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15 Feb 2011 : Column 705W—continued
Forests: Schools
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) school and (b) other groups visited Forestry Commission woodlands in the last 12 months. [38691]
Mr Paice [holding answer 7 February 2011]: The Forestry Commission's current estimate is that around 170,000 people each year participate in education and learning activities across the public forest estate in England. Information on other group visits is not held centrally and local records are limited to those groups that applied and were granted permission for organised events that fell within the scope of the Forestry Commission's permissions policy.
Forests: Trees
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of (a) Forestry Commission woodlands and (b) other commercial woodlands in Yorkshire and the Humber are planted with (i) deciduous and (ii) coniferous trees. [38692]
Mr Paice [holding answer 7 February 2011]: As at 31 March 2010 the Forestry Commission public forest estate in Yorkshire and the Humber comprised 14,742 hectares of land that was mainly conifers, 2,644 hectares of land that was mainly broadleaves and 4,295 hectares of other land. This includes open habitats and land waiting to be restocked after felling.
Other woodland in the same region, as recorded in the National Inventory of Woodland and Trees (2002) comprised 16,537 hectares of conifers, 34,907 hectares of broadleaves, and12,029 hectares of mixed woodland. An additional 4,978 hectares was recorded as shrub, young trees and felled.
Horses: Animal Welfare
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the likely effect of changes to the budget for funding to (a) passport-issuing organisations and (b) the National Equine Database on the (i) effectiveness of the horse passport scheme and (ii) welfare of horses; and if she will make a statement. [40651]
Mr Paice: We are currently considering the Government's requirements in respect of horse passports and associated data. In the meantime, we do not envisage any changes to the functions of existing authorised passport issuing organisations or the National Equine Database.
Land: Christchurch
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the open market value of the Forestry Commission estate in Christchurch constituency. [38835]
Mr Paice [holding answer 7 February 2011]: The current book value of the woodland on the public forest estate in Christchurch constituency is £4,112,556. No estimate has been made of the open market value.
Land: Yorkshire and Humber
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) name and (b) ordnance survey map reference is of each (i) visitor centre and (ii) other staffed public information point on Forestry Commission land in Yorkshire and the Humber; and how many members of the public visited each such facility in the last 12 months. [38690]
Mr Paice [holding answer 7 February 2011]: The Forestry Commission has one visitor centre in Yorkshire and the Humber region at Dalby, Ordnance Survey Grid Reference SE 855 878. It was estimated that more than 223,000 visits were made to this site in 2009-10. It has no other staffed public information points in the region, although information is available to the public from its offices in Pickering and York.
Livestock: Transport
Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what sea-going vessels are currently licensed by her Department under the rules for transporting animals which came into force on 5 January 2007. [39322]
Mr Paice: Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations, as implemented in England by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 and equivalent legislation in the devolved administrations, only requires sea-going vessels to be licensed for animal transportation if they are designed for animals to walk on and off. No vessel of this type has been licensed by Animal Health. However, such a vessel may be licensed by a competent authority in another member state and operate into/out of a UK port.
Animals may be transported in other sea-going vessels, such as on roll on, roll off ferries and specialised livestock containers. Although these do not need formal licensing under the legislation there are various technical rules relating to the welfare of the animals during transport. In Great Britain, compliance is monitored by Animal Health to ensure that both vessels and operators meet legislative requirements.
Meat: Ritual Slaughter
Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress she has made on bringing forward legislative proposals for the labelling of meat in respect of (a) method of slaughter, (b) method of rearing and (c) name of the abattoir of slaughter. [40311]
Mr Paice: No legislative proposals have been made in relation to labelling meat in respect of method of slaughter, method of rearing and name of the slaughterhouse where slaughter was carried out. However we are aware of the considerable public interest in this issue.
People should know what they are buying in shops or when they are eating out, and I have had discussions with the supermarkets, the food and catering industries about the role labelling and point of sale information can play in giving consumers a greater choice. This is a difficult, complex and sensitive issue that cannot easily be resolved in view of the many competing interests involved.
We will be looking at this further, but will need to consider the impact of existing EU meat labelling Regulations on our ability to propose national method of slaughter labelling carefully, before any final decisions are taken.
Nature Conservation: British Overseas Territories
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support her Department plans to provide for the eradication and management of invasive species in British overseas territories. [40837]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA's Darwin Initiative is currently supporting three projects on invasive species in UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs). The first is developing knowledge to eradicate house mice across three UKOTs. The second is looking at protecting galaxiids from salmonid invasions in the Falkland Islands. The third is reducing the impact of feral livestock in Montserrat.
In 2009-10 DEFRA funded a pilot project to make the invertebrate plant pest diagnostic expertise of our Food and Environment Research Agency available to certain UKOTs. The project was highly successful in identifying a number of previously unreported non-native species in the UKOTs and some species possibly new to science. This year the project was extended to all UKOTs.
DEFRA is also supporting a project on Jost Van Dyke island in the British Virgin Islands on the management of mongooses and feral cats in order to safeguard globally threatened species. The project also includes a training workshop for the region.
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), announced in Nagoya in October 2010 that DEFRA would be contributing £200,000 towards a project being co-ordinated by the RSPB to eradicate rats from Henderson Island in the Pitcairn group, where invasive rats have been bringing endangered species such as the endemic Henderson petrel to the brink of extinction.
Over the next few weeks, DEFRA intends to issue research contracts to quantify the impact of invasive species in UKOTs and to develop solutions to address these impacts. The research competition has been under way for some months now; all proposals have full support of the relevant OT Government and involve collaboration with at least one organisation based in that territory.
