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Written Answers to Questions
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Wales
Departmental Redundancy
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many civil servants in her Department have been offered voluntary redundancy since April 2010; and if she will make a statement. [49179]
Mr David Jones: Civil servants in the Wales Office are employees of either the Ministry of Justice or the Welsh Assembly Government. Both these Departments have advertised voluntary early departure schemes to all staff.
Scotland
Aviation
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with travel companies in Scotland on the likely effect on them of the Government’s proposed reforms to the Air Travel Organisers Licensing scheme. [49722]
Michael Moore: On 3 February 2011, Official Report, columns 56-57WS, the Minister of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs Villiers), announced the Government’s “in principle” decision to reform the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing scheme, with full consultation on the details of the proposed reforms in spring 2011. This will provide an opportunity for Ministers to hear views from travel companies in Scotland and throughout the United Kingdom on the likely effect of proposed reforms.
Human Rights: Scotland
Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Lord Advocate on the compatibility with human rights legislation of the evidence requirements in Scottish criminal law. [49725]
Michael Moore: The Advocate-General for Scotland, my noble and learned Friend, Lord Wallace of Tankerness, has regular discussions with the Lord Advocate on a range of issues, including human rights issues.
Culture, Media and Sport
Art Works
Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many works of art in the Government Art Collection are (a) on display and (b) in storage. [49756]
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Mr Vaizey: The Government Art Collection has 9,161 works of art currently on display. There are 4,444 works of art currently not on display and available for selection and display, of which 405 are awaiting installation at already selected specific venues and 104 are being either restored or reframed.
Arts Council England
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, column 900W, on Arts Council England: expenditure, on what date he last met the (a) Chairman and (b) Chief Executive of Arts Council England. [49779]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: I last met the Chair and Chief Executive of Arts Council England to discuss funding decisions on 29 March.
Broadband
Neil Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of the availability of superfast broadband in rural areas; and what timetable has been set for increasing such coverage. [49810]
Mr Vaizey: Broadband Delivery UK has modelled broadband availability across the UK and provided the information to local government under the wave 2 bidding round for broadband funding. The aim is for the UK to have the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015.
Commercials Production Market
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has undertaken any surveys of the composition of the commercials production market. [49382]
Mr Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) does not hold any data specifically on the composition of the commercials production market, however the DCMS Creative Industries Economic Estimates
http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/7634.aspx
does provide estimates of economic contribution, employment, exports and number of businesses across the creative industries, including the advertising sector.
Departmental Redundancy
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many civil servants in his Department have been offered voluntary redundancy since April 2010; and if he will make a statement. [49195]
John Penrose: Since April 2010, 31 officials have been offered voluntary redundancy in the Department.
Olympic Games 2012
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will take steps to engage young people from Lancashire in the London 2012 Olympics. [49559]
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Hugh Robertson: It is important that children and young people from across the UK are actively encouraged to participate in the wide range of opportunities created by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Over 17,000 schools and colleges across the UK have registered for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games’ (LOCOG) education programme Get Set, with 286 schools and colleges registered in Lancashire. LOCOG launched the official London 2012 mascots last year, which are now inspiring children and young people. LOCOG hosted a ‘Get Set to make your mascot’ school competition. The winning primary and secondary schools win a visit from Wenlock or Mandeville in the summer term—ideally to their school sports day.
Over 1,100 cultural or sporting projects across the UK have been awarded the Inspire mark, with 143 of these in the north-west, such as Supporter to Reporter (S2R). S2R gives young people sports reporting opportunities at national and local events. Participants receive training to produce audio, video, text and image reports with content then published on the youth-led website.
Young ambassadors is a London 2012 programme managed by Youth Sport Trust which has been running in England, Scotland and Wales; it was the first initiative to receive the London 2012 Inspire mark for education. It involves young people being recruited to be ambassadors, working in their schools and communities to champion sport and the values of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The School Games will give every school the opportunity to get involved. Sport England has commissioned the Youth Sport Trust to test how to deliver School Games in nine pilot areas. In June or July 2011, these sites will host the first ‘School Games’ Days in 500 schools and the first nine ‘Festivals of Sport’. All schools will be given the opportunity to participate from September 2011 with the first national finals taking place in the Olympic Stadium in May 2012.
