Written Answers to Questions
Monday 14 February 2011
Attorney-General
Offenders: Homicide
Katy Clark: To ask the Attorney-General what discussions he has had with the Crown Prosecution Service on the rate of convictions for offenders of corporate manslaughter. [40220]
The Attorney-General: As part of his superintendence of the Crown Prosecution Service the Attorney-General has regular contact and discussion with the Director of Public Prosecutions about a range of topics.
Katy Clark: To ask the Attorney-General if he will review the Crown Prosecution Service's practices in respect of bringing prosecutions for offences of corporate manslaughter. [40221]
The Attorney-General: I have no plans to review the Crown Prosecution Service's (CPS) practices in relation to prosecutions for offences of corporate manslaughter.
The CPS reviews all cases, including cases involving corporate manslaughter, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors (the Code), which is issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1895. The latest version of the Code was published in February 2010.
The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 introduced a new statutory offence of corporate manslaughter for offences occurring on or after 6 April 2008. Any offences that are alleged to have occurred before 6 April are considered by the CPS under the old common law of manslaughter by gross negligence.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Christianity
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his Afghan counterpart on the treatment of Afghan Christians; and if he will make a statement. [40908]
Alistair Burt: We work closely with international partners to monitor the situation of Afghan Christians and to raise this issue with the Afghan Government.
We continue to remind the Afghan Government of its duty to abide by its national and international commitments on freedom of religion and belief, and to respect the freedom of worship as enshrined in the Afghan constitution.
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his Afghan counterpart on the case of Said Musa; and if he will make a statement. [40910]
Alistair Burt: We are working with international partners to monitor developments and to raise this case with the Afghan Government. During his visit to Afghanistan in January 2011, the UK Attorney-General raised this case with the Afghan Attorney-General.
We continue to remind the Afghan Government of its duty to abide by its national and international commitments on freedom of religion and belief, and to respect the freedom of worship as enshrined in the Afghan constitution.
Afghanistan: Religious Freedom
Kris Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Afghanistan in respect of the death sentence passed on Said Musa. [40156]
Alistair Burt: Said Musa is in custody, charged with conversion and apostasy. He has not yet been brought to trial or sentenced to death. We are working with the international community to monitor developments and to raise this case with the Afghan Government. The UK Attorney-General, the right hon. and learned Member for Beaconsfield (Mr Grieve), raised this case with the Afghan Attorney General during his visit to Afghanistan in January 2011.
We continue to remind the Afghan Government of their duty to abide by their national and international commitments on freedom of religion and belief and to respect the freedom of worship as enshrined in the Afghan constitution.
Belize: Guatemala
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the state of relations between Belize and Guatemala. [40923]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The UK works to maintain momentum towards a lasting resolution of the territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala. I discussed the dispute with the Guatemalan Foreign Minister in Guatemala in November. He welcomed recent progress, including the unanimous vote by Guatemala's Congress to allow a referendum in Guatemala on the issue of whether to take the border dispute to the International Court of Justice.
The Governments of Belize and Guatemala must now agree a date to hold national referenda in their two countries. We welcome the positive and crucial role of the Organisation of American States Mission to the Adjacency Zone between Guatemala and Belize, including its efforts to maintain peace and security, and build confidence between the communities living there. We welcome Guatemala's adoption of the bilateral Partial Scope Trade Agreement, which will facilitate trade between the two countries and which has quickly delivered an increase in agricultural exports from Belize to Guatemala.
Egypt: British Nationals Abroad
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent estimate is of the number of UK nationals remaining in Egypt; and if he will make a statement. [40921]
Alistair Burt: Our primary concern throughout the political unrest in Egypt has been the safety of visiting or resident British nationals. We estimate that there are approximately 20,000 British nationals remaining in Egypt.
Egypt: Politics and Government
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his American counterpart on the political situation in Egypt; and if he will make a statement. [40918]
Alistair Burt: I spoke to Secretary of State Clinton on 30 January 2011 by telephone and the Prime Minister met her on 5 February 2011 while attending the Security Conference in Munich.
We discussed the need for consistent messages to the Egyptian Government encouraging them to create a more broad-based Government, commit to human rights and freedom of expression, and ensure an orderly transition to free and fair elections.
European Union
Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions the European Affairs Committee of the Cabinet has met since May 2010; whether that committee has discussed the return of powers and competences from the EU; and which EU directives and other EU legislation that committee has considered. [38900]
Mr Maude: I have been asked to reply.
It is longstanding Government practice not to disclose information relating to ministerial meetings, including the proceedings of Cabinet and Cabinet committees, as to do so would put at risk the public interest in the full and frank discussion of policy by Ministers.
European Union Bill
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department have been assigned to work on the European Union Bill. [40122]
Mr Hague: There are currently seven officials working on the European Union Bill full-time. In addition, a number of other officials make contributions to the ongoing work in this area as part of their existing duties.
Gilad Shalit
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has undertaken to bring about the release of Gilad Shalit; what discussion he has had at UN level on the release of Gilad Shalit; and if he will make a statement. [R] [39614]
Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to the response given by my noble Friend, the right hon. Lord Howell of Guildford, to my noble Friend Baroness Tonge, on 25 January 2011, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA139.
Our embassy officials in Tel Aviv are in touch with Gilad Shalit's parents and their representatives whenever there is a development on his case and have held a number of meetings with them. We are always open to any requests for meetings and offering assistance wherever it is feasible.
Hong Kong: Passports
Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people are employed in the regional passport processing centre in Hong Kong. [39701]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Regional Passport Processing Centre in Hong Kong employs 24 people.
