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2 Feb 2011 : Column 783W

Written Answers to Questions

Wednesday 2 February 2011

House of Commons Commission

Electric Vehicles

Mr Spellar: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the House of Commons Commission will take steps to install recharging points for electric and hybrid vehicles in the House of Commons car park. [36821]

John Thurso: Two recharging points have recently been installed and are designed to recharge the latest version of the Toyota Prius (which will be used by the Government Car Service). As technology progresses the House authorities will keep this under review.

Home Department

Departmental Art Works

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on artwork since May 2010. [37578]

Damian Green: There has been no money spent by the Department on artwork at Home Office Headquarters since May 2010.

Departmental Regulation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what regulations her Department has removed since 6 May 2010. [37374]

Damian Green: The following regulations have been removed since 6 May 2010:

Driving Offences

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motorists attended safer driving courses in lieu of receiving a three-point driving licence penalty in each of the last three years. [37708]

James Brokenshire: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Data that are collected centrally relating to motoring offences are published within chapters 3 and 4 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin: "Police Power and Procedures". Copies are available from the Home Office website and the Library of the House.

Data on convictions for motoring offences are published within chapter 8 of the Ministry of Justice Bulletin: "Criminal Statistics".

Current and previous editions of both publications are available online and in the Library of the House.

Entry Clearances: Bangladesh

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many student visas were granted to citizens of Bangladesh in each of the last five years. [37585]

Damian Green: The number of student visas issued to nationals of Bangladesh in each year since 2005 is shown in the following table. Those issued after 31 March 2009 were issued under tier 4 of the points based system.

Student visas issued to Nationals of Bangladesh

 Visas issued

2005

2961

2006

3375

2007

3444

2008

3314

2009

17303

2010(1)

6732

(1)January to September 2010 only.

These data are unpublished and are based on management information. They are provisional and subject to change.

The steep rise in visas issued in 2009 is evidence of serious abuse of the student entry route following the introduction of tier 4. The Government are determined to stop this abuse and is therefore currently conducting a major review of student visas.

Entry Clearances: Republic of Ireland

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what point of entry facilities are available for those entering the UK from abroad via the
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Republic of Ireland who activate the residency permit in their passport granting temporary or permanent right of abode in the UK. [37746]

Damian Green: The Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and the UK form what is referred to as the common travel area (CTA). Under Section 1(3) of the Immigration Act 1971 arrival in and departure from the UK on a local journey from or to the CTA will not be subject to immigration control. There are therefore no routine UK immigration control facilities for persons arriving from the Republic of Ireland (or the rest of the CTA).

Under the Immigration (Leave to Enter and Remain) Order 2000 the visa or entry clearance of a person arriving in the UK and presenting it for the first time has effect as leave to enter the UK, regardless of whether they are examined on arrival. Such a person arriving from the Republic of Ireland would benefit in the same way and would not need to do anything further to activate their leave.

A person with leave to enter or remain in the UK for a period greater than six months granted previously would benefit in a similar way, regardless of whether they are examined on arrival. They would not need to do anything further when entering from the Republic of Ireland.

A person with the right of abode is treated the same way as someone holding a British citizen passport. The UK Border Agency does not endorse the passports of British citizens or of dual nationals with the right of abode so such a person would also not need to do anything when entering from the Republic of Ireland.

Entry Clearances: Shipping

Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many seafarers holding documents issued by nations who have ratified International Labour Organization Convention 185 were required to apply for entry clearance to the UK from ships at port in each of the last three years. [37609]

Damian Green: Most seafarers do not require entry clearance to enter the UK. Under Section 8(1) of the Immigration Act 1971 a person arriving as a member of the crew of a ship under engagement to leave the UK as a member of its crew may, subject to certain exceptions, enter without leave and remain until the departure of the ship. This applies regardless of whether the crew member holds a seafarer's identity issued under International Labour Organization Convention 185 (ILO 185) or not.

We do not record, of those who are required to obtain leave on arrival or entry clearance from abroad, how many hold ILO 185 documents.

Forensic Science

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the (a) financial viability and (b) compliance with Companies Act requirements of private sector suppliers of forensic science services. [37111]


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James Brokenshire: The financial viability of forensic suppliers was assessed as part of the procurement for the National Forensic Framework Agreement and continues to be monitored as part of the contract management process of the National Forensic Framework. In the context of a wind down of the Forensic Science Service (FSS), the appropriate due diligence will take place for any transfers of contracts and capacity from the Forensic Science Service.

Assessments of the financial position of companies in the forensics market are commercial in confidence.

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to establish contingency arrangements should private sector companies be unable to supply forensic science support required by police forces. [37112]

James Brokenshire: As we announced in a written ministerial statement on 14 December 2010, Official Report, columns 94-96WS, the continued provision of forensic supply is a key priority.

Human Trafficking

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will meet representatives of Migrant Helpline to discuss the Government's proposed new policy on combating human trafficking in order to develop a comprehensive approach. [37735]

Damian Green: Internal work has been progressing on the human trafficking strategy and we are now in the process of discussing it with non-governmental organisations, including Migrant Helpline.

The voluntary sector plays a key role in the 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.

Licensed Premises: Alcoholic Drinks

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on the conduct of test purchases of alcohol in drinking establishments by police forces. [37764]

James Brokenshire: The Government take very seriously the issue of selling alcohol to minors. In the coalition agreement the Government set out their intention to raise the maximum fine for selling alcohol to children to £20,000. This measure is currently being taken forward in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill which is currently before the House.

Each police force takes the decision of how to best enforce the law on the selling of alcohol to minors. This often involves test purchase operations involving the police and/or trading standards officers. However, policy decisions in relation to the conduct of these operations are taken at a local level.

The Home Office published a document in November 2010, containing information about the range of tools and powers available to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder. Annex 5 of this document relates to test purchasing, and offers advice to people planning or
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conducting test purchase operations. However, this document seeks to offer information and guidance only, the operational decisions are taken at a local level.

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drinking establishments that failed test purchases of alcohol in (a) Lincoln constituency, (b) Lincolnshire and (c) England and Wales were temporarily closed by the police in each of the last five years. [37763]

James Brokenshire: This information is not collected centrally. Information on licensed premises, including the number of premises who have their licences suspended or revoked is available from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website at the following link. However, the information on the website does not state the reasons why premises had their licenses suspended or revoked.

