Written Answers to Questions
Friday 4 February 2011
Business, Innovation and Skills
Drugs: Industry
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings the Secretary of State has had with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry on the long-term future of the pharmaceutical industry in the UK in the last six months. [38421]
Mr Willetts: In July 2010, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr Prisk) and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my noble Friend Baroness Wilcox, attended a UKTI Inward Investment conference which included a round-table meeting of life sciences companies:
3M;
Amgen;
Genzyme,
Johnson and Johnson;
Medtronic;
Pfizer;
Quintiles;
Sanofi-Aventis; and
Takeda.
GSK were represented on trade missions to Brazil and Russia led by the Secretary of State in September 2010 and November 2010 respectively. The Secretary of State is due to meet Eli Lilly next week. As the Minister responsible for life sciences within BIS, over the past six months, I have had regular contact with representatives of the pharmaceutical sector on a range issues including on the long term future for the sector and on related initiatives such as the Healthcare and Life Sciences Growth Review, as well as discussing issues with the recently appointed life sciences business adviser.
Specifically, I attended the Pharmaceutical Ministerial Industry Strategy Group (MISG) and the Ministerial Medical Technology Strategy Group (MMTSG) in November, and met representatives of the ABPI, BIA, ABHI and BIVDA in September. I have also had separate meetings with Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, GSK, 3M and BIA SME member companies.
I will also maintain regular contact with the life sciences industry through the Senior Industry Group, chaired by myself and Earl Howe.
Higher Education: Health Services
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with potential providers of private medical higher education services; and if he will make a statement. [38559]
Mr Willetts: Both the Secretary of State and other BIS Ministers have met a range of private higher education providers including some who deliver medical-related qualifications in other countries. Discussions have centred on how new providers who can offer excellent teaching and a high-quality experience for students can enter the higher education sector and not on the provision of specific courses, medical or otherwise.
Pfizer
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings he has had with representatives of Pfizer (a) before and (b) after its decision to close its research and development site in Kent. [38427] [Official Report, 28 March 2011, Vol. 526, c. 1-2MC.]
Mr Willetts: The Prime Minister met Jeff Kindler, CEO of Pfizer Inc, on October 21 and they spoke on the telephone in December 2010. I met Ian Read, Jeff Kindler's successor, on 24 January 2011 at 10 Downing street and officials have since held several discussions with the senior management of Pfizer UK.
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the South East of England Regional Development Agency was (a) consulted and (b) asked to provide its expertise by his Department prior to his decision to establish a taskforce on the closure of Pfizer's site in Kent; and whether the agency was asked to join the taskforce. [38428]
Mr Willetts: I have discussed the establishment of the taskforce with the chief executive of the South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA).
SEEDA will be working with the chairman of the taskforce to ensure that everything is being done to mitigate the impact of Pfizer's decision on local jobs and the local communities.
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the effects on the pharmaceutical industry in the UK of the decision by Pfizer to close its site in Kent [38429]
Mr Willetts: It is too early to be able to judge the full impact of the closure of the site on the pharmaceutical industry in the UK.
Pfizer's decision should be seen in the context of major restructuring in the pharmaceutical sector which is moving from large in-house R and D operations to smaller specialist R and D sites and greater collaboration with drug discovery and development companies and academic research units, and is not a reflection on the UK R and D environment. The UK retains world class activity including Pfizer's Regenerative Medicine Unit in Cambridge.
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will meet representatives of the Royal Society of Chemistry to discuss the implications for scientific research of the decision by Pfizer to close its site in Kent. [38430]
Mr Willetts: I would be happy for the Royal Society of Chemistry to send me its view of the implications for scientific research of the decision by Pfizer to exit its site at Sandwich.
Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he was informed of the decision by Pfizer to close its site in Kent. [38431]
Mr Willetts: The company notified Ministers in confidence on 24 January of their plans to exit their facility at Sandwich.
Royal Mail: Privatisation
Anne Marie Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has plans to require the traditional red post box and royal monogram to be preserved under his proposals for privatisation of the Royal Mail. [36518]
Mr Davey: The colour and design of post boxes are an operational matter for Royal Mail, and will remain so in the future. The company has stated publicly that it cherishes its distinctive and much loved red postboxes and that it is absolutely committed to ensuring that they remain a distinctive part of our communities.
Teachers: Qualifications
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of teaching staff in each university hold teaching or training qualifications, including PGCEs; and if he will make a statement. [38128]
Mr Willetts [holding answer 3 February 2011]: Information on staff in Higher Education Institutions is published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). HESA only hold information on the highest qualification held by staff, so it is not possible to identify all staff with teaching or training qualifications. Therefore, the information is not available in the form requested.
The Higher Education Academy (HE Academy) has developed the UK Professional Standards Framework (UK PSF) in collaboration with the higher education sector. The framework forms the basis of training for higher education teaching staff and it sets out nationally defined criteria for expertise in teaching and supporting learning in HE. The HE Academy accredits provision by HE Institutions of programmes aligned to the UK PSF. To date 367 programmes have been accredited across 133 UK higher education institutions.
This Government are committed to ensuring teaching excellence across the higher education sector. We are exploring with the sector ways in which excellent teaching can be promoted and incentivised, including through training. Plans for our wider programme of reform of higher education will be set out in the forthcoming White Paper.
Cabinet Office
Chequers: Operating Costs
Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the running costs of Chequers, including the cost of (a) staff, (b) utility charges, (c) council tax, (d) telephone costs, (e) cleaning, (f) insurance, (g) maintenance and (h) entertainment since the 2010 general election. [33787]
Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office does not hold an estimate on the running costs of Chequers overall.
Chequers is administered by independent trustees who receive an annual grant from the Cabinet Office towards its maintenance and to cover civilian staff employed at Chequers in accordance with the Acts.
The grant for the financial year 2010-11 was agreed under the previous Administration. Information will be included in the annual Cabinet Office report and accounts which will be published before summer recess.
Civil Servants: Location
Helen Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) whether he has had any discussions on moving civil service jobs from London to Warrington; and if he will make a statement; [37596]
(2) how many civil service jobs he plans to move out of London in the next five years; and what criteria he will apply to determine the new locations for such jobs. [37597]
Mr Maude [holding answer 1 February 2011]: As at end March 2010, 5,064 civil service posts had been relocated from London and the South East to the North West, of which 41 went to Warrington. There are currently no plans to relocate further posts, however relocation of Government staff outside of London and the South East continues to be considered amongst other options to deliver the savings set out at the spending review and increase the efficiency of the Government's estate.