Israel
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the government of Israel on civil unrest in (a) Egypt and (b) Lebanon; and if he will make a statement. [39622]
Alistair Burt: We have a close dialogue with the Government of Israel at ministerial and official level. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend, discussed the situation in Lebanon with Foreign Minister Lieberman during his visit to London on 24 January 2011. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv has also discussed the situation in Egypt with the National Security Adviser to Netanyahu underlining our views on the need to ensure a peaceful and dignified transition.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on Israel's security concerns since January 2010; and if he will make a statement; [39627]
(2) what steps he has taken to strengthen relations with the government of Israel since July 2010; what steps he plans to take to strengthen such relations in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [39739]
Alistair Burt: We have regular dialogue with the Government of Israel at both ministerial and official level. I visited Israel and the Occupied Territories in January 2011 and met Foreign Minister Lieberman. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend, also visited in November 2011. Foreign Minister Lieberman met with the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend, and myself when he visited London on 24 January 2011. Officials will attend the Strategic Dialogue talks in March 2011 in Israel. A wide range of issues were discussed at these various meetings, including security.
We have a strong and productive relationship with the Israelis where we can speak frankly to each other. In his press statement of 24 January 2011 the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend, stressed the British Government's commitment to a strong bilateral relationship with Israel.
Middle East
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent assessment he has made of the extent of arms smuggling into Gaza; what discussions he has had since December 2010 with the Government of (a) Israel and (b) Egypt on this issue; and if he will make a statement; [R] [39616]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Government of Israel and (b) the Palestinian Authority on the position of Hamas on peace talks between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority; and if he will make a statement; [R] [39623]
(3) what his policy is on the recent statement by Hamas on peace talks between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority; and if he will make a statement; [R] [39624]
(4) what steps he has (a) taken since December 2010 and (b) plans to take during the next six months to press Hamas to accept the Quartet Principles and join the negotiations between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority; and if he will make a statement; [R] [39626]
(5) what recent steps he has taken to assist the Government of Israel in preventing weapons smuggling into the Gaza Strip; and if he will make a statement; [R] [39628]
(6) what steps he has taken to assist the Government of Israel to (a) increase the amount of aid entering the Gaza Strip and (b) facilitate exports from the Gaza Strip; and if he will make a statement since 1 January 2010. [R] [39629]
Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to my responses of 7 February 2011, Official Report, columns 22-23W and also of 29 November 2010, Official Report, column 555W.
As my hon. Friend is aware, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised the situation in Gaza with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he visited Israel in November. I also discussed Gaza at length with the Israeli Co-ordinator for Government Activity in the Territories (COGAT), General Dangot, when I visited the region on 16-19 January 2011. Officials at our embassy in Tel Aviv raise Gaza access with the Government of Israel on a regular basis. We are also part of the Gaza Counter Arms Smuggling Initiative and my officials participate in regular discussions with key partners, including Israel and the US, most recently on 9 February.
On 8 February 2011 I welcomed economic plans for West Bank and Gaza and underlined the need for full implementation. I said:
"We continue to encourage the Government of Israel to enable Gaza exports this year to attain the levels of 2007. We strongly echo Tony Blair's call for an end to all attacks on Israel from Gaza. We will continue to work with the Quartet Representative, the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to re-open Gaza for business. The British Government believes that a strong economy in the Occupied Territories is key to promoting peace, stability and prosperity."
We welcome any progress, such as Israel's approval of the 20 projects in Gaza including the seven United Nations Relief and Works Agency schools they announced on 4 February 2011 and we encourage more.
On Hamas, we are concerned by reports that they continue to acquire and test a variety of weapons. This is a continuing picture and we are not able to comment further on the detail. However, we have long made it clear that the arming and funding of Hamas and other Palestinian rejectionist groups is unacceptable.
We continue to call on Hamas to take concrete steps towards the Quartet principles: renouncing violence, recognising Israel and accepting previously signed agreements.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his (a) Israeli and (b) Palestinian counterpart on a universal statehood strategy since December 2010; what response was received from each; and if he will make a statement. [39620]
Alistair Burt: During my visit to Israel and the Occupied Territories in January, I met with Foreign Minister Lieberman and President Abbas. I stressed that the UK sees negotiations towards a two state solution as the only way to meet the national aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians and lead to a sovereign, viable and contiguous Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside a safe and secure Israel and their other neighbours in the region. This message was reinforced by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he met with Foreign Minister Lieberman on 24 January 2011.
In response, both parties were already aware that this was the UK Government's position.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the government of Israel on security threats from (a) Gaza, (b) Lebanon and (c) Iran; and if he will make a statement. [39619]
Alistair Burt: We have regular dialogue with the Government of Israel at both ministerial and official level. I visited Israel and the Occupied Territories in January 2011 and met Foreign Minister Lieberman. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs also visited in November 2011. Foreign Minister Lieberman met with the Secretary of State and myself when he visited London on 24 January 2011. Officials will attend the Strategic Dialogue talks in March 2011 in Israel. A wide range of issues were discussed at these various meetings, including security.
Middle East: Peace Negotiations
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make it his policy to encourage the leadership of the Palestinian Authority to return to direct negotiations with the government of Israel; what recent discussions he has had with (a) the government of Israeli and (b) the Palestinian Authority on a return to direct negotiations; and if he will make a statement; [39621]
(2) what steps he has (a) taken since December 2010 and (b) plans to take during the next six months to maintain confidence in the peace process between the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority; and if he will make a statement. [39625]
Alistair Burt: We are concerned with the current impasse in talks and see an urgent need for progress. Since December 2010, we have been engaged energetically with the parties, the US and the EU. During my visit in mid-January, I spoke with President Abbas and urged him to find a way to return to talks. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman when he visited the UK and stressed that the window for peace in the middle east is closing, and the continued occupation is eroding Israeli security and international support for Israel. The Secretary of State has also spoken regularly with Secretary Clinton and EU Ministers on next steps in the peace process. We will continue these efforts over the next six months.
Palestinians: Overseas Aid
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether his Department has allocated funds to the Palestinian authorities for the training of police and security forces in the last three years; and if he will make a statement; [39038]
(2) whether his Department has been involved in the training of Palestinian Authority personnel in the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [39077]
Alistair Burt [holding 10 February answer 2011]: The British Government have been involved in a programme to build the capacity of the Palestinian security forces for a number of years.