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of test purchasing of alcohol in drinking establishments by police forces. [37765]

James Brokenshire: The Government take very seriously the issue of selling alcohol to minors. In the coalition agreement the Government set out their intention to raise the maximum fine for selling alcohol to children to £20,000. This measure is currently being taken forward in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill which is currently before the House.

We have made no recent assessment of the effectiveness of test purchasing operations. Each police force is responsible for enforcing the law on underage sales, and each police force area will take a view on the effectiveness of test purchase operations when deciding how the law on underage sales will be enforced.

Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will estimate the cost to the public purse of conducting test purchasing of alcohol in drinking establishments in (a) Lincoln constituency, (b) Lincolnshire and (c) England and Wales in each of the last five years. [37766]

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has not estimated the cost to the public purse of conducting test purchase operations. Each police force area takes the decision as to how to enforce the law on the sale of alcohol to minors.

The costs of the test purchase operations will be considered by each police force area when this decision is made.

Members: Correspondence

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to Answer the letter sent to her by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 20 December 2010, with regard to Elain Thornton. [37230]


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Damian Green: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 27 January 2011.

Police: Noise

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints police forces received in respect of late-night noise in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003, (d) 2004, (e) 2005 and (f) 2006. [36201]

James Brokenshire: The Home Office does not hold this information.

Tattooing: Children

Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 19 January 2011, Official Report, column 822W, on prosecutions: tattooing, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of enforcement of legislation prohibiting the tattooing of children under the age of 16; and if she will make a statement. [37666]

James Brokenshire: No specific assessment has been carried out of the effectiveness of enforcement of this particular legislation, either by the police or the Crown Prosecution Service.

Individual offences under the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969 are classed as summary offences. Data for such offences under the Act cannot be separately identified on the Ministry of Justice Court proceedings database as they form part of a miscellaneous group which cannot be separately analysed.

It is not therefore possible to gauge the effectiveness of the enforcement of this legislation through the use of available statistical data.

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Bees

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding she has allocated to the National Bee Unit to address recent trends in the bee population. [36073]

Mr Paice: In response to the challenges facing bees, in 2009 DEFRA allocated £2.3 million to the Food and Environment Research Agency's National Bee Unit (NBU) to implement the first two years of the 10-year Healthy Bees Plan in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government and others. This work is aimed at protecting and improving the health of honey bees. DEFRA also allocates funding to the NBU to control statutory diseases and pests of honey bees, to monitor colony losses and to provide advice to enable beekeepers to become more self-reliant in combating disease through improved bee husbandry; this year's allocation was £1.3 million. Over the last two years, there has been a significant reduction in the number of colonies that have been lost compared to previous years and last year's losses were the lowest since 2001.

In addition, DEFRA has allocated £2.5 million over five years towards the £10 million Insect Pollinator Initiative which is also being funded by the Scottish Executive, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences
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Research Council, the Natural Environment Research Council and the Wellcome Trust. The initiative's purpose is to promote innovative research aimed at understanding and mitigating the biological and environmental factors that adversely affect insect pollinators, including bumble and honey bees.

Bees: Urban Areas

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will assess the merits of issuing guidance to local councils to encourage greater numbers of beekeepers in cities. [36071]

Mr Paice: We have no plans to issue specific guidance to local councils. However, the Food and Environment Research Agency's National Bee Unit (NBU) and its bee inspectors provide free advice and guidance to beekeepers including to those in cities. Further information is available on the NBU's BeeBase website. DEFRA and the NBU recently supported the London Bee summit, which was a City of London initiative to encourage beekeeping in the city, and would be pleased to support similar schemes elsewhere.

Departmental Regulations

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regulations her Department has removed since 6 May 2010. [37377]

Mr Paice: The 45 regulations listed as follows were revoked in the period May 2010 to end of December 2010:


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Farmers

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate she has made of the number of farm workers in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [37257]

Mr Paice: The latest estimates of the number of farm workers in England as at June for each of the last three years are:

 Number of farm workers( 1)

2008

134,000 (14,000)

2009

127,000 (10,000)

2010

123,000 (11,000)

Note:
These figures include farm managers, the numbers of which are indicated in brackets.
Source:
June Survey of Agriculture and Horticulture

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Forestry Commission

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which Forestry Commission sites in England are to be disposed of in each of the next four financial years. [37761]

Mr Paice: The Government have launched a consultation on a range of new ownership and management models for the public forest estate. This includes proposals such as the transfer of heritage forests to charitable organisations, and the option for communities to buy or lease forests which are important to them. This consultation will inform the future of the public forest estate.

The selection criteria for woodland in the Forestry Commission's 2011-12 asset sales programme have recently been agreed and published on the Forestry Commission's website. The Forestry Commission anticipates publishing details of the woodlands that will be selected for sale in 2011-12 by the end of February.

Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the creation of legal obligations on the maintenance of footpaths, tracks or public access to car parks on land leased or managed by the Forestry Commission which may be subject to sale during the comprehensive spending review period. [35478]

Mr Paice: The Government's policy is to protect the public benefits that are currently provided by the public forest estate. Our consultation on the future ownership and management of the public forest estate sets out and invites views on our proposals for protecting. The case for creating legal obligations on the safeguarding of existing footpaths, tracks or public access to car parks will be considered as part of that consultation. For sales that are completed before the consultation is concluded, the protection of public benefits will be a key factor in both the criteria for site selection and there will be an opportunity for the voluntary sector or public bodies to identify areas of land in which they have a particular interest in order to safeguard or enhance public benefits.

UK Forestry Standard

Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the revised edition of the UK Forestry Standard and its associated environmental guidelines to be published. [37762]

Mr Paice: I expect the revised edition of the UK Forestry Standard to be published later this year. As the forestry standard is of UK-wide application and forestry policy is devolved, publication will be through agreement with the relevant forestry Ministers.