It is the Government's property strategy to implement and manage a system of National Property Controls across the central civil and operational estate as well as setting up Property Vehicles (PVs) that will make savings through a more coordinated approach to property asset management of the central civil office estate. As a first step, the Government Property Unit will set up pilot PVs for the central London and Bristol office estate from 2011-12.
The current spending controls on government property will result in a reduction in both the cost and size of the estate. As at September 2010, the moratorium had resulted in estate cost reductions of over £18 million and is on track to deliver £49 million by the end of the financial year. As the estate reduces in size, retained buildings will be utilised more intensively wherever possible. This reduction of property in London and elsewhere could see posts being relocated to areas close to London, and where there is a strong business case, to other parts of the country.
Public Houses
Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many (a) public houses and (b) clubs closed in each of the last 10 years. [38495]
Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated February 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many (a) public houses and (b) clubs closed in each of the last 10 years. [38495]
Annual statistics on the number of enterprise deaths are available from 2002 onwards in the ONS release on Business Demography at:
The table below contains the latest statistics, which show the number of enterprise deaths in the UK for public houses/bars and licensed clubs.
| Enterprise deaths in the UK 2002-09 | ||
| Public houses and bars | Licensed clubs | |
Culture, Media and Sport
Digital Broadcasting: Radio
Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) when he expects DAB digital radio services to be launched for (a) Wyvern FM, (b) Sunshine Radio, (c) Nation Radio, (d) Shuffle, (e) BBC Hereford and Worcester and (f) BBC Gloucestershire; [38567]
(2) what criteria the DAB digital radio broadcast licensee for Gloucestershire will use to determine which services to launch and when; [38568]
(3) what estimate he has made of the non-digital listening figures for (a) Wyvern FM, (b) Sunshine Radio, (c) Nation Radio, (d) Shuffle, (e) BBC Hereford and Worcester and (f) BBC Gloucestershire. [38569]
Mr Vaizey: Local multiplex licences for Gloucestershire and Hereford and Worcester have been licensed by Ofcom but are yet to be launched by the commercial operator. Last year Ofcom wrote to the operator asking them to submit their plans for the launch of these multiplexes and discussions are ongoing about a revised launch date, which we hope will be later this year.
When submitting an application for a multiplex licence the operator must include details of the services which will be carried, Ofcom consider whether the proposed services cater for the tastes and interest of the local people and broadens the range of services in that area.
In addition, each multiplex licence includes a requirement to reserve capacity for the relevant BBC's local service.
The Government have made no assessment of the analogue listening figures of the specific services listed. However, we note that such data is collected and published quarterly by Radio Joint Audience Research (RAJAR).
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are any (a) financial differences and (b) differences in law between the rights of (i) UK nationals and (ii) nationals of UK Overseas Territories serving the armed forces on operational duty in Afghanistan. [38381]
Mr Robathan: There are no financial or legal differences between the rights of UK nationals and the nationals of UK territories on operational duty in Afghanistan.
Armed Forces: Education
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has had discussions with (a) the Secretary of State for Education and (b) Ministers in the Scottish Executive on the capacity of local primary and secondary schools to accommodate the children of service personnel posted to bases in (i) England and (ii) Scotland on return from Germany following the closure of RAF bases in that country. [38380]
Mr Robathan: A number of factors, including the capacity of schools to educate service children, will be considered and discussed before any final decision on where troops returning from Germany will be based in the UK.
My right hon. Friend, The Defence Secretary, met my right hon. Friend, First Minister for Scotland on 11 January to discuss a number of issues including future Defence basing. My hon. Friend, the Minister for the armed forces visited Moray on 27 January and met local representatives there.
In November last year I gave an undertaking to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove), that Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials would keep Department for Education officials informed as plans develop to withdraw our armed forces from Germany by 2020.
The MOD officials engage with Department for Education and Ofsted officials on a regular basis about the education of service children, including those in Germany. They also routinely have discussions with colleagues from other Government Departments, including the three Territorial Offices, and the Scottish Executive, and will continue to do so as our plans mature.
Armed Forces: Location
John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the experiences of other countries in relocating members of the armed forces and their families for the purposes of identifying best practice. [37533]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence is always open to learning from other countries, but has not recently assessed the experiences of other countries in relocating members of the armed forces and their families. Such comparison would need to take into account that the terms and conditions of service for each country's armed forces personnel differ, as do the circumstances of their service.
John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the standard of service it provides to members of the armed forces in relocations from base to base. [37542]
Mr Robathan: Service personnel are provided with an opportunity to give feedback following their relocation. Additionally, the Ministry of Defence holds performance reviews with the contractor where points may be raised by the front line commands. The comments being fed back from the user community indicate that the standard of service delivered is good and the application process is easy to use and is not as labour intensive as it used to be.
John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the average cost of relocation of a member of (a) the Army, (b) the Royal Air Force and (c) the Royal Navy and their family in each of the last five years. [37552]
Mr Robathan: There are too many variables to this question for it to be answered meaningfully, such as where the service man or woman is relocating from and to and whether they are single or have a family to relocate with them.
John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department conducts satisfaction surveys following the relocation of members of the armed forces from base to base. [37562]
Mr Robathan: An online post relocation feedback process is operated and the statistics are captured as part of a performance review with the contractor. Service personnel also have the option of writing to the contractor and/or the Ministry of Defence with their feedback of the service provided.
Separately, a selection of service personnel is approached to provide feedback using the annual Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS), including those who have recently moved location on posting. The annual AFCAS is published at the following link;
A copy of the last AFCAS conducted in 2009 has been placed in the Library of the House.
Armed Forces: Pensions
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with armed forces charities to discuss the indexation of pensions and benefits by the consumer prices index rather than the retail prices index. [38130]
Mr Robathan: The subject of the indexation of pensions and benefits using the consumer prices index rather than the retail prices index has been raised in several meetings that I held late last year with armed forces charities. None of these meetings were convened solely to discuss this subject. The charities in question include the Royal British Legion, COBSEO and the War Widows Association. I have also held meetings with the Forces Pension Society to discuss this matter.
