Oldham Council: Pay
Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will take steps to ensure that Oldham council publishes details of all staff earning over £58,000 a year. [47968]
Robert Neill [holding answer 21 March 2011]: The Government believe a threshold of £58,200 should apply for publication of salaries in local authorities to increase accountability and ensure pay is consistent with levels of responsibility. The Department recently consulted on the use of this threshold in a statutory Code of Recommended Practice on Data Transparency. The proposed Code is intended to complement publication and disclosure requirements under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (SI2004/3391). The consultation closed to comments on 14 March 2011 and the Department is now considering these responses.
Voluntary Organisations: Playing Fields
Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on permitting locally constituted charities or other groups to manage (a) village playing fields and (b) other local services independently of (i) district and (ii) parish councils. [47570]
Andrew Stunell:
The Localism Bill will give new rights to charities and other groups to enable them to challenge to take over running local authority services, and help them save assets and facilities that are important to them. In particular, the Community Right to Challenge
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will enable voluntary and community bodies, local authority employees wishing to deliver the service as a mutual, and parish councils, to express an interest in running a service on behalf of a county, district or London borough council. This challenge may trigger a procurement exercise for the service in which the challenging organisation can bid.
Waste Management
Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of local authorities on (a) waste management and (b) waste prevention. [47192]
Robert Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government is working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on its waste review, looking at all aspects of waste policy and delivery in England. Ministers and officials in both Departments are liaising closely on these issues. The Department has had no separate discussions with representatives of local authorities except when dealing with planning issues.
Written Questions: Government Responses
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to answer Question 42092, on regulations, tabled on 17 February 2011 for answer on 28 February 2011. [46949]
Robert Neill: Question 42092 was answered on 16 March 2011, Official Report, column 333W.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to answer question 42086 on regulations, tabled on 16 February 2011 for answer on 28 February 2011. [46988]
Robert Neill [holding answer 15 March 2011]: Question 42086 was answered on 16 March 2011, Official Report, column 333W.
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Aggregates Levy
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much revenue accruing from the aggregates levy was disbursed to conservation projects by her Department in each of the last four financial years. [47836]
Richard Benyon: The aggregates levy sustainability fund (ALSF) was created to complement the objectives of the aggregates levy in 2002 to reduce the impact of primary aggregates extraction on the environment. The two are separate—in that the levy does not pay directly for the fund.
ALSF moneys have been used, through primary national delivery partners, on many conservation-based projects across a number of themes of the ALSF programme of
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work. Figures are not available specifically on all conservation type projects; however, the following table shows the amount spent by Natural England for conservation projects for the last four financial years.
|
|
Conservation projects spend (£) |
| (1) Approximate—from Natural England’s ALSF annual report | |
Birds of Prey
Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of sparrowhawk breeding on the songbird and racing pigeon population in the UK. [47770]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA set up a Raptor Working Group in 1995 to consider issues arising from perceived conflicts between the recovery of some raptor populations and their impact on game birds, moorland management and racing pigeons. The group noted in its final report, which was published in 2000, that in its view there was no scientific evidence that sparrowhawks or other birds of prey have had significant population effects on British songbird populations. The group also reported that the evidence showed that changes in agricultural practice were more likely to have caused the substantial changes in farmland bird populations. The report is available on the Joint Nature Conservation Committee website.
In relation to predation of pigeons, a study commissioned by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Shawyer, C, Clarke, R&Dixon, N 1999, “A study into the raptor predation of domestic pigeons Columba livia”) to support the work of the Raptor Working Group, on which the Royal Racing Pigeon Association was represented, concluded that failure to home or straying appeared to be the most significant underlying reason for losses of racing pigeons whereas sparrowhawk attacks were estimated to account for only 3.7% of losses in the UK.
A 2004 study funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Homing Union, suggested there is no evidence that birds of prey cause major losses of racing pigeons at lofts or during races. The report “Racing Pigeons—Impact of Raptor Predation” concludes that much more could be done to use deterrents and other novel techniques to reduce the small number of successful raptor attacks that do take place. The report is available on the Scottish Natural Heritage website.
There has also been a recent review of an exploratory trial of two management practices designed to reduce sparrowhawk attacks on racing pigeons at pigeon lofts which is available on the Scottish Executive website.
Birds: Conservation
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance her Department issues to bird ringers on the number of rings which should be fitted per bird. [48316]
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Richard Benyon: Ringing of birds in the UK is regulated through the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) under delegated authority from country conservation agencies (as relevant licensing bodies) via formal agreement with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). BTO's Ringing Committee oversees ringing activities and regulates permission for the use of any new or ‘unconventional’ marks proposed for use on birds.
In addition to conventional metal rings, coloured rings (which are sometimes engraved with symbols) are used to enable the identification of individual birds in the field without the need for their recapture. The number and type of coloured rings used varies according to the species of bird concerned and the objectives of the relevant scientific study. Since the purpose of bird ringing is to collect information on the movements and survival of a representative sample of wider populations, it is essential that ringing (or other forms of marking) does not influence the health or behaviour of the birds concerned.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of birds which were ringed in the latest period for which figures are available; and what assessment she has made of the health risks posed to birds by excessive ringing. [48317]
Richard Benyon: Ringing of birds in the UK is regulated through the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). According to BTO, 1,032,013 wild birds were ringed in the UK in 2010. BTO's Ringing Committee oversees ringing activities and regulates permission for the use of any new or ‘unconventional’ marks proposed for use on birds. Since the purpose of bird ringing is to collect information on the movements and survival of a representative sample of wider populations, it is essential that ringing (or other forms of marking) does not influence the health or behaviour of the birds concerned.