Justice

Appeals: Employment and Support Allowance

Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of employment and support allowance appeals lodged in each quarter of the last two
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years were determined (a) within six weeks, (b) between six and 12 weeks, (c) between 12 and 18 weeks, (d) between 18 and 26 weeks and (e) more than 26 weeks after submission. [37667]

Mr Djanogly: The following table shows the time taken from the date of a disputed Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) decision for employment support allowance being lodged with DWP to the date of clearance by the Tribunals Service.

Time in weeks from date of ESA appeal lodgement to clearance by Tribunals Service
Weeks
Number of appeals

 Less than 6 6 to 12 12 to 18 18 to 26 Greater than 26

2008-09

Quarter 3(1)

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Quarter 4

71

45

6

0

1

Total

71

45

6

0

1

2009-10

Quarter 1

270

1,100

780

120

3

Quarter 2

370

3,300

4,200

3,000

270

Quarter 3

500

3,800

6,500

9,900

2,600

Quarter 4

360

2,700

6,300

12,600

11,600

Total

1,500

10,900

17,780

25,600

14,500

2010-11

Quarter 1

310

3,500

5,300

9,300

17,000

Quarter 2

470

4,700

6,300

9,100

22,000

Total

780

8,200

11,600

18,400

39,000

(1) There are no data for quarter 3 of 2008-09 as ESA as a benefit came into existence in October 2008 and the appeals did not start to be received nationally until the last quarter of 2008-09.

The Tribunals Service's target is to issue a final decision for 75% of Social Security and Child Support appeals within 16 weeks of receipt from the DWP. Employment support allowance appeals take 9.2 weeks from the date of the original DWP decision to arrive at the Tribunals Service.

The Tribunal has received an unexpectedly high level of appeals, against employment support allowance decisions. In response, the Tribunals Service has significantly increased its capacity and, nationally, 47% more Social Security and Child Support appeals were cleared in September 2010 compared to September 2009.

Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of the Employment and Support Allowance Appeals Tribunal Service in each of last two years. [37669]

Mr Djanogly: Employment and support allowance (ESA) was introduced to replace incapacity benefit and income support from 27 October 2008. The Department for Work and Pensions forwards ESA appeals to the First-tier Tribunal-Social Security and Child Support. The Tribunal then aims to issue the final decision for 75% of appeals within 16 weeks. The time taken between appeals being lodged with DWP and being decided by the Tribunal means that 125 ESA appeals were decided during 2008-09. This increased to 70,500 during 2009-10.


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The cost of ESA appeals calculated by multiplying the average cost of an individual First-tier Tribunal-Social Security and Child Support case by the number of appeals decided during each year was £35,000 in 2008-09 and £19.8 million in 2009-10.

Duncan Hames: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of applications for employment and support allowance made by residents of Chippenham constituency were rejected on the basis of the work capability assessment in each of the last two years; and in respect of what proportion of such applications that decision was (a) reversed and (b) upheld on appeal. [37671]

Mr Djanogly: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not hold the data on work capability assessments for the Chippenham constituency. employment and support allowance (ESA) claims made within the hon. Member's constituency are dealt with by the Wiltshire unitary authority (UA). 32% of all new claims made within the Wiltshire UA from October 2008 to May 2010 were found fit to work by the end of October 2010.

The following table shows the decisions made by the first-tier tribunal-social security and child support on work capability assessment related ESA appeals registered at the Chippenham tribunal venue.

Outcomes-Chippenham tribunal venue

 Total cleared at hearing Decision in favour of appellant Percentage decision in favour of appellant DWP decision upheld Percentage DWP decision upheld

2008-09

Q3

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Q4

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Total

2009-10

Q1

3

0

0.00

3

100.00

Q2

10

4

40.00

6

60.00

Q3

27

14

51.85

13

48.15

Q4

44

21

47.73

23

52.27

Total

84

39

46.43

45

53.57

2010-11

Q1

110

57

51.82

53

48.18

Q2

55

19

34.55

36

65.45

Total

165

76

46.06

89

53.94

Note:
Data taken from Crystals Report 28 January 2011

Civil Law

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what research his Department has conducted on the ability of individuals without legal or advice work expertise to conduct their own civil law cases; and if he will make a statement. [37633]

Mr Djanogly: The Department published research by Richard Moorhead and Mark Sefton of Cardiff university on this issue in 2005. This is available at:


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The Department is also currently conducting a review of the existing research on litigants in person in connection with its proposals for the reform of legal aid. Findings will feed into the legal aid consultation response.

Courts: Travellers

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will take steps to reduce the time taken for consideration by the courts of applications relating to repeated incursions on the same piece of private land by Travellers, as has happened recently in Royds Lane, Leeds. [37109]

Mr Djanogly: We are not aware of any lengthy delays in cases relating to repeated incursions on private land by Travellers. The existing civil court process allows for a warrant of restitution to evict Travellers following wrongful re-entry on to the land to be made swiftly without the need for further notice to be served on Travellers. There are currently no plans to review the time taken to process applications of this nature.

Departmental Libraries

Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) certified and (b) chartered librarians his Department and its predecessors have employed in each year since 2000. [37652]

Mr Djanogly: The number of certified and chartered librarians employed by the Ministry of Justice and its predecessors is as follows:

 Chartered Certified Total

2011

12

0

12

2010

13

0

13

2009

14

0

14

2008

15

0

15

2007

14

0

14

2006

13

0

13

2005

11

0

11

2004

11

n/a

11

2003

10

n/a

10

2002

9

n/a

9

2001

8

n/a

8

2000

9

n/a

9


The details for certification are only available since 2005 when this qualification was introduced by the Chartered Institute for Library and Information Professionals.

Insurance

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many individuals were (a) prosecuted for and (b) convicted of offences involving uninsured drivers of motor vehicles in the latest period for which figures are available. [37089]

Mr Blunt: The following table shows the number of persons proceeded against at the magistrates court, and found guilty at all courts for driving without insurance in England and Wales, for 2009 (latest available).


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Data for 2010 are planned for publication in the spring of 2011.