British Overseas Territories: Warships
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the duration was of each operational visit made by each Royal Navy vessel to each Overseas Territory in each year since 2000. [37509]
Mr Robathan: Details of each operational visit made by each Royal Navy vessel have been placed in the Library of the House. In addition to this, there are generally three vessels deployed to the Falkland Islands; an ice patrol vessel deployed to British Antarctic in the austral summer; and two patrol vessels deployed permanently to Gibraltar. The high volume of ship visits to Gibraltar means that full information for Gibraltar could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Defence: Procurement
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 November 2010, Official Report, columns 221-2W, on defence: procurement, whether the project histories provided were (a) updated and (b) used as working documents throughout the life of each project. [38424]
Mr Robathan: Project History documents were written and updated as necessary during the life of the Nimrod MRA4, Future Integrated Soldier Technology, Queen Elizabeth Class carrier and Specialist Vehicles projects. They are used as reference documents by the respective teams as required. Comprehensive supporting documentation is held by the respective project teams.
Departmental Libraries
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) certified and (b) chartered librarians his Department has employed in each year since 2000. [37654]
Mr Robathan: Librarians are part of the broader banded grade structure in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) but are a recognised profession and where required are employed on the basis that they hold a qualification recognised by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).
Within MOD professionally qualified Librarians deploy their skills in the areas of website management and publishing, metadata and taxonomies, corporate memory, Freedom of Information, intelligence, and information assurance as well as in the traditional physical library setting.
Librarians are not required to be certified or chartered to work within MOD, although development schemes exist to support the achievement of these enhanced professional qualifications.
It is the responsibility of the individual to record their certified or chartered status within the Human Resources Management System (HRMS) used for personnel management in MOD. Therefore, figures provided reflect only those staff members who have chosen to record their qualification.
Data from FIRMS (which does not include staff from the non-departmental public bodies, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary or trading funds) is only available since 2004. Prior to this date records are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Figures from 1 April 2004 for the number of chartered librarians are:
| Level of membership | Chartered |
Further to that, CILIP introduced its Certification scheme in 2005. There is one recorded certified librarian currently working in the Department.
Departmental Senior Civil Servants
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which senior civil service staff have left his Department since May 2010; and what (a) contractual and (b) non-contractual payments were made in each case. [37020]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 1 February 2011]: 12 members of the senior civil service have left the Ministry of Defence (MOD) since May 2010.
I am withholding details of compensation and pension payments made to individuals as this is personal data that cannot be released.
Contractual payments, in accordance with the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS) operating at the time, for individuals leaving under early release were made to two individuals. The total cost to the MOD amounted to £282,667. Under the terms of the CSCS, Departments are liable for the cost of early release pension payments from the point at which an individual departs until pension age. The total above is not therefore the amount paid to the two individuals, but the total cost to the Department. There have been no non-contractual payments made to individuals in the period in question.
Departmental Travel
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on travel by officials of his Department since May 2010. [36954]
Mr Robathan: We do not distinguish between service and civilian expenditure across all categories of travel and subsistence.
We do, however, hold information on rail and air tickets booked centrally for officials and on travel expenses reimbursed to them for accommodation, subsistence,
taxi, bus and underground fares, parking charges, road tolls, most rail and air fares not booked centrally, use of their own vehicle for duty journeys and some car hire costs. Such expenditure totalled some £27 million over the period 1 May to 31 December 2010.
We have taken a number of measures to improve the value for money of travel by Ministry of Defence staff: we have removed all first-class air travel and, in all but exceptional circumstances, first-class rail and business-class air travel; senior officials have given up their allocated cars and share a smaller number of pooled cars instead; and we have asked all staff to avoid travel at all where the business need can be met in other ways, such as by e-mail and video or audio conferencing.
By whatever means staff travel, they must do so in a way that is the most economical in both money and official time.
Ex-servicemen: Radiation Exposure
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make it his policy to release to (a) families and (b) legal representatives of deceased nuclear test veterans the report of the MR 185 post mortem examination carried out on each such deceased veteran; [37966]
(2) how many MR 185 post mortem examinations on nuclear test veterans have been carried out in each of the last 10 years. [37967]
Mr Robathan: MR185 is a reference number used by the national health service in relation to an epidemiological study which involved the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), now part of the Health Protection Agency (HPA). No post mortem examinations were commissioned for the purposes of the study.
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what costs his Department incurred in monitoring the health of nuclear test veterans (a) in the UK and (b) overseas in each of the last three years; [36793]
Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on (a) commissioning studies into the cancer incidence and mortality rates of nuclear test veterans and (b) defending legal action taken by nuclear test veterans and their families in the Court of Appeal; [37501]
Mr Robathan: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has previously spent over £1 million on statistical studies into cancer incidences and mortality rates among former personnel who attended the British nuclear tests. This includes the cost of the three National Radiation Protection Board studies which completed in 2003. For completeness we have also committed some £75,000 plus VAT towards a health needs analysis of former personnel who attended the nuclear tests.
The NHS has lead responsibility for ensuring the health care needs of ex-service personnel in the UK are met, including nuclear test veterans. Meeting the health care needs of UK nationals who reside overseas lies with the country in which they reside.
Where ex-service personnel are in receipt of a war pension, the MOD may meet the cost of treatment of accepted disablements, provided that the treatment is
clinically necessary for a disablement due to service and is not available through the health system in the country of residence.
The MOD has estimated that the cost of defending the legal action brought by nuclear test veterans and their families in the Court of Appeal as some £450,000.
Military Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of flights of (a) military aircraft and (b) aircraft chartered by his Department to and from Afghanistan have been delayed by more than six hours in each month since December 2009. [35894]
Nick Harvey: Officials are collating the information requested. Once this work is complete I will write to the hon. Member.
Substantive answer from Nick Harvey to Angus Robertson:
I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question of 25 January 2011 (Official Report, column 141W) about the number and proportion of flights to and from Afghanistan which have been delayed by more than six hours in each month since 2009.
