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Written Answers to Questions
Thursday 10 March 2011
Scotland
Cobra: Libya
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions he or the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland have attended meetings of Cobra or its sub-group to discuss the Government's response to the situation in Libya. [45532]
David Mundell: Scotland Office Ministers and officials attend meetings in the Cabinet Office briefing rooms when the business of the meeting requires their attendance. As is the case with information relating to the proceedings of Cabinet and Cabinet Committees, details about Cobra meetings are generally not disclosed.
Departmental Official Cars
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions he has been collected from a London airport and driven to (a) the Houses of Parliament and (b) Government offices in central London by (i) ministerial car, (ii) private hire vehicle paid for by Government and (iii) hackney cab reimbursed by Government since May 2010. [45652]
Michael Moore: I regularly travel from London airports by train and also make use of taxis and cars as required. We do not hold the detail of all individual journeys that the hon. Member has requested. The Scotland Office no longer has a contract with the Government Car Service.
Hospitals: Glasgow
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people normally resident in England live within (a) an hour’s and (b) two hours’ travel time of the Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow. [45345]
David Mundell: Health is a matter devolved to the Scottish Government and, therefore, this request should be directed to the NHS Information Services Division at Gyle Square, 1 South Gyle Crescent; Edinburgh EH12 9EB (telephone—0131 275 7777).
Women and Equalities
Human Trafficking
5. Robert Flello: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what recent progress has been made on the strategy to combat trafficking of women and girls. [45307]
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Lynne Featherstone: Combating human trafficking, including the sexual exploitation of women and girls, is a key priority for the Government. We are committed to tackling organised crime groups who profit from this human misery, and to protecting victims. We are due to publish our new strategy on human trafficking in the spring.
Crimes of Violence: Females
Ian Murray: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what recent progress she has made in combating violence against women and girls. [45302]
Lynne Featherstone: On International Women’s Day, we published a comprehensive action plan outlining the work taking place across Government to tackle violence against women and girl, a key priority for this Government. That is why we have already announced £28 million of funding for women’s frontline services until 2015 and more than £10.5 million of funding for rape crisis services over the next three years.
Departmental Conditions of Employment
Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what assessment she has made of the Government Equalities Office’s adherence to each of the principles of good employment practice set out in the Cabinet Office publication Principles of Good Employment Practice. [42626]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office supports the principles of good employment practice for Government, Contracting Authorities and Suppliers set out by Cabinet Office.
Departmental Procurement
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities which procurement projects engaged upon by the Government Equalities Office had a designated senior responsible owner in the latest period for which figures are available; and on what date they were appointed in each such case. [45564]
Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office procures very little and does not have any need for such procurement projects.
Treasury
Departmental Procurement
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance his Department provides to other Government Departments on the minimum monetary value for a procurement project for which a senior responsible owner is required. [45662]
Danny Alexander: Treasury has published guidance on project governance for public sector projects. This guidance aims to help public sector bodies put in place and maintain the structures and forums that are needed for effective project governance, at all stages in the project lifecycle. This includes information on the role of senior responsible owners.
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/ppp_projectgovernance guidance231107.pdf
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However, Treasury does not set a minimum monetary value for a procurement project for which a senior responsible owner is required. Cabinet Office, which leads on project management policy, has published guidance stating that every project must have a senior responsible owner appointed, with personal accountability and overall responsibility for the delivery of a successful outcome.
Equal Pay
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the difference in the pay gaps between men and women in the (a) public and (b) private sector. [44912]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what recent assessment has been made of the difference in the pay gap between men and women in the (a) public and (b) private sector. (44912)
Levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. The ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom.
ONS's estimates of gender pay differences are based on median hourly earnings excluding overtime. I attach a table for 2010 showing the gender pay difference in the public and private sector, for median hourly earnings excluding overtime for all, full-time and part-time employees on adult rates of pay, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence.
| Gender pay gap for employee jobs (1) in the public and private sector, 2010 | |||
| Percentage pay difference (women/men) | |||
|
|
Full-time | Part-time | All |
| (1) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence, as at April 2010. Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics. | |||
EU Economic Policy
Mr Cash: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 1 March 2011, Official Report, column 435W, on EU economic policy, (1) what his definition is of economic policy coordination; and if he will make a statement on the matter before the commencement of proceedings on consideration of the European Union Bill; [44981]
(2) for what reasons the answer did not refer to the (a) Treaty and (b) legal base under which Treaty to which the statement by the heads of state or government of the euro area and the EU institutions referred; and if he will make a statement on the matter before the commencement of proceedings on the consideration of the European Union Bill. [44982]
Mr Hoban
[holding answer 8 March 2011]: The member states of the European Union engage in a broad range of economic policy co-ordination, examples of which
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are the Stability and Growth Pact, the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, the Europe 2020 growth initiative, and the current legislative proposals on strengthening economic governance.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 1 March 2011, Official Report, column 435W, which made no reference to the European Union Treaties because no treaty legal basis is required for intergovernmental agreements. Member states are at liberty to enter into any such agreements they wish provided these do not breach any of the treaties and respect the fundamental principles of the Union.
Excise Duties: Fuels
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Exchequer received in duty from fuel sales (a) in the UK and (b) in the Northern Isles, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the islands of the Clyde and the Isles of Scilly in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [45462]
Justine Greening: HM Revenue and Customs routinely publishes data on UK fuel duty revenues accruing to the Exchequer from 1999 to date at:
www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bulloil
Fuel duty is collected directly from fuel producers and therefore it is not possible to distinguish between different fuel consumers or geographic areas.
Financial Institutions
Simon Kirby: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many shares UK Financial Investments Ltd holds in each financial institution in which it has a stake; and if he will make a statement. [45387]
Mr Hoban: As set out in the UK Financial Investments (UKFI) Annual Report and Accounts 2009-10, UKFI currently holds 39.6 billion ordinary shares and 51.0 billion B-shares in the Royal Bank of Scotland. In Lloyds Banking Group UKFI currently holds a total of 27.6 billion ordinary shares.