Number of persons proceeded against at the magistrates court and found guilty at all courts for driving without insurance, England and Wales, 2009( 1,2)

 Statute Offence description Proceeded against Found guilty

809/01

Road Traffic Act 1988 S.143(2)

Using motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks

156,055

131,309

(1) The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences it is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.
Source:
Justice Statistics Analytical Services-Ministry of Justice

Prisoners: Armed Forces

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) what percentage of (a) the prison population and (b) prisoners who have previously served in the armed forces have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder; [37336]

(2) what percentage of (a) prisoners and (b) the general population have served in the armed forces. [37337]

Mr Blunt: The diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems suffered by prisoners is carried out by medical professionals under the NHS prison mental health in-reach programme. Figures are not held centrally on prisoners who have been so diagnosed and who are receiving treatment in prison.

However, in the most recent survey of prisoner backgrounds published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in November 2010, 17% reported having been treated or counselled for a mental health or emotional problem in the year before custody. The results of this survey may be found in the House of Commons Libraries and at the following web link:

In September 2010, the MoJ and Ministry of Defence published the results of a joint study to estimate how many prisoners in England and Wales had been in the Regular Armed Forces. This showed that 3.5% of prisoners had previously served in the Regular Armed Forces. This report may be found in the House of Commons Libraries and at the following web link:

In the winter of 2009, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published the results of a study to estimate the number of Armed Forces veterans in the general population of England. This showed that 9.1% of the population were veterans.


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ONS Population Trends 138 may be found in the House of Commons Libraries and at the following web link:

Prisoners: Rehabilitation

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what criteria must be met for a prisoner to be allowed to be employed in the community as part of their rehabilitation strategy. [37384]

Mr Blunt: A prisoner will be employed in the community only under release on temporary licence (ROTL). Prisoners must be assessed as both eligible and suitable before ROTL is permitted. The criteria for each test are detailed in Prison Service Order 6300, which may be accessed via:

ROTL will not be granted unless the purpose of the leave is one that contributes directly to the prisoner's resettlement into the community or, exceptionally, it is required to enable them to deal responsibly with unexpected family and personal events. Leave for employment purposes falls under the resettlement heading and is reserved for the latter stages of the prisoner's time in custody. All prisoners released on ROTL must first pass a rigorous risk assessment taking into account the risks of harm, reoffending and absconding, and the impact of the particular release upon both the victim and public confidence in the administration of justice.

Prisons: Christmas

Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much expenditure was incurred by his Department under each budget heading in connection with marking Christmas in prisons in each year since 1997. [37620]

Mr Blunt: The National Offender Management Service Agency's accounting system does not have an account code for expenditure on marking Christmas in prisons, therefore no expenditure information is available centrally and it would be necessary to ask each prison to provide information from its local records and this would incur disproportionate cost.

Supreme Court

Mr Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) who the members were of the Selection Commission for the Justices of the Supreme Court on each occasion when the Commission has been convened; [37498]

(2) what guidance he has issued under section 27(9) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005; and if he will publish the guidance he has given as to matters to be taken into account; [37499]

(3) if he will place in the Library copies of the (a) advertisement, (b) information pack for applicants and (c) selection criteria in respect of each occasion on which a position on the Supreme Court was advertised. [37525]


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Mr Kenneth Clarke: Since the Supreme Court came into being there have been two selection commissions convened under the Act. Prior to 1 October 2009, it was agreed by the Lord Chancellor that the selection commission procedure be used on a non-statutory basis.

In 2008-09, the commission convened to select replacements for Lord Hoffman, Lord Carswell and Lord Scott all of whom retired as Lords of Appeal in Ordinary. The commission comprised: Lord Phillips and Lord Hoffman as Senior Law Lord and Second Senior Law Lord respectively; Baroness Prashar representing the Judicial Appointments Commission of England and Wales, Mr Justice Weatherup representing the Judicial Appointments Commission in Northern Ireland and Ms Elspeth MacArthur representing the Judicial Appointments Board in Scotland. Lord Justice Collins, Sir Brian Kerr and Lord Justice Clarke were appointed.

In 2009-10, the commission convened to recommend a replacement for Lord Neuberger, who was appointed as Master of the Rolls, as a Justice of the Supreme Court. The commission comprised: Lord Phillips and Lord Hope as President and Deputy President of the Court respectively; Baroness Prashar representing the Judicial Appointments Commission of England and Wales, Lady Smith representing the Judicial Appointments Board in Scotland; and Mrs Ruth Laird representing the Judicial Appointments Commission in Northern Ireland. Lord Justice Dyson was appointed.

In 2010-11 a commission was convened to replace Lord Saville who retired in October 2010 and Lord Collins who will retire in May 2011. The commission comprised: Lord Phillips and Lord Hope as President and Deputy President of the Court respectively; Professor Dame Hazel Genn representing the Judicial Appointments Commission in England and Wales; Sir Muir Russell representing the Judicial Appointment Board in Scotland and Lord Justice Coghlin representing the Judicial Appointments Commission in Northern Ireland. I have very recently received the commission's report and am about to undertake consultation in accordance with section 28(5) of the Constitutional Reform Act.

Under section 27(9) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, the commission must have regard to any guidance given by the Lord Chancellor as to matters to be taken into account in making a selection. To date, this section of the Act has never been used and no guidance has ever been issued.

I am today placing copies of the advertisements, information packs for applicants and selection criteria in respect of each occasion the commission has been convened in the Libraries of the House.

Mr Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which (a) persons and (b) organisations were consulted by his Department on the selection process for Justices of the Supreme Court on each occasion on which an appointment was made. [37524]

Mr Kenneth Clarke: It is set out in section 28 (5) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 those whom the Lord Chancellor is required to consult following receipt of the report from the selection commission. No organisations are consulted. I list as follows the people who were consulted for each appointment made to the Supreme Court.


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For the appointment of Lord Collins, Lord Clarke and Lord Kerr in 2009:

For the appointment of Lord Dyson in April 2010:

For the appointment of the replacements for Lord Saville and Lord Collins, currently being undertaken:


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Transport

Cycling

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to encourage cycling as a means of commuting. [36836]

Norman Baker: On the 19 January the Government published a Local Transport White Paper-"Creating Growth, Cutting Carbon". This strategy encourages greater use of public transport and more active travel, including cycling.

The Government have announced a Local Sustainable Transport Fund of £560 million over four years for local authorities to bid for funding for sustainable travel packages, including measures to encourage cycling to work.