BTO works with other national schemes through the European co-ordination scheme EURING. As well as exchange of data, this international co-operation ensures there is regular exchange of information on issues relating to ringing, and bird health and welfare.
Cheese
Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to support the cheese industry. [48489]
Mr Paice: The Government aim for a cheese industry that is part of a profitable, thriving and competitive UK dairy sector.
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To this end, we have reinvigorated the Dairy Supply Chain Forum, challenging key representatives to discuss issues and opportunities, the health and future of the dairy sector, and how the industry might address the trade balance and secure its own sustainability and long-term British milk supply. The first meeting in this more productive format was 20 January 2011. The focus of the next forum this summer will be how individual businesses and groups of suppliers and customers through the chain need to establish clear strategies to secure the long-term sustainability of British milk supply and the industry as a whole.
The Government are committed to ensuring that food and drink procured by Government Departments meet British or equivalent standards of production where this does not lead to an overall increase in costs. We want Government to lead by example and to see top quality British produce on public sector plates, which provides value for money, meets customers’ requirements and delivers on sustainability. We aim to introduce Government buying standards, which will be mandatory for central Government, by the end of March 2011.
We are establishing a groceries code adjudicator (GCA) to monitor and enforce the groceries supply code of practice (GSCOP). The GSCOP was introduced so that major retailers with buyer power would be prevented from passing excessive risks or unexpected costs on to suppliers. In a period where input costs are rising and forecast to rise further, this is more important than ever. The GCA will investigate complaints from anyone in the supply chain that is directly or indirectly affected by a breach of the code and can deal with them anonymously. This means suppliers from both the UK and overseas will be able to complain confidentially for the first time about breaches of the code. A Bill is currently being drafted.
Dairy Farming
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of dairy cows in England in each of the last 10 years. [47633]
Mr Paice: The number of dairy cows in England for each of the last 10 years is shown in the following table. This is just one element of the structural changes that have taken place in the sector. The long-term trend in dairy production is towards fewer, larger and more productive herds. The table also shows how the decline in the number of dairy cows has been offset by an increase in average herd size and milk yields. So while the number of dairy cows, in England has fallen by 20% between 2001 and 2010, the level of milk production (at the UK level) has only fallen by 5%.
Dairy cows and milk production 2001-2010
| Number of dairy cows in England (thousand) | UK milk production (million litres) (3) | Average UK milk yield (litres per cow per year) | ||
|
|
Number (1) | Number (2) |
|
|
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| (1) Sourced from Cattle Tracing System (CTS), Dairy cows are defined as female dairy cows aged two years and over with offspring. (2) Sourced from June Survey. (3 )Sourced from DEFRA and RPA statistics. (4) Allows for the break in series in 2006 with the switch to the CTS. | ||||
Departmental Land
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to reduce the size of her Department’s estate; and if she will make a statement. [46218]
Richard Benyon: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Mr Davey), on 14 March 2011, Official Report, column 150W.
Forests
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when she plans to set up an advisory panel on forestry; and if she will make a statement; [47628]
(2) who will serve on the advisory panel on forestry; [47665]
(3) what representations she has received on setting up an advisory panel on forestry. [47666]
Mr Paice: The membership of the advisory panel on forestry was announced in a written statement on 17 March 2011, Official Report, column 23WS. It includes representatives of key environmental and access organisations, alongside representatives of the forestry industry. It will draw on a broad range of expertise to inform its work. The membership of the panel is as follows:
Right Reverend James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool (Chair);
Shireen Chambers (Institute of Chartered Foresters);
Dr Mike Clarke (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds);
Tom Franklin (Ramblers);
Stuart Goodall (Confederation of Forest Industries);
Stephanie Hilborne OBE (Wildlife Trusts);
Sue Holden (Woodland Trust);
Alan Knight OBE (Single Planet Living);
Dame Fiona Reynolds (National Trust);
Sir Harry Studholme (Forestry Commissioner);
John Varley (Clinton Devon Estates);
William Worsley (Country Land and Business Association).
We received representations from a wide range of organisations and individuals requesting to be members of the panel, and offering advice as to how the panel could work.
Nappies: Waste Disposal
Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the potential saving to the public purse of 10 per cent. of parents switching from use of disposable nappies for their children to re-usable nappies. [47191]
Richard Benyon: Using data on the typical use of disposable nappies from the Environment Agency report “An updated lifecycle assessment study for disposable and reusable nappies” (2008), and population estimates for England from the Office for National Statistics, the estimated cost of collecting and disposing of disposable nappies in England was approximately £39.5 million in 2009. This estimate does not include landfill tax.
The potential saving of 10% of parents switching from use of disposable nappies to reusable nappies implied would therefore be £3.9 million per year. This savings estimate does not account for any costs of disposing of reusable nappies, however.
National Wildlife Crime Unit
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding her Department provided for the National Wildlife Crime Unit in each of the last three years. [48100]
Richard Benyon: In each of the year 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11, DEFRA’s contribution to funding the National Wildlife Crime Unit was £150,000.
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the future of the National Wildlife Crime Unit. [48101]
Richard Benyon: Discussions about the National Wildlife Crime Unit have taken place at official level between DEFRA and the Home Office and both Departments have agreed to commit a further two years’ funding.
Petrol Stations and Garages: Health Hazards
Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment her Department has made of the potential health risks associated with siting a petrol station within 50 yards of a residential area; [47865]
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(2) if she will make it her policy to introduce regulations to prevent petrol stations from being sited within 50 yards of residential areas. [47866]
Richard Benyon [holding answer 18 March 2011]: All but the smallest petrol stations are subject to control over vapour emissions from the unloading and storage of petrol, in accordance with the EU Stage I Directive on petrol vapour recovery (1994/63/EC). Larger petrol stations in England were also required to fit equipment to minimise vapour emissions from refuelling of vehicles by 1 January 2010.