UKFI also manages the Government’s 100% shareholding in Northern Rock plc, Northern Rock Asset Management and Bradford and Bingley.
Fuels: VAT
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect on the cost of motoring of the January 2011 increase in (a) the standard rate of value added tax and (b) fuel duty. [45666]
Justine Greening: On 1 January 2011 the main rate of fuel duty rose by 0.76 pence per litre and on 4 January the standard rate of VAT rose by 2.5%. Data on average retail road fuel prices are published every week by the Department of Energy and Climate Change at:
www.decc.gov.uk/publications
Grahame M. Morris:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total revenue accruing to the Exchequer from motoring in each of the last 10 years; and what estimate he has made
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of the level of such revenue in each of the next five years. [45672]
Justine Greening: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 20 January 2011, Official Report, column 935W, to the hon. Member for Glasgow North East (Mr Bain) and to the answer given on 17 January 2011, Official Report, column 573W, to the hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr Campbell).
Historic outturns of current receipts are published in Budget documents.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Basildon and Billericay of 11 January 2011 regarding the hon. Member’s constituents Mr Ehren and Mr Maguire. [45340]
Mr Hoban: I have replied to the hon. Member.
Amber Rudd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Hastings and Rye of 3 December 2010, reference AR/LS/688, to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, transferred to his Department on 7 January 2011. [45670]
Mr Hoban: My officials have asked the hon. Member’s office for a copy as the Treasury has no record of having received the correspondence referred to.
Minerals: Developing Countries
Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with industry on the prospect of strengthening the due diligence requirements for companies that are listed on the London Stock Exchange engaged in mineral extraction in developing countries. [45660]
Mr Gauke: Treasury Ministers hold regular conversations with representatives from the resource extraction industry as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with the previous Government, the Government do not disclose the outcomes of all such meetings and discussions.
Oil: Fuels
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the effect of global oil prices on the cost of fuel. [45665]
Justine Greening: At the recent G20 meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in Paris on 18-19 February the effects of potential excessive commodity price volatility were discussed and the G20 asked international organisations to report on the underlying drivers and the challenges posed by these trends for both consumers and producers and consider possible actions. Over the last few months the Chancellor has discussed a wide range of issues with his international counterparts, including energy prices.
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Revenue and Customs: Credit Reference Agencies
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what use HM Revenue and Customs makes of credit reference agencies and data-matching services to identify fraud. [45015]
Mr Gauke: HMRC currently uses a variety of data from credit reference agencies and other third parties in order to support and enhance its risking and enforcement activities. This is used in two main ways:
Data sets from third parties are used to enhance HMRC’s existing risking tools. This allows HMRC to, for example, cross-reference its own data with third party data in order to help identify potential fraud.
Individual HMRC investigators can use credit reference agency data on a case-by-case basis where they feel it will aid their investigation, and where that data is not already held by HMRC.
Through a series of proof of concept trials, HMRC is exploring the benefit of further harnessing the expertise of credit reference agencies and data- matching services to help identify fraud.
Revenue and Customs: Manpower
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many investigators were employed by HM Revenue and Customs in each month of the last five years. [45016]
Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs deploys compliance officers on a wide range of compliance activities including risk assessment, addressing inaccurate returns and verifying repayment claims, debt collection and criminal investigations across all heads of duty.
The number of compliance officers deployed by HMRC over the last five years are:
|
|
FTE compliance officer |
The requested month by month breakdown could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.
Taxation
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer many individuals have appealed against demands for repayment of underpaid tax as a result of recent miscalculations of tax liability made by HM Revenue and Customs in the PAYE system; and how many have been successful. [45010]
Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Dundee East (Stewart Hosie) on 19 October 2010, Official Report, column 679W.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many appeals against tax liability calculations by HM Revenue and Customs were upheld in each month of the last five years. [45011]
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Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals liable for underpaid tax as a result of recent miscalculations of tax liability made by HM Revenue and Customs in the PAYE system are over the pension age. [45012]
Mr Gauke: The information requested is only available at disproportionate cost.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many appeals against tax demands by HM Revenue and Customs were (a) received and (b) upheld under extra-statutory concession A19 in each month of the last five years. [45013]
Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available. However, between September 2010 and 6 March 2011 HMRC received 41,645 extra-statutory concession A19 applications of which 9,760 were successful and 31,885 were unsuccessful.
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers have had their details passed to debt collectors by HM Revenue and Customs in pursuit of underpaid tax as a result of recent miscalculations of tax liability made by HM Revenue and Customs in the PAYE system. [45014]
Mr Gauke: HMRC is aiming to recover the majority of underpayments by adjusting people's tax codes or, where that is not possible, by securing payment on a voluntary basis.
No taxpayers have had their details passed to HMRC collectors or debt collection agencies for debt pursuit activity as a result of the recent end of year reconciliation difficulties.
Steve Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the potential effects on (a) economic activity, (b) trade, (c) tourism and (d) growth in the UK of disparities between levels of aviation taxation in (i) EU and (ii) G20 countries; and if he will make a statement. [45349]
Justine Greening: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 22 November 2010, Official Report, column 83W, to the hon. Member for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich (Dr Poulter).
Third Sector
Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what account he has taken of the Compact between the Government and Civil Society in policy development; [42598]
(2) what steps his Department has taken to support the big society initiative; [42650]
(3) whether (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department are participating in volunteering activities as part of his Department's involvement in the big society initiative. [42668]
Justine Greening:
The big society is an approach which is at the heart of Government's reforms across all policy areas. The Treasury, for example, supports the
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goals of the big society by ensuring that the tax system supports charitable giving. The Charity Tax Forum was established in 2010 to provide input to Treasury on the effectiveness of the charity tax system in supporting charitable giving. Furthermore, the Chancellor announced a £470 million package to support the civil society sector as part of the spending review and the Treasury is working closely with the Cabinet Office on the implementation of the big society bank. To support public service reform, the Treasury has also eliminated top-down process targets in favour of front-line professional judgment by scrapping public service agreements.