Currently the UK provides direct budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority (PA) as part of our commitment to Prime Minister Fayyad's state building agenda. Part of his agenda is the reform of the Palestinian Security forces. A condition of our memorandum of understanding is that the PA must make progress on human rights.
In addition we offer support through the Middle East and North Africa Conflict Pool (MENA CP)-a tri-departmental programme funded jointly by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Department for International Development (DfID). Approximately two thirds of the MENA CP budget for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories focuses on improving the performance of the Palestinian security sector through a combination of support to the United States' Security Co-ordinator (USSC) and to the European policing and rule of law missions in the West Bank. The MENA CP support to the Palestinian Authority security forces is designed to enhance the forces' professionalism and build their capability to improve their performance against internationally recognised human rights standards and accountability.
In recent years, UK programme funds have helped provide technical advice on governance, leadership and human rights issues to the Palestinian Security Sector, including the Civil Police, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defence.
The UK condemns any abuse of human rights. We take allegations of human rights abuses extremely seriously and are studying recent allegations of mistreatment by the Palestinian Authority security forces carefully. I raised the issue of human rights abuses when I met Prime Minister Fayyad on his recent visit to the region and asked for a concrete assurance that allegations would be investigated and appropriate actions taken. Prime Minister Fayyad gave this, noting that the PA was addressing this issue not just as a result of international pressure, but because he had a deep personal conviction that human rights should be respected and at the heart of a future Palestinian state.
Peru: Catholicism
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the state of the UK's relations with the Catholic Church in Peru; and if he will make a statement. [40502]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Through our embassy in Lima we maintain a regular and friendly dialogue with senior representatives of the Roman Catholic Church in Peru. Since our ambassador's arrival in Peru in August 2010, he has met the Papal Nuncio several times. During these meetings they discussed our shared interests in tackling poverty, social conflict and climate change.
Through the Department for International Development's Latin America Partnership Programme Arrangement we have also worked with Catholic charities, such as Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), to tackle maternal health, poor education and disease.
Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has made representations to the Catholic Church in Peru on ending support for community protests against mining companies. [40503]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We welcome the important role of the Catholic Church in promoting good community relations throughout Peru. We are aware of allegations that third parties have pushed for the removal of Catholic bishops to new posts away from certain communities in Peru. We have not sought to influence any church appointment.
Russia: Human Rights
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to hold discussions with his Russian counterpart on the rule of law and the fundamental human rights of Russian nationals during the forthcoming bilateral meeting; and if he will make a statement. [40801]
Mr Lidington: I can confirm that the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), will hold discussions with Foreign Minister Lavrov on human rights and the rule of law.
The Government continue to work with Russia on addressing ongoing human rights issues. We support President Medvedev's focus on the need to strengthen
the rule of law in Russia including promoting the independence of the judiciary. A transparent and independent Russian legal system is in all our interests. We encourage Russia to ensure that all human rights violations are investigated fully, promptly and impartially.
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the (a) case of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, (b) case of Platon Lebedev, (c) death of Sergey Manitsky, (d) death of Anna Politkovskaya, (e) death of Natalya Estemirova and (f) death of Stanislav Markelov with his Russian counterpart during the forthcoming bilateral meeting. [40802]
Mr Lidington: Human rights are an important part of our bilateral relationship with Russia, and the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), will raise our concerns about the rule of law and human rights issues highlighted by these high profile cases.
South Africa: Rape
Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has discussed with his South African counterpart measures to combat the practice of corrective rape in that country. [39580]
Mr Bellingham: The UK opposes discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in all circumstances. We believe that human rights are universal and should apply equally to all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Government of South Africa place a high priority on the fight against all crime, especially that involving sex and violence. However the South African police service is struggling to meet the challenge. The UK Government, through our high commission in Pretoria, are in regular contact with the Government of South Africa and the South African police service about our concerns over the crime rate, including rape. We continue to monitor the situation closely.
The Department for International Development is also planning a new four-year programme in South Africa to address the high levels of gender based violence. This is likely to focus on preventing sexual and physical violence and improving the response to violence. These plans are subject to the outcome of the bilateral aid review (expected to be announced before the end of March).
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office holds a regular dialogue with South Africa on all issues, including human rights. While I have not personally raised the issue of corrective rape, colleagues at our high commission in Pretoria will do so at the earliest possible opportunity.
Tunisia: Politics and Government
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet his Tunisian counterpart; and what issues he plans to raise at that meeting. [40920]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs visited Tunisia on 7 and 8 February. He did not meet his counterpart but did have substantive meetings with the Prime Minister, Mohamed Ghannouchi, and the Minister for International Co-operation, Mohammed Jouini. The Foreign Secretary raised several issues including the importance of following through on the commitments already made by the interim Government on political and economic reform. These measures needed to be swift and irreversible.
They also discussed the importance of elections and the need for them to be fair and open to all. The economy needed to get back on track, however, in order to attract investment to the country companies would need to be assured that the system would be open and transparent.
The UK will follow progress closely. Our ambassador in Tunis and I will continue to have regular discussions with the Tunisian Government during the transition to democracy. We stand ready to help with this process both in preparation for elections and towards further democratisation.
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Tunisia; and if he will make a statement. [40922]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs was in Tunis last week and had discussions with, among others, Prime Minister Ghannouchi, Minister of International Co-operation Jouini and a group of young Tunisians who had been involved in the protests. He was able to see first hand that the security situation has improved and that stability is returning. Prime Minister Ghannouchi's Government have announced a number of measures towards political and economic reform and requested election monitoring assistance from the EU. It will be important that these measures are implemented folly and that elections, open to all parties, are undertaken later this year in order to show the people of Tunisia that change is real and irreversible.
Tunisia has made great strides over the past three weeks and we hope that this momentum continues. We will continue to work with partners, including in the EU, to promote political reform.
West Bank
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement. [R] [39617]
Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to my response of 7 February 2011, Official Report, columns 20-21W.
As indicated there, the Quartet met in Munich on 5 February 2011 to discuss events in the Middle East.