The EU Stage II Directive (2009/126/EC), which also deals with emissions-during refuelling, was adopted in 2009 and will be transposed into national legislation by the end of this year. The development of all these measures took account of health impacts. Where a planning application is required for the siting of a new petrol station, it is a matter for local planning authorities to decide whether the application should be granted, having regard to the policies in their development plans and any other material consideration.
Copies of the directives are available from the DEFRA website at:
http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/industrial/eu-international/petrol-vapour-recovery-directives/
Waste Disposal
Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment her Department has made of the variation in the cost to the public purse in each local authority of (a) waste prevention and (b) recycling. [47189]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA has not made a formal assessment of the variation in costs between different local authorities of either waste prevention or recycling. Costs will vary depending upon local demographics, environments and facilities, and it is for local authorities to determine how best to provide services. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) works with councils on benchmarking quality of service and performance. WRAP reported in 2008 on relative costs of different collection systems; the report is available on its website.
Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps her Department has taken to encourage the use of products which prevent waste. [47190]
Richard Benyon: Our range of activities to encourage the use of products which prevent waste includes:
Free advice and support for businesses, and consumers on reducing waste. Advice for businesses on preventing waste and saving money is provided on the Business Link website and through the delivery body the Waste and Resources Action Programme. Guidance for consumers about how they can prevent waste through the goods and services they buy and use is on the Directgov website.
Working with businesses to develop and implement a range of voluntary initiatives to reduce waste from their products and services. For example, the Courtauld Commitment with the grocery sector includes work on lightweight drinks bottles and refillable washing detergent pouches.
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Setting minimum EU standards for energy using products, and mandatory Government buying standards for central Government procurement. These standards cover a range of environmental issues including waste prevention.
The action plans from the pilot product roadmaps on milk, clothing, plasterboard and windows all include actions to reduce waste.
The landfill tax, which makes it more costly to dispose of waste.
Water Supply
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to enable a local authority to apply for inset appointments to alter the designated (a) water and (b) sewerage service provider for the area covered by that authority. [47773]
Richard Benyon: Ofwat, the water industry regulator, may grant inset appointments to local authorities to alter designated water and sewerage service providers in the following cases:
where an area does not contain any premises that receive services from an appointed water or sewerage company (ie it is ‘unserved’);
where a customer uses (or is likely to use) at least 50 million litres of water a year (in England) or 250 million litres of water a year (in Wales) at each of its premises and wants to change its supplier (a ‘large user’); or
where the existing appointed company agrees to transfer part of its area to a different company (a transfer by ‘consent’).
It is therefore possible for a local authority to replace a local water company where the local authority owns or manages eligible sites, or if it is responsible for the delivery of new developments.
An inset appointment can only be made for part of an area covered by an existing water company’s licence. It is not possible to take over the whole of a water company’s area by means of an inset appointment.
The Government are considering recommendations made by Professor Martin Cave in his review of competition and innovation in water markets to reform the inset regime. However, there are no plans to give local authorities roles designating new inset appointees on behalf of premises outside of their control.
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provision is available for (a) business and (b) residential consumers to choose the provider of their (i) water and (ii) sewerage services. [47774]
Richard Benyon: Business customers with premises that use 50 megalitres of water or more a year (or 250 megalitres if the premises are located in the areas served by water companies wholly or mainly in Wales) can replace their water and sewerage company with an alternative supplier under a new appointments regime. This allows a new entrant to replace an existing provider for a specific geographic area.
Business customers with premises in England and Wales that use 50 megalitres or more of water a year can also switch to a new supplier under the water supply licensing regime (WSL). However, the WSL does not currently permit eligible customers to switch their
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sewerage service provider. The Government intend to lower the WSL threshold to five megalitres a year within the area of water companies that are wholly or mainly in England at the earliest opportunity. This would increase the size of the competitive water supply market from 2,200 eligible customers to around 27,000.
Household customers (and ineligible business customers) do not have the opportunity to change their supplier under the above regimes. Options for extending choice in the water sector will be considered in the forthcoming Water White Paper.
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Home Department
Alcoholic Drinks: Fixed Penalties
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notices were issued for (a) consumption of alcohol and (b) selling alcohol to under-age people in each police force area in the latest period for which figures are available. [47596]
James Brokenshire: The number of Penalty Notices for Disorder (PND) given for consumption of alcohol in a public place and selling alcohol to under-age people offences by police force area in England and Wales in 2009 (latest available) are shown in the following table.
| Penalty notices for disorder issued to persons aged 16 and over for selling alcohol to under-age people and consumption of alcohol in a public place by police force area and offence, England and Wales 2009 (1) | ||||||
| Police force area | Total | Supply of alcohol to person under 18 | Sale of alcohol to person under 18 | Delivery of alcohol to person under 18 or allowing such delivery | Allowing consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises | Consumption of alcohol in public place |
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| (1) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. | ||||||
Asylum
Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date she expects her Department to have resolved all older unresolved asylum cases. [47903]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency provides regular updates on performance of the “legacy” cases, including a breakdown into grants, removals and “other” cases such as duplicates or errors, to the Home Affairs Select Committee.
On 2 March, the Agency reported to the Home Affairs Select Committee that it had concluded over 403,000 cases as at 31 January 2011 and is on track to conclude the legacy backlog by summer 2011.
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent progress her Department has made on speeding up the processing of asylum applications. [48005]
Damian Green: The average percentage of asylum claims that have received an initial decision within 30 days is 61% for cohorts since May 2010, compared to 46% for cohorts in the 12 months before May 2010. The average percentage of asylum cases concluded (granted or removed) within six months was 53% for cohorts since May 2010, compared to 48% for cohorts in the 12 months prior to May 2010.