In addition to the role DEFRA plays in the UK's Overseas Territories, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DFID) play a pivotal role. Funding from FCO and DFID continues through the Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP). The programme supports the implementation of the environment charters and environmental management more generally in the UKOTs, but has tended to focus on biodiversity conservation in view of the rich biodiversity that the UKOTs support.
Nature Reserves
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure the sustainability of national nature reserves. [40267]
Richard Benyon: National Nature Reserves make an important and valuable contribution to the Government's biodiversity objectives, and to the public's understanding and appreciation of the natural environment. We are looking at ways to ensure that future management enhances their contribution, both at the national and local levels. National Nature Reserves are some of our most precious wildlife sites and we will not take any risks with their future.
New Forest
Mr Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to ensure (a) access to Forestry Commission land by the New Forest Hunt and (b) that such access should be protected by law in the event of any disposal of such land. [39029]
Mr Paice [holding answer 8 February 2011]: We are committed to protecting the public benefits that are currently provided by the public forest estate. The current consultation on the future ownership and management of the public forest estate in England sets out and invites views on the proposals for protecting these benefits. The whole of the New Forest has been given the indicative categorisation as 'heritage' on the map that accompanies the consultation document. This categorisation recognises the special character and traditions of the area, which we would maintain through any new ownership or management arrangement.
Pesticides
Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to protect the insect population from the effects of neonicotinoids and other similar pesticides. [39392]
Mr Paice: Under European legislation, pesticide active substances are first evaluated at Community level. A key part of this process is an assessment of the risks to wildlife, including bees. If an active substance meets the EU safety requirements then products containing that active substance can be authorised at member state level, taking into account that country's individual agronomic, climatic and dietary requirements.
In the UK, pesticide products can only be sold or used after they have been authorised. As part of this process, the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) of the Health and Safety Executive (the Government body responsible for regulating pesticides) undertakes an assessment of the toxicity of each product and the ways in which spray operators, the public or environment (in particular honey bees) may be exposed. The purpose being to ensure that the use of the product poses no unacceptable risks.
The controls extend to the use of products and CRD routinely restricts the way products can be used (e.g. specifying dose rates, timing and place of application) to ensure protection of human health and the environment. Users are also legally obliged to take all reasonable precautions to protect the health of human beings, creatures and plants. Advice on how this can be done is set out in a statutory "Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products" which, among other things, contains guidance on minimising the exposure of bees to pesticides.
Poultry
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the number of laying hens in certified organic premises. [39240]
Mr Paice: In 2009, the most recent year for which figures are available, there were a total of 1,417,041 laying hens in certified organic premises in the UK.
Sewage: Railways
Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will ask the Environment Agency (a) to test railway tracks at Liverpool street station to ensure that train operators are complying with all necessary legal requirements regarding the discharging of sewage and (b) to assess the potential hazard to human health of such discharges. [40557]
Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency carried out an inspection of the tracks at Liverpool street station on 21 January 2011. At that time there was no evidence of a breach of the legal requirements, or a significant risk of pollution or harm to human health from the discharge of sewage onto the tracks. The Environment Agency will continue to monitor the situation, and is working with the train operating company and others to ensure they are aware of their legal obligations.
Squirrels
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what grants her Department has paid to private landowners for the purposes of controlling the grey squirrel population. [39906]
Richard Benyon: The Forestry Commission awards Rural Development programme for England (RDPE) funding for woodland management (including pest control) through the English Woodland Grant Scheme. DEFRA is the managing authority for the RDPE and is responsible for its implementation under EU law. The amount of grant money spent on grey squirrel control is not recorded separately from other grant aided woodland management activities.
Trapping
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many animals were used in her Department's research project to determine the extent of use and humaneness of snares in England and Wales; and how many of those were (a) injured and (b) killed during the research project. [39878]
Mr Paice [holding answer 11 February 2011]: The trial ran from 2008 until 2010. In the research project "Determining the extent of use and humaneness of snares in England and Wales", a total of 88 animals were used. Of these, two animals were found with visible injuries and were euthanized, four were found dead and a further 43 animals were found alive, then euthanized to allow detailed post mortem examination to determine whether or not they were injured; no injuries were found in these animals.
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the research project commissioned by her Department to determine the extent of use and humaneness of snares in England and Wales plans to publish its report. [39939]
Mr Paice [holding answer 11 February 2011]: We expect to publish the report in 2011 but as yet have no firm date.
Trees: Infectious Diseases
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to increase the protection of trees from infection from diseases from abroad. [38550]
Mr Paice: To prevent new pests and diseases arriving in trade, all imports of trees from third countries are subject to inspection for known pests and diseases under the EU Plant Health regime; import controls are updated on the basis of risks identified through pest risk analysis. Consignments of some tree species moved within the European Union are covered by plant passports issued by the grower to attest to the health status of the trees. Given concerns about the efficacy of these measures, the entire EU Plant Health regime is currently undergoing a major review and we will be working to ensure that the level of security under the new arrangements is fit for purpose. In the context of the review the UK is pushing for faster decision making so that risks are tackled when first identified, as well as improved controls which take into account the risks inherent in trade in plants and plant products.
In addition we are developing improved techniques for risk assessment, improved diagnostic methods and detection practices through research programmes.
Whenever a new risk is identified, either through horizon scanning or detection through inspection, national powers to impose emergency import restrictions are available.
Wood: Imports
Mr Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will assess the merits of introducing measures to make the import or possession of illegally logged timber a criminal offence. [39607]
Mr Paice: We are committed to eliminating illegal timber from the UK market. We will therefore put in place the necessary legislation to implement the provisions of the EU Illegal Timber Regulation in the United Kingdom by 3 March 2013 in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation. 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. Implementation will include putting in place a robust and proportionate enforcement regime, including appropriate penalties.
