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25 Nov 2010 : Column 444W—continued
EU Member States: Child Benefit
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will discuss with his EU counterparts an amendment to EU Regulation 883/2004 to remove from non-UK workers from other EU member states the entitlement to claim child benefit at the UK rate in respect of children not resident in the UK. [21217]
Justine Greening [holding answer 2 November 2010]: HM Revenue and Customs and the Treasury have regular discussions with EU counterparts as part of the process of policy development and delivery.
The UK has administered the EC social security co-ordinating regulations (EC Regulation 1408/71, with effect from 1 May 2010 EC Regulation 883/2004) since it joined the European Economic Community in 1973. The regulations protect the social security rights of nationals of all member states, including the UK, and their families when exercising rights of free movement within the European Economic Area. Amendments to the regulations require a proposal by the European Commission and are subject to co-decision with the European Parliament and the Council.
Moreover, without reciprocity to remove the equivalent family benefit entitlement of UK nationals who work and pay compulsory social insurance contributions in other member states, the amendment as proposed would breach one of the fundamental principles of EC law
that there must be no discrimination on the grounds of nationality when applying the rights set out in the treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and other measures in Community law to give effect to such rights.
Mortgages: Certification
Mr Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to end self-certification of mortgages; and if he will make a statement. [10045]
Mr Hoban: The coalition Government believe that it is right for the Financial Services Authority (FSA) to ensure that the UK mortgage market has responsible lending practices. This will ensure a sustainable market that works better for consumers.
HM Treasury will continue to work with the FSA, mortgage lenders and consumer groups to ensure a mortgage market that is sustainable for all participants.
Written Questions: Government Responses
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to answer question 21217, on amendment to child benefit regulations, tabled by the hon. Member for North East Cambridgeshire on 28 October 2010 for answer on 2 November 2010. [26452]
Justine Greening: I have now replied to the hon. Member.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Biodiversity
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the 2010 targets for priority species and habitats under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan were last renewed; and when she expects next to renew them. [26320]
Richard Benyon: UK Biodiversity Action Plan targets for England were last renewed in 2006.
We have committed in our Structural Reform Plan to publishing a new England Biodiversity Strategy next April, setting out our new approach.
Biodiversity targets for species and habitats in other parts of the UK are a matter for the devolved administrations.
Common Fisheries Policy
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what discussions she has held with representatives of the (a) Scottish and (b) UK fishing industry on reductions in bycatch through changes to (i) the use of equipment and (ii) fishing practices; [25909]
(2) what discussions she has had with representatives of the (a) Scottish and (b) UK fishing industry on the use of larger net mesh sizes to minimise the catch of juvenile cod; [25910]
(3) what her policy is on negotiating at EU level for differential catch quotas within the UK in order to incentivise lower bycatch and discard rates; [25912]
(4) what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of (a) temporary localised fishing bans and (b) CCTV on vessels to monitor catches in reducing levels of bycatch in the North Sea; [25913]
(5) what estimate she has made of the quantity and proportion of dead fish caught in UK waters which were discarded at sea in the latest period for which figures are available; [25916]
(6) what her policy is on negotiations on reform of the EU common fisheries policy to minimise the number of dead fish caught in UK waters which are discarded at sea by means of a limit on the total amounts of fish (a) caught and (b) landed. [26047]
Richard Benyon: The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (CEFAS) and Marine Scotland Science send scientific observers to sea with fishermen to sample the quantity of fish discarded and retained by fishing vessels. This sampling is intended to provide estimates of discards of the main commercial species, but at present is not fully representative of all UK fisheries. It is only possible to sample a proportion of the vessels participating in any fishery.
Approximately 294,878 tonnes of quota stocks were landed into port by UK vessels in 2009. Estimates of landings and discards by English and Welsh vessels fishing in UK waters in 2009 were provided for the following fisheries:
North Sea (ICES area IV), and waters to the south and west of England and Wales (ICES VII).
English and Welsh demersal fishing vessels (over 10 metres in length).
Demersal fish (species that live on or near the seafloor eg cod, haddock, plaice, sole, anglerfish etc.).
Estimated landings and discards:
30,160 tonnes were landed and 18,500 tonnes were discarded.
North Sea IVa (pelagic mackerel and herring).
UK vessels fishing for pelagic species.
Mackerel and herring.
Estimated landings and discards:
68,347 tonnes were landed and 8,278 tonnes were discarded.
North Sea, West Coast and Northern Shelf.
Scottish vessels
Cod, haddock, whiting and saithe.