The available information for delays to flights to and from Afghanistan is shown in the tables below. The information has been presented to show military and civilian charter flights and passenger or freight payloads and indicates, where appropriate, flights that operate via Middle East hubs. In all cases the data relates to delays to the original departure time. No statistics are recorded for civilian freight charter flights from Afghanistan to the UK. In the months not shown, there were no flights that were delayed more than six hours.
| Flights to Afghanistan | |||
| Military passenger flights | |||
| 2010 | Total flights | Delayed more than six hours | Proportion in percentage figures |
| Civilian charter passenger flights via the Middle East | |||
| 2010 | Total flights | Delayed more than six hours | Proportion in percentage figures |
| Civilian charter freight flights | |||
| 2010 | Total flights | Delayed more than six hours | Proportion in percentage figures |
| Military freight flights | |||
| 2010 | Total flights | Delayed more than six hours | Proportion in percentage figures |
| Inward flights from Afghanistan to the UK | |||
| Military passenger flights | |||
| 2010 | Total flights | Delayed more than six hours | Proportion in percentage figures |
| Military passenger flights via the Middle East | |||
| 2010 | Total flights | Delayed more than six hours | Proportion in percentage figures |
| Military freight flights | |||
| 2010 | Total flights | Delayed more than six hours | Proportion in percentage figures |
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency plans are in place for the eventuality that aircraft are unable to launch from (a) one of the or (b) both of the RAF bases responsible for the Quick Reaction Alert. [37528]
Mr Robathan: The operating status of our Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) bases at RAF Leuchars and RAF Coningsby is continually monitored. A range of contingency plans are in place to ensure aircraft can launch when required from one or both bases. Tertiary QRA facilities are also maintained at RAF Marham, Ministry of Defence Boscombe Down and RNAS Culdrose to give enhanced flexibility in the air defence arrangements.
Nuclear Weapons
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Newport West of 12 November 2010, Official Report, column 503W, on nuclear weapons, what (a) findings, (b) safety improvement notices and (c) immediate safety requirements were issued by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator in the period 2005 to 2010. [35886]
Peter Luff: No immediate safety requirements were issued by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) during the period 2005 to 2010.
A total of four safety improvement notices have been issued during this period as follows:
In respect of the findings, I will write to the hon. Member.
Substantive answer from Peter Luff to Caroline Lucas:
In my answer of 27 January 2011 to your Question about nuclear safety regulation ( Official Report: Column 482W), I undertook to write to you regarding Findings issued by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR).
Firstly, it may be helpful if I provide some contextual information with regards to DNSR Findings. A Finding is imposed when an issue is considered to have an impact on safety or environmental protection, and for which a response is required within an agreed timescale. DNSR will determine the wording of the Finding, the proposed response and timescale after consultation with the authorisee, and evidence of a satisfactory conclusion may be sought in subsequent regulatory activities.
On average DNSR conducts around 100 inspections or exercise assessments each year, each of which may result in multiple Findings. Information is organised by authorisee (i.e. on a site-by-site basis) of which there are 10. Findings are recorded on databases but changes to IT systems mean that the only reliable way of
collating this information will be to examine individual inspection / assessment reports. As a result, to respond to your question about the Findings issued by DNSR in the period 2005 to 2010, could only be done at disproportionate cost. If you were to refine your question to, for example a particular authorisee, such as HMNB Clyde or Devonport Dockyard, officials could extract and present this information up to the financial limit allowable for a Parliamentary Question, which is currently £800.
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who will be responsible for (a) managing the project and (b) issuing contracts in respect of (i) construction of the Epure nuclear warhead testing facilities at Valduc in France and ( b) the related Technology Development Centre at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston. [37494]
Peter Luff: The commercial strategy for the delivery of both the Epure and the Technology Development Centre facilities, including responsibilities for issuing contracts, is currently being developed jointly by France and the UK.
Oversight of the Teutates programme will be undertaken by a Joint Management Board with day to day project direction provided by a Joint Project Office. While these management arrangements are joint in nature the commitment of UK expenditure to the programme will still be subject to UK national approvals.
RAF Kinloss
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost to the public purse of US Navy and German Kriegsmarine ASW assets operating from RAF Kinloss was in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and if he will make a statement. [38017]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 3 February 2011]: The only cost that can be directly attributed to the US Navy and German Kriegsmarine ASW assets is for fuel. Fuel is supplied to the US under a reciprocal agreement which provides for each nation's assets to be refuelled by the other. The cost of fuel provided for German assets is invoiced and recovered to the Ministry of Defence. The value of fuel provided to US and German assets from RAF Kinloss to date in 2010-11 was £301,000 and £10,000 respectively. No figures are currently available for 2011-12.
RAF Leuchars
Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the contribution of the Minister for the Armed Services of 25 January 2011, Official Report, column 270 on RAF Leuchars, whether the conclusions of the basing review of the defence estate will be announced before the 2011 election purdah period. [37530]
Mr Robathan: Although we are keen to announce results as soon as possible, it is highly unlikely that final decisions will be made and announced before the 2011 election purdah period begins on 22 March 2011. The Ministry of Defence's analysis of the estate and basing implications of the Strategic Defence and Security Review is a complex piece of work which, while progressing to schedule, is very unlikely to be complete before spring.
Tornado Aircraft
Mr Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado strike aircraft will be retained following the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review; and if he will make a statement. [38015]
Nick Harvey [holding answer 3 February 2011]: The number of Tornado GR4 aircraft retained will be subject to the ongoing detailed implementation of the Strategic Defence and Security Review. The draw-down plan for the Tornado GR4 fleet will ensure there is no effect on operations in Afghanistan and it is consistent with the transition to the future Typhoon and Joint Strike Fighter fast jet fleet.
TriStar Aircraft
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much has been spent on upgrading the TriStar fleet's cockpits to date; [37640]
(2) what contractual costs are associated with cancelling the TriStar fleet cockpit upgrade; [37641]
(3) whether he plans to upgrade the TriStar fleet's cockpits. [37713]
Peter Luff: Discussions are ongoing between the Ministry of Defence and the contractor to determine the legal and commercial positions relating to the expiry of the TriStar cockpit upgrade contract known as the minimum military requirement contract. Until these discussions are finalised no indication can be given as to the contractual cost, if any, associated with not proceeding with the requirement. It is unlikely that the full minimum military requirement programme will be carried out before the TriStar fleet's out of service date of 2013. However, minor modifications to the avionics suite will be undertaken to comply with international air traffic management legislation.
As at 31 January 2011, the total expenditure on the minimum military requirement avionics upgrade programme for the TriStar fleet was approximately £12.5 million.
The TriStar fleet will continue to meet its operational requirement and deliver critical support to the armed forces in Afghanistan.