Mr Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to change the objectives of EU timber regulations to make it an offence to sell illegally-felled timber in the UK. [39608]
Mr Paice: The EU Illegal Timber Regulation was adopted in October 2010, and will enter into force on 3 March 2013. We are now focusing on robust and proportionate implementation and enforcement of the Regulation, including the prohibition on placing illegally harvested timber and timber products onto the EU market. I am confident that this will mean that illegal timber is unavailable for sale or purchase down the supply chain, thereby eliminating illegally harvested timber and timber products from the UK market.
Mr Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on support for any of the provisions of the Illegally Logged Timber (Prohibition of Import, Sale or Distribution) Bill. [39609]
Mr Paice: Tackling the trade in illegal timber is a priority for the Government, and we fully support the underlying aims of the hon. Member for Brighton Pavilion's Illegally Logged Timber Bill. But the Government cannot support the proposed Bill, because it does not take into account measures already being taken to eradicate illegal timber from the UK market. The EU illegal timber regulation will prohibit the first placing of illegal timber onto the EU market, and will enable timber imports to be tracked down the supply chain.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
British Nationals Abroad: Homicide
Jackie Doyle-Price:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many reports he has received of murders of British nationals
overseas since 1 November 2010; and how many families of those murdered have been referred to the Victim Support network by his Department. [39153]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Under a recent arrangement with the Victim Support National Homicide Service, consular staff now notify Victim Support within 24 hours of receiving information of the murder of a British national abroad where the bereaved family are resident in England or Wales. Consular staff will then advise the family of the service provided by Victim Support and, with the family's consent, a Victim Support caseworker will contact them to arrange a meeting. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has been notified often murders of British nationals abroad between 1 November 2010 and 31 January 2011. Six of these fall within the terms of this arrangement and have been notified to Victim Support.
British Nationals Abroad: Victim Support Schemes
Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to host a roundtable meeting for hon. Members to discuss support provided to the families of victims of murder and manslaughter abroad. [40175]
Mr Jeremy Browne: I am planning to host a round table discussion with interested parliamentarians to discuss the support provided to the families of victims of murder and manslaughter abroad. We are committed to finding a sustainable way to do more to support the families of homicide victims abroad, and will focus our efforts on improving the emotional and practical support provided by consular staff abroad.
China: Zimbabwe
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of China on Chinese support for Zimbabwe. [40688]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We have an active programme of engagement with China on Africa issues, including an annual official-level UK-China dialogue on Africa. The most recent round took place in Beijing in October 2010 and Zimbabwe was raised.
The Government emphasised to China the need for balanced support of Zimbabwe's coalition Government, and the importance of business being conducted transparently.
Departmental Art Works
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance his Department issues on the display of the portrait of HM the Queen in (a) embassies, (b) high commissions and (c) other Government buildings overseas. [40297]
Alistair Burt: A colour reproduction of a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, painted by William Narraway in 1977, has been approved by Her Majesty for display at diplomatic service establishments abroad. We expect all major Foreign and Commonwealth Office buildings to display this.
Departmental Official Hospitality
Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department has spent on hospitality since May 2010. [34670]
Alistair Burt: Between May and December 2010, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office spent £3,788,865 in the UK and abroad on business hospitality in support of our foreign policy priorities. All such expenditure is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and HM Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
Egypt: Politics and Government
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens based in Egypt have contacted his Department in the last three weeks. [40294]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s dedicated telephone lines handled more than 5,500 calls from a range of callers between 30 January 2011 and 7 February 2011. These included calls originating from within Egypt as well as the UK. More than 150 email enquiries related to Egypt were received during this period. The FCO's Egypt travel advice pages received on average more than 56,000 visitors per day between 25 January 2011 and 9 February 2011. Between 25 January 2011 and 10 February 2011, 683 comments relating to Egypt were received on the 'British Abroad' and 'UK in Egypt' Facebook pages.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British nationals who used the flights from Egypt chartered by his Department have (a) paid and (b) not yet paid for the flight. [40295]
Alistair Burt: In line with standard industry practice, children under two years old travelled free on the charter flights that left Egypt on 3 and 5 February 2011. Passengers under the age of 16 were charged a reduced price. Undertakings to repay were signed for all British nationals and dependants who were required to pay. Our records show that the two charter flights carried 196 British nationals. As of 10 February 2011, repayment cheques had been received for eight passengers.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) British nationals and (b) non-British nationals have (i) signed up for and (ii) used flights from Egypt chartered by his Department. [40296]
Alistair Burt: A total of 556 British nationals and dependants registered an interest in the charter flights. 247 subsequently decided that they did not require a seat. Others could not be contacted or failed to present themselves for the flight. Our records show that the charter flights carried 222 British nationals and dependants, of which 196 were British nationals and 26 non-British nationals.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what cost his Department has incurred on chartering aircraft to Egypt to evacuate British nationals. [40432]
Alistair Burt: The cost of chartering two flights on 3 and 5 February 2011 from Cairo to London Gatwick totalled £178,894.