Estimated landings and discards:
59,763 tonnes were landed and 24,401 tonnes were discarded.
We are urging all member states and EU institutions to take the opportunity through reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP) to radically overhaul the way we manage fisheries in order to overcome the CFP's serious failures, not least in addressing discards. We want a reformed CFP to provide the incentives and regulatory framework to enable us to catch less but land more, for example replacing landing based quota with catch quotas.
The UK has been piloting an alternative quota management system for cod based on catch quotas (a quota for what you catch rather than land at port). Interim results from these trials are positive; discards of cod are low (1-7%) and fishermen are fishing more selectively in order to maximise the value of their catches. The interim report is available from the CEFAS website at:
An expansion of this scheme, both in terms of the number and type of vessel participating and the number of species, is essential to gain further evidence on the wider application of catch quotas in mixed fisheries. The European Commission and its technical advisers (The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries) are supportive of our intentions to expand the scheme.
Discussions regularly take place with representatives of the fishing industry on reducing discards through improving gear selectivity and altering fishing practices. For example, the Discard Action Group is a forum, facilitated by seafish, that brings industry, managers, scientists, and seafood organisations together to discuss research, share knowledge and come up with novel ways to reduce discards. The industry has been encouraged through such groups to use gear modifications or methods which are successful at reducing discards.
There are many examples of collaborative work to reduce discards which have been carried out by the UK fishing industry in partnership with the UK fisheries departments. The Fisheries Science Partnership (FSP) is one example of a continuing initiative to encourage industry-led research on a range of subjects, including the trials of alternative fishing gears, eg square mesh panels used to reduce the bycatch of cod in other whitefish and prawn (Nephrops) fisheries.
The UK has been at the forefront of encouraging uptake of measures to reduce discards of cod. For example, this has been achieved through the Scottish Conservation Credits Scheme and English/Northern Irish equivalents. Incentives of extra days at sea for the industry are used to encourage uptake of selectivity measures (eg increasing mesh sizes) to reduce the bycatch and subsequent discarding of juvenile cod. Since 2009, this scheme has been enhanced with mandatory real time closures (RTCs) in operation throughout the cod recovery zone. We believe that localised RTCs provide the necessary protection for local aggregations of fish, and that these closures are beneficial for the health of the protected stock.
The industry has also been involved in targeted regional pilots like 'Project 50%'. On average vessels participating in these trials managed to reduce discards in the South West beam trawl fleet by an average of 52%.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Scottish Government and (b) her EU counterparts on reform of the EU common fisheries policy; [25914]
(2) what recent representations she has received from representatives of the (a) Scottish and (b) UK fishing industry on reform of the common fisheries policy. [25915]
Richard Benyon: I and my officials have held regular discussions on reform of the EU common fisheries policy (CFP) with the Scottish Government in recent months, including at a ministerial event in Aberdeen in October, which also involved the EU Fisheries Commissioner. I will be discussing CFP reform with EU ministerial colleagues at November's EU Fisheries Council.
I have also received written and oral representations on CFP reform from a broad spectrum of fisheries interests from across the UK, including fishing organisations from Scotland.
Departmental Services: Post Office
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the monetary value was of contracts between her Department and its predecessors and (a) Post Office Ltd and (b) Royal Mail in (i) 1997-98 and (ii) each year since 2004-05. [24922]
Richard Benyon: The Department was formed in 2001; to provide information for an earlier period would incur disproportionate cost.
The table shows expenditure with (a) Post Office Ltd and (b) Royal Mail in each year since 2004-05 for the Department and its executive agencies.
| £ | ||
| Royal Mail | Post Office Ltd | |
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to identify those of its services that could be provided through the post office network. [24925]
Richard Benyon: The Department publishes its requirements under the Government and EU procurement standards and processes to allow all possible suppliers to make representations to secure contracts for government services. It is not allowed under these procurement standards to give preferential treatment to any supplier, seeking the best value for money provision.
Dogs: Electric Shock Collars
Dr Thérèse Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she made of the merits of bringing forward proposals for a ban on electric shock collars for dogs. [26697]
Mr Paice: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Jim Fitzpatrick), 24 November 2010, Official Report, column 293W.
EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Ministers in her Department have attended each EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting since 11 May 2010; and for how long each such Minister attended each such meeting. [26319]
Richard Benyon: Three DEFRA Ministers have attended EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council Meetings since 11 May 2010
Floods: Cornwall
Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the total cost of clear up following the recent flooding in Cornwall. [26357]
Richard Benyon: Cornwall council is continuing its clean up and recovery work following last week's flooding, and is assessing the damages caused and other costs incurred. No estimate has yet been made of the total costs. We also expect the Association of British Insurers will be assessing the costs to the insurance industry.