United Nations: Peacekeeping Operations
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) female British troops and (b) British troops have been deployed as part of UN peacekeeping forces in each year since 2000. [37642]
Mr Robathan: The following table shows the number of British troops deployed as part of UN military missions(1) in each year since 2001. The number of troops deployed in 2000 is not available. The number given is the number deployed on 31 December of the given year.
(1) The majority of UK troops were deployed as part of the UN Force in Cyprus, but participated (among others) in missions in the Congo, Sudan, Georgia, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, and Kosovo.
The number of women deployed for all UN operations is not held. However we do hold data on Britain's largest peacekeeping contingent (currently 272 of 282)
deployed in the UN Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP): the number of female British personnel deployed on UNFICYP is given for each year since 2007.
| Number of British troops deployed | Number of female British troops deployed on UNFICYP | |
USA: Military Bases
Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who owns the (a) buildings, (b) fixed assets, (c) site and (d) infrastructure at each US military base in the UK. [38006]
Nick Harvey: All sites comprising United States Visiting Forces bases in the UK are owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), although some small areas may be held on a leasehold basis. All buildings, fixed assets and infrastructure are owned by the MOD, with the exception of some utilities infrastructure, which are the property of the relevant utilities companies.
Written Questions: Government Responses
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to answer questions 36375 and 36579, on defence procurement, tabled by the hon. Member for North East Cambridgeshire on 24 January 2011. [38570]
Mr Robathan: At the Public Accounts Committee hearing on 15 December 2010, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) agreed to provide the Committee with a chronology of those who have fulfilled the role of Senior Responsible Owner for each of the 30 projects outlined in the Major Projects Report 2010. The MOD is currently in the process of collating these data and finalising its response to the Committee. We should therefore be in a position to answer both of these parliamentary questions next week.
Deputy Prime Minister
Voting Rights: Prisoners
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what legal advice he has received on the application of his proposals for prisoner voting rights to elections to the Scottish Parliament. [38422]
Mr Harper: The Government have proposed that the right to vote will be restricted to UK Westminster parliamentary and European parliament elections only as that is the minimum currently required by law.
The question of whether there is a requirement to enfranchise prisoners for elections to the devolved legislatures is currently before the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Toner v. United Kingdom Appl No. 8195/08. In its written observations on that case, the United Kingdom argued that elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly fell outside the scope of the right to free and fair elections in Article 1 of Protocol 3 to the European Convention on Human Rights.
Education
Academies: GCSE
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what proportion of year 11 academy school pupils were entered for (a) physics GCSE, (b) geography GCSE and (c) modern foreign language GCSE in the latest period for which figures are available. [35239]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 25 January 2011]: In 2010, of the 31,735 pupils at the end of key stage 4 in academies:
3,138 (9.9%) entered a physics GCSE;
4,904 (15.5%) entered a geography GCSE; and
7,525 (23.7%) entered a modern foreign language GCSE.
Source:
The School Performance Tables data.
Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service: Wales
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the outturn budget for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service in Wales (a) was for each year from 2007-08 to 2010-11 and (b) will be for 2011-12. [33512]
Tim Loughton: This Department does not hold the information which has been requested; the Welsh Assembly Government are responsible for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service in Wales.
Children in Care: Missing Persons
Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will place in the Library a list of the postholders in each local authority who are responsible for children and young people who go missing or run away from home or care. [38335]
Tim Loughton: This information is not collected centrally.
Classical Civilisation: GCSE
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education for what reasons GCSE Classical Civilisation is not recognised as one of the humanities within the new English baccalaureate. [35573]
Mr Gibb
[holding answer 24 January 2011]: One of the intentions of the English baccalaureate is to encourage wider take up of geography and history. Classical civilisation
was not included in the humanities element of the English baccalaureate for the 2010 performance tables because the historical element of the course was not sufficient. We will however be considering comments about the English baccalaureate measure and reviewing the precise definition of the English baccalaureate for the 2011 performance tables.
Curriculum
Stephen Gilbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations his Department has received from faith groups on the forthcoming national curriculum review. [35363]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 21 January 2011]: We have received no formal representation from faith groups on the review of the National Curriculum, which was launched on 20 January 2011. Details about the review's scope and timetable were also published and we have invited all interested parties to respond to the call for evidence to help us shape the new National Curriculum.
Education Maintenance Allowance
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the proportion of those in receipt of an education maintenance allowance who will be eligible for funding from the discretionary learners' fund. [32996]
Mr Gibb: We are working with schools, colleges and other stakeholders as we finalise the details of how the enhanced learners' fund will operate. That work will also be informed by the work of the Government's Advocate for Access to Education, the right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes).
Evidence from the evaluation of the education maintenance allowance (EMA), together with research into barriers to learning commissioned by the previous Administration, shows that this group represents only around 10% of those currently in receipt of EMA may be prevented from participating in education or training without access to financial support receive appropriate help.
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's equality impact assessment on replacing the education maintenance allowance. [32997]
Mr Gibb: A full equality impact assessment for the introduction of the discretionary learner support fund replacing the education maintenance allowance (EMA) will be published in due course, once final arrangements for the operation of the new fund have been developed. The Department for Education is undertaking that process in consultation with schools, colleges and other stakeholders, informed by the work that the right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes) is doing in his capacity as the Government's Advocate for Access to Education. On publication a copy will be placed in the House Libraries.
Free School Meals
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will increase the age limit for eligibility for free school meals in line with the increase in the participation age. [35562]
Mr Gibb: Free school meals are currently available to pupils in a school Sixth Form, including those who are 19 or over, as long as they began their course of study before attaining the age of 18.
The Department has no current plans to extend free school meal eligibility to pupils studying in Further Education or Sixth Form Colleges.
Free School Meals: Armed Forces
Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many children whose parents served in the armed forces qualified for free school meals in each of the last six years. [36504]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 27 January 2011 ]: From 6 April 2010, children whose parents receive the following have been entitled to receive free school meals:
income support
income-based jobseekers allowance
an income-related employment and support allowance
support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
child tax credit (provided they are not entitled to working tax credit) and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190 (as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs)
the guarantee element of state pension credit
In addition, where a parent is entitled to working tax credit during the four week period immediately after their employment ceases, or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week, their children are entitled to free lunches.
Children who receive an eligible benefit in their own right are also eligible.