Both of these indicators form part of a new framework that measures our progress towards an asylum system with swifter case conclusions and no backlogs, delivered at significantly lower cost to the taxpayer. Through the Asylum Improvement Project we have been testing a number of new ideas to improve the speed of the system including increased use of specialist case owners, tools to improve the flow of decision-making, and a more structured approach to interviews and decisions.
Asylum: Finance
Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department holds on the number of Azure cards issued in (a) the City of Manchester, (b) Greater Manchester and (c) the UK. [48384]
Damian Green: The number of Azure cards issued and actively being used in the areas referred to are:
(a) City of Manchester: 141;
(b) Greater Manchester: 96;
(c) UK: 2,984.
Asylum: Scotland
Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of asylum seekers living in Scotland were (a) granted asylum and (b) refused asylum and returned to their home country in each of the last five years; [47960]
(2) what proportion of asylum seekers living in Scotland have live appeal rights. [47961]
Damian Green: We have taken “live appeal rights” to mean appeals that are awaiting an outcome (i.e. an unconcluded appeal).
The following table shows the proportion of asylum seekers living in Scotland who were granted asylum, refused asylum and removed to their country or origin. The table also shows the proportion with unconcluded appeals.
| Asylum applications, excluding dependants, proportion granted, proportion refused and removed, proportion with unconcluded appeals, for individuals residing in Scotland, 2006 - 10 (1) | |||
|
|
Percentage granted (2,) () (3,) () (6) | Percentage refused and removed (4,) () (6) | Percentage u nconcluded appeals (5,) () (6) |
| (1) All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. (2) Cases relate to first Asylum Claims and only include main applicants. (3) Individuals granted asylum and refugee status, or refused asylum but granted Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary Leave. (4) Removed includes enforced removals, port removals, voluntary departures, and include persons leaving under various assisted voluntary return programmes. (5) Unconcluded appeals relates to applicants who have lodged an appeal that is as yet unconcluded. (6) Data relate to applicants whose last known address was in Scotland. Subjects detained outside Scotland prior to removal will not be identified. | |||
Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers living in Scotland have (a) returned voluntarily to their country of origin and (b) been removed in each of the last five years. [48080]
Damian Green: The data requested are shown in table 1.
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| Table 1: Failed asylum seekers, excluding dependants, residing in Scotland, returned to their country of origin, 2006-10 (1) | |||
| Year (2) | Voluntary departures (3, 4) | Enforced removals (4) | Total (4) |
| (1) All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. (2) Year relates to the year of removal. (3) Voluntary departures includes subjects removed via various assisted voluntary return programmes as well as voluntary departures. (4) Data relates to applicants whose last known address was in Scotland. Subjects detained outside Scotland prior to removal will not be identified. | |||
Avi Benayahu
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department held on the identity to be used by Mr Avi Benayahu for entering the UK prior to his entry; and if she will make a statement. [47514]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency does not routinely comment on individual cases.
Children: Protection
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how information on the effect on child welfare of the new return process will be (a) collected and (b) analysed. [47778]
Damian Green: An evaluation of the new family returns processes is planned for this year.
The aims of the evaluation are to:
1. examine the effectiveness of the overall process in achieving its stated objectives and associated Government commitments;
2. support and challenge the new processes in order to improve them, with an emphasis on child safeguarding issues; and
3. promote opportunities for continuous learning and improvement as the new process beds down across the agency.
The intention is to (a) collect and (b) analyse data, through:
a process based assessment of the various parts of the new process—including interviews with key workers and staff.
understanding the end to end process using interviews with families, in order to gain detailed feedback on: how families understood the options made available to them; child safeguarding/welfare issues; and for those families housed in pre-departure accommodation, their experiences of the services made available to them.
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information the UK Border Agency holds on (a) the health and welfare of children in immigration cases and (b) the effects of their separation from their parents has in such cases. [47779]
Damian Green:
The new process for managing family returns emphasises the importance of engaging with the family and understanding their heath and welfare needs. These will be recorded on a family welfare form which will be updated through the family's progress through
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the system. If it is appropriate, the UK Border Agency will also seek information from children's services departments.
Where a family has chosen not to leave the country voluntarily, either though an assisted voluntary returns package, under their own steam or via a self-check in return, the UK Border Agency will refer the case to an independent Family Returns Panel, who will advise on the best method of ensuring their return, taking account of the welfare of the children. Under the new arrangements for managing family returns, families without any criminal history would be separated by detention only in exceptional circumstances and after advice had been sought from the independent Family Returns Panel.
Chris Heaton-Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the UK Border Agency is taking to safeguard child welfare in cases of families separated by immigration detention. [47780]
Damian Green: Safeguarding children and concern for their welfare is a consideration in every case where an adult who is known to have children is held in immigration detention. There are three main situations involved. The most typical cases are those where a member of the family is also a former foreign national prisoner and a decision has been made to maintain their detention pending deportation. In these cases care arrangements will already be in place having been made when the sentence of imprisonment began.
In those cases where it is necessary to detain a parent in an immigration removal centre who then states that they have a child in the community, the UK Border Agency will seek to facilitate contact between the parent and child, subject to the wishes of the family, and in liaison with the local authority where appropriate.
Finally, under the new arrangements for managing the return of a family whose members are already together, families without any criminal history would be separated only in exceptional circumstances and after advice had been sought from the independent Family Returns Panel.
Crime: Motor Vehicles
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with representatives of the transport industry on the future of the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service. [47989]
James Brokenshire: Home Office Ministers have had no such discussions. Home Office officials meet on a regular basis with representatives of the transport industry, including at the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS) Governance Board.
