: North West
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress has been made on approval of a local economic partnership for Pennine-Lancashire. [25903]
Mr Prisk: Three conflicting proposals were made in Lancashire. At the moment, positive discussions are taking place about how those can be rationalised, and officials will continue to work with both business and civic leaders to find a sensible arrangement.
Mature Students: Loans
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of individuals aged 24 years and over who will be obliged to take out loans to pay for a level three qualification from 2013-14 as a result of the implementation of his Department's proposals. [26142]
Mr Hayes: 'Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth' (16 November 2010) sets out the funding strategy for post-19 further education (FE) and skills. The introduction of new FE loans from the 2013/14 academic year provides the capacity for learner investment. We recognise that this is a significant reform and that is why we are phasing in the changes over the spending review period to provide the sector with sufficient time to plan effectively.
As set out in 'Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth', over the next few months we will engage with colleges, training organisations and others on the details of how fee loans will be implemented to ensure the approach to fee loans recognises the characteristics of different types of learners and identifies the particular delivery arrangements appropriate for the FE and skills sector.
It is therefore not possible to estimate the number of learners who will be eligible for fee loans in the 2013/14 academic year.
Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has had discussions with the Sector Skills Councils on the implications for individuals aged 24 years and over of requiring them to take out loans to pay for a level three qualification from 2013/14 as part of the implementation of his Department's proposals. [26143]
Mr Hayes: "Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth" (16 November 2010) sets out the funding strategy for post-19 Further Education (FE) and Skills. The introduction of new FE loans from the 2013/14 academic year provides the capacity for learner investment. We recognise that this is a significant reform and that is why we are phasing in the changes over the spending review period to provide the sector with sufficient time to plan effectively.
As set out in "Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth", over the next few months we will engage with colleges, training organisations and others on the details of how fee loans will be implemented to ensure the approach to fee loans recognises the characteristics of different types of learners and identifies the particular delivery arrangements appropriate for the FE and Skills sector.
Mobile Phones: Prices
Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with Ofcom on the cost of calling 0870 and 0845 numbers from mobile telephones. [24097]
Mr Vaizey: I have had no discussions with Ofcom on this issue, as under the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom has responsibility for numbering policy, which includes the provision of 0870 and 0845 number ranges. Since 2006, in response to consumer concern, Ofcom has introduced a range of measures that has made 0870 and 0845 calls cheaper for calls from landlines, although this has not been possible for calls from mobile telephones due to the additional costs, which are usually involved in transmitting and connecting the call from the mobile network.
Earlier this year, Ofcom started a review of the consumer experience of non-geographic numbers to consider whether they need to restructure the regulations that control the delivery of non-geographic calls services to consumers. These are telephone numbers beginning with 03, 05, 070/076, 08, 09, 116 and 118. They expect to publish their consultation shortly, and full details of its proposals will be available on its website:
North East of England Development Board
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the functions of the North East of England Development Board are; and if he will make a statement. [25641]
Mr Prisk:
The North East Industrial Development Board closed on 23 February 2010. The principal function of the Board was to advise One North East on applications for regional selective assistance under the Grant for Business Investment (GBI) scheme and its predecessors of over £250,000 and less than £2 million. From time to time the Board was also asked to advise One North
East on: applications for selective financial assistance that fell outside current forms of support; applications submitted under the Tees Valley Industrial programme (TVIP); proposals to make major modifications to existing forms of support; proposals to introduce new forms of support under Section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982; administrative aspects of GBI and other schemes; and to provide information on the state of the regional economy to the Government Office for the North East as part of its quarterly report.
These functions were transferred to the North East Investment Advisory Panel on its creation in March 2010.
Northwest Regional Development Agency: Assets
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions his Department has had on the sale of assets owned by the North West Development Agency; and if he will make a statement. [25902]
Mr Prisk: This Department has been having ongoing discussions on the principles and process for the disposal of all regional development agency (RDA) assets and liabilities. Detailed guidance to RDAs is still being prepared and this will enable plans to be developed for transition. Until these plans are completed there will be no decisions on the sale or transfer of assets (outside ordinary course disposals) unless there are compelling time pressures which require an early decision be made. The plans will aim to secure maximum value for money for the taxpayer and optimum benefits to the region in question.
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