EU Law
Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs into which measures the UK has exercised an opt-in under EU legislative arrangements since May 2010; and which further such measures have been proposed in that period in respect of which the possibility of a UK opt-in has arisen. [39568]
Mr Lidington: Since May 2010 the Government have taken a total of 14 opt-in decisions which represented a final UK decision on participation in an EU Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) measure. We have opted in to eight and not opted in to six decisions. The UK has additionally opted into three negotiating mandates to third country agreements. It should be noted that opt-ins to negotiating mandates enable us to influence the mandate but do not commit the UK to participating in the eventual agreements, as we have further opt-ins on signature and conclusion of the agreements-therefore they are not included in our running totals. These decisions on negotiating mandate are listed as follows:
Council Decision on the negotiating mandate for an EU-US Agreement on Passenger Name Records; opted in (negotiating mandate only)
Council Decision on the negotiating mandate for an EU-Australia Agreement on Passenger Name Records; (negotiating mandate only)
Council Decision on the negotiating mandate for an EU-Canada Agreement on Passenger Name Records; (negotiating mandate only)
All opt-in decisions taken between 1 December 2009 and 30 November 2010 are set out in the annual report to Parliament on the opt-in, which was tabled as a command paper on 21 January 2011. As above, the annual report counted an opt-in as a final UK decision on participation in a measure - for this reason the figures in the annual report exclude separate opt-in decisions on negotiating mandates and signing. The annual report also included additional information on Schengen opt-out decisions.
In addition, since 30 November 2010, the Government have opted into the following proposals:
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Attacks against Information Systems;
Amended proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Establishment of EURODAC.
Also since 30 November 2010, the Government have not opted in to the following proposal:
Proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be taken by the EU in EEA joint Committee concerning an amendment to Annex VI (social security) and protocol 37 to the EEA agreement.
The following proposals have been adopted by the Commission and will be subject to the opt-in:
Proposal for an Agreement between the EU and Belarus on readmissions (deadline 16 February 2011)
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council facilitating cross-border enforcement in the field of road safety (deadline 23 February 2011)
Proposal to repeal and replace Regulation 44/2001 (Brussels I) on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters (deadline 17 March 2011)
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on EU Passenger Name Records (deadline 2 May 2011).
Gilad Shalit
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department, (c) officials in his Department and (d) British Embassy staff in Israel have had since December 2010 with the family of Gilad Shalit; what meetings are planned during the next six months; and if he will make a statement. [39615]
Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend 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.
Guinea: Human Rights
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to support the development of democracy and respect for human rights in Guinea. [40687]
Alistair Burt: The UK welcomes the return to democratic rule in Guinea and is actively engaged with EU counterparts in Brussels and United Nations colleagues, with the African Union and with the Economic Community of West African States to develop democracy and respect for human rights. As a key member of the International Contact Group the UK continues to work with and support the new Government. As the Government takes further steps towards further entrenching democracy, the EU will progressively unblock development funds suspended when the military seized power in 2008. We have also recently set up UK projects working with non-governmental organisation youth leaders on deepening democracy, improving human rights and civilian/military relations. We will continue to monitor the human rights situation closely.
Hong Kong: Passports
Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK citizens are employed in the Regional Passport Processing Centre in Hong Kong. [40697]
Mr Jeremy Browne: All employees recruited into the Regional Passport Processing Centre in Hong Kong are either British citizens or Commonwealth citizens. This figure includes UK civil servants and staff employed locally. For operational and security reasons, we cannot provide a more detailed breakdown.
Israel: EU External Relations
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent assessment he has made of Israel's compliance with the requirements of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement; [40659]
(2) what discussions he has had with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on her assessment of Israel's compliance with the requirements of Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. [40660]
Alistair Burt: The UK has regular discussions with its EU partners on a number of issues related to the middle east peace process including the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
The EU has made clear that any upgrade of this agreement must be linked to progress on the middle east peace process. We continue to support this view and to underline this point in discussions with EU partners.
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton on 21 December 2010 with regard to Mr P Walsh. [41272]
Mr Lidington: The letter from the right hon. Member was transferred to the Department for Work and Pensions on 19 January 2011.
Middle East: Armed Conflict
Mr Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from non-governmental organisations in (a) Palestine and (b) Israel on the proposed changes to transparency legislation in Israel. [39863]
Alistair Burt: Following a Knesset decision to examine setting up a parliamentary panel of inquiry, we are aware that some organisations may face probes into their funding. As the first stage, a Committee in the Knesset approved two non-governmental organisation panels on 2 February 2011. The Knesset are likely to formally approve this next week. Our embassy in Tel Aviv and our Consulate General in Jerusalem have had contacts with a number of non-governmental organisations on these issues.
Our ambassador to Tel Aviv discussed the issue with the Israeli ambassador to the UK, Ron Prosor, shortly after the Knesset vote. Officials raised this with one of the two Members of the Knesset who had pressed for these panels (she is also the proposed chair of one of them) and underlined our concerns to her.
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: Embassies
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the future status of the Palestinian General Delegation in the UK. [40658]
Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to my response of 18 January 2011, Official Report, column 704W, to the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr Offord).
Palestinians: Politics and Government
David Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent discussions he has had with his UN Security Council counterparts on the (a) conduct of the Hamas administration and (b) security needs of UN workers in the Gaza Strip; [39355]
(2) what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts about the Hamas administration of the Gaza Strip. [39356]
Alistair Burt: Our officials have regular dialogue with the UN regarding a number of human rights issues: this includes abuses carried out by members of Hamas. On 19 January 2011 the Security Council held its monthly debate on the middle east in which they discussed the situation in Gaza and the wider middle east.
The Government are also in regular dialogue with EU counterparts with regard to Gaza. The EU is focused on opening up Gaza's borders to allow greater freedom of movement of people and goods to facilitate the rejuvenation of Gaza's economy.
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), raised these issues with Prime Minister Netanyahu when he visited Israel in November. I discussed Gaza at length with the Israeli Co-ordinator for Government Activity in the Territories, General Dangot, when I visited the region on 16-19 January 2011.
We continue to call on Hamas to take immediate and concrete steps towards the quartet principles-unconditionally to release Gilad Shalit, who has been held in captivity for over four years.