A small number of pupils were recorded as being eligible for and claiming free school meals and also as being service children on the School Census. However, service children are unlikely to meet the free school meal eligibility criteria and the small numbers recorded on the School Census may have been recorded in error.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 22 November 2010, on the comprehensive spending review and education maintenance allowance. [38573]
Tim Loughton: The Under-Secretary of State for Education, my noble Friend Lord Hill of Oareford, replied to my hon. Friend on 1 February.
Part-time Education
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what progress he has made in his discussions with Ofsted on future (a) registration and (b) inspection of part-time educational provision. [35725]
Tim Loughton: The Department has commissioned a report from Ofsted to look at the quality of private and voluntary sector run alternative provision, a fair proportion of which is part time provision and is therefore not required by law to register as an independent school at present.
Ofsted advise the study is going very well and they are due to report on their findings at Easter this year. As mentioned in the recent Schools White Paper-The Importance of Teaching, we will make a decision on whether part-time alternative provision should be registered as independent schools and therefore be subject to the appropriate inspection regime when we have considered Ofsted's report.
Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education
Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) by what mechanism his Department plans to gather evidence for its internal review of Personal, Social, Health and Economic education; [36266]
(2) when he expects his Department's internal review of Personal, Social, Health and Economic education to be completed. [36267]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 26 January 2011]: Decisions relating to the process and timescale for the internal PSHE review have not yet been taken. The Department for Education is currently considering options and further information will be available in due course.
Reading
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he has made an assessment of the potential effects of book ownership on (a) propensity to read and (b) reading ability. [33170]
Mr Gibb: The Department has made no assessment of the potential effects of book ownership on propensity to read or reading ability to date.
Schools: Finance
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what funds his Department has assigned to (a) the Specialist Schools and Academic Trust and (b) the National College for School Leadership in each of the last five years. [33728]
Tim Loughton: Based on figures obtained from the departments accounting system, the amounts assigned to the Specialist Schools and Academic Trust and the National College for School Leadership in the last five years are as follows:
| Specialist schools and academic trust | |
| £ | |
| National college for school leadership | |
| £ | |
Schools: Religious Practice
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will estimate the rate of adherence by (a) primary and (b) secondary schools to the requirement to hold a daily act of collective worship of a wholly or mainly Christian character. [33521]
Mr Gibb: All maintained schools must provide a daily act of collective worship for all registered pupils which reflects the traditions of this country which are, in the main, broadly Christian-although voluntary and foundation schools with a religious character can hold collective worship in accordance with the tenets of their faith.
Accountability for adherence to the law governing collective worship rests with the head teacher, the school governors and the local authority which are collectively responsible for providing a daily act of collective worship.
There is no national data available about schools' compliance with their obligations for providing a daily act of collective worship, and therefore we cannot estimate the number of maintained primary and secondary schools which adhere to the requirement to hold a daily act of collective worship of a wholly or mainly Christian character.
Sure Start Programme: Hammersmith and Fulham
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what communications his Department has had with Hammersmith and Fulham council on Sure Start programmes since the date of the announcement of the provisional local government finance settlement for 2011-12. [33739]
Sarah Teather: There is enough money in the recently announced Early Intervention Grant (EIG) to maintain the existing network of Sure Start Children's Centres, accessible to all but identifying and supporting families in greatest need.
I am not aware of any direct communication between my Department and Hammersmith and Fulham local authority on Sure Start since the announcement of the provisional local government finance settlement for 2011-12. Our agents, Together for Children (TFC), report they have had routine discussions about the way in which Hammersmith and Fulham deliver its children's centre programme.
Theology: GCE A-level
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils were entered for an A-level examination in theology in each of the last five years. [33471]
Mr Gibb [holding answer 17 January 2011]: The information requested is set out in the following table:
| Number of students entered for A -l evel Theology | |
| Source: Performance tables | |
Energy and Climate Change
Energy: Research
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he expects the results of his Department's Energy Demand Research Project to be published. [38818]
Gregory Barker: Ofgem manage the Energy Demand Research Project on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Ofgem expect to publish a final report on the project in spring 2011.
Fuel Poverty
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the number of households in fuel poverty in (a) the private rented sector, (b) local authority housing, (c) social housing and (d) owner-occupied housing in the last year for which figures are available. [38572]
Gregory Barker: The most recent year for which fuel poverty data are available is for 2008 and detailed statistics summarising the fuel poor in England are published at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/Media/viewfile.ashx?FilePath=Statistics/fuelpoverty/611-fuel-poverty-2008-detailed-tables.pdf&;filetype=4&minwidth=true
The following table shows the number of fuel poor households in England in 2008, split by the four main tenure types:
| Tenure | Number of fuel poor households (thousand) |
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the amount that will be raised from the Energy Company Obligation in the first year of its operation. [38574]
Charles Hendry: Subject to the passage of the Energy Bill, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) will require energy companies to achieve a target level of activity over the programme period. This target will be defined in terms of the improvement in the energy and heating efficiency of the homes which are supported, and not in terms of specific amounts of expenditure which the companies must devote to it.
The size of the ECO target and also the detailed design of the programme, which will directly influence the cost to energy companies, will be consulted on later this year.
Renewable Energy: Heating
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to announce his plans for the future of the renewable heat incentive; and if he will make a statement. [38483]
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 from 2011.
Warm Front Scheme
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department made of the likely effects on the level of fuel poverty of the reduction in funding for the Warm Front Scheme. [38576]
Gregory Barker: The Warm Front scheme is now expected to assist approximately 130,000 households in 2010-11. As announced in the spending review, DECC will fund a smaller, more targeted Warm Front scheme over the next two years and has estimated that the scheme will assist approximately 57,000 households in 2011-12 and 50,000 in 2012-13.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Forestry Commission: Land
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will consider the merits of including a covenant in all agreements of sale in respect of Forestry Commission land to require new owners to manage woodland sustainably; [38078]
(2) whether an access covenant will be part of the agreement of sale of any Forestry Commission land. [38079]
Mr Paice:
The Government's policy is to protect the public benefits that are currently provided by the public forest estate, including sustainable forest management and public access. The consultation on the future ownership and management of the public forest estate sets out and invites views on the proposals for protecting these benefits. The case for creating legal protection will be considered as part of the consultation. The protection of public
benefits will be a key factor in the criteria governing sales that are completed before the consultation is concluded.
Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list each parcel of land the Forestry Commission owns in South West Bedfordshire constituency; whether any of that land is planned to be sold; and what the status is of each such parcel of land. [38435]
Mr Paice: There is one wood managed by the Forestry Commission in the constituency of South West Bedfordshire. This is the 50 hectare Dedmansey wood, which has been classified as small commercial in the illustrative map which accompanies the current consultation on the future of the public forest estate in England.
The selection criteria for woodland in the next stage of Forestry Commission England's asset sales programme (2011-12) was published on 27 January and it expects to publish details of the sites it has selected for sale using these criteria by the end of February.
Forestry Commission: Scotland
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with the Scottish Government on the effect on Forestry Commission staff based in Scotland who carry out UK-wide functions of her proposals for the forestry estate in England. [38342]
Mr Paice: Forestry Ministers in England, Wales and Scotland have discussed the UK Government's proposals to consult on the future of the public forest estate in England via correspondence. Officials will continue to hold discussions on matters relating to Forestry Commission GB.
Forests
Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanism she plans to put in place to prevent the development of forests and woodland sold to private owners. [37983]
Mr Paice [holding answer 4 February 2011]: The Forestry Commissioners' powers to control tree felling as set out in the Forestry Act 1967 apply to all woodland in private ownership in England and the planning system prevents inappropriate and unrestricted development in all forests and woodland.
The current consultation on the future ownership and management of the public forest estate in England invites comments on what additional measures may need to be put in place in order to ensure the protection and enhancement of public benefits under any alternative ownership and management models.
Wood: Imports
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress she has made towards criminalising the (a) importation and (b) possession of illegally-logged timber. [38098]
Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to bring forward proposals to make the (a) import and (b) possession of illegally-sourced timber a criminal offence. [37944]
Mr Paice: We will put in place the necessary legislation to implement the provisions of the EU Illegal Timber (Due Diligence) Regulation in the United Kingdom. The regulation prohibits the first-placing of illegal timber on the EU market, which will restrict its purchase, possession and sale down the supply chain. In accordance with the provisions of the regulation, we will implement the EU Illegal Timber (Due Diligence) Regulation by 3 March 2013. This underlines our commitment to eliminating illegal timber from the UK market.
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate she has made of the (a) amount and (b) proportion of imported timber which was illegally felled in the latest period for which figures are available. [38142]
Mr Paice: A study of the international illegal timber trade was carried out in 2010 by Chatham House, with funding from the Department for International Development. 'Illegal Logging and Related Trade: Indicators of the Global Response' (Lawson, S. and MacFaul, L, July 2010) estimated that imports of illegally sourced timber and timber products into the UK, in 2008, were 1.5 million cubic metres, Roundwood Equivalent: about 2.6% of total timber imports.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Asia Bibi
Angie Bray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response his Department received to its representations on the release of Asia Bibi, held in Pakistan on blasphemy charges. [37592]
Alistair Burt: The UK has engaged at a senior level with the Government of Pakistan on the case of Asia Bibi. I raised her case with the Pakistan Minister for Minorities in December 2010. The Ministry of Minorities has acknowledged our concerns about the case of Mrs Bibi, and our position with regards to the death penalty. The Ministry has also assured our high commission of the importance they attach to the welfare of Mrs Bibi. Officials at our high commission in Islamabad will continue to follow the case closely. I raised the issue of the blasphemy laws, and the importance of reform, with the Pakistan high commissioner on 31 January 2011.
BBC External Services
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects on members of the armed forces serving abroad of proposed changes to funding for the BBC World Service. [37953]
Mr Jeremy Browne:
BBC World Service programmes are made available to UK armed forces abroad through British Forces Broadcasting Service via satellite, with
different regions taking different elements of the schedule. This is predominantly in English, with some elements of the Nepali Service for Ghurkhas. It is not anticipated that this provision will change.
Departmental Carbon Emissions
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce its carbon emissions to meet the target of reducing central Government carbon emissions by 10 per cent. by June 2011. [36610]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has taken the following steps since May 2010 to reduce its carbon emissions to meet the Government's carbon emissions target:
Activated power saving settings on our operating system to put desktops into a very low energy mode when not in use.
Installed voltage regulation equipment in two sites, with plans to install in a third.
Converted Hanslope Park boilers to run off biodiesel.
Installed automatic energy meters.
Reduced office heating temperatures by two degrees to 19- 20° C.
Decommissioned an energy inefficient pre-fabricated building.
Conducted energy audits of the UK estate and will implement the key recommendations.
Conducted a lighting survey and will install more energy efficient lighting.
Departmental Libraries
Mr Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) certified and (b) chartered librarians his Department has employed in each year since 2000. [37657]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently employs six chartered librarians and no certified librarians. The FCO does not maintain a central historic record of professional qualifications and it would incur disproportionate cost to establish such detail for each of the last 10 years from relevant staff file records.
Departmental Manpower
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff were employed in his Department's security vetting services in (a) May 2010 and (b) December 2010; and where those staff were based. [35824]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) employs seven members of staff in London and Milton Keynes who manage FCO vetting in compliance with the Government's Security Policy Framework.
FCO Services, a trading fund of the FCO, conducts vetting on behalf of a number of organisations and Government Departments. In May 2010, they employed 78 staff and in December, 75 staff, providing vetting services to 59 customers across Government. Their staff are based in London and Milton Keynes.
Departmental Press: Subscriptions
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on newspapers and magazines since May 2010. [34665]
Alistair Burt: Globally, from May to December 2010 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has spent £168,600 on newspapers and magazines.
Embassies
Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which embassies he plans to re-open. [35246]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), is currently reviewing the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) network. He will make an announcement about any changes to the FCO network when the review concludes.
Iran: Anti-Semitism
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received about the dissemination of anti-Semitic material by Iran; what steps he has (a) taken and (b) plans to take in the next six months at the United Nations on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [38036]
Alistair Burt: I remain deeply concerned at reports of ongoing anti-Semitic remarks in Iran, and attempts to cast doubt on the historical accuracy of the holocaust, including by senior members of the Government. We continue to take a strong stand against such remarks, including in international forums such as the UN. We will work closely with other countries to ensure that future meetings on racism at the UN address all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism, and do not become platforms for the dissemination of deeply offensive anti-Semitic viewpoints. On Holocaust memorial day last week we underlined our commitment to ensuring that the horror of the holocaust is not forgotten and never repeated.