The Department has also launched an electronic cycle journey planner, available via Transport Direct. People who would like to cycle can choose the quietest, quickest or most recreational route between two points. This is currently live in 31 areas and near England-wide coverage is expected by the end of March 2011.

The DfT continues to support the Cycle to Work scheme through the provision of the Cycle to Work scheme implementation guidance and any further advice required by employers and employees via telephone and written correspondence.

In addition the Department funds the National Business Travel Network, which launched a 'ways2work' tool kit in November 2010 to help people and businesses work more efficiently. The tool kit includes a section on commuting and encouraging cycling and walking for work.

Electric Vehicles

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has plans to address range anxiety for owners of electric vehicles. [36909]


2 Feb 2011 : Column 800W

Norman Baker: A strategy setting out how the installation of charging infrastructure can be promoted across the UK is due to be published in the summer of 2011. This will include the role of infrastructure in addressing range anxiety.

To support and inform this strategy the Government have made available £30 million for infrastructure projects which will deliver over 8,500 charging points in eight places across the UK.

Electric Vehicles: Rural Areas

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has plans to install charging points for electric vehicles in rural areas. [36908]

Norman Baker: The Secretary of State for Transport announced the outcome of the second round of Plugged-In Places funding on 14 December 2010. Five projects were successful-based in Northern Ireland, Central Scotland, Greater Manchester, the Midlands and the East of England. These supplement the three existing projects in London, Milton Keynes and the North East. The projects cover a wide range of different locations, from large cities to rural areas and a range of technologies.

The outcomes of these projects will inform the development of national policy regarding electric vehicle infrastructure, with a strategy for promoting the installation of charging infrastructure due to be published in June 2011.

Freight Facilities Grant Scheme

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding he has allocated to the Freight Facilities Grant scheme in (a) 2010-11 and (b) each of the next three years. [36357]

Mike Penning: The information requested is as follows:

(a) £2.1 million was allocated to Freight Facility Grant infrastructure projects in 2010-11 before the scheme was suspended in England in July 2010.

(b) No funding has been allocated for the next three years. We have discontinued the scheme in England, as part of the measures necessary to reduce the deficit.

High Speed Trains: Property

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many applications have been made to the High Speed Two Exceptional Hardship scheme; how many such applications have been (a) accepted and (b) refused to date; what estimate he has made of the time taken from receiving an application to the applicant being informed of the decision; what the date was on which the least recent application not yet decided upon was received by his Department; and what the total amount of compensation is that has been committed under the scheme to date. [36006]

Mr Philip Hammond: The Exceptional Hardship scheme (EHS) has, as of 21 January, received 115 applications. 20 applications have been accepted so far and 65 applications have been rejected. The remaining 30 applications have not yet reached the decision stage in the EHS process.


2 Feb 2011 : Column 801W

For those applications where a decision has been made, it has taken on average around two months from receiving the application to inform the applicant of the decision, although this varies from application to application. Our aim is to give applicants a decision within three months wherever possible. The oldest application not yet decided on was received on 12 October.

The total committed spend under the scheme so far is £9,083,750. This is the cost of properties where a valuation has been obtained and agreed with the applicant. Applications that have been accepted under the EHS but where a formal valuation of the property has not yet been agreed are estimated at a further £13,800,000.

HM Coastguard

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of HM Coastguard; and what assessment he has made of its likely future effectiveness. [36414]

Mike Penning: HM Coastguard's operational effectiveness is monitored using a combination of measures, including training and qualifications, equipment, operational readiness and response times.

The effectiveness of the current arrangements can be affected by the limited ability to match resources to workload, as explained in the public consultation document 'Protecting our Seas and Shores in the 21st Century'. This document is available in the Libraries of the House and on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency website.

We believe that the proposed future structure would improve the effectiveness of rescue co-ordination activity by providing a fully networked national arrangement that would allow work to be better distributed.

In addition, the fully networked arrangements being proposed would improve the resilience of the system to disruption or discontinuity.

Leeds-Bradford Airport

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers used Leeds-Bradford airport in each of the last five years. [36456]

Mrs Villiers: The number of passengers that used Leeds-Bradford airport in each of the last five years for which published data are available is as follows:

 Passengers

2009

2,574,426

2008

2,873,321

2007

2,881,539

2006

2,792,686

2005

2,609,638

Source:
Civil Aviation Authority statistics

Motor Vehicles: Licensing

Caroline Nokes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of road fund licences were issued (a) by the Post Office and (b) in response to an online application in 2009. [37753]


2 Feb 2011 : Column 802W

Mike Penning: In 2009, 55% (23,554,102) of road fund licences were issued by the Post Office and 40% per cent (17,064,511) were issued online.

Road fund licences were also issued by DVLA Local Offices and through an electronic link with fleet operators. Local Offices issued 2% (1,051,638) and 3% (1,256,089) were issued electronically to fleet operators.

Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

Mr Spencer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish his consultation on the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation. [36788]

Norman Baker: Amendments to the Renewable Transport Fuel (RTFO) Order 2007 are being considered to implement both the transport elements of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and aspects of the closely related Fuel Quality Directive (FQD).

We have taken additional time to consider how best to implement the RED and FQD and are working to transpose the Directives in the second half of this year, and to implement by the end of 2011. The Department will publish consultation documents shortly.

As part of the consultation exercise we intend to set out a timetable for implementation and will share this with stakeholders. The consultation will include implementation proposals on the detail of the sustainability criteria to be transposed into the RTFO.

Rescue Services

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times assistance from another state was requested for a search and rescue mission in each of the last five years; what asset was provided in each case; what the location of the incident was in each case; and on how many occasions the other state did not provide the assistance requested. [37268]

Mike Penning: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 22 November 2010, Official Report, column 29W.

The information is not held in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate costs.

Road Works

Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has plans to introduce a levy on deep trenching by utility companies. [35699]

Norman Baker: The Government have no current plans to do so.

Speed Limits: Fines

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorists received (a) fixed penalty notices and (b) convictions in respect of offences connected with exceeding temporary speed limits on motorways in each of the last five years. [37705]

James Brokenshire: I have been asked to reply.