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department provided to the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [47990]
James Brokenshire: Home Office grants to the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service were as follows:
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| Financial year | £ |
Cybercrime
Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department has any plans to undertake a study of internet bullying and electronic harassment of individuals in England and Wales. [47729]
James Brokenshire: New questions on stalking and harassment will be included in the British Crime Survey from April 2011. This will provide a clearer picture of the incidence of stalking and harassment which involves any form of unwanted online communication or text messaging. The Home Office is also working closely with the charity Network for Surviving Stalking, which recently commissioned research in this area from the University of Bedfordshire. The results will be available in June 2011.
The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS), co-chaired by Ministers from the Home Office and Department for Education, is looking to implement policies to help users protect themselves and report unacceptable behaviour, including internet bullying.
Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department holds on trends in the incidence of harassment by electronic means. [47730]
James Brokenshire: The Home Office does not hold information on trends in the incidence of harassment by electronic means. However, new questions on stalking and harassment will be included in the British Crime Survey from April 2011. This will provide a clearer picture of the incidence of stalking and harassment which involves any form of unwanted online communication or text messaging.
Departmental Compensation
Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much (a) her Department and (b) each (i) agency and (ii) non-departmental public body for which she is responsible spent on compensation payments to members of the public for errors made by such bodies in each of the last five years. [47427]
Damian Green: The Home Office, agencies and non-departmental public bodies do not separately identify compensation payments in their accounts. Because this information is not readily available an answer could not be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
The majority of compensation payments are included within ‘special payments’ in the notes to the published accounts of each organisation. Special payments are both compensation and ex gratia payments made to members of the public and organisations.
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Deportation: Finance
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department spent on deportations in each of the last five years. [47446]
Damian Green: The UK Border Agency annual accounts for 2009-10 can be viewed at:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/annual-reports-accounts/
A copy has also been placed in the House Library.
These accounts include the costs of Public Expense Removals, and also of the various voluntary removal schemes which the Agency operates. The gross costs to the Agency of removals between 2005 and 2010 are shown in Table 1; these figures include the total programme costs of the voluntary return schemes including re-integration assistance, flights and running costs. The Agency also receives funding from the EU for its removals programme, and the amounts received and expected from this source are shown in Table 2, which will offset some of the gross costs.
EU Funds received for 2008-09 and 2009-10 remain subject to audit and possible amendment.
Annex: Net costs of public expense and voluntary removals schemes
| Table 1: Gross removal costs 2005-10 | |
| Public Expense Removals (PERs) | |
|
|
£ million |
| Voluntary Removals Schemes | |
|
|
£ million |
| Table 2: EU Funding for Removals 2005-10 | |
|
|
£ million |
| Note: EU funding for 2008-09 and 2009-10 is subject to audit and possible amendment. | |
Detention Centres: Children
Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to ensure that children and families do not become destitute as a result of their progress through the new family returns process. [47797]
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Damian Green: The new family returns process does not change existing arrangements to provide financial support to destitute families with children. Failed asylum seeking families with children may apply for support from the UK Border Agency which is provided under sections 4 and 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
Drug Seizures: Northern Ireland
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what quantity of illegal drugs the Serious Organised Crime Agency has seized in (a) the UK and (b) Northern Ireland in each year since its inception. [47249]
James Brokenshire: The majority of drug seizures by weight resulting from the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) activity are made before they reach the UK. Figures for total seizures worldwide are published in SOCA’s Annual Reports. The SOCA Annual Report for 2010-11 will be published in July 2011.
The following table contains volumes of cocaine and heroin seized by SOCA in the UK since the Agency was established in 2006. SOCA is a UK-wide organisation and does not publish seizure data by geographical area. A significant part of SOCA’s operational activity in Northern Ireland is in support of the PSNI. Part of that support includes activity leading to the seizure of drugs by the PSNI.
| Tonnes | ||
|
|
Cocaine | Heroin |
Drugs: Young People
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the proportion of children aged under 15 in England who have used cannabis in the last 12 months. [48250]
James Brokenshire: The Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use survey among young people in England provides estimates of the proportion of secondary school children who have used cannabis. Latest figures from the 2009 survey show that 9% of pupils aged 11 to 15 years reported using cannabis in the last 12 months. For those aged under 15 the proportion for those aged 11, 12, 13 and 14 was 1%, 2%, 4% and 12% respectively.
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to respond to the UK Border Agency consultation on the student immigration system. [47732]
Damian Green: An announcement will be made as soon as possible. The results of the student consultation and an impact assessment will be published in due course.
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Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the effects on university (a) science and (b) engineering departments of proposals to limit the number of non-EU students studying in UK universities. [48022]
Damian Green: The results of the student consultation and an impact assessment will be published in due course. We are not intending to impose a set limit on non-EU student numbers.
Forensic Science
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the written ministerial statement of 14 December 2010, Official Report, columns 94-96WS, on forensic science, what evidence she evaluated to determine that the size of the forensic science market would fall over the next few years. [48064]
James Brokenshire: Falls were expected as past trends showed the market contracting; police budgets previously included ring-fenced amounts to ‘build up’ the national DNA database and this artificially inflated the market. More efficient practices by forces have also contributed to the market contraction and this is expected to continue.
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she plans to take to ensure an adequate level of competition in the forensic market following the closure of the Forensic Science Service. [48154]
James Brokenshire: There are currently 11 companies, excluding the Forensic Science Service (FSS), offering services through the National Forensic Framework Agreement. This is already a competitive market and we do not believe this will change following the managed closure of the FSS. Our priority is to ensure the continued provision of effective forensic science services to the criminal justice system (CJS). We also want to see a healthy and competitive future market for forensics.