"The Quartet reaffirmed that negotiations should lead to an outcome that ends the occupation that began in 1967 and resolves all permanent status issues, in order to end the conflict and achieve a two-state solution. The Quartet reiterates its support for concluding these negotiations by September 2011. In its discussions with the parties, the Quartet is giving serious consideration to their views on how to bring about resumed negotiations on all core issues, including borders and security.
The Quartet commended President Abbas' leadership of the Palestinian Authority, and continued Palestinian statebuilding efforts. It welcomed the package of measures announced by Prime Minister Netanyahu and Quartet Representative Blair for both the West Bank and Gaza and encourages full implementation and additional steps."
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the economic situation in the West Bank; what recent discussions he has had with the (a) government of Israel, (b) Palestinian Authority, (c) World Bank and (d) International Monetary Fund on the economic situation in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement. [39618]
Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to my response to him on 10 January 2011, Official Report, column 231W.
On 8 February 2011, I welcomed economic plans for west bank and Gaza and underlined the need for full implementation.
In a statement on 6 February 2011 I said:
"The British Government welcomes Friday's announcement by Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu and Quartet Envoy Tony Blair. As Tony Blair said, the practical implementation of these measures will be key. We continue to encourage the Government of Israel to enable Gaza exports this year to attain the levels of 2007. We strongly echo Tony Blair's call for an end to all attacks on Israel from Gaza. We will continue to work with the Quartet Representative, the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to re-open Gaza for business. The British Government believes that a strong economy in the Occupied Territories is key to promoting peace, stability and prosperity.
More broadly, the continued occupation is hampering peace, economic prosperity and stability in the region. This is not in the interests of either the Israelis or the Palestinians. The window for peace in the Middle East is closing and, as the Quartet statement yesterday made clear, it is imperative the parties return to talks urgently to achieve a two state solution."
Prime Minister
Departmental Information Officers
Pete Wishart: To ask the Prime Minister how many people were employed (a) as press officers, (b) as internal communication officers, (c) as external communication officers, (d) as communications strategy officers and (e) in other positions with a communications remit by 10 Downing street on the most recent date for which figures are available. [39373]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the departmental structure chart for the Cabinet Office which includes 10 Downing street. This is available on the No. 10 website:
Members: Correspondence
Margaret Hodge: To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to respond to the letter from the right hon. Member for Barking of 22 November 2010 on the impact of changes to housing benefit in Barking. [36471]
The Prime Minister: A reply has been sent.
Remploy: Termination of Employment
Ian Austin: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the oral answer to the right hon. Member for Cynon Valley of 2 February 2011, Official Report, column 857, what the evidential basis was for his statement that the Government inherited the plan for phasing out Remploy workers; and if he will make a statement. [40265]
The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 February 2011, Official Report, column 421W.
Home Department
Immigration and Asylum Tribunal
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the UK Border Agency plans to issue the visa to Mr Lateef Adejumo granted on appeal by the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal on 8 October 2010 under appeal number IA25223/2010; and what the reason is for the time taken to issue the visa. [40243]
Damian Green [holding answer 11 February 2011]: The UK Border Agency processed Mr Adejumo's allowed appeal determination and issued him with the appropriate leave to remain on 2 February 2011. In respect of the delay in implementing the decision of the tribunal, the unit responsible for issuing the grant of leave processed Mr Adejumo's application in date order according to when it was received.
Academic Freedom
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to address extremism on university campuses. [36667]
Nick Herbert: As part of the review of the Prevent strategy, currently under way, we are working with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on a package of measure to help universities manage the risks posed by extremism on campuses and support students who may be vulnerable to extremist messages. All higher education institutions in England have previously received guidance from the (then) Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills in 2008 on how to manage the risks posed by extremism on campuses and can draw upon ongoing support from the police and other local partners.
Asylum: Afghanistan
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the tendering process for the proposed reintegration centre for failed Afghan child asylum seekers returned to Kabul. [39731]
Damian Green: The tender was for a range of services for failed asylum seekers of all ages, but included a specialist provision for young males aged 16 or 17. The bids have been evaluated and we expect to make a decision soon.
Asylum: Detainees
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum claimants were released from each detention centre and not removed in each of the last three years. [40791]
Damian Green:
The information is not available for the requested years. Published information on reasons for leaving detention recommenced last quarter after being discontinued for technical reasons in September 2006. The following table, a subset of the latest published
figures (Persons leaving detention Q3 2010), shows the number of people leaving detention held solely under Immigration Act powers, who had claimed asylum at some stage, by last place of detention for reasons other than removal from the UK in Q3 2010.
The Home Office recommenced publishing information on the number of persons leaving detention, held solely under Immigration Act powers from Q3 2010. Q4 2010 figures will be available on 24 February 2011 from the Library of the House and from the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at:
| Persons leaving detention held solely under Immigration Act powers, who had claimed asylum at some stage, other than those removed from the UK, Q3 2010( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) | |||||
| Number of persons | |||||
| Granted leave to enter/remain( 7) | Granted temporary admission/release( 8) | Bailed( 9) | Other | Total detainees( 10) | |
| (1 )A detainee is counted if their period of detention comes to an end, this excludes detainees who have simply moved within the UK Border Agency detention estate. Some detainees may be recorded more than once if, for example, the person has left detention on more than one separate occasion in the time period shown, such as a person who has left detention for the purpose of a removal, but who has subsequently been re-detained and then leaves detention again. (2) Figures rounded to the nearest 5 (- = 0, * = 1 or 2) and may not sum to the totals shown because of independent rounding. Figures exclude persons recorded as leaving detention from police cells and Prison Service establishments, if they are recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers. (3) Figures include dependants. (4) Persons detained under Immigration Act powers who are recorded as having sought asylum at some stage. (5) Management information. (6) Provisional figures. (7) Short or long-term stay in the UK has been granted. (8) Decision on the case has not been made. (9) Detainee has applied for, and been granted, bail at a bail hearing. (10) Figures are not directly comparable with previous figures on total persons leaving detention due to a revised methodology being used. If a person is moved from a removal centre to a police cell or Prison Service establishment and then leaves detention, this person will be included if the detention was solely under Immigration Act powers. | |||||
Bail
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people on bail were subject to (a) restrictions on access to a telephone or the internet (b) relocation other than to an immigration detention centre, (c) a curfew, (d) a ban on association with certain individuals and (e) restricted areas of movement as a condition of their bail in the latest period for which figures are available. [39744]
Damian Green: As of 9 February 2011 there are 10 individuals who are currently subject to deportation proceedings and under strict bail conditions, such as those listed in my hon. Friend's question. These conditions are imposed by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
Community Relations: Finance
Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has allocated under the Preventing Violent Extremism scheme in (a) South Swindon constituency and (b) each parliamentary constituency. [35556]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not allocate funding to the Prevent counter-terrorism programme according to parliamentary constituencies and funding specific information is not available (a) in respect of the South Swindon constituency and (b) each parliamentary constituency.