2 Feb 2011 : Column 803W

The information requested is not collected centrally. Motoring offences data are collected by police force area only, and cannot be broken down to specific roads.

Data on fixed penalty notices are published within chapter 3 of the Home Office Annual Statistical Bulletin: "Police Powers and Procedures". Data on convictions for motoring offences are published within chapter 8 of the Ministry of Justice Bulletin: "Criminal Statistics". Current and previous editions of both publications are available online and in the Library of the House.

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorists received (a) fixed penalty notices and (b) court convictions for offences of speeding on the M6 Toll in each of the last five years. [37707]

James Brokenshire: I have been asked to reply.

The information requested is not collected centrally. Motoring offences data are collected by police force area only, and cannot be broken down to specific roads.

Data on fixed penalty notices are published within chapter 3 of the Home Office Annual Statistical Bulletin: "Police Powers and Procedures". Data on convictions for motoring offences are published within chapter 8 of the Ministry of Justice Bulletin: "Criminal Statistics". Current and previous editions of both publications are available online and in the Library of the House.

Trust Ports

Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to oppose any attempts by a trust port to amend powers available to him to require such a port to compulsorily transfer itself to a successor company for sale if there is a willing buyer. [36009]

Mike Penning: The Secretary of State's power to privatise certain trust ports compulsorily is contained in the Ports Act 1991. Under the Harbours Act 1964, it is possible to disapply statutory provisions such as these from a port by means of a harbour revision order.

Under S.I. 2010 No. 674, most harbour revision orders from ports in England and Wales now fall to the Marine Management Organisation to determine within the procedures set out in the Harbours Act 1964 as amended by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, and with regard to any relevant policy guidance from the Department for Transport. The Secretary of State will consider his position on any applications for harbour revision orders on their merits.

Mel Stride: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to revise Schedule 2 of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 to make trust ports subject to the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. [37508]

Mike Penning: I do not believe the application of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 to trust ports is required.

The Department for Transport's guidance to the trust ports sector (Modernising Trust Ports, second edition) makes clear that trust ports should transact port business, in the interest of all stakeholders, openly and accountably.


2 Feb 2011 : Column 804W

I am satisfied that the guidance, which represents a code of good practice, provides clear direction to the sector as well as to stakeholders with a complaint against a trust port. If a complainant believes the response from a trust port is not reasonable in addressing the grounds of their concern, the matter should then be reported to the Department for Transport.

Tyres: Snow and Ice

Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with his German counterpart the potential for use in the UK of tyres used in winter conditions in Germany. [35247]

Mike Penning: The Secretary of State for Transport will be meeting his German counterpart soon, but is not planning to discuss the use of winter tyres in the UK.

Given typical UK winter weather and the cost of winter tyres (including cost of storage and changing tyres twice a year), it would not be appropriate to mandate their use in the UK.

Attorney-General

Business Plans

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney-General pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Denton and Reddish of 30 November 2010, Official Report, columns 661-62W, on business plans, what progress he has made in his consideration of the publication of an internal business plan for the (a) Crown Prosecution Service and (b) Serious Fraud Office. [37343]

The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published a revised business plan for 2010-11 on its website on 6 January 2011. The plan sets out the CPS' priorities for the rest of 2010-11, including the work to be done to develop and publish a plan for the period to 2015. That plan will be published later this year.

The Serious Fraud Office expects to publish a business plan covering 2011-14 on its website shortly.

Crown Prosecution Service: Extradition

Mr Ellwood: To ask the Attorney-General what the cost to the Crown Prosecution Service was under each category of expenditure of responding to extradition requests in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008, (d) 2009 and (e) 2010. [37489]

The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not separately record information on expenditure relating to extradition cases. The information sought could be obtained only at disproportionate cost (Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, part 2, clause 9).

However, there is an Extradition Unit within the CPS Special Crime Division and it has been possible to identify expenditure incurred by the unit, broken down between administration and prosecution costs, since financial year 2007-08. This is shown in the following table:


2 Feb 2011 : Column 805W
£ million

 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Administration costs

0.666

0.879

0.976

Prosecution costs

0.823

1.243

0.774

Total

1.490

2.122

1.750


Administration costs include staff costs and general administrative expenditure for the Extradition Unit only. Prosecution costs also include witness expenses for the Extradition Unit.

Departmental Equality

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney-General pursuant to the answer of 7 December 2010, Official Report, column 234W, on public expenditure, what progress has been made by the Law Officers' Departments on undertaking equality impact assessments in respect of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review. [37254]

The Attorney-General: The Crown Prosecution Service Areas and HQ Directorate are currently developing detailed plans to enable them to work to appropriate quality standards within the allocated budgets. The detailed plans will be completed by the end of March 2011, and the planning process will include the completion of full equality impact assessments (EIA). The other Law Officers' Departments are not currently producing any EIA specifically related to the impact of the comprehensive spending review.

Public Expenditure

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney-General under what budget headings expenditure reductions will be made by the (a) National Fraud Authority, (b) Serious Fraud Office and (c) Crown Prosecution Service following the outcome of the comprehensive spending review. [37358]

The Attorney-General: The National Fraud Authority will continue with measures that have been implemented in 2010-11 to reduce expenditure on corporate services, conferences, external recruitment, marketing and advertising.

The Serious Fraud Office will meet the requirements of the comprehensive spending review by making efficiency savings in all areas of its business, but especially on accommodation and corporate support areas, to ensure that the majority of its budget is focussed on investigating and prosecuting economic crime and supporting the victims of economic crime.

Following the outcome of the comprehensive spending review, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will make expenditure reductions under the following budget headings: staff costs, accommodation costs, IT costs, prosecution costs and general administrative costs. These budget headings cover the totality of CPS expenditure.

Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Attorney-General whether he has made an assessment of the compliance of the outcomes of the comprehensive spending review
2 Feb 2011 : Column 806W
with the provisions set out in (a) equalities legislation and (b) the Human Rights Act 1998; and if he will make a statement. [37359]

The Attorney-General: The Law Officers' Departments are public bodies required to ensure that their policies and practices comply with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights Act 1998.