Food: Prices
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had at (a) EU and (b) UN level on (i) trends in global food prices in 2011-12 and (ii) levels of global production of corn and wheat. [26012]
Mr Paice: EU Ministers discussed cereal prices and their effect on the EU livestock sector at the September Agriculture and Fisheries Council. DEFRA officials also attend the Single Common Market Organisation Management Committee, at which the EU and global cereals market situation is reviewed on a fortnightly basis.
At UN level DEFRA was represented at the Food and Agricultural Organisation's Committee on World Food Security in October and the Extraordinary Meeting of the Inter-Governmental Groups on Grains and Rice which preceded it in September.
Pygmy Sloths: Panama
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if her Department will provide conservation advice to the Government of Panama to help preserve the pygmy sloth. [26620]
Richard Benyon: We have not been approached to provide conservation advice to the Government of Panama to help preserve the pygmy sloth.
Radioactive Waste
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to review her Department's policy on disposal of low-level nuclear waste. [26013]
Charles Hendry: I have been asked to reply.
I have no current plans to review the policy for long-term management of solid low level radioactive waste in the United Kingdom, published on 26 March 2007. It is still in the implementation phase. An important part of that is the production of strategies for nuclear LLW and non-nuclear LLW, which will guide waste producers, regulators and waste planners on implementation of the policy. The nuclear strategy was published by the NDA in August this year and we will begin consultation on the non-nuclear one shortly. Once the policy is fully implemented it may then be appropriate to review its effectiveness.
Water Charges
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) the water industry, (b) consumer groups and (c) Ofwat since 11 May 2010 on the potential to allow trickle valves to be used by water companies in response to unpaid bills. [26321]
Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has had no discussions with the water industry, consumer groups or Ofwat regarding the use of trickle valves. The Government's view is that trickle valves would have the same health and social risks that underpin the current ban on disconnection.
Cabinet Office
Big Society Bank
Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress he has made on establishing the Big Society bank. [25859]
Mr Hurd: We are making good progress in delivering the Big Society bank and expect it to have some functions in place in the second quarter of 2011 which will enable it to start making investments in early summer.
This is dependent on a number of factors including the timing and volume of funds released by the banks and the Reclaim Fund.
Big Society
Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what contribution the spending reductions identified through the comprehensive spending review process will make to the Government's objectives for the Big Society initiative. [25861]
Mr Hurd: Government action to support the Big Society consists of three strands:
Transfer of real power to communities;
Public service reform; and
Support for social action.
The comprehensive spending review, the Localism Bill, the Public Services White Paper and a White Paper on giving and social action will all help us deliver on our objectives.
Civil Servants: Conservative Party
Mrs Glindon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Walsall North of 11 November 2010, Official Report, column 429W, on civil servants: Conservative party, what the annual salary range is of each of the two former Conservative party staff who have been appointed to the civil service on fixed term contracts. [25170]
Mr Maude: The two individuals referred to are no longer employed as civil servants.
Statistics: EU Action
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether he plans (a) to approve proposals for or (b) to accept the operation of stronger EU surveillance and enforcement mechanisms in respect of UK Government statistical data. [26454]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated November 2010:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to answer your recent Parliamentary Question asking the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans (a) to approve proposals for or (b) to accept the operation of stronger EU surveillance and enforcement mechanisms in respect of UK government statistical data (26454).
The Office for National Statistics recognises the importance of high quality, harmonised statistics across the EU and the need to ensure minimum standards in methodology and processes associated with the European System of National Accounts.
Therefore, the UK subscribes to the Council's conclusions and welcomes the second report of the European Statistics Governance Advisory Board (ESGAB) which calls upon:
Member States to accelerate, where needed, their alignment of statistical legislation with the principles of the Code of Practice and the European Statistics Regulation; to step up the implementation of other national improvement actions in order to achieve full adherence to the Code of Practice; the Commission to reinforce the binding nature of the Code of Practice by enshrining in a legal act some of the minimum standards. Full implementation of the provisions in the code needs to be accelerated by the European Statistical System, in particular to reinforce mandates for data collection and to further enhance quality.
Stronger surveillance and enforcement mechanisms will help to reinforce the confidence in European statistics, but any such measures should be appropriate, proportionate and respect the integrity and independence of UK National Statistics.
