Written Answers to Questions
Wednesday 15 December 2010
Scotland
Departmental Pay
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff employed by his Department were not paid at a rate equivalent to or above the London living wage in the latest period for which figures are available. [31216]
David Mundell: All staff working within the Scotland Office are paid at a rate above the London living wage.
Departmental Public Expenditure
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent estimate he has made of the effect of the increase in the standard rate of value added tax on his Department's annual expenditure. [31178]
David Mundell: Following the spending review settlement for the Scotland Office, detailed plans, on which such estimates would be based, are being developed and finalised. The increase in the standard rate of value added tax is only one of many factors which is being taken into account. Therefore, we are not in a position to say what effect that one factor will have on our annual expenditure.
Energy and Climate Change
Carbon Emissions
Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the level of UK carbon dioxide emissions in each year from 1980 to 2010; and if he will make a statement. [30656]
Gregory Barker: DECC published estimates of UK greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, as National Statistics on 2 February 2010. These can be found on the DECC website at the following link.
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/climate_change/gg_emissions/ukemissions/2008 final/2008 final.aspx
The following table shows estimated UK carbon dioxide emissions for each year from 1980 to 2009 inclusive. Note that the 2009 estimates are provisional. We do not currently have estimates of carbon dioxide emissions for 2010.
| UK carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions, 1980 to 2009 | |
| CO 2 emissions (Mt) | |
Additional data on UK carbon dioxide emissions can be found at the following link:
Domestic Properties: Heating
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the number of domestic properties which are heated by (a) air source and (b) ground source heat pumps. [29501]
Gregory Barker: According to recent industry figures, the estimate of heat pumps installed in domestic properties in each of the last three years is as follows:
| Heat pumps | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
Energy Supply: Security
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent steps his Department has taken to increase the security of the UK's energy supplies; and if he will make a statement. [30310]
Gregory Barker: The Department published the Statutory Security of Supply report early this year, at the beginning of November, in order to give timely and credible information to the market ahead of the winter.
The Energy Bill, introduced to the House of Lords on 8 December, includes measures to reduce the likelihood, duration and severity of a gas supply emergency. These measures would give Ofgem new powers to strengthen the commercial incentives on gas market participants to meet their contractual supply obligations during a gas supply emergency. In turn this should sharpen incentives to avoid a gas supply emergency and help underpin commercial demand for additional gas supply infrastructure, including storage facilities.
The Bill also consolidates and improves the current legislation on third party access to upstream oil and gas infrastructure. This will help the exploitation of smaller and more difficult oil and gas fields, and assist in making the most of our natural resources.
The Government are implementing the EU Security of Gas Supply Regulation in order to help improve EU security of supply, with knock on benefits for the UK.
The Government are undertaking the Electricity Market Reform Project to design and deliver a new market framework that will allow for efficient, cost-effective, large scale investment in low carbon energy and protect UK security of supply. The Project will issue a consultation shortly.
The draft National Policy Statements (NPS), published on 18 October for consultation, provide a clear platform for energy companies to bring forward planning applications within fixed timeframes, to avoid the delays which have been such a problem in the past.
Improving energy efficiency is part of improving our energy security. The Green Deal (announced as part of the Energy Bill) will provide household and business energy efficiency improvements at no up-front cost, with consumers repaying through the savings they make on their energy bills.
Green Deal
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the likely effect of over- or under-estimating household energy use before improvements under the Green Deal on the level of fuel bills once such improvements have been made. [30651]
Gregory Barker: DECC continues to publish research on how 'real life' energy savings compare with estimated ones, covering areas such as cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and condensing boiler efficiency:
Quantitative research is currently being carried out to examine the before and after gas consumption in relation to a variety of property types that have had cavities filled and lofts insulated during recent years, and how these compare to control groups. Findings from this research will be published next year.
We are reviewing how best to design the assessment at the beginning of the Green Deal to enable the savings estimates to be as accurate as possible.
Hydraulic Fracturing
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the use of hydraulic fracturing by the oil and gas industry; and what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on regulation of the use of hydraulic fracturing. [29560]
Gregory Barker: Hydraulic fracturing has long been used to increase the productivity of oil and gas fields and, more recently, of shale gas reservoirs, where the rock has low natural permeability. The Department has no objection to the use of this technique so long as all of the relevant environmental and planning assessments have been carried out and permissions granted. I have had no discussions with my EU counterparts on the regulation of the use of hydraulic fracturing.
Insulation: Housing
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many homes received loft insulation at no cost to the homeowner in each year since 2005. [30437]
Gregory Barker: The following table shows the number of loft insulations installed under the warm front since 2005:
| Loft insulation | |
| (1) Up to 30 November 2010. | |
Under Energy Supplier obligations, suppliers have generally provided 100% subsidy to the most vulnerable households. The exact number of installations in these households is only currently reported at the end of the scheme. Just under 1.8 million vulnerable 'Priority Group' households received professional loft insulation between April 2005 and March 2008 under the Energy Efficiency commitment. Between April 2008 and September 2010, approximately 1.75 million households have received loft insulation under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT). 40% of carbon savings under CERT must be achieved in vulnerable 'Priority Group' households.
Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will take steps to ensure that poorly-insulated private rented housing is insulated to an appropriate standard prior to improvements scheduled for after 2016. [30858]
Gregory Barker: The Green Deal will offer a range of innovative finance packages allowing landlords to install energy efficiency measures in their rental properties at no upfront cost to themselves.
However, we are also seeking powers in the Energy Bill that would require landlords to make reasonable energy efficiency improvements to poorly-insulated properties from 2015.
These powers will only be used if we do not see voluntary improvement under the forthcoming Green Deal.
Nuclear Power
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty with respect to peaceful uses of nuclear energy; and if he will make a statement. [30311]
Gregory Barker: The Department played a key role in the deliberations on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy in the lead up to, and during, the Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) held earlier this year. Ensuring that the Treaty continues to be effective, set against the growing worldwide interest in nuclear energy and other developments, was a central objective of these discussions, and was reflected in the agreed outcome document, to which all parties are bound. Since the Review Conference my Department has taken part in cross-Whitehall work to guide and influence future direction of the 'peaceful uses' pillar of the NPT.