In addition, I announced the ‘Places People Play’ programme, which will bring sporting legacy to life in communities across the country. This will be achieved by transforming the places where people play sport, inspiring people to make sport happen at a local level and creating sporting opportunities that give everyone the chance to become part of the mass participation legacy. Further detail can be found at the following link:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/news_stories/7565.aspx
Olympic Games 2012: Diamond Jubilee 2012
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps are being taken to integrate events to mark the diamond jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen with events to mark the London 2012 Olympics. [49607]
Hugh Robertson: Celebrations to mark Her Majesty’s diamond jubilee will centre around the jubilee weekend in June. We expect diamond jubilee events to take place throughout the year. There will undoubtedly be opportunities for communities to link these with events to mark the Olympics if they wish.
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Sports: Finance
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what financial support his Department provides for non-facility-owning sports clubs. [49132]
Hugh Robertson: Facility ownership is not a criterion for the receipt of financial support from Sport England. There are a number of programmes non-facility owning clubs can apply for, including coaching programmes, sports equipment and support for expansion of the club. In addition, Sport England will be launching two new programmes shortly that actively encourage clubs to work with other local providers to investigate asset transfer opportunities, so that those clubs may become facility-owners themselves.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will bring forward proposals to simplify the provision of information to sports clubs on making grant applications. [49133]
Hugh Robertson: Sport England is committed to improving the accessibility of its funding programmes, not only to sports clubs but the wider voluntary sector.
Sport England has recently made a number of changes to some of its application forms and will continue to make information clearer wherever possible.
House of Commons Commission
Cycle to Work Scheme
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, when the House of Commons Commission expects employees of the House of Commons Service to be able to participate in the Cycle to Work scheme. [49405]
John Thurso: Work has begun and implementation is expected to be during the financial year 2011-12.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Afghanistan: Human Rights
Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on Afghan human rights activist Malalai Joya. [49126]
Alistair Burt [holding answer 28 March 2011]: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not discussed Malalai Joya with his US counterpart. Malalai Joya visited the UK in October 2008 to discuss human rights with UK Government officials. We continue to remind the Afghan Government to uphold its commitments to protect the human rights of all Afghans.
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Bosnia and Herzegovina: Politics and Government
Bob Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the role of the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Hercegovina. [49136]
Mr Lidington: We continue to give our full support to the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the High Representative/EU Special Representative Valentin Inzko. The High Representative has a key role as the final authority in theatre for interpreting the General Framework Agreement for Peace (the ‘Dayton’ Agreement) in respect of civilian implementation of the peace settlement. We support the principle that OHR should transition to an EU-only presence once the conditionality necessary for OHR closure has been met.
Egypt: Aviation
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of British nationals who have left Egypt in 2011 on flights organised by other governments. [48940]
Alistair Burt: We have co-operated closely with EU and other partners to facilitate the departure of British nationals from Egypt. We do not have an accurate estimate of the number of British nationals that have left Egypt on flights organised by other governments.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what costs his Department has incurred on chartering aircraft to Egypt in 2011. [48945]
Alistair Burt: I refer my hon. Friend to my response to him of 15 February 2011, Official Report, column 714W.
Indonesia: Overseas Investment
Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the (a) purpose and (b) outcome was of his Department’s meeting with Governor Suebu of Papua at Wilton Park in May 2010. [49114]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Governor Suebu was invited to participate in a Wilton Park conference entitled “Indonesia: What role as a contemporary global actor?” on 1-4 March 2010. He was the key speaker at a session on the transition to a low carbon economy in Indonesia. During the session he presented Papua province’s own plans for its own low carbon development, which could save up to 1 Gigatonne of carbon emissions. Following his presentation, Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials held further conversations with Governor Suebu related to that topic. Since the conference, our embassy in Jakarta has continued to work closely with Papuan officials to develop sustainable macroeconomic land use models for the whole province of Papua. This work is ongoing.