Said Musa
Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the government of Afghanistan on the (a) detention and (b) potential release from a prison in Kabul of Said Musa. [40821]
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, the UK Attorney-General, the right hon. and learned Member for Beaconsfield (Mr Grieve), also raised this case with the Afghan Attorney General.
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.
Taiwan: Working Holidays
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had on establishing a working holiday agreement with Taiwan; and if he will make a statement. [40120]
Mr Jeremy Browne: We are aware of Taiwan's desire to establish a working holiday agreement, but no substantive discussions have to date taken place. The UK operates a single generic Youth Mobility scheme (YMS) to enhance cultural exchanges between young people. All YMS participant countries need to meet certain eligibility criteria, including demonstrating a low level of immigration risk, a satisfactory returns arrangement with the UK and reciprocal opportunities for UK nationals. The Home Office are the lead Government Department on YMS.
Uganda: Elections
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the forthcoming elections in Uganda; and if he will make a statement. [40950]
Alistair Burt: I have received regular reports on all aspects of the electoral process from our high commission in Kampala.
Our overall assessment is that the Government of Uganda have made some progress in improving the framework for elections, including amendments to electoral legislation and a comprehensive update of the voter register, partly in response to the recommendations of the EU and other observation missions to the 2006 elections. It is also notable that the run-up to these elections has been more peaceful than in 2006. However, we remain concerned that the playing field between the governing and opposition parties is uneven, and that levels of trust in the Ugandan Electoral Commission are low.
The UK and other donors have undertaken a wide range of activities to encourage these improvements, including capacity building support for the Ugandan Electoral Commission, media and political parties via the Deepening Democracy Programme. We are fully supporting the activities of observation missions from the EU, Commonwealth and other international and domestic bodies. Furthermore, we have also emphasised the importance that we attach to free and fair elections to the Government of Uganda (including to President Museveni) and have urged both the Government and opposition parties to engage constructively in the process.
Vietnam: Human Rights
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the government of Vietnam on respect for human rights in that country; and if he will make a statement. [40683]
Mr Jeremy Browne:
The UK takes every opportunity to raise human rights issues with the Vietnamese Government. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs raised human rights when he
met Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem on 8 September 2010 in London. I also raised human rights with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Cuong on 21 December 2010, as did the Deputy Prime Minister with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit on 4 October 2010 in Brussels.
We also work closely with our EU partners to highlight our shared human rights concerns. On 10 December 2010, our ambassador to Vietnam participated in the biannual EU-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue in Hanoi. Our ambassador also raises human rights issues with the Vietnamese Government bilaterally.
Western Sahara: Fisheries
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask the European Commission to provide evidence that the Saharawi people have benefited from the EU-Morocco Fisheries partnership Agreement before he agrees to any extension of the agreement. [41034]
Alistair Burt: We understand that Morocco presented evidence to the European Commission on the distribution of the benefits of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) in mid-December 2010. This evidence is being analysed by the Commission. At a senior level meeting in Brussels on 9 February 2011, we asked the Commission to let member states view the evidence.
Morocco, as the de facto administering power of Western Sahara, is obliged under international law to ensure that economic activities under its administration do not adversely affect the interests of the people in Western Sahara. The FPA is due to expire on 27 February 2011 and negotiations on an extension of the FPA will take into account any changes in the situation since it was first agreed.
Western Sahara: Human Rights
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his Moroccan counterpart the duty of Morocco under the Fourth Geneva Convention to protect the human rights of the inhabitants of Western Sahara. [41135]
Alistair Burt: We are concerned that the conflict in Western Sahara remains unresolved, and of the impact this has on the humanitarian situation in the region. Our Ministers and officials regularly discuss human rights with their Moroccan counterparts, including the human rights situation in Western Sahara. I raised the issue of Western Sahara in my meetings with Moroccan Ministers during my visit to Morocco in December 2010. During our discussions, I urged the Government of Morocco to consider the benefits of a human rights monitoring presence on the ground as the best way to ensure a balanced picture of conditions in the disputed territory.
I am encouraged that Morocco and the Polisario met in Geneva from 9-10 February 2011 under the auspices of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees where they agreed to extend the programme of confidence building measures.
Health
NHS: Legislative Framework
John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to Liberating the NHS: Legislative framework and next steps, Cm 7993, paragraph 6.39, when he expect the work programme for the Foundation Trust pipeline to be published. [41013]
Mr Simon Burns: Since "Liberating the NHS: Legislative framework and next steps" was published in December 2010, work has continued at national, local and regional level to determine the actions that will be required to support all national health service trusts achieve foundation trust status by April 2014. Agreements are being established, and published, by the spring that will detail the planned trajectory of work required for each NHS trust to meet the April 2014 deadline.
Alcoholic Drinks and Drugs: Misuse
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 25 January 2011, Official Report, columns 221-22W, on alcoholic drinks and drugs: misuse, if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions the effects of levels of youth unemployment on future demand for treatment. [40331]
Anne Milton: Professor Sir Michael Marmot's review of health inequalities, 'Fair Society, Healthy Lives' (2010) commissioned by the Department found that:
"There is a significant positive correlation between the prevalence of problematic drug users aged 15-64 years and the deprivation indices of a local authority."
The index of multiple deprivation takes into account employment deprivation.
The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health are jointly responsible for delivering the recovery ambition set out in the Government's Drug Strategy. There is close collaboration between the Departments at both official and ministerial level as we seek to rebalance the treatment system for drug and alcohol dependence within a recovery framework.