Offshore Industry: Renewable energy
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has made of the likelihood of attracting private sector funding for offshore renewable energy projects. [30362]
Gregory Barker: The Government will publish a consultation document on electricity market reform this month, followed by a White Paper in spring 2011. One of the key objectives of the EMR project is to ensure we have the right framework to attract investment into low carbon infrastructure so we can achieve our energy goals. This means ensuring sufficient returns, at manageable cost to the consumer, to stimulate the necessary investment into low carbon technologies, including offshore renewables.
Following the allocation of £l billion of new funding for the establishment of a Green Investment Bank announced in the spending review, Government are currently considering various options as to the purpose and structure of the bank. As part of the next phase of work we are considering how the GIB could tackle risks that the market currently cannot adequately finance, and how to facilitate the entrance of new types of investors into green infrastructure in order to reduce the financing gap. This work will include consideration of offshore wind.
Further, following our commitment to allocate up to £60 million for offshore wind infrastructure at port locations, Siemens, GE and Gamesa announced their intentions to establish manufacturing plants at coastal locations in the UK, with Gamesa also announcing that they will be opening an R and D facility and their global headquarters in London.
Oil
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of arrangements for meeting the Government's strategic oil stocking obligations under International Energy Agency and EU rules; [30837]
(2) what assessment he has made of the likely effects of decreases in the level of North Sea oil production on the fulfilment of the Government's strategic oil stocking obligations under International Energy Agency and EU rules; [30838]
(3) what information he holds for benchmarking purposes on the EU member states which have an independent oil-stocking agency under International Energy Agency and EU rules; and if he will make a statement; [30839]
(4) what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department had with representatives of the oil industry since May 2010 on possible changes to the system for meeting the Government's strategic oil stocking obligations; [30840]
(5) whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had discussions with representatives of the oil industry since May 2010 on the establishment of an independent oil-stocking agency in the UK under International Energy Agency and EU rules; and if he will make a statement. [30841]
Gregory Barker: The UK has international obligations to hold emergency oil stocks for use in global oil supply disruptions that it meets by directing industry to hold stocks under powers in the 1976 Energy Act.
Currently, the UK is fully compliant with its international obligations, holding 13.6 million tonnes (MT) in September (the latest month for which data are available) against an EU obligation of 10.4 MT and an IEA obligation of 1.6 MT. Declining UK crude oil production will lead to an increase in the overall UK stockholding obligation. While there is uncertainty over the precise timing, the latest forecasts suggest that there will not be a net-increase in the overall UK obligation until around 2018.
We have set-up up a joint project with industry stakeholders to review the current policy and explore alternative options including the possibility of oil stockholding agency models. Via the IEA, the UK has access to information on different agency models adopted by EU and IEA countries.
Since May 2010, DECC Ministers have met with representatives from the downstream oil industry on a number of occasions; these discussions have ranged widely but have included oil stocking policy. There have been a number of meetings between officials and industry that have focused on oil stocking policy.
Renewable Energy: Social Rented Housing
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of social housing units have solar panels. [30436]
Gregory Barker: The Department does not hold information on the number of social housing buildings that have installed solar photovoltaic panels.
Renewable Heat Incentive
Mr Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department plans to take to introduce the Renewable Heat Incentive from 2011-12 onwards. [29596]
Gregory Barker: We expect to be in a position to announce the details of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme shortly and to be open for business in 2011.
Rocky Mountain Institute
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what matters were discussed in his recent meeting with Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute; and whether Mr Lovins made documentation available to him and his officials. [30453]
Gregory Barker: I hosted a meeting with Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute on the morning of 22 November. He discussed a range of issues on energy and energy efficiency; topics covered included the role of distributed energy and potential for energy efficiency.
Mr Lovins provided me with a number of his publicly available, published works on the above topics.
Solar Power: Construction
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many new residential properties had solar panels included in their construction in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008 and (e) 2009. [29942]
Charles Hendry: The Department does not hold information on the overall number of new build residential properties with solar panels. These works are carried out by private contractors who have no obligation to inform the Government.
Under previous Government grant programmes-Major Demonstration Photovoltaic and Low Carbon Buildings programmes during 2005-09-the following numbers of solar photovoltaic panels projects for new build residential properties were supported.
| Number of p rojects | ||||||
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | Total | |
| Value of projects | ||||||
| £ | ||||||
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | Total | |
Warm Front Grants
Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many applications for warm front grants are outstanding; and how long on average it took from application for a grant to installation of equipment in the latest period for which figures are available. [30670]
Gregory Barker: As of 3 December, there were 18,990 outstanding applications to warm front. In 2009-10, the average waiting time for an insulation measure was 48.6 working days and for a heating measure it was 75.5 working days.
Wind Power: Construction
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many new non-residential properties had wind turbines included in their construction in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008 and (e) 2009. [29941]
Charles Hendry: The Department does not hold information on the overall number of new non residential properties which installed wind turbines.
Under the previous "Low Carbon Buildings Programme" (2006-10), the following grants were made for micro and small wind turbines installed on new build non residential properties:
| Value of g rants paid ( £ ) | Number of g rants paid | |
Winter Fuel Payments
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the proportion of recipients of winter fuel payments who are fuel-poor. [31113]
Gregory Barker: In 2008 around 22% of households containing someone eligible (i.e. aged 60 and over) for a winter fuel payment in England were classified as being in fuel poverty.
Health
Cancer: Drugs
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria will be used to assess appropriateness of proposals to fund a treatment from the Cancer Drugs Fund; and whether an advisory board will be established to determine those criteria. [30793]
Mr Simon Burns:
We have published for consultation our proposals for arrangements for the Cancer Drugs Fund which will operate from April 2011 in "The
Cancer Drugs Fund: A Consultation". We want health professionals, patients, carers industry and the public to give us their comments on these proposals which can be accessed at:
A copy has already been placed in the Library.
Complementary Medicine: Regulation
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale of 6 December 2010, Official Report, column 78-9W, on complementary medicine: regulation, when he expects to make an announcement on a statutory register for herbal medicine practitioners. [30825]
Anne Milton: Once the Government, together with the devolved Administrations, reaches a decision on how best to take this work forward we will make an announcement.