The Treasury fully supports and taken account of the Compact which facilitates better interaction between the sector and Government.
Treasury Ministers carry out their ministerial duties in line with the Ministerial Code. Any volunteering activities undertaken by Treasury Ministers in a personal capacity are a matter for them. Relevant interests, which may include voluntary activities, are published by the Cabinet Office in the List of Ministers' Interests.
VAT: NHS
Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend section 41 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 to treat hospices on the same basis as NHS institutions for the purposes of value added tax. [45115]
Mr Gauke: All tax matters are kept under review. Announcements relating to tax are made at the Budget.
Chris Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of bringing charitable providers of health care services within the provisions of section 41(7) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994. [45130]
Mr Gauke: No such estimate has been made. However, all tax matters are kept under review and a range of estimates are made as part of this process.
Chris Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has plans to provide funding to voluntary sector providers of NHS services to offset value added tax paid on non-business supplies which they are unable to recover. [45131]
Mr Gauke: The Government keep all such matters under review. The general principle is that the funding or payment provided to bodies that carry out public services is inclusive of the costs of providing that service, including any VAT or other tax costs. Equally, the VAT which is refunded to the NHS and other bodies is taken into account as part of those bodies’ overall funding arrangements.
Transport
Trust Ports
15. Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions he has had on the future of trust ports. [45288]
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Mike Penning: I have not held any recent discussions on the future of trust ports. During my visits to ports and when I have been invited to speak at maritime events, I have made clear that what I want for trust ports is to make sure that they all have the right commercial ambitions to grow.
High Speed Rail
16. Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what date he expects international passenger rail services on the High Speed 1 route to stop at Stratford International station. [45289]
Mrs Villiers: This is a commercial decision for the current and future operators on the line. At present, neither Eurostar nor Deutsche Bahn have announced plans to stop at Stratford.
Renewable Energy Directive
17. Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on the sustainability criteria in the renewable energy directive related to transport fuels; and if he will make a statement. [45290]
Mr Philip Hammond: I have received recent representations on the renewable energy directive biofuel sustainability criteria from a number of NGOs including the RSPB, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. We share some of their concerns regarding the sustainability of some biofuels. For that reason we propose taking a cautious approach to implementing the renewable energy directive as set out in the consultation we have launched today on proposals to implement the transport elements of the renewable energy directive and the associated fuel quality directive.
Major Sporting Events
18. Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to ensure that transport infrastructure is sufficient to meet the anticipated volume of traffic for major sporting events in 2012 and beyond. [45291]
Mrs Villiers: The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has statutory responsibility for transport planning for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is working closely with delivery partners, including the Mayor and TfL, to deliver reliable transport during the games. Billions of pounds are being invested in transport capacity improvements for the games, which will leave a lasting legacy.
Bus and Tram Fares
19. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department holds on trends in bus and tram fares. [45292]
Norman Baker:
The Department for Transport collects and publishes a Bus Fares Index which contributes to official UK inflation measures. The most recent figures show that bus fares in Britain increased by 4.3% on
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average in the year to January 2011. The retail prices index rose by 5.1% over the same period. There is no equivalent information on tram fares.
Bus Services
20. Mr Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on planned changes to bus services receiving grants from his Department in the financial year 2011-12. [45293]
Norman Baker: In England, operators of local bus services receive Bus Service Operators Grant. I have received representations from hon. Members, members of the public and interest groups and have been able to confirm that we have decided to make no reductions in this grant in 2011-12.
A1: Repairs and Maintenance
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans to upgrade the A1 north of Newcastle he has considered. [45331]
Mike Penning: This Government have not considered any specific proposals to upgrade the A1 north of Newcastle. In October 2010, the Department for Transport set out its plans for investment on the strategic road network in the document Investment in Highways Transport Schemes.
The Department has recently issued a consultation about the status of the A1 north of Newcastle, proposing to upgrade its status to a Route of Strategic National Importance. We are considering the views submitted and will publish our formal response in due course.
Bypasses: Isham
Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects construction of the Isham bypass to be completed. [45535]
Norman Baker: The ministerial statement on 4 February 2011, Official Report, columns 60-62WS, named the local major transport schemes that have been selected for the Development Pool for possible funding. The A509 Isham Bypass scheme was not selected and therefore will not be considered for funding by this Department in this spending review period (up to 2014-15). It is now for the promoters to consider their options, including whether further investment in the development of this scheme would be in the best interests of local council taxpayers.
Cycling: Safety
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effects on measures to ensure cyclists’ safety of reductions in expenditure by his Department. [43111]
Norman Baker: The Government are keen to promote sustainable travel initiatives, including cycling.
Funding streams to local authorities have been simplified and de-ring-fenced, to give local authorities more freedom and flexibility to develop and implement solutions to meet local needs.
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We have announced the local sustainable transport fund, a bid-based fund that will be for local authorities to build on their plans for sustainable travel measures through their local transport plans. The purpose of the fund is to enable the delivery by local transport authorities of sustainable transport solutions that support economic growth while reducing carbon.
We are making £560 million available to the fund over the four-year period to 2014-15. This compares with the £140 million of funding provided for Cycling England in total over the three-year period from 2008 to 2011.
We will not know the expenditure on cycling—including cyclist safety—until bids have been received in June and determined, which will occur this summer. The level of expenditure on cyclists’ safety will depend on the priorities determined by local councils bidding to the fund.