As set out in our white paper 'Healthy Live's Healthy People: Our Strategy for Public Health in England', Public Health England (PHE) will work to address the root cause of ill health and highlights that:
'wider factors that shape the health and well-being of individuals, families and local communities-such as education, employment and the environment-also need to be addressed in order to tackle health inequalities.'
The White Paper sets out in further detail the steps PHE will take in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions to tackle these inequalities and help to reduce the future burden on health services including drug and alcohol treatment systems.
Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of long-term trends in the proportion of alcohol-dependent individuals aged (a) 16 and 19 and (b) between 20 and 24. [40362]
Anne Milton: The Department estimates alcohol dependence by reference to a score of 16 or more on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)(1). This definition is consistent with that used in the Alcohol Needs Assessment Research Project (ANARP) published in 2005. ANARP used a cut-off score on the AUDIT of 16 to identify 'moderately or severely dependent' drinkers.
The estimate has been made using data from the adult psychiatric morbidity survey (APMS), 'Psychiatric morbidity among adults living in private households, 2000', published in 2001 and 'Adult Psychiatric Morbidity in England, 2007', published in 2009(2).
In 2000, we estimated that 5.2% of 16 to 19 years old were alcohol dependent, in 2007, the estimated proportion was 4.7%. In 2000, it was estimated that 8.1% of 20 to 24 years old were alcohol dependent, in 2007, the estimated proportion was 8.3%. Neither of the changes in the estimated proportions between 2000 and 2007 is statistically significant.
(1) AUDIT was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a method of screening for excessive drinking and to help identify alcohol dependence. It consists of 10 questions about recent alcohol use, alcohol dependence symptoms, and alcohol-related problems.
(2 )The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey covers adults living in private households in England. It includes information on the prevalence of alcohol use and dependence by age, sex, region and other factors for 2000 and 2007.
Breasts: Surgery
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many women had breast reduction operations funded by the NHS in each primary care trust in each of the last five years; [40320]
(2) what the eligibility criteria are for women to have a breast reduction operation on the NHS. [40321]
Mr Simon Burns: The available information has been placed in the Library. Figures for 2005-06 are given separately from those for the following four years because there was a major reorganisation of primary care trust areas between the two periods.
Individual commissioners are responsible for deciding on local policies on the treatments which would generally be made available to national health service patients, and for setting up transparent arrangements for considering requests for treatment in exceptional cases for individual patients. General guidance on the principles which should underlie these decisions was set out in a letter and accompanying directions of March 2009 from the chief executive of the NHS to chief executives of primary care trusts. Guidance on possible criteria for breast reduction surgery was published by the former Modernisation Agency in March 2005.
Drugs: Rehabilitation
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 25 January 2011, Official Report, columns 221-22W, on alcoholic drinks and drugs: misuse, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the reduction in the number of 18 to 24-year-olds in drug treatment between 2005-06 and 2009-10. [39911]
Anne Milton: There has been a decrease in the numbers of young people using drugs. In 2009-10, 20% of 16 to 24-year-olds in England had used one or more illicit drug in the last year, compared with 25.2% in 2005-06.(1)
In addition the latest national estimates of the prevalence of opiate and/or crack cocaine use in England produced by the university of Glasgow and the university of Manchester show a decrease in use by those aged under-25, from 60,672 in 2006-07 to 55,145 in 2008-09.
(1) Source:
Statistics on Drug Misuse, England 2010, published by the National Health Service Information Centre for health and social care in January 2011.
General Practitioners: EU Law
Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether GP consortia will be subject to European Union (a) competition and (b) public procurement law. [38755]
Mr Simon Burns: The prohibitions of anti-competitive behaviours under the Competition Act 1998 could potentially apply to general practitioner (GP) consortia, but only to the extent a GP consortia was acting as an 'undertaking' for the purposes of the Act, which may be unlikely to occur in practice, although the competent authorities (i.e. Monitor or the Office of Fair Trading (OFT)) would be obliged to consider any individual complaint on its merits. The OFT has published the following statement on the definition of 'undertaking' for these purposes:
"It covers any natural or legal person engaged in economic activity, regardless of its legal status and the way in which it is financed. It includes companies, firms, businesses, partnerships, individuals operating as sole traders, agricultural co-operatives, associations of undertakings (e.g. trade associations), non profit-making organisations and (in some circumstances) public entities that offer goods or services on a given market. The key consideration in assessing whether an entity is an undertaking for the application of Article 81 and/or the Chapter I prohibition is whether it is engaged in economic activity. An entity may engage in economic activity in relation to some of its functions but not others." (Agreements and concerted practices: understanding competition law; Office of Fair Trading; 2004; paragraph 2.5)
Further guidance on prohibitions of anti-competitive behaviour and investigations and enforcement action under the Competition Act 1998 is published on the OFT website at:
In addition, the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 would also apply to the purchasing activities of GP consortia, as public contracting authorities, in the same way it already applies to primary care trusts.
Health Services: Social Enterprises
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential future role of (a) community social enterprise and (b) corporate social enterprise in delivering NHS services. [40204]
Paul Burstow:
No assessment has been made of the future role of community and corporate social enterprises. The White Paper and Command Paper set out the Government's commitment to allowing patients to choose
any health care provider for the majority of national health service-funded services. We are therefore keen to remove potential barriers to fair competition. In light of this we want to ensure that social enterprises, particularly those established under the right to request, are in a position to add value to current services, and that commissioners, through a range of providers, offer choice and quality to patients, as well as value for money.
The Government are committed to giving public sector workers new 'rights to provide' services as employee-owned mutuals and bid to take over the services they deliver. Proposals for how NHS staff can use this new 'right to provide' are currently being developed.