If any significant changes to management, staff or business structures result from the comprehensive spending review these will be assessed against these provisions, and where appropriate Equality Impact Assessments will be undertaken.

Wales

Remploy

11. Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on the future of Remploy factories in Wales; and if she will make a statement. [36729]

Mrs Gillan: I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a range of issues including supporting disabled people in employment.

We are absolutely committed to supporting disabled people in work, including through Remploy. I appreciate the right hon. Lady's concerns for the factory in her constituency, in Aberdare, but I would reassure her that we confirmed as part of the spending review that the budget and status of Remploy Ltd remains unchanged.

Disability Living Allowance

12. Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on the effect on claimants in Wales of proposed changes to disability living allowance. [36730]

Mr David Jones: I have discussions with ministerial colleagues about a range of issues relevant to Wales. The time is right to reform disability living allowance. We need to create a new, more active and enabling benefit fitted to the needs of people in Wales and across Britain-a benefit fit for the 21(st) Century.

Comprehensive Spending Review

13. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent estimate she has made of the number of public sector job losses in Wales attributable to the implementation of the outcomes of the comprehensive spending review. [36731]

Mr David Jones: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Newport West (Paul Flynn) today.

Localism Bill

14. Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions she has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the implications for Wales of the provisions of the Localism Bill. [36732]


2 Feb 2011 : Column 807W

Mr David Jones: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have had a number of discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government on the implications for Wales of the provisions of the Localism Bill.

Ministerial Visits

15. Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when she next plans to make an official visit to Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency. [36733]

Mr David Jones: My right hon. Friend and I have carried numerous official visits across Wales and will continue to do so over the coming months. Indeed a ministerial visit will soon take place in the hon. Gentleman's constituency, to see the Fibrespeed broadband project-the good work it is already doing and its potential for further extension.

Consultants

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what payments her Department has made to consultants in relation to devolution since 1997. [36801]

Mr David Jones: None.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Afghanistan: Females

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to support women's participation in public life, conflict resolution and peace initiatives in Afghanistan in line with commitments set out in the Government's action plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325. [37790]

Alistair Burt: The UK's National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 has a specific country action plan for Afghanistan which sets out implementation of UNSCR 1325 through defence, diplomatic and development activities.

Under these commitments, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to provide political and financial support to programmes which promote women's participation in public life, including support to female parliamentarians and to women's civil society groups. We have provided support to the Afghan Independent Election Commission's (IEC) Gender Unit through the United Nations Development Programme 'Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow' (ELECT) project. We are promoting female involvement in the legal profession, which recently included a course in Helmand Province on criminal law and judicial ethics, attended by several women. We also continue to promote women's role in the peace and reintegration process, for example, through engaging with the female High Peace Council members and supporting a project to involve women in the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Plan.

Departmental Official Cars

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministerial cars his Department has used since May 2010. [36093]


2 Feb 2011 : Column 808W

Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs uses a Government car but full details of his transport arrangements are not published for security reasons. Since May 2010 other Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have used a combination of allocated and pool cars. From October 2010 only pool cars have been used. The new Ministerial Code, published on 21 May 2010, states that "the number of Ministers with allocated cars and drivers will be kept to a minimum, taking into account security and other relevant considerations. Other Ministers will be entitled to use cars from the Government Car Service Pool as needed." The Ministerial Code is available on the Cabinet Office website:

Kashmir

Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed Kashmir with his US counterpart; and whether he has discussed Pakistan's request for US mediation in finding a resolution in Kashmir with his (a) Indian, (b) Pakistani or (c) US counterpart since his appointment. [37188]

Alistair Burt: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary regularly speaks to his US, Indian and Pakistani counterparts about regional issues including relations between India and Pakistan. He has not discussed the specific issue of US mediation over Kashmir. We recognise the importance of finding a lasting solution to the situation in Kashmir but it is not for the UK to prescribe one nor to urge others to mediate. It is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting resolution, one which takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2010, Official Report, column 476W, on Kashmir, whether he has identified any potential mediators to assist in resolving the situation in Kashmir. [37308]

Alistair Burt: In my response to the hon. Member of 13 December 2010, Official Repor t, column 476W, I reiterated the long-standing position of the UK; that it is for Pakistan and India to find a lasting resolution to the situation in Kashmir, including the issue of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. We recognise the importance of finding a lasting solution but it is not for the UK to prescribe a solution nor to encourage third parties to mediate in finding one.

Personnel: Education

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of staff in the Diplomatic Service were (a) policy and (b) operational staff educated at (i) Oxford University, (ii) Cambridge University and (iii) public schools in each of the last four years for which figures are available. [36391]

Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not hold data centrally on the educational background of diplomatic service staff. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.


2 Feb 2011 : Column 809W

The FCO's recruitment policies are designed to encourage applications from the widest possible range of backgrounds. All external recruitment into the FCO is based on merit, and all campaigns must be fair and open. In addition, the FCO's internal promotion and progression schemes are firmly meritocratic, based on objective and consistent criteria against which all candidates are assessed.

Tunisia: Politics and Government

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of the recent violence in Tunisia; and if he will make a statement. [37325]

Alistair Burt: Following the recent events in Tunisia which led to the creation of an interim government of national unity we welcome the reforms it has so far undertaken, that is, the legalisation of the political opposition, the liberalisation of the media, the release of all political prisoners and the announcement of democratic elections later this year.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the new unity government in Tunisia. [37328]

Alistair Burt: We have been closely monitoring the situation in Tunisia in recent weeks, including the formation of an interim government of national unity. We welcome the reforms it has so far announced, that is, the legalisation of the political opposition, the liberalisation of the media, the release of all political prisoners and the announcement of democratic elections later this year. We also welcome the announcement of commissions to investigate the issues of corruption, human rights, and political reform. We are following the debate inside Tunisia about the composition of this Government but regard this issue primarily as a matter for the Tunisian people.

War Crimes: Kosovo Liberation Army

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on investigating claims of war crimes on the part of the Kosovo Liberation Army; and if he will make a statement. [36454]

Mr Lidington: The Government's policy is that all credible allegations of war crimes should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted by the appropriate authorities if evidence warrants it. The UK has been a strong supporter of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and its investigations to date in relation to crimes allegedly committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). I welcome Kosovo Prime Minister Thaci's public call for the EU's Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) to carry out a full investigation into the most recent allegations against the KLA. I encourage all relevant organisations and individuals to respond without due delay to the EULEX request for evidence in regard to these serious accusations.