Scotland
Citizens Advice
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 16 November 2010, Official Report, column 656W, on Citizens Advice Scotland, whether he plans to meet Citizens Advice Scotland to discuss the likely effects on it of the abolition of Consumer Focus. [25754]
Michael Moore: Scotland Office officials are meeting with Citizens Advice Scotland on 26 November when the impact on its operation of the transfer of functions from Consumer Focus Scotland will be discussed.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 16 November 2010, Official Report, column 656W, on Citizens Advice Scotland, what assessment his Department has made to the likely effects on Citizens Advice Scotland of the closure of Consumer Focus. [25758]
Michael Moore: The transfer of functions from Consumer Focus Scotland to Citizens Advice Scotland will be examined in detail in the months to come. We will work with Citizens Advice Scotland and the Scottish Government to ensure the transfer works effectively.
Daylight Saving Bill
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his policy is on the provisions of the Daylight Saving Bill. [25919]
Michael Moore: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has previously set out clearly the position of the Government, which includes the Scotland Office: no change to British summer time can be made without the consensus of the whole United Kingdom.
Departmental Written Questions
Sir Paul Beresford:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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 he has made of the average cost to his Department of answering a question for ordinary written answer within seven days of tabling in the latest period for which figures are available. [25974]
David Mundell: Between May 2010 and 12 November 2010, 171 parliamentary questions were tabled to the Secretary of State for Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore) for ordinary written answer. Of these 111 (65%) were answered within five sitting days. 157 (92%) were answered within 10 sitting days. One question tabled during this time period had not received an answer 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.
HM Treasury conducts an annual indexation exercise of the cost of written and oral parliamentary questions so as to ensure that these average costs are increased in line with increases in underlying costs. The estimated cost of written questions that has applied from 20 January 2010 is £154.
Economic Growth
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department has commissioned research on future economic growth in Scotland. [25773]
Michael Moore: To help support the continuance of a private sector recovery, the UK Government have taken decisive action to reduce the inherited deficit-the largest in peacetime history. There are encouraging signs for the Scottish economy with strong growth in quarter two of this year. However, there is no room for complacency and the Government will continue to establish the conditions to foster sustainable and balanced economic growth. The Treasury has responsibility for economic growth forecasts for the UK.
Equality: Public Sector
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he had with the Minister for Women and Equalities on the implementation of the public sector duty on socio-economic inequalities contained in the Equality Act 2010 prior to 17 November 2010. [25826]
David Mundell: I am in regular contact with ministerial colleagues on matters of importance to Scotland, including issues related to the Equality Act 2010.
Political Appointments
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to the answer of 16 November 2010, Official Report, column 657W, on political appointments, when his special adviser was appointed; and at what pay band that adviser is employed. [25795]
Michael Moore: My special adviser took up his appointment on 5 July 2010. He is employed on pay band 2.
Justice
Departmental Public Expenditure
Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what capital projects which were (a) being planned and (b) under way in April 2010 are estimated to cost over £10 million. [22997]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: The following list represents projects (a) planned and (b) under way in April 2010. Our interpretation of projects under way is those projects greater than £10 million which have the approval of the Treasury. The authority in place at the time allowed the Ministry to commit to capital projects up to a value not exceeding £70 million per project. Within the Ministry's authority of £70 million, the projects in the planned list are referred to as under way, since the Treasury authority allows this.
Some projects are greater than £70 million, and required Treasury approval. Expenditure may have been incurred on these projects, although the cases were under referral to the Treasury and therefore within the definition above were not under way. These are marked.
Shared Services programme (unified HR and financial system for MoJ planned and under way)
DISC infrastructure renewal (unified IT platform for courts and tribunals planned and under way)
Estates Transformation Programme (three strands which include; (a) new HQ for NOMS forecast for 2010-11 over £10 million; (b) rationalise the number of HQ buildings, and (c) rationalise regional estates, planned for SR10, over £10 million and under way.)
NOMIS (National Offender Management Information System Programme, Prison NOMIS completed, the remainder programme planned, the case was with HMT for approval)
OMNI (Offender Management National Infrastructure project to support NOMIS planned and the case was with HMT for approval)
OESS (Offender Employment Skills Services, planned, under way and less than £10 million in 2010-11, future SR10 period expenditure greater than £10 million)
QUIP (Quantum Infrastructure Programme to support NOMS business needs, planned and under way).