Diabetes: Leicester
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in Leicester East constituency were diagnosed with diabetes in each of the last five years. [30449]
Paul Burstow: The national quality and outcomes framework (QOF) records the number of people, aged 17 or over, recorded on practice disease registers with a diagnosis of diabetes. The register is not a count of patients newly diagnosed with the disease within each year but rather a count of patients with the disease on a specific day within the year. This register count is available for the releases of QOF covering financial years 2005-06 through to 2009-10.
QOF information is collated by primary care trust (PCT). Information for 2006-07 to 2009-10 has been provided for Leicester City PCT, which covers the Leicester East constituency. Information for 2005-06 is provided for Eastern Leicester and Leicester City West PCTs, which merged to form Leicester City PCT in October 2006.
The number of patients aged 17 or over with diabetes from the registers are given in the following tables.
| Table 1: Leicester City PCT | |
| Financial year | Number of patients |
Drugs: Finance
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts fund drug treatment services that include (a) needle exchange, (b) clinical wound care, (c) tests for blood-borne viruses and (d) immunisation programmes for injecting drug users. [30463]
Anne Milton: This information requested is not collected centrally. These services are available in all parts of the country for those for whom it is clinically justified, provided either through generic services or drug treatment services.
Drugs: Public Finance
Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse per quality adjusted life year for each drug with UK patient numbers of fewer than 500 which was approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the last five years. [30794]
Mr Simon Burns: We have made no such estimate.
When issuing final technology appraisal guidance to the national health service, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence publishes costing templates, to support NHS organisations in estimating the local cost of implementing its guidance.
Hospitals: Admissions
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many emergency bed days there were following hospital (a) admission and (b) readmission for acute myocardial infarction in (i) each primary care trust and (ii) England in each of the last 10 years; [30711]
(2) how many readmissions to hospital there within 28 days of discharge for hospital patients originally admitted for acute myocardial infarction in (a) each primary care trust and (b) England in each of the last 10 years; [30713]
(3) how many hospital (a) admissions and (b) emergency admissions there were for acute myocardial infarction in (i) each primary care trust and (ii) England in each of the last five years; [30714]
Mr Simon Burns: A table showing admissions, emergency admissions and emergency bed days with a primary diagnosis of a heart attack by primary care trust (PCT) of residence and England from 2000-01 to 2009-10 has been placed in the Library.
Information on re-admissions is not held centrally.
Medical Treatments Abroad: EU Countries
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the ability of (a) men and (b) women of state pension age to access healthcare in other EU member states through the E121 scheme; what recent representations he has received on the compatibility of the scheme with UK equalities legislation; and if he will make a statement. [30403]
Anne Milton: Under EC Regulation 883/2004, which replaced EC Regulation 1408/71 from 1 May 2010, individuals of state pension age from one member state are able to access state provided health care on the same terms as citizens of another EU member state should they decide to take up residency there. The S1 form replaced the E121 form from 1 May 2010.
We are not aware of any recent representation on this matter.
NHS: Reorganisation
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent estimate is of the likely cost to the public purse of the reorganisation of the NHS under the proposals in his Department's White Paper on Equity and excellence: liberating the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [30932]
Mr Simon Burns: The White Paper 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS' laid out proposals for fundamental changes to the ways that the national health service is structured and run, including for the structures of primary care trusts, strategic health authorities and the Department. The precise costs of the transition to the new system will not be known until the new organisations that will underpin the new system have been designed in more detail.
The results of a number of consultations on how the new organisations should be designed are currently being analysed. Once the results of these are known we will publish the costs of the new system in an impact assessment.
NHS: Standards
Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS targets have been removed since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [30657]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department removed three national health service targets from the 2010-11 performance regime on 21 June 2010:
1. Guaranteed access to a primary care professional within 24 hours and to a primary care doctor within 48 hours.
2. Percentage of patients seen within 18 weeks for admitted and non-admitted pathways.
3. Patient experience of access to primary care.
The four-hour maximum wait in Accident and Emergency has been retained with a change to a lower threshold of 95%.
This information is contained in the 'Revision to the Operating Framework for the NHS in England 2010-11' (DEP2010-1328), which has already been placed in the Library.
Osteoporosis: Health Services
Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will extend the osteoporosis directed enhanced service to 2011-12. [30846]
Paul Burstow: The osteoporosis Directed Enhanced Service is part of the current national General Practice contract negotiations between the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association and NHS Employers. Discussions on contractual arrangements to apply from April 2011 are ongoing.
Social Services: Public Expenditure
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review on social care services provided for older people in Birmingham, Ladywood constituency; and if he will make a statement. [31124]
Paul Burstow: The spending review recognises the importance of social care in protecting most vulnerable in society. In recognition of the pressures on the social care system in a challenging local government settlement, the coalition Government have allocated an additional £2 billion by 2014-15 to support the delivery of social care. This means, with an ambitious programme of efficiency, that there is enough funding available both to protect people's access to services and deliver new approaches to improve quality and outcomes.
We have achieved this in two ways:
The national health service will transfer some funding from the health capital budget to health revenue, to be spent on measures that support social care, which also benefits health. This funding will rise to £1 billion in 2014-15, and will promote improved joint working between the health and social care systems. The new NHS Operating Framework will set out specific primary care trust (PCT) allocations that they will transfer to local authorities for spending on social care services to benefit health, and to improve overall health gain. PCTs and local authorities will need to work together to agree jointly appropriate areas for social care investment, with a shared analysis of need and a common agreement on the outcomes to be met. Next year, this funding will be worth £15.4 million to Birmingham city council.
Additional grant funding, rising to £1 billion by 2014-15, will be made available for social care. This funding will be allocated in addition to the Department's existing social care grants, which will rise in line with inflation. Total grant funding from the Department for social care will reach £2.4 billion by 2014-15. In order to support local flexibility and to reduce administrative burdens, this funding will go to authorities through the Revenue Support Grant.
Decisions on funding for adult social care are a matter for Birmingham city council, and will depend on local needs and priorities.
Tuberculosis: Health Services
Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis among the non-UK born population. [30645]
Anne Milton: The Department plans to take a new approach to public health, with more effective national and local systems for tackling key public health challenges, such as tuberculosis (TB).
In addition, the Department will continue to support TB Alert in 2011-12 in raising awareness among people at risk of TB, including those born outside the United Kingdom, to increase referrals for TB testing and ensure prompt and effective treatment is provided.