However, in the financial year 2009-10, Swindon borough council received a Home Office grant of £50,108.37 for locally based Prevent initiatives, which included; a Prevent development worker; development of a referral process for vulnerable individuals; training and other Prevent related projects. This funding was not exclusive to the South Swindon constituency.
Government funding for the Prevent counter-terrorism programme is currently provided by the Home Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), which allocates funding for the Prevent counter-terrorism programme according to an Area Based Grant.
Crime Statistics Independent Review
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on her Department's review of crime statistics. [41209]
Nick Herbert: I refer my hon. Friend to a written ministerial statement given by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend, on 20 January 2011, Official Report, columns 48-49WS, which announced her intention to move responsibility for the publication of crime statistics out of the Home Office to an independent body. We have asked for advice from Jil Matheson, the National Statistician, on this as part of a wider review she is leading to consider cost effective ways to improve the coverage and coherence of our official crime statistics. The National Statistician is due to report at the end of April 2011.
Crime: Drugs
Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department plans to take to reduce the incidence of drug-related crime in Leeds. [40257]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 11 February 2011]: The Department's key programme to tackle drug-related crime is the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP). A national programme across England and Wales, DIP is fully embedded within Leeds and is the main route for ensuring drug misusing adult offenders access treatment and support to reduce their offending. Research published by the Home Office in November 2007 found the overall volume of offending of a cohort of 7,727 individuals was 26% lower following identification through a positive DIP drug test in police custody. Around half the cohort showed a decline in offending of around 79% in the following six months.
Local information on drug related offending in Leeds showed that proven offending in 2009-10 by a cohort of class A drug misusing offenders was 23% lower than predicted for that cohort, given their offending history.
The Government will be enabling local areas to invest significantly in 2011-12 to support the management of drug-misusing offenders. Funding to support the Drug Interventions Programme and the management of drug misusing offenders is around £125 million in 2011-12. Building on this, the police and other local partners in Leeds are delivering an integrated offender management approach to target and manage priority and problematic offenders to reduce crime, including drug related crime.
Departmental Energy
Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has saved in (a) energy costs and (b) carbon dioxide emissions since bringing in real time energy display. [39630]
Damian Green: The Department's real time energy display (RTD) was introduced in June 2010 and is one of a range of initiatives under way in order to reduce energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions. These include:
improving heating, cooling and lighting controls and fittings;
replacing/removing inefficient equipment;
implementing good housekeeping measures;
greening ICT; and
raising staff awareness.
In the six months since the RTD was installed, at 2 Marsham Street, we have achieved an approximate cost saving of £11,400 and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 120 tonnes.
While the savings have been achieved by a variety of actions the RTD has provided a focus for our efforts and useful feedback on our success. It has raised the awareness of energy efficiency in our building and provided transparency on our performance to a wide range of interested stakeholders.
| Cost and carbon dioxide savings since the introduction of real time reporting | ||
| Cost (£) | Carbon dioxide (tonnes) | |
| Note: The energy data for this period are subject to weather correction. | ||
Departmental Training
Kris Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has spent on citizenship training in each of the last three years. [40132]
Damian Green: The Home Office has not spent any money on citizenship training in the last three years. Those applicants for citizenship who are required to demonstrate their knowledge of English and life in the UK can purchase the Life in the UK handbook or undertake a course in English for Speakers of Other Languages which also covers aspects of citizenship. Neither of these is subsidised by the Home Office.
Deportation: Offenders
Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign national prisoners who have served their sentence are in prison awaiting removal from the UK. [40312]
Damian Green: UK Border Agency management information shows that in 2010, for an average month, approximately 635 foreign national prisoners were detained in prisons and 1,135 detained in immigration removal centres beyond the end of their custodial sentence while deportation was considered. These average figures are based on internal management information and are subject to change.
Drugs: Bolivia
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to publish the content of her formal objection to the Bolivian Government's proposal to amend the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs to remove the ban on coca leaf chewing. [39945]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 11 February 2011]: A copy of the Note Verbale to the Secretary-General of the United Nations registering the Government's formal objection to the Bolivian Government's proposal to amend the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 has been placed in the Library of the House.
Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the Bolivian Government on their proposed amendment to the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs to remove the ban on coca leaf chewing. [40443]
James Brokenshire [holding answer 11 February 2011]: I met the Bolivian Foreign Minister, David Choquehuanca Céspedes, on 20 January 2011 to sign a UK/Bolivia Memorandum of Understanding on Drugs Cooperation. During the meeting we had a discussion on Bolivia's proposed amendment to the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961.
Faryadi Sarwar Zardad
Mr Love: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of the police investigation in the case involving Faryadi Sarwar Zardad; and if she will make a statement. [38976]
Nick Herbert: When Faryadi Sarwar Zardad was convicted of conspiracy to torture and conspiracy to take hostages and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in July 2005, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) estimated that the investigation had cost approximately £1 million, including salary costs of the detectives involved in the case.
The MPS has a group of officers within the Counter Terrorism Command (CTC) who are the first point of contact for any allegations of war crimes received. These officers carry out this work alongside other duties. CTC officers follow guidelines on the investigation and prosecution of allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and torture; the guidelines were revised and agreed with the Director of Public Prosecutions in 2010.