LSC IT Integrated Delivery Programme (planned and under way. Less than £10 million in 2010-11 but over £10 million in SR07)
Westminster magistrates courts (planned and under way)
Birmingham magistrates courts (land purchased, project planning completed, approval awaited by HMT, but now deferred under emergency budget, not under way)
Newport (planned and under way although timing of the project to be confirmed)
Camberwell magistrates courts (planned and underway although timing of the project to be confirmed)
Sunderland justice centre (planned for the next SR period-now deferred, approval required by HMT, not under way)
Aylesbury Crown court (planned and under way although timing of the project to be confirmed)
Snaresbrook Crown court (planned and under way although timing of the project to be confirmed)
West Bromwich and Wolverhampton law courts (planned for the next SR now deferred, HMT approval required, not under way)
Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates courts (planned and under way April 2010)
Woolwich Crown court (project planned and under way)
Greenwich magistrates court (planned and under way although timing of the project to be confirmed)
Inner London Crown court (to be confirmed, not underway HMT approval required)
Camberwell magistrates courts (planned and under way although timing of the project to be confirmed)
Liverpool magistrates court (planned off-balance sheet scheme, contract negotiations commenced, to be confirmed, not under way HMT approval required)
Bolton Crown and magistrates court (planned off balance sheet scheme, to be confirmed, not under way HMT approval required)
Salford county and magistrates court (planned off balance sheet scheme, to be confirmed, not under way HMT approval required)
SUPS (courts business critical system replacements service upgrade project under £10 million in 2010-11, total over £10 million, planned and under way)
MCOBS (magistrates courts operational business systems upgrades to LIBRA and Welsh Language elements (planned and under way, less than £10 million in 2010-11, scheme over £10 million in SR07)
DARTS (digital audio recording transcriptions and storage, replacement of obsolete audio equipment in Crown and combined courts, planned and under way)
New prison land purchases (expenditure in SR07 and SR10, planned and under way)
The first three of five new prisons (1,500 place PFI units planned in SR10 and authorised by HMT and the major programmes review group therefore under way)
Wetherby YOI (planned and under way)
Parc prison (planned and under way, completed October 2010)
Belmarsh West prison (PFI unit planned and under way 2010)
Isis prison (planned and under way completed July)
Maghull prison (planned and under way PFI unit)
Moorland prison (planned and under way due to complete October 2011)
Peterborough prison (planned now deferred)
(The) Mount prison (planned now deferred)
Featherstone prison (planned and under way)
Glen Parva YOI, (planned in April 2010, not under way, requires HMT approval, expenditure into SR10 subject to emergency budget reductions and now cancelled)
Cookham Wood YOI (under way, planned for SR10 and under review)
Huntercombe YOI (under way, planned for SR10 and under review)
In addition there were six prison maintenance projects planned and under way over £10 million; Warren Hill, Acklington, Erlestoke, Stocken, Featherstone, and Lewes.
There were also two prison capital maintenance projects planned over £10 million but under review: Belmarsh and Stocken.
Freedom of Information Act 2000
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether he has made an assessment of the merits of bringing forward proposals to apply the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to (a) the National Union of Students, (b) the Local Government Association and (c) other bodies in receipt of funding from the public purse. [25889]
Mr Djanogly: The Government are considering a range of options to increase transparency, including extending the scope of the Freedom of Information Act to additional public authorities. The Government will announce their intentions in due course.
Juries
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were summoned for jury service in 2009-10; and if he will make a statement. [26566]
Mr Djanogly: There were 396,631 summons issued for jury service in 2009. Annual statistics on jury summons are published by the Ministry of Justice in the annual command paper "Judicial and Court Statistics". The most recent edition, presenting statistics for 2009, was published in September 2010.
National Probation Service: Manpower
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many probation service employees of each grade there were in probation areas on 31 December (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008 and (d) 2009; and if he will make a statement. [26594] [Official Report, 21 December 2010, Vol. 520, c. 5-7MC.]
Mr Blunt: The staff in post figures for the probation service by job group at 31 December 2006-2009 are shown in the following table.
The table shows that there was an overall decrease in staff in post over the period of 1,339.26 FTE (down 6.3%).
| Job group | 2006 | 20 0 7 | 2008 | 2009 |
Payment and Enforcement Centre: Liverpool
Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's Payment and Enforcement Centre in Liverpool; and if he will make a statement. [26456]
Mr Djanogly: Her Majesty's Courts Service continually evaluates the performance of its business units. The Central Payments and Enforcement Centre in Liverpool has achieved a year-to-date payment rate of 91.5% against a target of 85%.