Vaccination: Influenza
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the original purchase cost was of the antivirals and vaccines which were unused during the 2009-10 flu pandemic; and what the cost to the public purse was of disposing of such drugs. [31274]
Anne Milton: The original purchase price of the antivirals and H1N1 vaccine is commercially confidential. The vast majority of the antiviral drugs are still within their shelf lives. Some of the H1N1 vaccine will have reached its shelf life by the end of this year with the remainder expiring in 2011-12. To date we have not disposed of any material quantities of antivirals or H1N1 vaccines.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Addison Lee
Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether (a) his Department and (b) the public bodies for which it is responsible contract services from Addison Lee private hire taxi company. [30703]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has a contract with Addison Lee, part of the Department for Work and Pensions National Framework for Taxi Services.
FCO Services, the Executive Agency of the FCO do not have a separate contract with Addison Lee but will sometimes use Addison Lee under the FCO agreement.
The British Council, Wilton Park, the Great Britain-China Centre (GBCC) and the BBC World Service do not have a contract with Addison Lee.
Colombia: Politics and Government
Jim McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Colombian government on the disappearance of Pastor William Reyes; and if he will make further representations on that case. [30955]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Our most recent intervention was on 17 November 2010. Our ambassador to Colombia made representations to the Director of the Colombian Presidential Programme for Human Rights and the Colombian Prosecutors' Office, requesting an update on the progress of the investigation into the disappearance of Pastor William Reyes. We will continue to monitor the investigation and seek updates from Colombian authorities.
We regularly raise our human rights concerns with the Colombian authorities both in Colombia and here in the UK.
Human Rights
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on human rights violations overseas; and if he will make a statement. [30317]
Mr Jeremy Browne: My right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Ministers and officials receive representations on human rights violations overseas on a regular basis. Where possible the Foreign Secretary, Ministers and officials meet with those making the representations. For example, the Foreign Secretary met with Amnesty International in October. Most recently he met with his new Human Rights Advisory Group where they discussed a wide range of human rights issues relating to conflict, counter-terrorism, and religious freedom, as well as specific countries of concern and broader strategic trends. As Minister with responsibility for human rights policy, I met with Open Doors earlier this month to receive a petition against the UN Defamation of Religions Resolution.
The FCO's overseas missions receive information on human rights, including allegations of abuse, from a wide variety of sources. These include local non-governmental organisations, human rights defenders and local media. Our missions use this information in their assessment of the local human rights situation, and raise allegations of human rights abuses with host governments on a case-by-case basis. We do not centrally hold information on all representations received on human rights violations. To provide this information an FCO-wide search would be required which would incur disproportionate cost.
Human rights reporting is key to our work to promote and protect human rights around the world. The FCO will publish a command paper in spring 2011 which will detail our human rights work around the world and our assessment of the human rights situation in a number of countries.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received on the number of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel (a) in 2010, (b) since 2005 and (c) since 2000; and if he will make a statement. [29426]
Alistair Burt: According to the Israel Defence Force (IDF) as of 7 October, 165 rockets and mortars were fired at Israel in 2010. The IDF do not publish records prior to 2002. Since then a total of 11,293 rockets have been fired at Israel, of which 7,778 have been since 2005. The IDF note that at current levels 2010 is set to be the year with the lowest number of rocket attacks since 2002. This is small comfort to those at the receiving end and we continue to condemn all rocket attacks. Such acts of terrorism are indiscriminate and frequently target civilian populations. We call on all sides to halt acts of violence and focus efforts on a negotiated solution.
Middle East: Overseas Aid
Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on implementation of support for projects in Israel and the Occupied Territories which have already received approval in principle for funding from the Conflict Pool. [30199]
Alistair Burt: A total of £4.1 million was earmarked from the 2010-11 Middle East and North Africa Conflict Pool for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The majority of the allocation is used to support the British Support Team (BST) working principally on security sector reform within the Palestinian Authority under the umbrella of the of the United States Security Coordinator, and the UK contribution to the EU Police Co-ordinating office for Palestinian Police Support (EUPOL COPPS) programme. The remainder was available to support short term projects led by Israeli and Palestinian non-governmental organisations. By September 2010 the Conflict Pool had agreed funding for 12 non-governmental organisations which amounted to 85% of the available funding. Unallocated funds for the remainder of the year are currently being reviewed. No new spending will be allocated until after the full implications of the review are known. This is unlikely to be before the end of this financial year.
Mongolia: Paralympic Games 2012
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the British Ambassador to Mongolia has had with representatives of the Mongolian Paralympic team on the adequacy of the wheelchairs available to members of the team in meeting the qualifying standard for the London 2012 Paralympics; and if he will make a statement. [30510]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Our ambassador in Mongolia has had no discussions with representatives of the Mongolian Paralympic team.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Mongolia, Miyegombo Enkhbold, visited the UK on 19 October and met the Minister for Sport and the Olympics (Hugh Robertson), where they discussed the London 2012 Olympics.
Sri Lanka
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed with the Sri Lankan President the establishment an independent review of events during the civil war in Sri Lanka. [30456]
Alistair Burt: We regularly raise with the Government of Sri Lanka the need for a credible and independent process to look into possible violations of international humanitarian law by both sides during the conflict. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not meet the Sri Lankan President during his recent visit to the UK, but was able to stress the need for such a process when he met the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister on 20 October. Our high commissioner in Colombo regularly raises this issue with senior members of the Sri Lankan Government, most recently with the Foreign Minister on 8 December.
St Vincent and the Grenadines: Elections
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from representatives of political parties in St Vincent and the Grenadines on the conduct of their forthcoming general election. [30726]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Our high commissioner to the Eastern Caribbean and the resident commissioner in St Lucia (with lead responsibility for St Vincent and the Grenadines) have been in regular contact with leaders of both main political parties in St Vincent and the Grenadines over recent months. Our high commissioner to the Eastern Caribbean and the Head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Caribbean Team met the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition in St Vincent and the Grenadines on 24 November, and also called on the Supervisor of Elections and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry responsible for election arrangements. They were briefed on preparations and procedures in place for the elections and they emphasised the importance of free and fair elections.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that the forthcoming election in St Vincent and the Grenadines is monitored by independent election scrutineers. [30829]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The general election in St Vincent and the Grenadines will be independently monitored by election observation teams from the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). Representatives from our high commission, the US embassy, the Canadian high commission and the European Commission will also be in St Vincent and the Grenadines to monitor the electoral process. Domestic monitors will also be covering the election.