When assessing allegations, officers work to secure corroborating evidence available in this country and abroad to meet the threshold for the CPS to advise whether charges should be brought. Even where a suspect is present in the UK, there is rarely enough corroborating evidence available in this country to meet the charging threshold. In such cases, onward referrals to other agencies, such as to the UK Border Agency, may be considered.
Immigrants: English Language
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are applied by the UK Border Agency to approve English language tests for entry into the UK under (a) Tier 1, (b) Tier 2 and (c) Tier 4 of the points-based system. [39658]
Damian Green: The criteria used to assess English language tests for entry into the UK under (a) tier 1, (b) tier 2 and (c) tier 4 of the points-based system is available on the UK Border Agency website.
The document will be placed in the House Libraries and may be found at the following website address:
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals used each English language test approved by the UK Border Agency for entry into the UK under (a) Tier 1, (b) Tier 2 and (c) Tier 4 of the points-based system to meet their visa requirement in the latest period for which figures are available. [39661]
Damian Green: The information is not centrally recorded in the format requested and could be obtained only by a manual check of individual case records at disproportionate cost.
It is a requirement of the points-based system that relevant English language proficiency must be evidenced. The UK Border Agency records whether those entering the UK satisfy this criterion. The UK Border Agency does not record which English language test provider administered the test.
Investor Visas
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of investor visas her Department will award to migrants in each of the next four years; and if she will make a statement. [39551]
Damian Green: In 2009 the routes for investors and entrepreneurs accounted for fewer than 300 people. We are in the process of revising the investor route to provide an accelerated route to settlement for larger investments. This change is designed to make the route more attractive to high net worth individuals and increase the number of investors. We will publish details of the changes and an impact assessment shortly.
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department's policy is on the granting of investor visas to migrants; and if she will make a statement. [39552]
Damian Green: Migrants applying for a visa under the Tier 1 (Investor) route must have access to at least £1 million of their own funds, or £2 million in personal assets and £1 million in a loan, that is disposable and in a financial institution for investment in the UK by way of UK Government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading companies that are registered in the UK.
Migrant Workers
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if her Department will assess the merits of revising the immigration rules to enable more trained doctors and healthcare professionals from outside the EU to work in the UK. [39476]
Damian Green: The Government have recently announced changes to the rules governing employment of skilled workers from outside the EU, and we are confident these meet the needs of the health care sector.
Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of the effect of changes in immigration rules on the numbers of trained doctors and healthcare professionals from outside the EU able to work in the UK. [39657]
Damian Green: The Government have recently announced changes to the rules governing employment of skilled workers from outside the EU, and we are confident these meet the needs of the health care sector.
Migrant Workers
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been made for visas under Tier 5 (religious workers) of the points-based visa scheme in each of the last three years. [39745]
Damian Green: Tier 5 of the Points-based system (PBS) was introduced on 27 November 2008 to cover entry clearance visas for temporary workers and youth mobility. In 2008, there were 10 applications for entry clearance visas under the Tier 5 (religious workers) category, and in 2009 there were 1,290 applications. Figures are based on management information and are rounded to the nearest 5.
Figures on applications for entry clearance visas by category are published annually in Supplementary Table 1c of Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom available from the Home Office's Research, Development and Statistics website at:
Figures for 2010 are due to published in Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2010 in August 2011.
Police
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements she is making for the appointment of deputies to elected police commissioners. [40246]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 11 February 2011]: It is not for the Government to decide whether or not police and crime commissioners should have a deputy. Commissioners will be able to appoint staff, including a deputy if they wish.
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is her policy that there should be a legal requirement for a chief constable to co-operate with an elected police commissioner. [40247]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 11 February 2011]: The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill empowers police and crime commissioners to hold chief constables to account for the exercise of all functions.
Police and Crime Commissioners
Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department's estimate is of the cost of electing police and crime commissioners in each police authority area. [39877]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 11 February 2011]: As stated in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill's impact assessment, elections across England and Wales for police and crime commissioners are estimated at £50 million in 2012. These estimates are based on costs of other national elections, and are therefore not broken down by police force area.
Police Stations: Temporary Accommodation
Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children and young people stayed overnight in police stations because of a lack of available emergency accommodation in the latest period for which information is available. [38332]
Nick Herbert: The police and local authorities have a statutory duty to safeguard all children and young people within their area. Although the information requested is not collected centrally it is for local authorities to work with the police to decide on the most appropriate and effective form of emergency accommodation provision in their area for all young people who find themselves without a safe place to stay.
Police: Accountability
Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which (a) individuals and (b) organisations she consulted on the likely level of costs which would be incurred by electing police and crime commissioners. [39208]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 8 February 2011]: The Home Office has consulted widely on the Police and Crime Commissioners policy, including many detailed conversations with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the Association of Police Authorities (APA), the Electoral Commission, the Association of Electoral Administrators and other Government Departments. While none of these conversations have focused solely on costs, the information and advice provided informed the assessment of costs that was published with the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill last December.
Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Welsh Assembly Government of the costs of holding elections for police and crime commissioners for each police authority in Wales. [39298]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 8 February 2011]: The Home Office has had many detailed conversations with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers and officials on the police and crime commissioners policy. While none of these conversations have focused solely on costs, the information and advice provided informed the assessment of costs that was published with the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill last December.
Police: Investigations
Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Association of Chief Police Officers and ( b) the Metropolitan Police on the future deployment of undercover police officers to investigate protest organisations and individuals not engaged in terrorist activities; and if she will make a statement; [38877]
(2) what guidance her Department has issued to police forces on (a) police officers engaging in personal relationships with those they are investigating and
(b) the maximum length of time an officer assigned to undercover duties should remain undercover; and if she will make a statement; [38879]
(3) under what powers police forces sanction the deployment of undercover police officers to investigate protest organisations and individuals not engaged in terrorist activities; and if she will make a statement; [38881]
(4) what criteria police forces use to determine whether to deploy undercover police officers to investigate protest organisations and individuals not engaged in terrorist activities; and if she will make a statement; [38882]
(5) what means police forces use to monitor the activities and effectiveness of undercover police officers investigating protest organisations and individuals not engaged in terrorist activities; and if she will make a statement; [38883]
(6) what methodology is used to assess the effectiveness of undercover police operations used to investigate protest organisations and individuals not engaged in terrorist activities; and if she will make a statement. [38884]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office routinely discusses a range of policing issues with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Metropolitan police.