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Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 November 2010, Official Report, column 711W, on West Papua: overseas investment, what contact the UK Ambassador to Indonesia has had with the government of Indonesia on the effects of the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estates projects on sustainable land use and local communities in West Papua since 2 November 2010. [49320]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Our embassy in Jakarta is working closely with Papuan officials to develop sustainable macroeconomic land use models for the whole province of Papua, including Merauke. We have raised the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estates (MIFEE) project in that context. Our ambassador also raised these issues with the Government of Indonesia and Papuan political leaders and local government officials in November 2010 ahead of and during a visit to Papua province. We will continue to encourage sustainable land use planning that recognises the importance of local communities in Papua province.
Japan: Aviation
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of British nationals who have left Japan since the tsunami on flights organised by other governments. [48934]
Mr Jeremy Browne: Commercial flights and flights organised by other governments have been operating since the tsunami. We have cooperated closely with EU and other partners to ensure that British nationals have been given access to seats where they exist. However, it is difficult to estimate the number of British nationals who have taken up this option.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what costs his Department has incurred in chartering aircraft to Japan following the tsunami. [48939]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office secured seats on four flights to Hong Kong for British nationals who were unable to book tickets on commercial flights out of Japan. Given the scale of the unfolding crisis and the unpredictability of demand, this was a sensible precautionary measure to ensure that all British nationals and their families who wished to leave Japan immediately were able to do so.
981 seats were made available to British nationals on four flights. The approximate cost was £781,500.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) British and (b) non-British nationals have used recent flights organised by his Department from Japan. [48944]
Mr Jeremy Browne: 64 seats were taken up by British nationals. 15 seats were taken up by non British nationals; all of these were dependants of British nationals.
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Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on charging (a) British and (b) non-British nationals who used recent flights chartered by his Department from Japan. [48951]
Mr Jeremy Browne: There was no charge for these flights for British nationals and their dependants who were directly affected by the earthquake and/or tsunami. For British nationals and their dependants who were not directly affected by the earthquake and/or tsunami but wanted to leave Japan and all non-British nationals, there was a charge of £600 per adult, £300 per two-16 year old, and no charge for those passengers under two years of age. This is comparable to commercial flight options.
Japan: British Nationals Abroad
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals resident in Japan have contacted his Department in the last seven days. [47389]
Mr Jeremy Browne: As at 27 March 2011, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had received over 9,000 calls to our missing persons helpline. This figure includes calls from UK residents in Japan. It is not possible to break down where all the callers were located.
In addition to this, our embassy in Tokyo, reinforced with additional consular staff, has been in close contact with UK nationals from the areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami and others resident elsewhere in Japan.
Japan: Diplomatic Service
Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether additional financial resources have been allocated to the British Embassy in Japan following the earthquake in that country. [47805]
Mr Jeremy Browne: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office deployed over 50 specialist consular, crisis and Japanese speaking staff to Japan following the earthquake and tsunami to provide consular assistance and help locate British nationals.
The additional staff reinforced our embassy in Tokyo, including teams at Narita and Haneda international airports. The deployment also included a team of 15 in Sendai and a team of six in Morioka, both in north east Japan to establish 24-hour consular response centres in each place.
Sufficient resources will continue to be made available to respond appropriately to developments.
Libya: British Nationals Abroad
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) British and (b) non-British nationals have been evacuated from Libya on Royal Navy ships to date. [43887]
Alistair Burt: In total, four voyages were made to Libya by HMS Cumberland and HMS York evacuating a total of 139 British and 354 non-British nationals.
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Libya: Diplomatic Relations
Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department (a) sought and (b) received legal advice before authorising the diplomatic mission to eastern Libya. [49501]
Alistair Burt: [holding answer 28 March 2011]: Legal advice is routinely obtained on important matters involving international relations.
Libya: Politics and Government
Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what (a) date and (b) time the decision was made to convene the COBR meeting which took place on 24 February 2011 at 10.00 am. [48337]
Mr Hague: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 23 March 2011, Official Report, column 1150W.
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contingency plans the Government has proposed in the event that escalation of violence in Libya merits international intervention. [44677]
Alistair Burt: The regime’s crackdown against protestors’ legitimate calls for reform has been totally unacceptable. Our interest throughout has been to protect civilians (both our own nationals and Libyans caught up in the violence) and prevent further bloodshed. UN Security Council resolution 1973 is designed to safeguard Libya’s civilian population from human rights abuses carried out by the Libyan forces. After its adoption, the UK made clear that if Colonel Gaddafi did not comply with this resolution, it would be enforced through military action. Colonel Gaddafi’s forces continued to advance on Benghazi and kill civilians. Our armed forces have therefore participated in a co-ordinated international coalition strike against key military installations.