Prisons
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent discussions his Department has had with the (a) operators and (b) financiers of prisons operated under the private finance initiative (PFI) to renegotiate (i) costs and (ii) contract specifications over the remaining period of each PFI contract; what the outcomes were of such discussions in respect of each such prison; and if he will make a statement. [25498]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: The Minister for the Cabinet Office has been leading a programme of negotiation with the Government's top suppliers. This work was identified as a key element of the package of measures designed to deliver £6.2 billion of savings during 2010-11, and involves discussions across the portfolio of contracts each supplier holds with central Government. These discussions have progressed well and did financially benefit the MoJ. However, the specific details of these discussions are the subject of memorandum of understanding between the Cabinet Office and the suppliers which was completed in commercial confidential and can not be divulged.
Prisons: Drugs
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much his Department has allocated to drug treatment services in prisons for each year of the spending review period. [26460]
Mr Blunt: We are not yet able to confirm what the future funding levels for drug recovery services for prisoners will be. We are working with the Department of Health to assess the impact of the spending review settlement and what this will mean for the delivery of health care interventions and services in prison, including how we continue to drive efficiencies to achieve better treatment results.
Reoffenders
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many offenders who were treated for drug addiction while in prison in each of the last five years have reoffended; and how many of those offenders were classified as having been successfully treated. [26457]
Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice does not hold data on the reoffending of offenders treated for drug addiction in prison.
A survey of 1,435 adult prisoners sentenced to between one month and four years in England and Wales in 2005-06 showed that 62% of offenders who had used drugs in the month before prison were reconvicted within a year of release. We cannot verify how many of the drug users underwent treatment for addiction when in prison. However, international reviews have concluded that, on balance, drug treatment reduces reoffending.
Secure Training Centres
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent discussions (a) his Department and (b) the Youth Justice Board has had with the (i) operators and (ii) financiers of secure training centres operated under the private finance initiative (PFI) to renegotiate (A) costs and (B) contract specifications over the remaining period of each PFI contract; what the outcomes were of such discussions in respect of each such secure training centre; and if he will make a statement. [25499]
Mr Kenneth Clarke: The Minister for the Cabinet Office has been leading a programme of negotiation with the Government's top suppliers. This work was identified as a key element of the package of measures designed to deliver £6.2 billion of savings during 2010-11, and involves discussions across the portfolio of contracts each supplier holds with central Government. The specific details of these discussions are the subject of memorandum of understanding between the Cabinet Office and the suppliers which was completed in commercial confidence and can not be divulged.
In addition the Youth Justice Board is engaging in ongoing discussions with all providers of secure accommodation and associated services it commissions, to ensure they provide the best possible services for young people while ensuring value for money.
Shoplifting: Reoffenders
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent estimate he has made of the rate of reoffending among those convicted of offences related to shoplifting. [26630]
Mr Blunt: The one year reconviction rate for adults convicted of offences related to shoplifting was 78.3% for the 2008 cohort. The cohort includes adult offenders discharged from custody or commencing a court order between January and March of 2008. This is the latest available published data.
More information on the reoffending rates is available from the Ministry of Justice website:
Home Department
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations she has received on her proposal to incorporate the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre in the new National Crime Agency. [24645]
Mrs May [holding answer 17 November 2010]: I have received a number of representations on the proposals to incorporate the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) into the National Crime Agency (NCA). I will announce the Government's decision on the functions of the NCA in due course.
Departmental Written Questions
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [25943]
James Brokenshire: 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.
From May 2010 until 31 October 2010, the Home Office responded to 118 out of 353 (33.4%) questions for answer on a named day before or on that day.
At the time the House rose on 18 November 2010, 24 questions for answer on a named day, tabled prior to 12 November 2010, had not yet been answered.
It is not possible to make an estimate of the average cost to the Department of answering questions for answer on a named day. However, HM Treasury conducts an annual indexation exercise of the cost of written and oral parliamentary questions. Their estimated average cost for written questions (as of 20 January 2010) is £154. This estimation does not differentiate between the types of written questions. Home Office officials are advised not to exceed the disproportionate cost threshold of £800 for drafting each question.
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [25944]
James Brokenshire: 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.
From May 2010 until 31 October 2010, the Home Office responded to 677 out of 975 (69.4%) questions for ordinary written answer within seven working days and 896 out of 975 (91.2%) questions for ordinary written answer within 14 working days.
At the time the House rose on 18 November 2010, 34 questions for ordinary written answer, tabled prior to 12 November 2010, had not yet been answered.
It is not possible to make an estimate of the average cost to the Department of answering an ordinary written question. However, HM Treasury conducts an annual indexation exercise of the cost of written and oral parliamentary questions.