The deployment of undercover police officers is regulated by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIPA) Act 2000, within which covert investigatory techniques can be used for approved purposes such as the prevention or detection of crime, national security or public safety. Police will evaluate whether to deploy undercover officers, and monitor the effectiveness of their deployment, according to these approved purposes.
The Home Office publishes codes of practice on how practitioners in public authorities may best apply the RIPA regulations. In addition, the independent Office of Surveillance Commissioners provides procedural and interpretational advice and guidance in connection with their regular inspections of the public authorities using RIPA.
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary is carrying out a review of the operational accountability of undercover work by the National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPIOU) and how intelligence activity is authorised in accordance with the law, including consideration of the proportionality of covert tactics.
Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much has been spent by police forces on undercover police operations to investigate organisations not engaged in terrorist activities in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement; [38878]
(2) how much has been spent on the protection of former undercover officers that have investigated protest organisations and individuals not engaged in terrorist activities in the latest period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [38880]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold this information. The deployment of resources for undercover policing is an operational matter for chief officers.
Police: Manpower
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are employed by each police authority in England; and how many of those are solely under the direction and control of the authority. [40244]
Nick Herbert [holding answer 11 February 2011]: The latest available figures collected by the Home Office are for police officers and staff working in each police force in England as at 30 September 2010. They are shown in the following tables. Separate figures for people employed by each police authority or those under the direct control of police authorities are not collected by the Home Office.
Police: Misconduct
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change was in the number of allegations of misconduct recorded against police forces in England and Wales between 2003-04 and 2008-09; and what assessment she has made of the reason for trends in the number of such allegations. [40795]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold this information, which is a matter for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
Police: Pensions
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assumptions she has made in respect of the dropout rate from the Police Pension Scheme attributable to (a) potential increases in contributions and (b) its indexation against the consumer prices index; what assessment she has made of the effect of the dropout rate on the future viability of this fund; and if she will make a statement. [40358]
Nick Herbert: At the spending review the Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that some additional members, amounting to 1% of the value of the paybill, would opt-out of all the public service schemes as a result of the proposed increase in pension contributions.
Further consideration of the effects of this policy on the opt-out rate will be made as part of the process of determining the distribution of increases in contributions across members of the Police Pension Schemes. As a principle, the Government have already committed to implementing contribution increases in a progressive way so that higher earners pay higher rates than lower earners.
No assessment has been made of the number of additional members that might opt-out as a result of the change in indexation.
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the pension entitlement will be of a member of the Police Pension Scheme who retires after 30 years' full-time service on a salary of (a) £10,000, (b) £15,000, (c) £20,000, (d) £25,000, (e) £30,000, (f) £40,000 and (g) £50,000 if the pension is uprated in line with (i) the retail prices index and (ii) the consumer prices index. [40371]
Nick Herbert: There are two pension schemes that apply to police officers. An officer in the Police Pension Scheme 1987 would have a maximum pension of 40/60ths of final salary after 30 years' full time service. There is no automatic lump sum in the 1987 scheme-an officer can choose to exchange some of his or her pension for a lump sum.
An officer in the Police Pension Scheme 2006 would have a pension of 30/70ths of final salary and a lump sum of 120/70ths of final salary after 30 years' full time service.
Pensions at retirement are the same regardless of the index used for uprating.
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of active members of the Police Pension Scheme earn (a) between £10,000 and £15,000, (b) between £15,000 and £20,000, (c) between £20,000 and £25,000, (d) between £25,000 and £30,000 and (e) £30,000 and more. [40381]
Nick Herbert: The police pension schemes are locally administered by the relevant police authority; the Government do not hold comprehensive data on the schemes. There is some limited data as at 31 March 2008 collected by the Government Actuary's Department. The data on the earnings of active members are not available in the earnings breakdowns requested. However, the following table has the available earnings breakdown of active members as at 31 March 2008:
| Active members | ||
| Pensionable annual earnings | Number | Percentage |
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the administration costs of the Police Pension Scheme are for 2010-11; and what such costs were in each of the last 12 years. [40392]
Nick Herbert: The requested data are not held centrally.
Stop and Search: Dartford
Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many stop and searches were carried out in Dartford constituency in the last five years. [39041]
Nick Herbert: The data reported to the Home Office are not broken down below police force area level, so information for Dartford constituency is not available.
The table provided has the total number of stop and searches carried out in Kent from 2004-05 to 2008-09.
Data for 2009-10 are due to be published in April 2011.
| Number of persons and vehicles searched under stop and search powers( 1) in Kent, 2004-05 to 2008-09 | |
| Number of stop and searches | |
| (1) Includes searches of persons or vehicles under section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1984 and Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. | |
Surveillance
Philip Davies:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the average time taken by a police officer to fill in a form
for the authorisation of surveillance required by the Surveillance Commissioners; and whether she has any plans to reduce this time. [38155]
Nick Herbert: The Home Office has not made such an estimate, but is working with the Association of Chief Police Officers, HM Inspectorate of Constabularies and the Office of Surveillance Commissioners to identify and address areas of unnecessary bureaucracy associated with police use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 ('RIPA'). This includes an examination of the forms used by the police to see whether these can be amended for the purposes of reducing police bureaucracy without jeopardising necessary human rights safeguards.