Rescue Services
Ian Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance his Department issues to posts overseas on procedures to follow to authorise entry to a country for UK rescue teams which represent a registered charity. [48897]
Mr Jeremy Browne [holding answer 24 March 2011]: Deployment of rescue teams is dealt with on a case by case basis, in line with the requirements of the host country.
Yemen: Politics and Government
Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss with his counterpart in Yemen the actions of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and the need to avoid disorder and violence in the region. [49386]
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Alistair Burt [holding answer 28 March 2011]: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I have been deeply concerned by events in Yemen since demonstrations began in mid-January. I have been shocked by the heavy-handedness of the Yemeni security forces, in particular the use of live fire to control demonstrators. In several public statements the Secretary of State and I have encouraged the Government of Yemen to respect the right to peaceful protest and urgently acknowledge the legitimate concerns of protestors. I have also raised my concern directly with the Yemeni Foreign Minister.
The Government continue to urge all parties in Yemen to conduct constructive political dialogue to establish orderly and peaceful transition. Only through an inclusive and democratic process will stability be established. I am awaiting the outcome of ongoing dialogue, and I hope this will entail agreement to proposals for early parliamentary elections, constitutional changes, a referendum on electoral reform and decentralisation.
Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his counterpart in Yemen on the treatment of anti-government protestors on 18 March 2011. [49518]
Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I have been deeply concerned by events in Yemen since demonstrations began in mid-January. I have been shocked by the heavy-handedness of the Yemeni security forces, in particular the use of live fire to control demonstrators. In a number of public statements the Secretary of State and I have urged the Government of Yemen to respect the right to peaceful protest and to urgently acknowledge the legitimate concerns of protestors. In a press statement on 18 March 2011 the Secretary of State condemned the violence in Sana’a, called for those responsible to be brought to justice and stressed the Yemeni Government's obligations to uphold the rule of law and its international human rights commitments. I too was appalled by the unacceptable levels of violence in Sana’a and raised my concern directly with the Yemeni Foreign Minister. The Government continue to emphasise to the Government of Yemen the importance of dialogue and the need to avoid undermining ongoing efforts to establish peace and stability.
Defence
Armed Forces: Dogs
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many dogs have been engaged by each of the armed services in (a) the UK, (b) Afghanistan, (c) Iraq, (d) Germany and (e) other overseas locations in each of the last five years; what roles such dogs fulfil; and if he will make a statement. [49869]
Nick Harvey: The number of military working dogs (MWD) in each location fluctuates throughout the year. They are moved between locations to meet the specific needs of the armed forces, such as support to operations and standing commitments. This also ensures that each dog continues to be employed in both the best possible MWD team (handler and dog) combination and environment for each dog’s welfare and veterinary needs.
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Information can therefore only be presented as a snapshot in time. As at 28 March 2011, the Army had a total of 229 trained dogs and 138 dogs currently being trained across 17 different locations within the UK and overseas. The Royal Air Force had a total of 212 trained and five being trained across 21 different locations within the UK and overseas. The Royal Navy have no MWDs.
MWDs fall broadly into two categories: protection and detection. Protection dogs are trained to guard. Detection dogs are trained to search for items and substances (such as drugs, arms, ammunition and explosives) and can also be trained to track or detect human scent.
I am withholding specific detail on the numbers of MWDs in operational theatres as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of our armed forces.
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many dogs engaged by each armed service have been retired from service in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what provision was made for each such dog after leaving service; [49870]
(2) what his policy is on the treatment of dogs no longer required in service by the armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [49871]
Peter Luff: The number of armed forces military working dogs (MWD) that retired from service over the past five years is provided in the following table:
|
|
2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
These figures are based upon the last site at which the dog served as retirement records do not show which service they were with. The figures do not include dogs within the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency and other guarding organisations. The general principle followed for MWD in service is that without compromise to their health and welfare, the effective working life of all Ministry of Defence (MOD) dogs should be maximised. When a dog reaches the end of its working life the aim is to re-home it with a member of the general public. Primary consideration is given to what is best for the dog and public safety. Following an examination by a veterinarian to document current health status, all routine veterinary treatment is provided prior to leaving service, so that the dog moves to its new home in the best veterinary state. Once re-homed, the dogs are the responsibility of their new owner and no further provision is made for them by the MOD. Dogs are put down only as a last resort.