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements she plans to put in place to ensure consistent standards across police forces in the conduct of in-house forensic work following the closure of the Forensic Science Service. [48155]
James Brokenshire: The forensics regulator has received support and co-operation for his quality standards from the laboratories (both private and state funded), professional bodies, prosecuting authorities, the judiciary and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), and to date, has not been hindered in dealing with any complaints about quality standards. Although there is currently no need to give the regulator powers to compel compliance with the standards, this position will be kept under review and the creation of new powers will be considered if that is appropriate.
Diana Johnson:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the cost to police forces of spending on forensic
22 Mar 2011 : Column 937W
laboratories and associated accreditation following the closure of the Forensic Science Service during the comprehensive spending review period. [48156]
James Brokenshire: Police force spending on forensic laboratories is controlled by police forces and police authorities. We do not believe that there will be a need for forces to increase their spending on laboratories as a result of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) closure. If forces choose to increase laboratory capacity these would need to be appropriately accredited and appropriate funding would need to be met from within their existing budgets.
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the capacity of police forces to conduct a greater proportion of forensic science work in-house. [48158]
James Brokenshire: Our priority is to ensure the continued provision of effective forensic science services to the Criminal Justice System (CJS) working to the highest professional standards. We also want to see a healthy and competitive future market for forensics. We are working closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and other key partners across the CJS to make decisions about how forensic services will be provided once the Forensic Science Service has ceased trading.
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the proportion of forensic work that will be conducted in-house by police forces following the closure of the Forensic Science Service; and what assessment she has made of the potential effects of the Police Act 1996 (Equipment) Regulations 2011 on the level of forensic science work that will be outsourced to the private sector during the Comprehensive Spending Review period. [48159]
James Brokenshire: We are working closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and other key partners across the Criminal Justice System to make decisions about how forensic services will be provided once the Forensic Science Service has ceased trading. The Police Act 1996 (Equipment) Regulations 2011 deal only with the procurement of specified categories of equipment by the police service and will have no effect on the outsourcing of forensic science work. Proposals for separate services regulations that would require the police service to use the national framework for forensic analysis services to purchase forensic services have currently been put on hold.
Forensic Science: Terrorism
Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the availability of expertise in terrorism events in the commercial forensic science sector. [48161]
James Brokenshire: Operational continuity is one of the main objectives of the transition process. Where functions do not already exist outside the Forensic Science Service we will look at the possibility of transferring these functions and expertise.
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Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which commercial providers will be responsible for the provision of forensic science for terrorism cases following the closure of the Forensic Science Service; and what process she plans to use to determine the selection of such providers. [48162]
James Brokenshire: The Home Office is working with a wide range of stakeholders through the Forensic Transition Board to consider options for forensic provision after the Forensic Science Service wind up is completed, with a view to ensuring operational continuity is secured.
Human Trafficking
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking in accordance with Article 6 of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings to discourage demand for trafficking of people for forced labour. [47132]
Damian Green: Discouraging demand for people becoming victims of trafficking for forced labour is an important element of a successful approach to combating trafficking for forced labour. We work closely with voluntary organisations involved in awareness-raising and provide educational programmes in schools emphasising the importance of equality and mutual respect.
The Government are committed to providing effective protection for workers against abuses of basic workplace rights, and to ensuring that reputable businesses are not undercut by those trying to avoid their legal responsibilities.
The UK Border Agency takes robust action against employers of illegal workers and by taking action against businesses that flout the law we are able to crack down on illegal working, one of the drivers of forced labour.
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who is carrying out the review into whether the UK should opt in to the European Directive on Human Trafficking; and what consultations have been carried out as part of the review; [47837]
(2) when she expects the review into whether the UK should opt in to the European Directive on Human Trafficking to be concluded. [47838]
Damian Green: The Government decided not to opt in to the European Directive on Human Trafficking at the outset, but to review their position in line with the revised text. That process is now complete and I have written to the Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees notifying them of our intention to apply to opt in.
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures her Department has in place to combat the trafficking of (a) people, (b) weapons and (c) drugs. [48006]
Damian Green:
The UK Border Agency, Police, Serious Organised Crime Agency and HM Revenue and Customs work together at local, regional, national and international levels sharing intelligence and resources as appropriate,
22 Mar 2011 : Column 939W
in order to understand the nature of the threat to the UK from all these forms of trafficking and to prevent and detect them.
Identity and Passport Service: Ripon
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) meetings were held with whom and (b) other consultations took place on the closure of the Ripon Identity and Passport Service office. [47901]
Damian Green: On 18 January 2011, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) completed a 90-day consultative consultation process with staff and trade unions on the future structure of the Interview Office Network, which includes the interview office at Ripon. As part of the formal consultation process, IPS met with trade union representatives and with staff on a regular basis. Letters were sent to Members of Parliament in whose constituency an interview office was located on 14 October 2010 setting out proposals for restructuring.
On 16 March 2011, the chief executive of IPS wrote to Members of Parliament with a passport interview facility in their constituency and to Members of Parliament and elected representatives to the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales who responded to the consultation process. The letter set out the final decision in the light of the outcome of the consultation process. Full details of the restructure and the summary of responses to the consultation can be found on the IPS website at:
http://www.ips.gov.uk/cps/files/ips/live/assets/documents/ION_Summary__responses_.pdf
Inter-departmental Ministerial Group on Missing Persons
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions since May 2010 the Inter-departmental Ministerial Group on Missing Persons has met; who chairs the group; and which Departments are represented in the group. [48103]
James Brokenshire: The Government are committed to improving services to missing persons and their families and I acknowledge that successful delivery in this arena requires an effective response across a range of Departments and agencies.