House of Commons Commission
Monuments
Thomas Docherty: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, what progress the House of Commons Commission has made on plans to erect a memorial to (a) Robert Bradford and (b) Sir Anthony Berry within the House of Commons. [45529]
John Thurso: The Commission has decided, with the agreement of the families of the late Robert Bradford and Sir Anthony Berry, that memorials to each of the former Members will be placed in the Chamber of the House of Commons. Arrangements are currently being made.
Health
Accident and Emergency Departments
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which hospitals located in towns or cities with populations over 30,000 (a) do and (b) do not have a 24-hour accident and emergency department. [44974]
Mr Simon Burns: The information requested is not held centrally.
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many 24-hour accident and emergency departments there are in each primary care trust area. [44975]
Mr Simon Burns: A table setting out how many type 1 (major) accident and emergency (A&E) departments there are in each primary care trust area has been placed in the Library.
Accident and Emergency Departments: East of England
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate has been made of the average travelling distance to a 24-hour accident and emergency department in the East of England. [44973]
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Mr Simon Burns: This information is not held centrally.
It is a matter for the local national health service to ensure that there is appropriate provision of urgent and emergency services that are responsive to people’s needs.
Children: Abuse
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effects of high-profile child neglect cases on levels of referrals to social services departments. [41238]
Tim Loughton: I have been asked to reply.
There were 603,700 referrals to children’s social care services in England in 2009-10, an increase of 56,700 (10.4%) from the 2008-09 figures. The 2008-09 referral figures were themselves a small increase of 8,500 (1.6%) from the 2007-08 figures.
Although comparing 2009-10 data to previous years is not straightforward due to a change in how data are collected, it is clear that there has been an overall increase in the number of referrals received by children’s social care services. The increase may be explained by a number of factors and the Department has not made a separate assessment of the impact of high profile child protection cases.
The independent review of child protection in England commissioned from Professor Eileen Munro has been looking closely at the referral process. In her recent interim report, Professor Munro observes that:
“the variation in referral rates around the country and the fluctuations in referral rates in response to high profile child deaths both suggest that complexity, uncertainty, and anxiety play a significant part in making the decision to refer”.
Professor Munro is examining local innovations that have helped reduce the number of inappropriate referrals to children’s social care and will be submitting recommendations for reform on this area to the Government in her final report in April.
This reply applies to England only. The issues raised are the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government in Wales.
Departmental Billing
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in January and February 2011. [45083]
Mr Simon Burns: The proportion of invoices paid within 10 days of receipt in January and February 2011 was 98.37% and 98.76% respectively.
Departmental Food
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the proportion of the seafood procured for (a) his Department, (b) its agency and (c) the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible that (i) was on the Marine Conservation Society’s list of fish to avoid and (ii) complied with sustainability standards indicated by inclusion in either the Marine Conservation Society’s list of fish to eat or by the list of fish species certified by the Marine Stewardship Council in (A) 2010 and (B) 2011 to date. [45032]
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Mr Simon Burns: The information is not held currently centrally for either the Department or its agency and non-departmental public bodies. These bodies hold contracts with suppliers for the delivery of catering and other facilities management services. The contracts are awarded through a competitive tender process based on the best overall value for money solution.
The Department and its non-departmental public bodies are committed to meeting the new reporting requirements and standards introduced as part of the new Government Buying Standards to be introduced shortly and discussions on this have already been held with the Department’s catering provider to ensure they comply with the new standards.
Departmental Leaseback Arrangements
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assets his Department has sold and leased back over the last 12 months; what the sale price was of each asset so sold; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of leasing back each such asset over the period of the lease. [45082]
Mr Simon Burns: In 2009-10 the Department did not sell and lease back any of its assets. 2009-10 is the latest year for which audited financial information is available. There have been no such transactions to date in 2010-11, and none are expected before the financial year end.
Epilepsy: Deaths
Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the number of preventable deaths from epilepsy and convulsions among people with learning difficulties in the latest period for which figures are available; what steps he plans to take to improve access to epilepsy specialists for people with learning difficulties and epilepsy; and whether he plans to review the provision of health services for people with learning difficulties and epilepsy. [45661]
Paul Burstow: The Department does not collect, or hold, information on the number of preventable deaths from epilepsy among people with learning difficulties.
The Government remain committed to providing access to high quality health care for people with learning disabilities as set out in “Valuing People Now” (2009). Learning disabilities is also included in the “NHS Operating Framework 2011/12”, which further demonstrates this Government's commitment to improving health outcomes for all people with learning disabilities. NHS trusts—like all other public services—are responsible for ensuring that they meet the needs of all the people they serve.
Epilepsy: Diagnosis
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of instances of misdiagnosis of epilepsy in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [45601]
Paul Burstow: We have made no estimate of the number of instances of misdiagnosis of epilepsy.
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Health Services: Charities
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the transfer of health care provision to the charity sector; and if he will make a statement. [45116]
Paul Burstow: The Government have no plans to transfer the provision of any specific type of health care to any particular type of provider, including the charity sector. Under the reforms set out in the Command Paper and Health and Social Care Bill, patients would be able to receive the best care from the best possible providers, regardless of who owns or runs them, with different types of provider competing on their merits. There is no goal to transfer national health service-funded care to any particular provider sector.
Horse Meat
Mr Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements exist for the enforcement of horse passport regulations in abattoirs. [40849]
Mr Paice: I have been asked to reply.
Horse passport regulations are enforced throughout England by the appropriate local environmental health and trading standards officers.
Hospices
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospices the NHS operates. [45114]
Paul Burstow: The Department does not collect information on the numbers of national health service hospices for adults. Details of hospice and palliative care provision in England are published by Help the Hospices, in partnership with St Christopher’s Hospice, in the annual Hospice and Palliative Care Directory. In the latest publication, covering 2009-10, the total number of NHS adult hospice and palliative care inpatient units identified in England is 40.
There are around 40 children’s hospices in England and none of them are operated by the NHS.