Our high commissioner to the Eastern Caribbean and the Head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Caribbean Team called on the Supervisor of Elections and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry responsible for election arrangements on 24 November. They were briefed on preparations and procedures in place for the elections and they took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of free and fair elections, including independent monitoring.
Western Sahara: Politics and Government
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information the Government in its capacity as a permanent member of the UN Licensing Council has been given on the number of people (a) killed and (b) injured during the recent Polisario demonstrations in Laayoune. [30490]
Alistair Burt: The UN Mission for the referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) has said that between nine and eleven Moroccan security personnel were killed in the operation to dismantle the protest camps and that two civilians were also killed in related disturbances in Laayoune. They have also reported that there were a number of injuries on both sides.
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government in its capacity as a permanent member of the UN Security Council has had with the Government of Algeria on its sponsorship of the Polisario Front. [30491]
Alistair Burt: We have not had any specific discussions with the Algerian Government regarding sponsorship of the Polisario Front. However, during my visit to Algeria in November I discussed with Mr Abdelkader Messahel, the Algerian Minister for Maghrebian and African Affairs, the situation in Western Sahara and how both our countries could support progress. I also re-emphasised our support for Christopher Ross and our call on both parties to enter into negotiations in good faith and without preconditions.
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken in its capacity as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to assist the UN Mission for the referendum in Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement. [30492]
Alistair Burt: The UK continues to support the UN Mission for the referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). The UK contributes to the funding of MINURSO through our assessed costs to all UN peacekeeping missions. In 2010-11 the UK contributed £2.8 million to the UN budget for MINURSO. While President of the UN Security Council in November, we provided a platform for the Head of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations to relay its assessment of the recent events in Western Sahara to the UN Security Council.
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information the Government has received in its capacity as a permanent member of the UN Security Council on the (a) activities, (b) identities and (c) nationalities of the political activists involved in inciting unrest during recent peaceful demonstrations in Laayoune. [R] [30493]
Alistair Burt:
The UN Security Council met on 16 November 2010 to discuss events surrounding the recent demonstrations in Laayounne. The Department
of Peace Keeping Operations briefed the Council but were unable to provide any information on the activities, identities or nationalities of the demonstrators.
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made through the UN Security Council on the treatment of women and children taken hostage during recent peaceful demonstrations in Laayoune. [R] [30494]
Alistair Burt: Reports of women and children being taken hostage in Laayounne have not been independently corroborated. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has therefore not made any representations through the UN Security Council on this issue.
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received on the (a) destinations and (b) activities of young people permitted to leave the Tindouf refugee camps for educational purposes. [R] [30495]
Alistair Burt: We have been told by inhabitants of the camps that there are established educational programmes with various countries including Spain and Cuba.
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on links between the Polisario Front, al-Qaeda in the Maghreb and the Tindouf refugee camps. [R] [30496]
Alistair Burt: We have not received any reports suggesting a link between the Polisario Front or the Tindouf refugee camps and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence was presented to the UN Security Council during the UK Presidency of the Council on the status of Omar Sid-Ahmed Ould Hamma, alias Omar the Sahrawi as a (a) member of al-Qaeda in the Maghreb and (b) security official in the Polisario Front. [30497]
Alistair Burt: No information on Omar Sid-Ahmed Ould Hamma was provided to the UN Security Council during the UK's Presidency.
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence has been presented to the UN Security Council on each date during the UK Presidency on a link between the Polisario Front and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. [30498]
Alistair Burt: No evidence was presented to the UN Security Council during the UK Presidency on a link between the Polisario Front and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Dr Murrison:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence has been presented to the UN Security Council during the UK Presidency of the Council on the indoctrination of young people in the Tindouf refugee camps in Algeria. [30499]
Alistair Burt: No evidence was presented to the UN Security Council during the UK Presidency of the Council on the indoctrination of young people in the Tindouf refugee camps in Algiers.
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings his Department has had with his counterparts in (a) Morocco, (b) Spain, (c) France, (d) Algeria, (e) Mali and (f) Mauritania to discuss the activities of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb on each date since 2008; and who the attendees were of each such meeting. [30500]
Alistair Burt: Previous visits by Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers since 2008 include:
November 2008
The hon. former Member for Harlow , (Bill Rammell).
November 2009
The hon. Member for Bury South, (Mr Lewis).
June 2009
The hon. former Member for Harlow, (Bill Rammell)
December 2009
The hon. Member for Bury South, (Mr Lewis).
As Minister with responsibility for our relations with Morocco and Algeria, I have made visits to both countries in November 2010.
As Ministers and senior officials continue to have regular meetings with their counterparts on this sensitive issue, naming these counterparts would not be appropriate in this circumstance.
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of links between Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and UK (a) nationals and (b) residents; and if he will make a statement. [30501]
Alistair Burt: Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb represents a significant terrorist threat in North Africa and the Sahel. We are aware of very few links between UK based individuals and al-Qaeda in the Maghreb.
Dr Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the extent of the practice of people trafficking in the ungoverned spaces of the Maghreb. [30502]
Damian Green: I have been asked to reply.
The Government have not made a recent assessment of the extent of people trafficking in the area in question. We keep our priority countries under continuous review in order to inform the UK's upstream efforts to tackle trafficking.
Dr Murrison:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence has been presented to the UN Security Council during the UK presidency of the council on the demand by
Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb for the release by Mauritania of Malian national Omar Sid-Ahmed Ould Hamma, alias Omar the Sahrawi in exchange for the release of Spanish aid workers. [30503]
Alistair Burt: No information on Omar Sid-Ahmed Ould Hamma was provided to the UN Security Council during the UK's presidency.
Home Department
Antisocial Behaviour Orders: Young People
Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been issued to people aged (a) under 18 years and (b) 18 years or over in (i) England and (ii) the Berkshire criminal justice area. [30184]
James Brokenshire: Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) became available on 1 April 1999. Data collected centrally by the Ministry of Justice on the number of ASBOs issued is collated at Criminal Justice System (CJS) area level. Berkshire is within the Thames Valley CJS area.