Good progress has been made in taking forward relevant recommendations from the Missing Persons Taskforce report and I can confirm that I have already met with my counterparts at the Departments of Health and Education to ensure we are working effectively to tackle these issues. I am committed to continuing to meet with them as and when there is a need, and to including Ministers from the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Ministry of Justice when required.
Metals: Theft
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the cost to the public purse of metal theft in each of the last three years. [48013]
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James Brokenshire: The British Transport Police estimated in September 2010 that the total cost of metal theft amounted to at least £770 million annually, covering both the public and private sectors.
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the British Transport Police on metal theft. [48077]
James Brokenshire: I have had a meeting with senior representatives of the British Transport police to discuss metal theft.
Military Aircraft: Fuels
Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information her Department holds on the number of road fuel tankers stolen in each calendar month since January 2010. [47517]
James Brokenshire: Information on the number of road fuel tankers stolen is not collected centrally. Such offences would be recorded under the classification of ‘theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle’. However, the recorded crime statistics are based on aggregate data and it is therefore not possible to separately identify the types of vehicle stolen or their contents.
Public Bodies Reform Programme
Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, on the public bodies reform programme, what estimate she has made of the savings to her Department net of costs incurred in the assumption of additional departmental responsibilities to accrue from (a) the abolition of three public bodies within her Department’s area of responsibility and (b) the merger of two such bodies. [48135]
Damian Green [holding answer 21 March 2011]: The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General (Mr Maude) issued a written ministerial statement on 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, updating Parliament on progress on public bodies reform. That statement also announced that Departments estimate cumulative administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion will flow from public bodies over the spending review period.
Overall administrative reductions from reform of all Home Office non-departmental public bodies are estimated to be £94 million over the spending review period. This figure is based on current planning assumptions.
The Home Office is not yet in a position to estimate net overall administrative savings from structural reforms. The main structural reform will be the creation of the National Crime Agency. The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May) will publish a statement shortly about how the National Crime Agency will operate.
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Robbery
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the roundtable on crime involving cash and valuables in transit convened by her Department last met. [47987]
James Brokenshire: The Home Office roundtable on cash and valuables in transit met on 21 March 2011.
Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of recent trends in the theft of cash from vehicles in transit. [47988]
James Brokenshire: According to industry data for 2010, there were 751 offences against cash and valuables in transit vehicles; a decrease of 29% from 1,060 offences in 2009. This compares to 1,000 offences in 2008 and 1,059 offences in 2007.
Smuggling: Fuels
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what volume of illegal fuels the Serious Organised Crime Agency has seized in Northern Ireland in each year since its inception. [47247]
James Brokenshire: It is the responsibility of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to deal with fuel smuggling. The Serious Organised Crime Agency has not seized any fuel since its inception, but supports HMRC's operational activity as required. Collaborative law enforcement activity against organised crime in Northern Ireland is driven by the cross-agency Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF).
Work-based Stress
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place in her Department to (a) reduce levels of work-based stress and (b) provide assistance to staff diagnosed with such stress. [48204]
Damian Green: The Home Office policy for managing the risk factors of work-related stress is based on the industry recognised Health and Safety Executives Management Standards approach. In addition we have introduced a well-being framework to promote the wellbeing of staff at work. The Department’s policy requires all line managers to play their part in reducing and managing the risk factors which lead to workplace stress, and where stress occurs, to identify and address the root causes. Information on our policy and well-being framework, as well as supporting guidance and e-learning packages, are available to line managers and staff on our intranet.
The Home Office has in place an Employee Assistance Programme which provides a confidential 24 hour/365 days telephone line staffed by fully qualified counsellors, to staff and their dependents on a range of issues including stress. In addition, the Department may also refer individual cases to its Occupational Health Service provider, where the line manager and the Department need independent medical advice.
22 Mar 2011 : Column 942W
Defence
Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations
Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what development work is being undertaken by UK armed forces in Afghanistan. [48365]
Nick Harvey: The Department for International Development is the lead UK Department on development activity in Afghanistan. The armed forces support stabilisation efforts in Helmand through military stabilisation support teams (MSSTs), which are a key component of the joint civil-military Helmand provincial reconstruction team.
The MSSTs work with their civilian counterparts in the provincial reconstruction team to identify and aid in the delivery of stabilisation projects, and provide a foundation for broader development activities.
Animal Welfare Advisory Committee
Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial savings his Department expects to make from the abolition of the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee. [48315]
Peter Luff: In my statement to the House on 21 July 2010, Official Report, column 15WS, I set out my intention to dissolve the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC). Given that the AWAC has not met since 2007, there will be no direct financial savings compared with recent years.
Armed Forces: Discharges
Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the extent of the entitlement of members of the armed forces under the age of 18 years and three months to discharge themselves without notice; and if he will make a statement. [43438]
Mr Robathan: The current arrangements covering the right to discharge for those personnel under the age of 18 have been considered in the course of the passage of the recent Armed Forces Bill and found to remain appropriate. This policy will continue to be monitored.
Armed Forces: Recruitment
Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the recruitment age for the armed forces. [47549]
Mr Robathan [holding answer 18 March 2011]:The United Kingdom armed forces will accept applications from individuals from the age of 16, depending upon which service they wish to join. The upper age limit for recruitment in the regular armed forces is dependent upon which career the individual wishes to pursue. This policy continues to be monitored.