Maternity Services
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to his Department was of its review of the Making it Better Maternity programme. [40148]
Anne Milton: This is a matter for the local national health service and as such the information requested is not held centrally. The North West Strategic Health Authority led the review of the Making it Better programme. The cost of the review can be obtained from the Making it Better implementation team direct, through the North West Strategic Health Authority.
NHS: Compensation
Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS Litigation Authority claims valued above £500,000 were settled by (a) lump sum and (b) period payments in the last five years; and what the value is of each such claim. [40223]
Mr Simon Burns: Information on how many NHS Litigation Authority claims valued above £500,000 were settled by lump sum and periodical payments in the last five years is shown in the following table.
| Year of settlement | Claims settled as a periodic payment | Claims settled as a lump sum | Total claims |
A table to show the value of claims over £500,000 has been placed in the Library.
Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients aged (a) 0 to 17, (b) 18 to 65 and (c) over 65 years at the date of award were receiving damages payments under a periodical payment order awarded against the NHS Litigation Authority on 31 March (i) 2005 and (ii) 2010. [40224]
Mr Simon Burns: The following table shows the number of patients receiving a periodic payment as at 31 March 2005 and at 31 March 2010 by age of patient at settlement date.
| Number of periodic payments | ||
| Age at settlement | As at 31 March 2005 | As at 31 March 2010 |
Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths there have been of claimants receiving payments under a periodical payment order from the NHS Litigation Authority and aged (a) 0 to 17, (b) 18 to 65 and (c) over 65 years at the date of the award in the last five years. [40225]
Mr Simon Burns: The following table shows the number of patients receiving a periodic payment who have died in the last five years.
| Age at settlement | Number of periodic payments |
Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the largest 25 settled claims were under periodical payment orders in each of the last five years; and what the average annual cost of future care was at the date of settlement in respect of such claims. [40226]
Mr Simon Burns: The information on the average cost of initial annual payment is shown in the following table. The annual payment may cover costs other than care.
| Settlement year | Average of initial annual payment (£) |
| Notes: 1. The NHS litigation authority have shown the annual periodic payment value as at the point of settlement in each case. 2. Some periodic payment orders have agreed 'steps' in annual payments to recognise changes in the future costs eg at age 18 where 'independence' or university etc. may have a bearing. The table therefore shows the average of the initial annual payment. | |
The following table shows the largest 25 settled claims under periodical payment orders in each of the last five years. The total value for each estimate is based upon information at the time of settlement.
| £ | |||||
| Position | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
NHS: Pensions
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of (a) active and (b) deferred members of the NHS Pension Scheme are aged between (i) 20 and 30, (ii) 31 and 40, (iii) 41 and 50, (iv) 51 and 55 and (v) 56 and 65. [40273]
Mr Simon Burns: The information is shown in the following table.
| Percentage | ||
| Age range | Active members | Deferred members |
| Source: Government Actuary's Department, NHS Pension Scheme valuation data as at 31 March 2008 | ||
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of members of the NHS Pension Scheme are (a) (i) part-time and (ii) full-time, (b) (A) male and (B) female and (c) (i) active members and (ii) deferred members/pensioners. [40280]
Mr Simon Burns: Data have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department (GAD). GAD estimate that the proportion of active members of the NHS Pension Scheme who are part-time is 37% and 63% for full-time. This estimate is based on a comparison of actual salary against whole-time equivalent salary for each member in the valuation data.
23% of active members are male and 77% are female. 51% of the membership are active members and 49% are either deferred members or pensioners.
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many members of the NHS Pension Scheme there are. [40323]
Mr Simon Burns: The most recent membership figures for the NHS Pension Scheme were published in the 'NHS Pension Scheme and NHS Compensation for retirement Scheme resource Accounts (2009-10)'.
The total membership of the NHS Pension Scheme as at 31 March 2010 included 1,368,215 active members, 524,726 deferred members and 638,610 pensioners, a total of 2,531,551.
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assumptions he has made in respect of the dropout rate from the NHS Pension Scheme attributable to (a) potential increases in contributions and (b) its indexation against the consumer prices index; what assessment he has made of the effect of the dropout rate on the future viability of this fund; and if he will make a statement. [40359]
Mr Simon Burns: 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 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 NHS Pension Scheme. We are engaging with employee representatives on the principles to apply across public service schemes and wish to implement change in a way which minimises increases in opt-out rates. 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 Health what the pension entitlement will be of a member of the NHS 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 (e) £50,000 if the pension is uprated in line with (i) the retail prices index and (ii) the consumer prices index. [40372]
Mr Simon Burns: The NHS Pension Scheme (England and Wales) has two sections. The 1995 section provides a pension of 1/80th pensionable pay for each year of service together with a lump sum of three times the annual rate of pension. For members of the 2008 section, there is no automatic lump sum and the pension provided is based on 1/60th pensionable pay for each year of service.
These annual pension payments will increase annually in line with legislation. We cannot give figures for these increases because we cannot predict the size of future changes in any indexation measure.
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of active members of the NHS 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. [40379]
Mr Simon Burns: The information is shown in the following table.
| P ercentage | ||
| Whole- time equivalent earnings | Actual earnings | |
| Source: Government Actuary's Department, NHS Pension Scheme valuation data as at 31 March 2008 | ||
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the likely savings to the NHS Pension Scheme of the proposed indexation according to the consumer prices index (a) in 2010-11 and (b) in the next (i) 10, (ii) 20, (iii) 25 and (iv) 30 years. [40385]
Mr Simon Burns: The Government have not made any separate estimate of the change in central Government expenditure in 2010-11 or in the next 10, 20, 25 and 30 years for the NHS Pension Scheme as a result of the change to indexation of public service pensions and benefits in line with the consumer prices index.