Hospital Beds: East of England
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds per head of population there were in (a) the East of England Strategic Health Authority area and (b) the Suffolk Primary Care Trust area in each year since 2007-08. [44977]
Mr Simon Burns: The data requested for Suffolk Primary Care Trust are not held centrally. However, the number of beds available overnight for the East of England Strategic Health Authority (SHA) per head of population (thousand) is shown as follows:
| East of England SHA | |
|
|
Thousand |
| Source: Department of Health KH03 annual beds census | |
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Musculoskeletal Disorders: Health Services
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the outcomes were of his Department's expenditure on problems in the musculoskeletal system in 2009-10. [43286]
Paul Burstow: The Department invested £100,000 in 2009-10 in the development of a national best practice tariff to support improvements in the quality and outcome of care for people with fragility hip fractures. The best practice tariff started in April 2010. It is awarded where surgery is undertaken within 36 hours of admission, where specialist geriatric assessment takes place within 72 hours and where the patient follows an agreed care pathway. Data relating to adherence to the best practice criteria are collected by the National Hip Fracture Database and are scheduled for publication in July 2011.
In July 2009 the Department published The Prevention Package for Older People Resources which includes material relating to falls and fractures. It is not possible to disaggregate expenditure specifically relating to problems of the musculoskeletal system, however, and no data on outcomes from use of the package are available.
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of variations in levels of expenditure by primary care trusts on problems of the musculoskeletal system; and if he will make a statement. [43287]
Paul Burstow: Variations in levels of expenditure by primary care trusts (PCT) in England on problems of the musculoskeletal system forms part of a wider assessment of variation in expenditure that was conducted for the NHS Atlas of Variation. The atlas highlights the amount each PCT spends on clinical services and links this with the health outcomes patients see. A copy has been placed in the Library and can be downloaded at:
www.rightcare.nhs.uk/atlas/
Taken from 2009 data already in the public domain, the atlas assesses for the first time what 152 PCTs across England achieve with the money spent on services for their local population, as compared to other PCTs. Expenditure for Problems with the Musculoskeletal System across PCTs in England is outlined within the Atlas in map 19 on page 60.
NHS: Freedom of Information
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of providing information requested under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 since the entry into force of the Act; and what assessment he has made of the likely effect of such costs on the competitiveness of public bodies subject to the provisions of the Act compared to those private or voluntary sector providers who are not subject to those provisions. [44920]
Mr Simon Burns: The information requested is not held centrally.
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Nurses: Schools
John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on (a) expenditure on and (b) empowerment of school nurses authorised to recommend paediatric continence services for pupils. [45524]
Anne Milton: Officials from the Department of Health and Department for Education meet on a regular basis to discuss all aspects of school nursing.
It is for local national health service organisations to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health and to commission services accordingly. This process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community including the provision of school nursing services.
School nurses have a key role in continence services for example managing nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting), advice on childhood constipation and supporting children and young people with disabilities and school staff to manage continence issues in school.
Sanitation: Schools
John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on steps to ensure that water and toilet facilities in schools are at a standard sufficient to prevent avoidable negative health outcomes. [45455]
Anne Milton: The Secretary of State for Health has not discussed standards of water and toilet facilities in schools with the Secretary of State for Education.
Sexual Health
Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure that local authorities will maintain its work in respect of sexual health following the transfer to them of responsibility for public health. [45494]
Anne Milton: On 21 December 2010, we published the consultation document “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: consultation on the funding and commissioning routes for public health”, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library. The consultation period ends on 31 March. For sexual health, we propose that local authorities will be responsible for commissioning comprehensive open-access sexual health services using funds from the ring-fenced public health budget.
The Department wants to ensure that local authorities are accountable to their local communities, and that they are able to determine how best to improve public health and reduce inequalities in health in their local area. However, some public health services for which local authorities will take responsibility will need to be commissioned in a universal way in all areas. The consultation asks which services should be mandatory for local authorities to provide or commission.
The public health grant to local authorities will be made under section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003 and as a ring-fenced grant will carry some conditions
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about how it is to be used. These conditions could be used to ensure the ring-fenced grant is spent appropriately, including ensuring value for money.
We are consulting on which essential conditions should be placed on the ring-fence grant to ensure a successful transition of responsibility for public health to local authorities. For example, to specify the role of the Director of Public Health in relation to spending decisions: or, to provide for other accountability arrangements. However, we will need to balance the need to ensure accountability for spend against the desirability of maximising the capacity for local decision-making about how best to spend the money and to minimise bureaucracy. We intend to seek to ensure this balance in any conditions that we impose on the grant.
Culture, Media and Sport
Departmental Billing
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what proportion of invoices from suppliers his Department paid within 10 days of receipt in January and February 2011. [45095]
John Penrose: The proportion of invoices paid to suppliers by the Department within 10 days of receipt in January and February 2011 are set out in the table:
|
|
Percentage of invoices paid within 10 days |
Departmental Leaseback Arrangement
Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assets his Department has sold and leased back over the last 12 months; what the sale price was of each asset so sold; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of leasing back each such asset over the period of the lease. [45094]
Licensing
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 17 February 2011, Official Report, column 909W, on licensing, whether he expects the programme-making and special events band manager award to take place prior to 2016; and if he will make a statement. [43725]
Mr Vaizey: There is currently no timescale for appointing a band manager for the PMSE sector. Ofcom has stated that it will revisit the concept following the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Mr Mike Hancock:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 17 February 2011, Official Report, column
10 Mar 2011 : Column 1204W
909W, on spectrum licensing, when he expects the process of appointing a band manager with responsibilities for the programme-making and special events sector to
(a)
begin,
(b)
be completed and
(c)
come into effect; and if he will make a statement. [43659]
Mr Vaizey: There is currently no plan for appointing a band manager for the programme-making and special events sector. The Office of Communications (Ofcom) has stated that it will revisit the concept following the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 17 February 2011, Official Report, column 909W, on spectrum licensing, which companies or organisations took part in the tender process undertaken by Ofcom for licensing and spectrum management services to the programme-making and special events sector; and if he will make a statement. [43660]
Mr Vaizey: Arqiva Ltd, Interconnect Ltd and Transfinite Systems Ltd took part in the tender process.