Between 1 April 1999 and 31 December 2008 (latest currently available) all courts in (i) England issued a total of (a) 6,402 ASBOs to persons under 18 years of age and (b) 9,384 ASBOs to persons aged 18 or over. 305 ASBOs were issued to persons whose age was not reported to the Ministry of Justice.
During the same period all courts in (ii) the Thames Valley CJS area issued a total of (a) 81 ASBOs to persons under 18 years of age and (b) 215 ASBOs to persons aged 18 or over. 10 ASBOs were issued to persons whose age was not reported to the Ministry of Justice.
ASBO data covering the period up to the end of 2009 are due to be published on 25 January 2011.
Asylum
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been granted discretionary leave to remain in each year since 2005. [30150]
Damian Green [holding answer 13 December 2010]: The information requested is given in the following tables. Table A shows statistics for grants of discretionary leave in asylum applications while Table B shows grants in non-asylum applications for the years 2005 to 2009.
| Table B: Grants of discretionary leave( 1,2,3) in non-asylum applications received in the United Kingdom, excluding EEA and Swiss nationals, 2005 to 2009 | |||||
| Number of decisions | |||||
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | ( 4) 2009 | |
| (1) Figures rounded to the nearest five. (2) Information is of latest decision, including the outcome of appeals and other subsequent decisions. (3) Derived from data presented in table 4.1 of 'Control of Immigration Statistics United Kingdom, 2009'. Grants of discretionary leave to remain in the UK are based on a management information definition and are not directly comparable with the categories published in table 4.1. (4) Provisional figures. Source: Home Office, Migration Statistics | |||||
Statistics for grants of discretionary leave in applications for asylum in the United Kingdom are published in table 2.1 of 'Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary United Kingdom July-September 2010' which is available from the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at:
A copy has been placed in the House Library.
Statistics for grants of discretionary leave in applications other than those for asylum are published within sub categories of data presented in table 4.1 of 'Control of Immigration Statistics United Kingdom, 2009'. This publication is available from the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website and is in the House Library.
Deportation
Andrew Percy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals before Immigration and Asylum tribunals were adjourned because her Department failed to comply with removal directions in each of the last five years. [30246]
Damian Green [holding answer 13 December 2010]: There have been no recorded instances of adjournment at Immigration and Asylum Tribunal as a result of the Secretary of State's failure to comply with removal directions. The Secretary of State will only set removal directions (which give 72 hours notice of a planned removal) once an individual's in country appeal rights have been exhausted and works to ensure those directions are complied with and the individual is removed in accordance with those directions.
Litigation brought by an individual may result in removal directions being withdrawn by the Secretary of State to enable that litigation to be resolved. Such applications would not be made to the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, but the High Court.
Domestic Violence: Immigrants
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has assessed the merits of allowing women who are in the UK on spouse visas to have access to refuge accommodation; and if she will make a statement. [30596]
Damian Green [holding answer 14 December 2010]: A Home Office pilot project for victims of domestic violence with no recourse to public funds commenced in November 2009 and on 16 July 2010 the Home Secretary announced an extension to the project until the end of March 2011.
In the strategic narrative 'Call to End Violence against Women and Girls' on 25 November, the Home Secretary confirmed her intention to ensure that women in the UK on spouse visas who are victims of domestic violence should receive support while their case for indefinite leave is considered and that the Home Office will continue to fund support while an effective and sustainable permanent solution is established.
Work on a longer term solution is under way and information from the pilot so far will help inform these discussions.
Drugs
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cross-departmental ministerial meetings there have been on issues related to tackling drugs since her appointment. [29473]
James Brokenshire: Drugs have been discussed at a number of ministerial bilaterals and inter-ministerial meetings, including at the inter-ministerial group on drugs which was responsible for driving the development of the Government's new Drug Strategy.
Foreign Students: Monitoring
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements her Department makes to monitor the flow of foreign students (a) into and (b) out of the UK. [27824]
Damian Green: All applicants coming to the UK to study under Tier 4 must be in possession of a visa before travelling. As part of the visa issuing process, applicants have their biometrics taken and their details are checked against watch lists.
On arrival in the UK students, like all other passengers, are subject to further immigration checks to ensure they satisfy the requirements of the Immigration Act 1971 and Immigration Rules.
The e-Borders system enables checks to be made on individuals arriving or exiting the country at a majority of the points of entry to the UK. The Government are committed to ensuring that the number of UK ports undertaking exit checks is increased to ensure a complete travel history record on all passengers.
While in the UK the licensed sponsor is required to monitor the student's attendance and progress and must report any issues of non compliance to the UK
Border Agency. These reports are monitored by the UK Border Agency and action taken against both the student and sponsor, where appropriate.
The Government are currently reviewing Tier 4 of the Points Based System and a public consultation opened on 7 December. This review will also be looking at the post study work route.
Human Trafficking
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of sentence handed down to a person convicted of offences related to human trafficking was in each of the last five years. [21738]
Damian Green [holding answer 4 November 2010]: The following figures are provided by the UK Human Trafficking Centre's interrogation of the Police National Computer.
Traffic king for forced labour arrest ( but no trafficking conviction)
2006-11.5 months
2007-One year nine months
2008-Two years
2009-11.3 months
2010-Five years nine months
Trafficking for sexual exploitation arrest (but no trafficking conviction)
2006-Three years one month
2007-Two years two months
2008-Two years two months
2009-One year eight months
2010-Three years six months
The information in this answer was previously provided to you erroneously in my response to parliamentary question 21737 on 19 November 2010, Official Report, column 1001-02W. The question asked for average length of sentence for those originally charged with offences related to human trafficking but subsequently prosecuted for a lesser charge in each of the last five years. The answer to that question should have stated that it was not possible to provide an answer as the Police National Computer does not hold details of charge history. I apologise for this error and hope that this answer clarifies the responses to both questions.
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will meet representatives of Stop the Traffik to discuss her policy on human trafficking. [30557]
Damian Green: The voluntary sector plays a key role in the identification of, and provision of support to, victims of human trafficking. We are strongly supportive of this role and will continue to work in partnership with voluntary organisations to reduce the incidence of human trafficking. On 14 October I visited Stop the Traffik to mark Anti-Slavery Day.
Home Office officials will shortly be contacting non-governmental organisations to discuss development of the forthcoming strategy on human trafficking.