Their estimated average cost for written questions (as of 20 January 2010) is £154. This estimation does not differentiate between the types of written questions. Home Office officials are advised not to exceed the disproportionate cost threshold of £800 for drafting each question.
Domestic Violence: EU Action
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to include the issue of domestic violence against older women in the EU strategy for combating violence against women; and if she will make a statement. [26132]
Lynne Featherstone: The EU strategy to combat violence against women and girls has not yet been issued so we are unable to comment on the content. However our understanding is that the strategy will cover all forms of violence against all women and girls and we will therefore work to ensure that the text reflects those aims.
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision she plans to ensure foreign nationals from outside the EU coming to the UK to learn English in language training schools are not affected by the Government's measures to reduce the level of net immigration. [26356]
Damian Green: English language students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) are permitted to come to the UK to study English under both tier 4, the student tier of the points based system, and also through the student visitor route. As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced in her statement to Parliament of 23 November 2010, Official Report, columns 169-186, the Government will shortly launch a public consultation on students which will be an opportunity to consider further the position of English language students.
Human Trafficking
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the legislative framework in respect of human trafficking. [26588]
Damian Green: The Government keep under constant review the legislative framework on human trafficking.
The Government are committed to tackling this heinous crime and our legislation is compliant with both the Palermo Protocol and the Council of Europe convention on action against trafficking in human beings.
Members: Correspondence
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to write to the right hon. Member for Morley and Outwood in response to the operational questions raised during her statement to the House on 1 November 2010, Official Report, column 635, on the aviation security incident. [22747]
Mrs May [holding answer 8 November 2010]: I refer the right hon. Gentlemen to my letter to him of 11 November 2010, a copy of which I will place in the Library.
Olympic Games 2012: Security
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates since her appointment she has met (a) the Mayor of London, (b) the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and (c) the Minister for the Olympics to discuss security issues for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. [23190]
Mrs May [holding answer 11 November 2010]: I met the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt) on 12 July to discuss the safety and security of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. My noble Friend, the Minister of State for Security and Counter-Terrorism and I regularly meet the Mayor of London, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media Sport and the Olympics and the Minister of State for the Olympics including through the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Home Affairs (Olympic and Paralympic Games) at which security issues are regularly discussed.
Prisoners: Repatriation
Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the value for money of the £1,500 payments made to foreign prisoners who agree to leave the country. [25582]
Damian Green [holding answer 23 November 2010]: The facilitated return scheme (FRS) is a cost-effective means to facilitate quick returns of foreign national prisoners who chose not to exercise their appeal rights.
The chief executive of UK Border Agency, Lin Homer, wrote in detail about the facilitated return scheme and the savings generated to the public purse in her letter to the Home Affairs Committee of February 2010. A copy of this letter is available in the Library of the House.
The facilitated return scheme accounted for approximately 30% of the 5,530 foreign national prisoner removals from the UK in 2009, and for around 50% of the 2425 foreign national prisoner removals in quarters 1 and 2 of 2010.
Due to the current economic situation it has been decided to reduce the value of assistance offered under FRS and bring the scheme in line with other assisted voluntary return programmes. Although the impact of the changes is unknown we anticipate that it will continue to deliver significant foreign national prisoner removals and offer good value for money to the taxpayer.
The financial assistance in the country to which the individual returns is a low-cost option when compared against post-release support in this country. There is a saving to the UK Border Agency in terms of caseworking costs and potential transfer to and detention in an Immigration Removal Centre, at a cost of £110 per night, if deportation cannot take place immediately at the end of an individual's sentence. The scheme offers an incentive for foreign national prisoners to comply with the travel documentation process, and to leave the UK before the opportunity arises to frustrate removal with various legal barriers. FRS not only saves money but also keeps our streets safer.
UK Human Trafficking Centre
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff are employed by the UK Human Trafficking Centre. [25729]
Damian Green: Since 1 April 2010, the UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) has been an integral part of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). As of end October 2010, there were 34 staff working for the UKHTC, of whom 23 are directly employed SOCA officers and 11 are seconded officers. There are also staff throughout SOCA who undertake activity against organised immigration crime, including human trafficking, as part of other duties.
Deputy Prime Minister
House of Lords
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will assess the effects on the Government's constitutional reform programme of the recent proposed increase in the number of Members of the House of Lords. [26360]
Mr Harper: The new appointments announced on 19 November are consistent with the coalition programme. The programme sets out the objective of creating a second chamber that is reflective of the share of the vote secured by the political parties in the last general election.