However, the overall estimated savings in annually managed expenditure over the forecast period for public service pension expenditure were made available in answers to the right hon. Member for Stirling (Mrs McGuire) on 27 July 2010, Official Report, columns 1193-94W, and the Office of Budgetary Responsibility, responsible for forecasting expenditure on public service pensions, has included the change to indexation in line with the consumer prices index in their methodology.
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the administration costs of the NHS Pension Scheme are for 2010-11; and what the costs were in each of the last 12 years. [40394]
Mr Simon Burns: The information is shown in the following table.
NHS: Per Capita Costs
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of the NHS per person in (a) England and (b) London in each year since 1990; [40405]
(2) what estimate he has made of the level of public expenditure on health per person in (a) England and (b) London in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [40406]
Mr Simon Burns: The following table shows calculations for cost of the national health service per person in England and London.
The calculations for England and London are on a different basis. England expenditure is total expenditure so includes both capital and centrally managed expenditure, whereas the London expenditure figures cover the NHS revenue expenditure of London primary care trusts and strategic health authorities.
Several accounting changes make direct comparisons of expenditure across the time period problematic.
Full differences in currencies are explained in the detailed notes to the table.
NHS: Reorganisation
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the membership of the NHS Commissioning Board will include an ophthalmic services specialist. [39865]
Mr Simon Burns: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 7 February 2011, Official Report, column 112W.
NHS: Retirement
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS staff have retired from the NHS in each year from 2005. [39887]
Mr Simon Burns: The information is shown in the following table:
| Number | ||
| Year ending 31 March | Active members retiring | Total active membership |
| Source: The NHS Pension Scheme and NHS Compensation for retirement Scheme Resource Accounts. | ||
Obesity: Children
Simon Hart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money his Department spent on measures to tackle childhood obesity in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010; and how that money was allocated in each such year. [40308]
Anne Milton: Information is provided in the following table on the amount spent under the Department's obesity programme budget.
| Obesity budget | |
| £ million | |
| (1) Latest projected spend. | |
Approximately £50 million was spent on the Change4Life campaign in 2008-09 and 2009-10 and £11.95 million was allocated in 2010-11.
Funding was allocated to a range of delivery partners including other Government Departments, local authorities, and national health service organisations.
In addition, during this period, the Department has supported a range of additional programmes such as the healthy schools initiative, various programmes to improve child health, and diet and nutrition. These programmes contribute to improving health and addressing childhood obesity.
Ophthalmic Services
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the willing provider principle will apply to the provision of (a) ophthalmic care and (b) other specialist services. [39932]
Mr Simon Burns: There are no current plans for the any willing provider model to apply to specialist services commissioned by the National Health Service Commissioning Board (NHSCB), and it will be for the NHSCB to agree the appropriate procurement routes for these services.
Out of Area Treatment
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many disputes under the cross-border commissioning protocol between local health boards and primary care trusts have reached (a) stage 2 and (b) stage 3 of the dispute resolution process since October 2009; and who the parties to the dispute were in each case. [39858]
Anne Milton: Stage 3 in the disputes resolution process involves escalation of disputes to a national level. No such applications have been received by the Department since October 2009.
Information on disputes at stage 2 is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The Dispute Resolution Process contained in the cross border commissioning protocol between the Department and the Welsh Assembly Government applies to all commissioners in Wales (local health boards) and all national health service providers and commissioners (primary care trusts) in England. Disputes can occur between commissioners as well as between a commissioner and provider. Every one of these organisations would therefore need to be contacted to provide this information.
Psychiatry: Children
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of psychiatrists employed in the NHS specialising in the treatment of children in each of the next five years. [40159]
Paul Burstow: The information requested is not collected centrally.
No forecasts or plans are collected for the numbers of psychiatrists employed in the national health service specialising in the treatment of children.
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was for access to (a) children's services, (b) a child psychologist and (c) a child psychiatrist in each of the last five years. [40398]
Paul Burstow: The Department does not collect this information.
Tobacco: Retail Trade
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effects of the removal of tobacco point of sale displays on children and young people's perceptions of smoking as a normal activity; and if he will make a statement. [40865]
Anne Milton: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr Offord) on 27 January 2011, Official Report, column 473W.
Walking
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the average amount of time adults spent walking each day in the latest period for which figures are available. [40843]
Anne Milton: The Health Survey for England 2008 did not report on the average time spent walking per day but does so per week. It shows the average number of hours spent walking per week is 2.2 hours for men and 1.2 hours for women. For these purposes, the Health Survey for England defines walking as at a 'Fairly brisk' or 'Fast' pace.
A copy of the Health Survey for England has been placed in the Library.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Business: Advisory Services
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress has been made on the procurement of his proposed business support service. [40739]
Mr Prisk: We are currently drafting specifications for the National Call Centre and Business Coaching for Growth elements of the Government's new business improvement delivery system and intend to carry out procurement exercises from March 2011.
Citizens' Advice Bureaux: Scotland
John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of citizens advice bureaux likely to close in (a) Scotland, (b) Glasgow and (c) Glasgow North West constituency as a result of the comprehensive spending review. [40255]
Mr Davey [holding answer 11 February 2011]: The Government are not aware of any recent closures of Citizens Advice Bureaux in Scotland, Glasgow, or the hon. Member's constituency of Glasgow North West as a result of the comprehensive spending review.
The Government are aware that last year North Ayrshire Citizens Advice Bureaux announced the closure of bureaux offices in Largs and Arran as a result of a reduction in funding by the local authority and are providing an outreach service in its place.
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