Departmental Land
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what area of land in (a) public and (b) private ownership his Department uses for military purposes in (i) Wales, (ii) England and (iii) Scotland. [49868]
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Peter Luff: The details of public land in Wales, England and Scotland, and private land in England and Scotland used for military purposes are published in the UK Defence Statistics 2010, chapter six, and can be found at the following link:
http://www.dasa.mod.uk/modintranet/UKDS/UKDS2010/c6/intro.php
A copy of chapter six has been placed in the Library of the House.
The table contains the majority of the private land used for military training purposes, except where this is negotiated locally. It does not include such land in Wales, where some 503,000 hectares is used for military purposes annually.
HMS Cumberland and HMS Cornwall
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what visits by foreign civil and military dignitaries have been hosted by (a) HMS Cumberland and (b) HMS Cornwall in their current deployment. [48924]
Nick Harvey: As at 22 March 2011 the foreign civil and military dignitaries hosted by HMS Cumberland and HMS Cornwall during their current deployments are as follows:
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Merville Barracks
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what provision was made in the design of Merville Barracks, Colchester to allow for the construction of additional blocks of single person accommodation; and if he will make a statement; [49574]
(2) how much additional single accommodation would be required at Merville Barracks, Colchester to accommodate all those currently living in private sector housing rented by his Department. [49629]
Mr Gerald Howarth [holding answer 28 March 2011]: As at 25 February 2011, a further 559 bedspaces would be required at Merville Barracks, Colchester in order to accommodate all those currently living in private sector housing (substitute single service accommodation).
The Colchester private finance initiative master plan included space for eight additional junior ranks single living accommodation (SLA) blocks; however, during construction, it was decided to increase the number of SLA blocks being constructed by four, giving a total of a further 276 bedspaces. There remain a further four sites available for development.
Treasury
Commodity Markets
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has held with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on the effect on economic forecasting of the operation of food and agricultural commodity markets. [49165]
Justine Greening: The Treasury maintains regular contact with the OECD on a wide range of economic matters.
Debts: Developing Countries
Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 11 November 2010, Official Report, column 471W, on debts: developing countries, what criteria he plans to use to determine whether to extend the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010. [49177]
Mr Hoban: The Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Bill received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010 and the Act came into force on 8 June 2010. The legislation means that UK courts of law can no longer be used to pursue excessive claims against some of the poorest countries on their historic debts, ensuring that resources are available to tackle poverty.
The sunset clause attached to this legislation means that the law will expire on 7 June 2011. The Government have reviewed the impact of the Debt Relief (Developing Countries) Act 2010. Evidence suggests that the Act has had some benefit on heavily indebted poor countries and no evidence has been found of unintended adverse effects.
The Government have therefore decided to make the Act permanent. Full details will be provided in the Explanatory Memorandum accompanying the draft Order, which will be laid before Parliament shortly.
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Departmental Redundancy
Simon Kirby: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants in his Department have been offered voluntary redundancy since April 2010; and if he will make a statement. [49186]
Justine Greening: Within HM Treasury, voluntary redundancy applies when a group or team is restructured or when work ceases to exist and staff are in a displaced situation. Staff may be offered voluntary redundancy if they are not redeployed within HM Treasury or another Government Department.
No staff have been offered voluntary redundancy since April 2010.
Devolution
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much he plans to allocate to (a) the Scottish Executive, (b) the Welsh Assembly Government and (c) the Northern Ireland Executive in (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13, (iii) 2013-14, (iv) 2014-15 and (v) 2015-16 as a result of the measures announced in the 2011 Budget. [49861]
Danny Alexander: The departmental expenditure limit increases in the budgets of the Scottish Government, Welsh Assembly Government and Northern Ireland Executive for the next five years are respectively:
| £ million | |||||
|
|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 |
Motability
Richard Fuller: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward fiscal measures to support the (a) operating costs and (b) fuel costs of cars under the Motability scheme. [49072]
Justine Greening: The £1.9 billion Budget 2011 package offers support to all motorists including the drivers of cars operated under the independent Motability scheme.