The cross-party Committee on House of Lords reform is considering proposals for a wholly or mainly elected second chamber. The Government will publish a draft bill early next year.
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will bring forward legislation in the current Parliament to reduce the number of Ministers in the (a) House of Commons and (b) House of Lords with effect from the start of the next Parliament. [26362]
Mr Harper: I refer my hon. Friend to the response given to him by the Deputy Leader of the House at Committee stage of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill on 25 October 2010, Official Report, column 130.
Women and Equalities
Departmental Written Questions
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many and what proportion of questions tabled to the Minister 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 the Government Equalities Office 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. [25947]
Lynne Featherstone: 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.
From May 2010 until 31 October 2010, the Government Equalities Office responded to 13 out of 22 (59%) questions for answer on a named day before or on that day.
At the time the House rose on 18 November 2010, one question for answer on a named day, tabled prior to 12 November 2010, had not yet been answered.
It is not possible to make an estimate of the average cost to the Department of answering questions for answer on a named day. However, HM Treasury conducts an annual indexation exercise of the cost of written and oral parliamentary questions. Their estimated average cost for written questions (as of 20 January 2010) is £154. This estimation does not differentiate between the types of written questions. Government Equalities Office officials are advised not to exceed the disproportionate cost threshold of £800 for drafting each question.
Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many and what proportion of questions tabled to the Minister 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 the Government Equalities Office of answering a question for ordinary answer within seven days of tabling in the latest period for which figures are available. [25948]
Lynne Featherstone: 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.
From May 2010 until 31 October 2010, the Government Equalities Office responded to 38 out of 60 (63.3% ) questions for ordinary written answer within seven working days and 56 out of 60 (93.3%) questions for ordinary written answer within 14 working days.
At the time the House rose on 18 November 2010, 12 questions for ordinary written answer, tabled prior to 12 November 2010, had not yet been answered.
It is not possible to make an estimate of the average cost to the Department of answering an ordinary written question. However, HM Treasury conducts an annual indexation exercise of the cost of written and oral parliamentary questions. Their estimated average cost for written questions (as of 20 January 2010) is £154. This estimation does not differentiate between the types of written questions. Government Equalities Office officials are advised not to exceed the disproportionate cost threshold of £800 for drafting each question.
Equality Act 2010
Mr Bain: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what legal advice she sought from the Attorney-General on her decision not to implement Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010. [26444]
Lynne Featherstone: The advice of the Attorney-General was not sought on this issue.
Government Equalities Office: Expenditure
Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many events the Government Equalities Office plans to hold in 2010-11; what estimate she has made of the cost under each budget heading of each such event; and how many staff will be involved in each such event. [24201]
Lynne Featherstone: From 12 November 2010 the following events have been planned by the Government Equalities Office to take place in 2010-11.
On 17 November the Minister for Women and Equalities gave a major speech to key partners on equality setting out the Government's new approach to equality and fairness. We estimate the cost of this event at about £700 which covers the cost of the venue and audio equipment. Three GEO staff members were involved in its organisation.
On 22 November GEO organised a consultation event with women's organisations from across the UK to discuss key issues relating to the UK's seventh convention on the elimination of discrimination against women (CEDAW) periodic report, which is due to be submitted to the United Nations' CEDAW Committee in May 2011. We estimate the cost of this event to cost £226 and two members of staff will be involved.
On 29 November, 8 and 9 of December we are organising three informal consultation roundtables to seek the views of women's organisations on the Government's new approach to engaging with women. This follows the abolition of the Women's National Commission. We estimate each event will cost about £320.00, with the involvement of two members of staff for each event.
On 6 December we are holding a summit to seek the views from the transgender community on the content of the first Government Strategy for Transgender Equality. We estimate the event will cost a maximum £1,000 and two members of staff will be involved.
Women's National Commission
Glenda Jackson: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what estimate she has made of the (a) capital and (b) resource costs of the decision to abolish the Women's National Commission. [26133]
Lynne Featherstone:
We announced the outcome of the cross-Government review of all public bodies on 14
October. The review was conducted in order to deliver our commitment, as set out in the coalition agreement, to reduce the cost and number of quangos. As part of that review, it has been decided that the Women's National Commission will be closed down at the end of this year (2010) and its core functions brought into the Government Equalities Office (GEO).
A new approach to engaging with women in the UK will be developed and the GEO estimates that:
(a) set-up costs will be in the region of £239,000;
(b) operating costs thereafter are expected to be c£188,000.
This would mean that after set-up costs, there would be savings in the region of £500,000 on annual operating costs.
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