2 Feb 2011 : Column 810W

The UK remains a firm supporter of Kosovo and looks forward to working with the incoming Kosovo Government, once it is formed, in its effort to make further progress towards fulfilling Kosovo's European perspective.

International Development

Afghanistan: Females

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to support women's participation in public life, conflict resolution and peace initiatives in Afghanistan in line with commitments set out in the Government's action plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325. [37791]

Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International Development (DFID) leads on delivering key commitments of the UK Government's national action plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 for Afghanistan. DFID supports a number of programmes that enhance women's participation and influence in public life and contribute to conflict resolution and peace initiatives in Afghanistan.

For example in 2009-10 we helped pay for the salaries of over 49,000 female teachers through the multi-donor Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund. DFID is supporting WOMANKIND Worldwide to help strengthen civil society organisations in Afghanistan which promote women's civil, social, economic and political participation. DFID has also helped to establish four female Community Development Councils (comprising 150 women each) in Lashkar Gah, Helmand. These councils are enabling women to have a greater say in improving local infrastructure and public services and are also helping women take part in vocational training projects.

Departmental Libraries

Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many (a) certified and (b) chartered librarians his Department has employed in each year since 2000. [37647]

Mr Duncan: The number of certified and chartered librarians employed by the Department for International Development (DFID) in each year since 2000 is as follows.

 Number of certified librarians Number of chartered librarians

2000

6

Nil

2001

4

Nil

2002

2

Nil

2003

3

Nil

2004

3

Nil

2005

2

Nil

2006

2

Nil

2007

2

Nil

2008

1

Nil

2009

2

Nil

2010

1

1


2 Feb 2011 : Column 811W

Departmental Marketing

Conor Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost to the public purse was of the manufacture and distribution of Department branded drinks coasters in the last financial year for which figures are available. [37237]

Mr Duncan: During 2009-10 no money was spent centrally on Department for International Development (DFID) branded drinks coasters.

DFID works in over 40 countries worldwide and does not collate figures centrally of sufficient detail to identify expenditure on items such as drinks coasters. All country offices are required to seek central approval before spending any money on promotional items. No spending on drinks coasters has been approved since April 2009. This system of requiring approval for any expenditure on marketing will stay in place for the foreseeable future.

Departmental Regulation

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what regulations his Department has removed since 6 May 2010. [37373]

Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) has not removed any regulations since 6 May 2010.

International Labour Organisation

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department has provided to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in the last four years; and how much funding his Department plans to provide to the ILO in each year from 2011-12 to 2014-15. [37631]

Mr Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) provided a total of £17.05 million to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) over the past four years under a central partnership agreement. In addition, DFID funded ILO projects and programmes at a country level. Financial information on these country level programmes cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

DFID is reviewing funding to all multilateral agencies as part of the Multilateral Aid Review. A decision on funding for the ILO will be made when the review concludes at the end of February 2011.

United Nations Convention Against Corruption

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he expects to receive the final pilot report of the UK's implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. [37792]

Mr Duncan: The Government have just agreed the final pilot review report with our reviewers from Austria and Greece. The report will be published shortly via the Department for International Development's (DFID's) website.


2 Feb 2011 : Column 812W

Deputy Prime Minister

Alternative Vote: Referendums

Meg Munn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will bring forward proposals to provide for a national recount of ballots in the proposed referendum on the alternative vote; and if he will make a statement. [37184]

Mr Harper: The Government do not intend to introduce provisions to enable a national recount of ballots. Permitting a national recount is not practical because the poll will be administered on a regional basis, with results certified by region.

Rule 43 of schedule 2 gives power to both Regional Counting Officers and the Chief Counting Officer to issue a direction for a recount of the votes to be conducted in only one specified circumstance that is, where the officer requesting the recount has reason to doubt the accuracy of the count (rule 43(4)).

Rule 42(5) and 43(2) requires Counting Officers to provide either their Regional Counting Officer or the Chief Counting Officer with two statements: first showing the number of rejected ballots, the second a statement of results setting out the total number of ballot papers counted and the number of votes cast in favour of each question. From these, the Officer will decide whether the result can be certified or a recount must be conducted.

The Regional Counting Officer's assessment is made on an individual basis and may only require a recount where the provisional statements provided to him by the Counting Officer suggest there has been a problem with the result in that area.

Philip Davies: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff in his office have been engaged in developing policy on the proposed referendum on the alternative vote; and if he will make a statement. [37607]

Mr Harper: Policy on referendums rests with Elections and Democracy Division in the Cabinet Office. A team of six officials within that Division is responsible for policy on referendums, political parties and party funding. Different members of the team have had involvement at various points in work on the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill that makes provision for the referendum on the voting system for the House of Commons. In addition, other officials within the Division working on the conduct of elections have been engaged on the Bill. Given the range of responsibilities within the relevant team and wider Division, it is not possible to quantify exactly how much time officials have spent developing policy for the voting systems referendum. In addition to the officials developing policy referendums, special advisers to the Deputy Prime Minister provide advice across the range of his responsibilities.

Philip Davies: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent from the public purse on preparations for the proposed referendum on the alternative vote to date; what budget has been established for political strategy in relation to the referendum; and if he will make a statement. [37608]


2 Feb 2011 : Column 813W

Mr Harper: No additional expenditure on policy preparations for the proposed referendum on the voting system for UK parliamentary elections over and above the usual running costs of Elections and Democracy Division and the costs of legal and parliamentary drafting resource. No specific budget has been allocated to the policy development of the referendum within that Division.

Preparations for the conduct of the poll are undertaken by the Electoral Commission, funded through the Speaker's Committee, and with local authorities who will be reimbursed from the Consolidated Fund as is standard practice for UK-wide elections.

The Deputy Prime Minister does not have a political strategy team or budget reserved for such a team. Special advisers to the Deputy Prime Minister provide advice across the range of his responsibilities and details of their salaries can be found at:

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