Terrorism: Convictions and Offences
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been convicted for offences relating to terrorism in each year since 1 January 2001. [38118]
Nick Herbert: The number of persons convicted for terrorism offences in each year since 2001 is contained in the following table.
| Outcomes for persons charged with terrorism related offences | ||||||||||
| Year of arrest | ||||||||||
| 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | Total | |
The Home Office collates and publishes statistics on arrests and outcomes under the Terrorism Act 2000 (Operation of Police Powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 and Subsequent Legislation: Arrests, Outcomes and Stops and Searches). The link to the latest edition of the publication is provided as follows:
Terrorism: Ethnic Groups
Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the self-defined ethnicity is of each person (a) examined and (b) detained under the provisions of schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 since its entry into force. [38717]
Nick Herbert: Information on the ethnicity of those examined under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000 has been collected by the police service since April 2009. Initially these data were collected on the basis of officer definition. Since April 2010, they have been collected on the basis of self-definition, in line with other ethnicity data collected by the police service. We expect to publish the self-defined ethnicity information for the period April 2010 to March 2011 in autumn 2011.
The officer defined ethnicity of those examined under schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, throughout the UK, for the period April 2009-March 2010 is set out in the following table:
| Ethnicity of those examined April 2009-March 2010 | |
| Ethnic origin | Proportion of examinees (percentage) |
The use of schedule 7 is covered by a code of practice which advises that it would be unlawful to select someone based solely on their perceived ethnicity or religion. The code of practice also advises officers on the criteria for selecting individuals for examination and that it should be based on known and suspected sources of terrorism and groups individuals involved in terrorist activity.
UK Border Agency MP Hotline
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the UK Border Agency MP Hotline was not open on 3 February 2011. [39688]
Damian Green:
The UK Border Agency's MPs' Enquiry Line was closed on 3 February 2011 to allow staff to attend a training and planning day. During this closure a recorded message directed callers to their regional MP account manager as an alternative source of information.
The Enquiry Line is open Monday to Thursday 09.00-17.00 and Friday 10.30-17.00, including during parliamentary recesses.
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many days the UK Border Agency MP Hotline was closed in each of the last 12 months; and for what reasons in each case. [39689]
Damian Green: The information is in the following table:
| Date | Reason for closure |
|
Pre-election period-closure in line with Cabinet Office guidance | |
Yarl's Wood Detention Centre
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contract compliance is undertaken in relation to Serco Group plc's contract at Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre; and if she will make a statement. [40214]
Damian Green: All Immigration Removal Centres operated by the private sector, including Yarl's Wood, have their contracts managed by a central commercial team. The UK Border Agency has a team of staff based in each centre to monitor day to day contract delivery and compliance. Meetings take place with the centre manager at an operational level on a weekly basis and on a commercial level on a quarterly basis.
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has received any reports of suspension of staff employed by Serco at Yarl's Wood immigration removal centre for alleged misconduct; and if she will make a statement. [40419]
Damian Green: UK Border Agency officials have been informed by Serco that two staff employed at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre were suspended pending the outcomes of investigations into unconnected allegations of misconduct. One investigation is ongoing; the other has concluded and the officer involved has returned to work.
The UK Border Agency expects the highest standards of behaviour from its staff and contractors. Where an officer is found to have acted inappropriately, he or she will face sanctions. In the most serious of cases, this can ultimately lead to their certification to work as detention custody officers being revoked.
Culture, Media and Sport
Departmental Public Expenditure
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much Barnett consequential funding his Department has provided to each devolved administration in (a) 2010-11 to date and (b) each of the last three years; and with which programmes such funding was associated. [39401]
John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not provide Barnett consequential funding.
Hearing Impairment
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many meetings he has had with representatives of the deaf community since his appointment. [39558]
John Penrose: To date the Secretary of State has not held any specific meetings with representatives of the deaf community.
Internet: Advertising
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the monetary value of the internet search advertising market in the last year for which figures are available. [39778]
Mr Vaizey: The latest full year figures for the UK are from 2009. The Internet Advertising Bureau/PwC Adspend study shows that UK search advertising revenue was £2.148 billion in 2009. More information can be found at the following website:
http://www.iabuk.net/media/images/iabresearch_adspend _adspendfctshth2009_6332.pdf
Ofcom: Telecommunications
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent representations he has received from Ofcom on its research into relay services. [39569]
Mr Vaizey: Ofcom has not made any formal representations on its recently published market research, but the Ofcom project team dealing with this issue are in regular contact with officials at DCMS about the implementation of all aspects of telecoms policy in the UK.
Press Complaints Commission
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has made an assessment of the independence from media organisations of the Press Complaints Commission. [40567]
Mr Vaizey: No formal assessment has been made.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will review the composition of the membership of the Press Complaints Commission. [40568]
Mr Vaizey: The Press Complaints Commission is an independent body. Government have no role or remit in appointing its members. As a body concerned with self-regulation, there is good reason for it to have members from the industry whose regulation it oversees, but these form a minority. 10 of the 17 commissioners-including the chair-have no involvement with the press.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Press Complaints Commission on telephone hacking and blagging allegations. [40570]
Mr Vaizey: The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) recently wrote to the Department setting out what steps it is taking on this matter. The Commission has established a Review Committee of Commissioners, comprising a former chief constable, a law professor, and an editor from outside Fleet street, to review new evidence and make recommendations. It will also review the PCC's own previous work in this area.
Phone hacking is, of course, a criminal offence, and while it is right that the PCC review matters, we must also be mindful that the Crown Prosecution Service is currently conducting a comprehensive assessment of all material in the possession of the Metropolitan Police Service relating to phone hacking.
Public Libraries
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to comply with section 1(1) of the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to promote the improvement of the public library service. [39944]
Mr Vaizey [holding answer 11 February 2011]: We continue to drive the improvement and development of public library services through the Future Libraries Programme (FLP). The programme was announced in July and is led by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and the Local Government Association. They are supporting over 30 authorities participating in the programme to explore options that will help them to deliver the front line services communities want and need more efficiently. Learning from the 10 pilot projects will be shared widely to support non-participating authorities to deliver their services more efficiently too. In addition to the FLP the MLA promotes best practice and supports local authorities to develop their library services. Arts Council England will assume responsibility for the library service improvement and development agenda, following the abolition of the MLA.
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