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will meet Save the Children to discuss child trafficking prior to her announcement of a strategy for human trafficking. [30831]
Damian Green: The voluntary sector plays a key role in the identification of, and provision of support to, victims of human trafficking. We are strongly supportive of this role and will continue to work in partnership with voluntary organisations to reduce the incidence of human trafficking.
Home Office officials will shortly be contacting non-governmental organisations to discuss development of the forthcoming strategy on human trafficking.
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will discuss with Soroptimist International her Department's policy on the publication and distribution of advertisements for sexual services prior to concluding her proposed strategy on human trafficking. [30869]
Damian Green: We are considering what can be done to prevent the advertising of sexual services in local newspapers. We have received correspondence from Soroptimist International on this issue and will take into account their representations before deciding whether further action should be taken to prevent the advertising of sexual services, including, where appropriate, through the upcoming human trafficking strategy.
Margot James: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will meet representatives of the Human Trafficking Foundation to discuss the development of policy on human trafficking. [30876]
Damian Green: The voluntary sector plays a key role in the identification of, and provision of support to, victims of human trafficking. We are strongly supportive of this role and will continue to work in partnership with voluntary organisations to reduce the incidence of human trafficking.
Home Office officials will shortly be contacting non-governmental organisations to discuss development of the forthcoming strategy on human trafficking.
Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will meet representatives of Kalayaan to discuss her policy on human trafficking and the eradication of domestic slavery. [30884]
Damian Green [holding answer 14 December 2010]: The voluntary sector plays a key role in the identification of, and provision of support to, victims of human trafficking. We are strongly supportive of this role and will continue to work in partnership with voluntary organisations to reduce the incidence of human trafficking.
Home Office officials will shortly be contacting non-governmental organisations to discuss development of the forthcoming strategy on human trafficking.
Identity Cards: Northern Ireland
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many national identity cards were issued to residents of Northern Ireland prior to the announcement of the programme's abolition. [30173]
Damian Green: Nine national identity cards were issued to people resident in Northern Ireland.
Late Night Levy
Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what mechanisms she plans to measure the effects of the late night levy on the night-time economy; whether her policy on that levy will be reviewed after a determined period; and if she will make a statement. [30830]
James Brokenshire: The effect of the late night levy will vary across the country. We believe local authorities are best placed to measure these effects. When deciding whether to introduce a levy, a local authority will consider the desirability of funding the policing and other costs of preventing or reducing crime associated with the supply of alcohol in the late-night economy. We have no plans to review the policy at present.
Police: Pensions
Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department has provided guidance to police forces and police authorities on the implementation of Regulation A19 of the Police Pensions Regulations 1987. [24006]
Damian Green [holding answer 15 November 2010]: The Home Office has not issued any guidance or procedures specifically on the use of Regulation A19 under this Government.
Serious and Organised Crime Agency: Northern Ireland
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the operational costs of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency in Northern Ireland have been in each year since its inception. [30172]
Damian Green: The Serious Organised Crime Agency's budget is not managed on a geographic basis and so it is not possible to determine what the operational costs have been in Northern Ireland since its inception.
UK Border Agency: Training
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training in safeguarding children and protection needs UK Border Agency enforcement staff receive. [30822]
Damian Green: On 2 November 2009, a new statutory duty for the UK Border Agency to safeguard children was introduced under section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. Under this duty, all UK Border Agency staff, including enforcement staff, must complete a level 1 training package to promote awareness of children's welfare and help them to identify children at risk or in need and what action to take once identified.
Those staff whose roles include frequent contact with children must complete more extensive training, at levels 2 & 3 (dependent upon their role). They develop specialist skills and techniques, including: handling children who
may be potential victims of trafficking; the national referral mechanism; internet grooming; and the UN convention on the rights of the child (best interest).
The UK Border Agency is currently reviewing their approach to managing family cases and is developing further training by working closely with child welfare organisations.
Justice
Departmental Billing
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many invoices his Department processed in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [30755]
Mr Djanogly: For the period from November 2009 to November 2010, the Ministry of Justice paid 961,475 invoices. A monthly analysis is as follows:
| Number | |
Drugs: Dartford
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people normally resident in (a) Dartford constituency and (b) the criminal justice area covering Dartford constituency were convicted for drug-related offences in each of the last five years. [30413]
Mr Blunt: The number of persons found guilty at all courts in the Kent police force area for drug offences from 2005 to 2009 (latest available) is shown in the following table.
Figures presented are for courts in the Kent police force area where defendants were proceeded against only. It is not possible to identify from data collated centrally by the Ministry of Justice the residential address of defendants. This information will be held on individual court records.
Data for 2010 are planned for publication in the spring of 2011.
EU Measure
Mr Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice on how many occasions the Government has (a) considered exercising and (b) exercised an opt-in to a new EU measure in each of the last five years; and which such measures the Government has opted into. [30418]
Mr Djanogly: I refer the right hon. Member to the written ministerial statement given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (James Brokenshire) on 14 October 2010, Official Report, columns 35-36WS, which provides these details in respect of measures for which the Home Secretary is responsible.
The Government carefully consider whether or not to opt-in to new measures on each and every occasion the question arises. Since 1 December 2005 the Government have considered whether to exercise the UK's opt-in in relation to over 90 measures in many different policy areas.
I set out in the following list the main measures in which the UK has opted in during this period of time and which are the responsibility of my Department and its predecessor constituent parts that became the Ministry of Justice in May 2007. I have also included several measures and international agreements with Justice and Home Affairs elements on which other Departments lead but which are also within the scope of this question as the opt-in also applies to such elements.
This list excludes minor amendments to instruments which have been agreed via further legislative instruments; comitology agreements (again emerging from these instruments); measures on the financial programmes in this area; or legislative instruments giving effect to international agreements, such as the conventions of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.
Pleural Plaques
George Eustice: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he to assist those people affected by pleural plaques diagnosed after 17 October 2007. [30620]
Mr Djanogly: The pleural plaques former claimants' payment scheme was set up to provide payments to those individuals who had begun, but not resolved, a legal claim for compensation for pleural plaques at the time of the 2007 House of Lords judgment that the condition was not compensatable under the civil law. This specific group of people had an understandable expectation at the time of making their legal claim that it would result in compensation, and there are no plans to extend the scheme to people diagnosed with pleural plaques after 17 October 2007. However the Government remain committed to supporting people who develop serious asbestos related conditions such as mesothelioma.