Armed Forces: Redundancy
Mr Kevan Jones:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 1 March 2011, what estimate he has made of the
22 Mar 2011 : Column 943W
cost to the public purse of redundancies in
(a)
the Army,
(b)
the Royal Navy and
(c)
the Royal Air Force announced on 1 March 2011. [44300]
Mr Robathan: As a result of the financial situation inherited from the previous Government it was necessary to announce significant reductions to both civilian and military personnel as part of the strategic defence and security review. The costs of redundancies will depend on detailed implementation of these reductions, which will include early release and natural wastage, as well as redundancies. Estimates are subject to change and the Ministry of Defence is therefore not in a position to provide detailed figures at this time.
Armed Forces: Young People
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he acts in loco parentis for members of the armed forces who are under the age of 18 years. [40998]
Mr Robathan: No. While there is a clear duty of care for all personnel, the Secretary of State and the Chiefs of Staff do not act in loco parentis to those aged under 18.
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there is guidance in place for commanding officers on their use of discretion with respect to his Department’s policy which provides for a person under the age of 18 years who has shown a genuine and persistent unhappiness with service life to be discharged outside of their statutory right to leave within the first six months; and if he will make a statement. [41580]
Mr Robathan: Guidance, including Queen’s Regulations, single-service communications and centrally issued defence information notices, is issued to outline the commanding officer’s role in considering the discharge of a person under the age of 18. Commanding officers are encouraged to treat such cases sympathetically. Officials are currently reviewing these communications to ensure that guidance is clear and unambiguous.
Ministerial Special Advisers
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on (a) salaries and (b) pension entitlements for special advisers in the financial year 2010-11 to date. [46581]
Mr Robathan: Special adviser numbers and pay bands were released by the Cabinet Office; the information is available at:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/special-adviser-data-releases
The website lists the names of the special advisers in post in each Department and details each special adviser’s pay band, actual salary where it is £58,200 or higher, together with details of special advisers’ pay ranges for 2010-11. It also shows the total pay bill cost of special advisers for the period up to 31 March 2011. The estimated pay bill includes pension costs, and details of pension arrangements are set out in the “Model contract for Special Advisers”, available at the same link.
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Departmental Pay
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the potential savings resulting from the changes to allowances and bonuses announced on 20 January 2011 in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) 2014-15. [43983]
Mr Robathan: The estimates requested are given in the following table:
| Financial year | Estimated savings (£ million) |
The figures provided include the estimated savings made as a result of changes to allowances announced by my the Minister for the Armed Forces, my hon. Friend the Member for North Devon (Nick Harvey) on 16 December 2010, Official Report, column 116WS, and those which I announced on 20 January 2011, Official Report, columns 45-47WS.
Private Finance Initiative
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which private finance initiative projects sponsored by his Department have been funded from the Exchequer due to a shortfall in funds in each year since 1997; and how much funding was provided in each case. [45008]
Mr Robathan: Since 1997, there have been no Ministry of Defence private finance initiative projects that have required additional funding from HM Treasury.
Departmental Public Appointments
Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which public bodies sponsored by his Department (a) have been and (b) are to be closed, merged or reorganised; and how many (i) women and (ii) men who are public appointees at each body will no longer hold such an appointment in consequence. [47108]
Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Worcestershire (Peter Luff), on 21 July 2010, Official Report, column 15WS. This announced the abolition of the Animal Welfare Advisory Body. The proposals for the majority of bodies across all Departments was subsequently announced and published on 14 October 2010. An updated list reflecting changes since October 2010 has been published by the Cabinet Office and can be downloaded from:
www.civilservice.gov.uk/ndpb
The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee had not sat since 2007 and one public appointment (male) was affected by its abolition.
22 Mar 2011 : Column 945W
Departmental Rail Travel
Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of civil servants in his Department are entitled to travel first class by rail within the UK. [47073]
Mr Robathan: While civil servants who are pay band C2/higher executive officer (HEO) and above are technically entitled to first-class rail travel when travelling on official duty; they have since late 2009, forgone that entitlement and been asked to travel standard class unless there are exceptional circumstances. In such cases this must be endorsed by a senior line manager. Staff at C2/HEO and above represent 30% of the work force. All staff must ensure they get the best value for money when making their travel arrangements (for example, by booking tickets in advance and avoiding, where possible, flexible and open return tickets).
Regulation
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions his Department has consulted representatives of small businesses on the effects of proposed new regulations since 6 May 2010. [46142]
Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence routinely holds meetings with businesses of all sizes, both individually and via their trade associations, as part of its regular consultation with industry. We do not hold meetings specifically to discuss proposed new regulations, as we are not a regulatory Department.
We are particularly aware that the UK's defence capabilities rely on many thousands of small and medium-scale enterprises and have recently announced plans to increase their ability to engage with Minsters and officials, through the new Defence Suppliers Forum.
Hotels
Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's expenditure was on hotel accommodation for (a) officials, (b) Ministers and (c) special advisers in each month since January 2009. [45766]
Mr Robathan: Information available on the Ministry of Defence (MOD)'s expenditure on hotel accommodation is as follows:
| Officials | |
| Month | Expenditure (£) |
22 Mar 2011 : Column 946W
We do not hold the information in the format requested and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost as all bills for accommodation would need to be analysed manually to extract the information sought.
| Special advisers | |
| Month | Expenditure (£) |
The figures for officials and special advisers reflect the amount reimbursed for the cost of hotel rooms and any meals or refreshments that can be identified as taken in the hotel. They do not include payments for hotel accommodation made by Government Procurement Card (where no distinction is made between service staff, officials and special advisers or between different types of overnight accommodation) or other subsistence costs related to the official duty necessitating the overnight stay or other subsistence costs related to the official duty necessitating the overnight stay in the hotel (such information is not recorded by type of overnight accommodation).
We constantly seek to get the best value for money out of our travel arrangements and maximise the MOD's corporate leverage in the business travel market.