Budget 2011 abolishes the previous Administration’s fuel duty escalator and replaces it with a fair fuel stabiliser, cuts fuel duty by 1p per litre and defers the 2011-12 inflation-only increase to January 2012.
Public Expenditure
Yvette Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the answer to the right hon. Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford of 15 July 1999, Official Report, columns 328-30W, on the Treasury, if he will use the method applied to the production of that answer to estimate (a) the likely effect of the June 2010 Budget and (b) the likely effects of the measures in the June 2010 Budget and the Comprehensive Spending Review on the income of (i) men and (ii) women. [47175]
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Mr Gauke [holding answer 16 March 2011]: The Budget is an overall statement of economic policy, containing a whole range of measures, from consultations to tax changes. We cannot make a robust assessment of the overall impact of the Budget on specific groups.
The tax and benefit system is complex—there are many interactions between benefits and taxes. A reduction in benefit paid to one member of a household may be offset by an increase to another.
Sharing of resources within the household will mean that although a benefit is received by a particular person in the household, the full impact does not fall on that person. Taking account of how income is shared within households is very difficult, as data and research in this area are sparse.
Instead, Departments consider the equality impact of their policies as they are developed and implemented. See for instance the Welfare Reform Bill 2011 Equality Impact Assessments published by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Throughout the spending review process, HM Treasury has looked closely at the impact that decisions may have on different groups in society and published an “Overview of the Equalities Impacts of the Spending Review” on 20 October alongside the spending review announcements.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from which measures in Budget 2011 consequential allocations through the Barnett formula are to be made to (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland. [49860]
Danny Alexander: The Chancellor’s Budget announced on 23 March 2011, included Barnett consequentials in respect of spending on apprenticeships, university technical colleges, FirstBuy housing programme, Enterprise Zones rate relief, small business rates relief, and local government capitalisation. In addition in Northern Ireland there were consequentials in respect of changes in DWP spending.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much he plans to allocate to the Scottish Executive under the Barnett formula in respect of each item from which consequential allocations arise in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16. [49862]
Danny Alexander: The spending review provided:
| £ million | ||||
|
|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2015-16 |
The Budget provided the following additional amounts of:
| £ million | ||||
|
|
2011-12 | 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2015-16 |
It is for the Scottish Government to allocate its funding as it sees fit to local needs and priorities.
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Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what years the Scottish Executive will be able to claim the sums underspent in previous years identified in the 2011 Budget; and whether any restrictions are to apply to the use of such sums. [49863]
Danny Alexander: The Government cancelled the previous EYF system abolishing existing stocks. In 2010-11 the Government allowed the Scottish Government to drawdown £296 million of end year flexibility. The Scottish Government have also been allowed to carry forward £130 million planned under-spend from 2010-11 to 2011-12.
This arrangement is unique to the devolved administrations and is not available to UK Government Departments.
Public Expenditure: Wales
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the oral answer from the Prime Minister of 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 299-300, on law-making powers in Wales, what the statistical basis is for the forecast difference in spending. [49399]
Danny Alexander: Public spending per head in Wales was 12% higher than in England in 2009-10. In the spending review the Government announced that the Welsh Assembly Government’s resource departmental expenditure limit budget will reduce by 7.5% in real terms by 2014-15 compared to a reduction of 8.3% across the UK.
Tax Avoidance
Chris Bryant: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he has made an estimate of (a) the number of British-based companies which use tax avoidance schemes in Jersey and (b) the amount of taxation avoided through use of such schemes per year; [49780]
(2) if he will take steps to restrict the ability of British-based companies to use tax avoidance schemes based in the Channel Islands. [49775]
Mr Gauke: No estimate has been made of the number of British-based companies which use tax avoidance schemes in Jersey. HMRC’s estimates do not distinguish according to the different jurisdictions through which a scheme or arrangement may operate.