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 17 February 2011, Official Report, column 909W, on spectrum licensing, whether the current arrangements to provide licensing and spectrum management services to the programme-making and special events (PMSE) sector are interim arrangements prior to the appointment of a PMSE band manager; and if he will make a statement. [43706]
Mr Vaizey: No, since there are no current plans to appoint a PMSE band manager.
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 17 February 2011, Official Report, column 909W, on spectrum licensing, how many companies or organisations took part in the tender process undertaken by Ofcom for licensing and spectrum management services to the programme-making and special events sector; and if he will make a statement. [43708]
Mr Vaizey: Three organisations took part in the tender process for licensing and spectrum management services to the programme making and special events sector.
Newspaper Press
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of the economic prospects for the local newspaper industry. [44695]
Mr Vaizey:
Local newspapers continue to face challenging times as they meet the demands of structural and cyclical change. There is some evidence to show that newspapers might be over the worst, but advertising, which is the main source of income, remains depressed. To allow local news groups to provide a better offering to advertisers the Secretary of State recently announced that he would introduce secondary legislation to repeal certain cross media ownership rules. These include the
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rule that prohibits a person who owns a local radio licence with more than 45% coverage to also own a local newspaper with 50% or more coverage within the same area. This would allow local media groups to offer a more comprehensive package to advertisers and follows the recommendation made by the industry regulator Ofcom.
Home Department
Asylum
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the potential benefits to children in families seeking asylum of the introduction of the Family Returns Panel. [45425]
Damian Green: The panel will provide independent advice to the UK Border Agency on how best to ensure the return of families who have been found to have no right to remain in the country and who have failed to go voluntarily or to comply with instructions to do so without the need for enforcement action. The panel will ensure that the welfare of children is a central consideration in the new process. The panel will not have any role in respect of families whose application for asylum is still under consideration.
Borders: Personal Records
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of what proportion of air passenger movements passenger name record data were used for (a) security checks and (b) risk assessments in the latest period for which figures are available. [45227]
Damian Green: We do not hold details on the proportion of passenger name record (PNR) data used for security checks and risk assessments.
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on introducing passenger name record checks on all air passenger movements (a) inbound to, (b) through and (c) outbound from the UK. [45228]
Damian Green: The extension of passenger name record checks is presently being considered for inclusion in the e-Borders programme, which operates inbound to and outbound from, the UK: no timescale has been set for the inclusion of additional checks, as this is dependent on approval of the business case.
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At present we are collecting passenger name record (PNR) data on a voluntary basis from a number of carriers on high-risk routes. These carriers are providing PNR data on 146 routes covering 14.4 million passenger movements into and out of the UK per year.
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what timetable she has set for the introduction of (a) a manual and (b) an automated authority to carry function as part of the UK’s passenger checks; and by what date she expects this function to be available in respect of all flights landing at UK airports. [45229]
Damian Green: The Government are committed to making changes to pre-flight checks to identify people who pose a potential terrorist threat and prevent those who pose a severe terrorist threat from flying into and out of the UK.
e-Borders will provide the capability to support a manual process and, in due course, potentially provide an automated process to provide or deny authority to carry at the point of check-in for certain categories of individuals seeking to travel to and from the UK.
No timetable has yet been established. We will shortly be undertaking consultation on proposals to implement a statutory authority to carry scheme, initially on a manual basis. We are currently examining options for deploying an automated process.
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from what proportion of air passenger movements her Department captured passenger name record data in the latest period for which figures are available. [45230]
Damian Green: We are currently collecting passenger name record data for 11.4% of total air passenger movements.
Burglary
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences involving bogus callers were reported in each London borough in each of the last three years. [45408]
James Brokenshire: The available information relates to offences of distraction burglary recorded by the police and is given in the following table.
| Offences of distraction burglary recorded by the police by London borough | |||
| Number of offences | |||
| London borough | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
10 Mar 2011 : Column 1207W
10 Mar 2011 : Column 1208W
Departmental Food
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will estimate the proportion of the seafood procured for (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible that (i) was on the Marine Conservation Society’s list of fish to avoid and (ii) complied with sustainability standards indicated by inclusion in either the Marine Conservation Society’s list of fish to eat or by the list of fish species certified by the Marine Stewardship Council in (A) 2010 and (B) 2011 to date. [45034]
Damian Green: The Home Department inclusive of its agencies and non-departmental public bodies does not contract directly for food supplies but procures catering services through wider facilities management (FM) or operational service contractors.
When placing a contract with FM or operational services contractors, government guidance on sustainable food and farming is incorporated in appropriate terms and conditions with regards to the procurement of food. Purchasing policy is reviewed frequently to incorporate new policy initiatives.
The Department’s caterers are not contractually required to have systems in place to monitor and provide detailed reports across the wide range of food which they purchase. To introduce contractual obligations for caterers to set up complex reporting regimes would lead to additional expenditure and incur disproportionate cost.
Domestic Violence
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what definition of the term domestic violence her Department uses for the purposes of official statistics; and which relationships are covered by this term. [44936]
Lynne Featherstone: There are two sources of official statistics on crime in England and Wales: crimes recorded by the police and those estimated from the British Crime Survey (BCS), a representative sample survey of adults aged 16 and over resident in households.
Police recorded crime statistics are defined on the basis of legal offences and incidents of domestic violence cannot be separately identified as it is the outcome of such incidents which will be recorded as an offence by the police e.g. actual bodily harm. Additionally, no information is centrally available on the relationship between the victim and the offender.