Iran: Nuclear Power
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the Iranian nuclear programme since December 2010; and if he will make a statement. [38045]
Alistair Burt: We continue to be gravely concerned about the Iranian nuclear programme. The most recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General's report made clear that Iran had not suspended its enrichment related activities as required by six UN Security Council Resolutions. It also showed Iran had produced 3,183 kg of 3.5% low enriched uranium and 33 kg of 20% low enriched uranium, a significant step towards weapons grade enrichment, and was still failing to address the wide range of concerns over possible military dimensions of its programme.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of progress in discussions between Iran and the P5+1 about Iran's nuclear programme since December 2010; and if he will make a statement. [R] [38046]
Alistair Burt: The latest round of talks between the P5+1 and Iran on Iran's nuclear programme took place on 21-22 January 2011 in Istanbul. The P5+1 put forward substantial ideas technical proposals for how Iran could begin to build confidence in its nuclear programme but Iran refused to discuss these ideas or engage further until the P5+1 agreed to certain pre-conditions. The P5+1 were united in their view that these pre-conditions were unacceptable and therefore no further talks have been scheduled. However, the P5+1 reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing a diplomatic solution and that the door to further dialogue remained open. It will now be essential to increase the pressure on Iran to convince it to negotiate seriously.
Iran: Politics and Government
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of Iranian involvement with (a) Islamist militants and (b) terrorist proxies since December 2010; and if he will make a statement. [38044]
Alistair Burt: We have longstanding and serious concerns about Iran's support to various militia and proxy groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas and militant groups in Afghanistan. Iran's support for these groups is a force for instability across the middle east and more widely.
The UN Panel set up to monitor implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1929 is investigating a shipment of arms recently intercepted in Nigeria which appears to be of Iranian origin. Although the final destination of the arms is as yet unclear, it is cause for serious concern.
We will continue to push for full implementation of relevant Security Council Resolutions and give our full support to efforts to pursue and investigate illegal shipments by Iran.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his has had with his Israeli counterpart on the Knesset's approval of investigations into the funding of human and civil rights groups operating in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. [37189]
Alistair Burt: We are aware that some organisations may face probes into their funding following a Knesset decision to order the House Committee to examine setting up a parliamentary panel of inquiry. The House Committee will now decide whether to set up an investigation, and the Knesset will consider the issue again before any committee is set up.
Our ambassador in Tel Aviv discussed the issue with Israeli ambassador to the UK Ron Prosor shortly after the Knesset vote.
We attach importance to the values set out in Israel's Declaration of Independence and basic laws, including the need to respect civil liberties. We are concerned by anything that could detract from these and will be watching this debate carefully.
Palestinians: Festivals and Special Occasions
Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government has any plans to mark Palestinian Nakba day on 15 May 2011. [37108]
Alistair Burt: We do not have plans to mark Palestinian Nakba day. However we are concerned about the breakdown in negotiations on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and are working closely with the US and the EU to see a return to negotiations. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has made clear that the entire international community, including the US, should support 1967 borders as the basis for resumed negotiations.
Tunisia: British Nationals Abroad
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of British nationals in Tunisia on the latest date for which figures are available. [37327]
Alistair Burt: As of 31 January 2011, 194 British nationals were registered with our embassy in Tunis. We estimate around 50 to be independent travellers and the remainder residents of Tunisia. We expect the number of British nationals to increase as the expatriate community gradually returns.
Uganda: Foreign Relations
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he has had with officials from the Government of Uganda since 11 May 2010. [38109]
Mr Bellingham: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I have had several discussions with senior members of the Ugandan Government since May 2010. I last met President Museveni and Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa during my visit to Uganda last July. In addition, the Under-Secretary of State for International Development, my hon. Friend the Member for Eddisbury (Mr O'Brien), met President Museveni in Uganda last May.
Uganda: Homosexuality
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of levels of respect for the human rights of sexual minorities in Uganda. [38108]
Mr Bellingham:
Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda and in general there is little social tolerance of sexual minorities. It is a commonly-held belief that homosexuality is in some way an un-African practice introduced into
Uganda and promoted by European societies. A Private Member's Bill known as the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was tabled in Parliament in 2009. This would introduce new criminal sanctions for members of sexual minorities and those who promote their rights. The Government of Uganda have said that they will not allow the Bill to pass in its current form and it is not currently clear whether the Bill will make further progress.
We have made clear to the Government of Uganda the British Government's position on respect for the rights of sexual minorities on several occasions. Our high commission in Kampala also remains in close touch with, and has provided support for, Ugandan civil society groups campaigning for the rights of sexual minorities.
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations has he received on the rights of sexual minorities in Uganda since 11 May 2010. [38110]
Mr Bellingham: I have discussed and corresponded with numerous Members and peers on the status of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Uganda. In addition, our high commission in Kampala remains in close touch with civil society groups that are campaigning for LGBT rights in Uganda, to whom they have offered their support.
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Ugandan Government on the death of David Kato. [38111]
Mr Bellingham: In my statement on the tragic murder of David Kato released last week, I urged the Ugandan authorities to investigate this crime thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice. Our high commission in Kampala has reinforced these points in discussion with the Ugandan authorities. I understand that the Ugandan police force has arrested two men in connection with Mr Kato's murder and is continuing its investigations.
United Nations
Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much of the Government's assessed contribution to the UN regular budget was allocated to each agency, programme or body in each of the last four years. [37624]
Mr Bellingham: The UK contribution to the UN regular budget is assessed as an overall percentage of that budget. For 2010, 2011, and 2012 the UK contribution is 6.604%. For 2007, 2008 and 2009, the UK contribution was 6.642%. This percentage contribution is the same for all parts of the UN regular budget, and does not vary by agency, programme or body.
The UN budgeting process allocates funds from the regular budget to activities (for example, human rights, development, management services) rather than directly to individual UN bodies. The budget is decided on a two year cycle and is split into 37 sections, or fascicles. Allocations for 2006 and 2007, 2008 and 2009, and 2010 and 2011 are presented as follows.
| US Dollars | ||||
| 2006-07 | 2008-09 | 2010-11 | ||
| Notes: 1. Breakdown of the UN Regular Budget for the period 2006-2011. 2. For the period to 2009, the UK contributed 6.642% of these figures. From 2010 the UK rate has been 6.604% | ||||
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