Prison Service: Psychology
Mr Ronnie Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) chartered psychologists, (b) trainee psychologists and (c) psychological assistants have been employed by the Prison Service in the last five years. [30249]
Mr Blunt:
Information on the number of chartered psychologists, trainee psychologists and psychological assistants employed by the public sector Prison Service in the last five years is shown in the following tables. Both joiners and staff in post figures are provided for
the period. These figures include associated workers, who are involved with programmes but are not psychologists.
| Number of psychologists joining the public sector Prison Service between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2010 | |
| Grade | Total |
| (1) Chartered Psychologist includes psychology manager and senior manager grades. | |
| Number of psychologists in post in the public sector Prison Service in the last five years | |||||
| As at 31 March each year | |||||
| Grade | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 |
| (1) Chartered Psychologist includes psychology manager and senior manager grades. | |||||
Property Law: Cohabitation
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent representations he has received on the simplification of property law for unmarried co-habiting couples whose relationship ends. [30619]
Mr Djanogly: I have received a small number of representations on the simplification of property law for unmarried co-habiting couples whose relationship ends. These have been from hon. Members on behalf of their constituents and from members of the public who have written directly to me or other Ministers.
International Development
Bangladesh: Agriculture
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans his Department has to encourage agricultural development in Bangladesh. [30468]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) is currently funding a number of ongoing programmes, which support agricultural development in Bangladesh. For example, we are supporting poor farmers to improve their production and generate more income in six key agricultural sectors (potatoes, maize, vegetable, jute, fish and prawns). We also support over 2 million very poor people in urban and rural areas to undertake agricultural activities (livestock rearing, homestead gardening) for their own consumption and for sale.
Decisions on the future direction of the UK's development programme in Bangladesh over the next four years are due to be taken in February/March 2011.
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has spent on agricultural development in Bangladesh in each of the last five years. [30472]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has spent the following amounts on agriculture and rural development in Bangladesh in each of the last five financial years.
| £ | |
In addition, we have spent £16,097,000 on agriculture and rural development in Bangladesh so far during the current financial year 2010-11.
Bangladesh: Climate Change
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of the effects of climate change on (a) agriculture and (b) food security in Bangladesh. [30469]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has supported a number of joint assessments with the Government of Bangladesh and other development partners.
DFID supported the development of the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP) 2009. The BCCSAP outlines the risks that Bangladesh faces due to climate change, including in agriculture and food security, and provides a framework for engagement and investment to enable the country to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Further information on the BCCSAP can be found at:
In conjunction with other development partners, the UK also helped the Government of Bangladesh develop a Country Investment Plan for agriculture, food security and nutrition. This provides a coherent set of priority investment programmes, including on adapting to climate change. The report can be accessed at:
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to ensure that poor farmers in Bangladesh are able to adapt to climate change. [30470]
Mr Duncan: The UK is the largest donor to the Bangladesh Climate Change Resilience Fund. This multi-donor fund will support the implementation of the Government of Bangladesh's Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP).
The BCCSAP includes a range of climate adaptation programmes in Bangladesh, including ensuring that poor farmers are able to adapt to climatic shock and protect their livelihoods. The BCCSAP also includes piloting the introduction of drought and saline resistant
rice varieties which will make crops more climate resilient, as well as infrastructure improvement projects such as strengthening embankments and dykes to protect the most vulnerable areas of the country.
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has spent on climate change adaptation for smallholder farmers in Bangladesh in each of the last five years; and what proportion of his Department's expenditure on (a) climate change measures overseas, (b) climate change adaptation overseas, (c) climate change measures in the developing world and (d) climate change adaptation in the developing world this represents. [30471]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has spent £11,917,185 on climate change adaptation in Bangladesh over the last five years through a number of programmes. One major programme, the Comprehensive Disaster Management programme, has helped local communities develop disaster risk reduction action plans and provided funds to implement them. It has also provided support for national early warning systems that provide information on cyclone and flood risks to the general population. These activities directly benefit smallholder farmers as well as other vulnerable people, including the extreme poor and landless.
DFID does not keep separate records of amounts spent on climate change adaptation for smallholder farmers in Bangladesh. It is therefore not possible to provide a breakdown for each of the last five years, nor to compare it to the various total expenditures on climate change overseas and in the developing world.
Bangladesh: Food
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the food security situation in Bangladesh. [30467]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development monitors the food security situation in Bangladesh closely, drawing on our own analysis as well as external sources (e.g. the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the Bangladesh Food Policy Monitoring Unit). Our current assessment is that rice production in 2010 will be around 3% higher than in 2009 and that there is no general shortage of food in the country. However, food prices continue to rise faster than general inflation and around 20% of the population continue to suffer from food insecurity. Although not heavily dependent on food imports, Bangladesh also remains vulnerable to fluctuations in global food prices, particularly for rice and wheat.
Food insecurity is particularly acute in the southern areas of Bangladesh, which were affected by cyclone Aila in 2009. Through the World Food Programme, the UK is providing additional food and nutritional supplements to 13,000 families who continue to live on embankments more than one year after the cyclone.
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department has spent on emergency food aid in Bangladesh in each of the last five years. [30473]
Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has spent the following amounts on emergency food aid in Bangladesh in each of the last five financial years.
| £ | |
In addition, we have spent £900,000 on emergency food aid in Bangladesh so far during the current financial year 2010-11.
Botswana: Agriculture
Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what plans he has to assist the agricultural development of Botswana; [30368]
(2) what plans he has to assist Botswana to meet its commitments under the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development programme. [30372]
Mr Duncan: Our plans to assist agricultural development in Botswana are primarily through the Department for International Development's (DFID's) support to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development programme (CAAPD). DFID has so far contributed £10 million to CAADP, which aims to strengthen Pan-African and regional institutions' agricultural productivity.
Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on agricultural development in Botswana in each of the last five years. [30370]
Mr O'Brien: The Department for International Development (DFID) has had no bilateral programme in Botswana since 2005. Botswana still benefits indirectly from a range of regional and continental initiatives. However, DFID recording systems do not routinely disaggregate country level expenditure under such programmes. Compiling the requested information would incur disproportionate cost.
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