The BCS has two definitions: a narrow measure of “domestic violence” defined as comprising incidents of wounding and assaults which involves partners, ex-partners, other relatives or household members; and a broader one of “domestic abuse” defined as any non-sexual emotional or financial abuse, threats, physical force, sexual assault or stalking carried out by a current or former partner or other family member.
Drugs: East of England
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug-related offences were recorded in each police force area in the East of England in each year since 1997. [45146]
James Brokenshire: Data collected centrally on recorded crime do not identify whether offences are drug related. The recorded crime statistics do include the number of specific drug offences recorded by the police and the available information is given in the table.
The recording of drugs offences by the police is particularly dependent on police activities and priorities. Furthermore, in recent years the number of offences recorded has been affected by the powers available to the police for possession of cannabis offences. In April 2004,
10 Mar 2011 : Column 1209W
the introduction of cannabis warnings allowed the police to issue a warning on the street and in January 2009 the
10 Mar 2011 : Column 1210W
police were also given the power to issue penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) for possession of cannabis.
| Drug offences recorded by th e police in the East of England r egion | ||||||
|
|
Bedfordshire | Cambridgeshire | Essex | Hertfordshire | Norfolk | Suffolk |
| 1. Trafficking in controlled drugs only. 2. Includes trafficking offences, possession offences and other drug offences. Notes: 1. In 1998-99, the coverage was extended and counting rules changed. Figures before and after that date are not directly comparable. 2. The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in 2002-03. Figures before and after that date are not directly comparable. | ||||||
Homicide
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of homicide rates in each socio-economic group. [44809]
James Brokenshire: No formal assessment has been made of homicide rates by socio-economic group.
The employment status classifications on the Homicide Index are not necessarily comparable to those defined by the National Statistics Socio-Economic Classification, and it is not possible to show the figures as rates per million.
Knives: Crime
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the level of (a) knife crime and (b) homicide by use of a knife by people aged under 20 years in (i) London, (ii) England and (iii) Wales. [45121]
James Brokenshire: The Home Office collects data on offences involving the use of a knife or sharp instrument from the police forces of England and Wales via a special additional data collection. This collection does not contain data on victims or suspects and, therefore, it is not possible to break the data down by age of suspect.
However, homicide data collected via the Homicide Index can be broken down by age of suspect. The Homicide Index is a record level database containing information on each homicide recorded by the police in England and Wales. Data are provided in Table A.
| Table A: Homicide by sharp instrument offences currently recorded by the police in England and Wales (1) where the suspect was aged under 20 years, 2009-10 | |
| Area | Number of homicides |
| (1) Excluding British Transport Police. (2) London includes Metropolitan and City of London Police. | |
Passports: Diplomatic Service
Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether ministers in her Department authorised the issue of false passports to members of the diplomatic mission to eastern Libya. [45656]
Alistair Burt: I have been asked to reply.
I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to the House on 7 March 2011, Official Report, columns 643-45.
Refugee Council: Finance
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on reductions in the level of funding provided to the Refugee Council. [45204]
Damian Green: My officials and I have received a number of letters from MPs and other interested parties on this issue.
Road Traffic Offences: Suffolk
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many drivers were prosecuted under the Road Traffic Act 1988 for an offence of failing to stop after an accident in Suffolk in each year since 2005; [45140]
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(2) how many drivers were prosecuted for offences under section (a) 3 and (b) 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in Suffolk in each year since 1997. [45145]
Mr Blunt: I have been asked to reply.
The number of proceedings at magistrates courts for offences of failing to stop after an accident in the
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Suffolk police force area from 2005 to 2009 (latest available) can be viewed in Table 1.
The number of proceedings at magistrates courts for offences under sections 3 and 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in the Suffolk police force area from 1997 to 2009 can be viewed in Table 2.
Court proceedings data for 2010 are planned for publication in spring 2011.
| Table 1: Number of proceedings at magistrates courts for offences under s.170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, Suffolk police force area, 2005 to 2009 (1,2) | ||||||
| Offence | Act | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
Visas
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many multi-visit visas her Department issued in each of the last three years; and in respect of which 10 countries the greatest number of such visas were granted. [45406]
Damian Green: The number of multiple-entry visit visas issued globally in each of the fast three years is shown in table 1. Table 2 lists the top 10 nationalities and the number of visas issued in each of these years.
| Table 1: Multi-entry visit visas issued | |
|
|
Global total |
| Table: 2: Top 10 nationalities | |||
|
|
2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| (1) The figure for South Africa reflects the imposition of a visa regime in 2008. Note: This information is based on Management Information. It is provisional and subject to change. | |||
Visas: Students
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to identify fraudulent student visa applications. [45423]
Damian Green:
The UK Border Agency is already taking steps to identify fraudulent (student) visa applications. The UK Border Agency's International
10 Mar 2011 : Column 1213W
Group currently has over 100 intelligence officers overseas in its Risk and Liaison Overseas Network (RALON), providing an effective overseas disruption capability. The UK Border Agency has also established police referral programmes in 53 countries to deter the use of false documents as part of the visa application process.
The UK Border Agency ensures that all sponsoring educational intuitions have a valid UK Border Agency Tier 4 licence and all applicants' biometrics are checked against various immigration, criminal and counter-terrorism databases in the UK. Robust checks are carried out to verify the authenticity of supporting documents.
Applicants will be automatically refused and may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years if they use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information. They may also be banned if they have breached immigration laws in the UK.
The Government are concerned about the number of non-EEA nationals who enter the UK on student visas but whose main intention is to work and settle permanently in the UK. Nearly half of those entering via the student route come to study courses below degree level and abuse is particularly common at those levels. We are reviewing the student entry route. A consultation on the student immigration system closed on 31 January. The results of the consultation will be published in due course.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund: Lincolnshire
Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many grants through the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund have been given in grant aid to organisations in North Lincolnshire; and what the value was of each such grant. [45587]
Richard Benyon: Monies from the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund (ALSF) are paid to local authorities through Area Based Grants. Payment is made to Lincolnshire county council, not specifically North Lincolnshire; and the decision on how these monies are spent is the responsibility of that authority.
Lincolnshire county council was allocated £107,000 from the ALSF for 2010-11. In addition, other ALSF grants may have been made available to wildlife and archaeological trusts etc., for example, through DEFRA's main delivery partners.
Agriculture: Payments
Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Rural Payments Agency is taking to increase the speed with which it processes the claims of applicants whose single farm payment status has changed during the year. [45373]
Mr Paice: I refer my hon. Friend to the written statement I made on 4 March 2011, Official Report, columns 47-48WS, about progress on the 2010 single payment scheme.
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Agriculture: Research
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has made an estimate of total levels of private sector agricultural research and development funding in the last five years; and whether she has made an estimate of the likely level of such funding in each of the next four financial years. [34427]
Mr Paice: DEFRA does not hold information on private sector investment in agricultural research and development.
Beef: Production
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent reports she has received on the cost of beef production to farmers. [44471]
Mr Paice [holding answer 7 March 2011]:DEFRA has not received any recent reports that are specifically on the costs of beef production to farmers. Data from the Farm Business Survey indicate that average farm business income on grazing livestock (cattle and sheep) farms increased over the period 2007-08 to 2009-10 from £12,500 to £22,000 for lowland enterprises and from £10,500 to £22,000 for those in the less favoured areas (LFA).
However, provisional estimates for 2010-11 indicate a fall in income to around £11,500 in the lowlands and to £14,500 in the LFA due to higher input costs and lower prices for finished cattle.
Bees: Pesticides
Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made for benchmarking purposes of the effect on bee populations in other countries of the banning of neonicotinoid pesticides. [37831]
Mr Paice: Four EU member states have placed some additional restrictions—not bans—on the use of neonicotinoid insecticides. The UK pesticides regulator keeps up to date with developments on this issue through contacts with its counterparts in other member states and participation in EU fora.
A scientific report submitted to the European Food Safety Authority in December 2009, entitled: “Bee Mortality and Bee Surveillance in Europe”, showed that although there have been some high colony losses in Europe, there is a lack of comparative data and the contributory factors are not fully understood. In addition, the effectiveness of the surveillance systems employed by member states varies considerably, which causes difficulties in assessing trends and forecasts. The European Commission has recently announced, as part of a series of initiatives on bee health, that a pilot surveillance programme will be started-by the end of 2011. The programme is aimed at providing a better understanding of the situation in the EU.
10 Mar 2011 : Column 1215W
There has been a significant reduction in the number of colonies that have been lost in England and Wales over the last two years and last year’s losses were the lowest since 2001.
Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received on the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides on bees and other invertebrates. [44712]
Mr Paice: DEFRA and the Health and Safety Executive’s Chemicals Regulation Directorate, as the pesticides regulator, has received representations from a number of Members of Parliament, and some organisations and members of the public concerned about the effect of neonicotinoid pesticides on bees and other pollinators.
Biodiversity: International Cooperation
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what support her Department is providing for the establishment of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. [45794]
Richard Benyon: The establishment of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is a priority for this Government. We have been closely engaged in securing international support for the platform and welcome the agreement made by the UN General Assembly last year to put it into operation. We have agreed to provide £2 million over the next four years to assist in this process.
Circuses: Animal Welfare
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 16 November 2010, Official Report, column 689W, on circuses: animal welfare, what the reason is for the time taken to announce the outcome of the consultation on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses. [44635]
Mr Paice: Ministers and officials have been carefully considering the findings of the consultation and seeking the views of key interest groups. An announcement will be made shortly.
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Newport West of 17 February 2011, Official Report, column 925W, on circuses: animal welfare, for what reason Lord Henley has undertaken additional meetings with representatives of animal welfare groups and the circus industry following the end of the consultation on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses. [44636]
Mr Paice: Additional meetings with animal welfare groups have been held because these organisations wanted to have an opportunity to raise their concerns direct with DEFRA Ministers. It also provided an opportunity to question these organisations about their proposals.
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Departmental Expenditure
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what expenditure (a) her Department and (b) each public body sponsored by her Department incurred on engaging external audit services in each of the last three years; and to which service providers such payments were made in each year. [43762]
Richard Benyon: The Department and its arm’s length bodies report the expenditure on audit services in their annual resource accounts which are publicly available. The majority of these services are provided by National Audit Office (NAO) which is not classed as an external audit services provider.
The NAO scrutinises public spending on behalf of Parliament, helping it to hold Government Departments to account and helping public service managers improve performance and service delivery. It audits the financial statements of all central Government Departments, agencies and other public bodies and reports the results to Parliament.
The following table shows where an external auditor was used for annual audit of financial activities.
| £ | |||
|
|
2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
| (1 )Grant Thornton (2 )Moore Stephens (3 )KPMG (4 )PKF UK (5 )RSM Tenon (6 )PricewaterhouseCoopers | |||
Departmental Food
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the proportion of the seafood procured for (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible that (i) was on the Marine Conservation Society's list of fish to avoid and (ii) complied with sustainability standards indicated by inclusion in either the Marine Conservation Society's list of fish to eat or by the list of fish species certified by the Marine Stewardship Council in (A) 2010 and (B) 2011 to date. [45025]
Richard Benyon: No such estimate has been made as this information is not currently held centrally due to the numerous catering contracts in place. However, DEFRA's new catering contract which will commence in April stipulates that the contractor shall ensure that the fish is supplied from sustainable sources and in compliance with the Government Buying Standard for food and catering when established and as amended from time to time.