This Government are tackling avoidance and at Budget we set out our plan to implement a new strategic approach to tackling avoidance including HMRC’s new anti-avoidance strategy and action to strengthen tax legislation.
The Budget also announced a range of specific measures to tackle avoidance, including a reduction in the VAT-free threshold for goods imported from outside the EU from £18 to £15. A commitment was also given at Budget to explore options with the European Commission to limit the scope of the relief.
This will reduce the attraction for UK businesses to locate outside the EU.
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Tax Credit: Video Games
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made an assessment of the effects of tax credit changes in the 2011 Budget on the video games industry. [49724]
Mr Gauke: The Budget announced reforms to the research and development (R&D) tax credit schemes, including an increase in the rate of SME R&D tax relief to 200% from April 2011, and then an increase to 225% from April 2012.
These changes will benefit innovative companies undertaking qualifying R&D activity in all sectors of the economy, including the video games industry.
Taxation
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the potential costs to the public purse of merging income tax and national insurance. [49285]
Mr Gauke: The Government believe that integrating the operation of income tax and national insurance contributions (NICs) can remove distortions, reduce burdens on business and improve fairness. However, it recognises that any change will be complex and involve a wide range of policy and implementation issues.
The Government will publish an initial consultation document later this year to consult on the options, stages and timing of reform.
Taxation: Coastal Areas
Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from arcades in seaside locations on the likely effects of the introduction of a machine gaming duty to replace the amusement machine licence duty and value added tax; and if he will make a statement. [49840]
Justine Greening: Treasury Ministers and officials meet with, and receive representations from, a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the usual policymaking process. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such representations.
Taxation: Pensioners
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the taxation of employer-financed retirement benefit schemes. [49268]
Mr Gauke: New and extensive use of employer financed retirement benefit schemes (EFRBS) to provide retirement benefits would create significant risk around the yield projected from the restriction of pensions’ tax relief that is due to take effect from the 2011-12 tax year onwards. This would not be in keeping with the principle of creating a more affordable pensions tax regime. The Government are therefore introducing legislation in the Finance Bill 2011 to ensure that EFRBS are not more tax advantaged than for pension savings into registered pension schemes beyond the annual and lifetime allowances.
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Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue that would accrue to the Exchequer if contributions to employer-financed retirement benefit schemes were subject to taxation at the rate of 50 per cent. in each of the next four years. [49269]
Mr Gauke: It is estimated that a 50% tax charge on contributions to employer financed retirement benefit schemes (EFRBS) would yield around £40 million per year.
At Budget 2011, a measure was introduced to prevent tax avoidance through ‘disguised remuneration’, which includes the use of EFRBS. It will work by subjecting earmarking by EFRBS of sums and assets paid to them as contributions to tax and national insurance in the same way as cash remuneration. Importantly, the measure is expected to protect future tax revenues, by closing off opportunities to avoid restrictions to tax relief on pension contributions to registered pension schemes through the use of EFRBS.
Further information on how the Exchequer yield was estimated for the disguised remuneration measure, including estimates of current losses and behavioural responses, can be found in the Budget 2011 policy costings document (page 46) at:
http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_policycostings.pdf
Treasury Select Committee: Revenue and Customs
Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the job title is of each member of staff of HM Revenue and Customs who attended the meeting of the Treasury Committee on 16 March 2011 other than as witnesses. [49424]
Mr Gauke: HMRC does not have a record of the staff who attended the hearing.
Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether staff of HM Revenue and Customs are entitled to claim overtime for attendance at Treasury Select Committee hearings after 5.30pm. [49425]
Mr Gauke: HMRC staff are not entitled to claim overtime for attendance at Treasury Select Committee hearings.
Mr Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much time in staff hours HM Revenue and Customs spent in preparing for Treasury Select Committee hearings in the latest period for which figures are available. [49541]
Mr Gauke: HMRC does not have a record of this information.
Urenco
Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what arrangements he plans to make for the sale of the UK shareholding in Urenco; what estimate he has made of the potential proceeds from the sale; by what date he plans to issue a prospectus; and if he will make a statement; [49612]
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(2) whether any (a) individual, (b) organisation and (c) state will not be invited to purchase those shares in Urenco held by the UK; [49614]
(3) what meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have held with trade unions representing UK nationals employed by Urenco; and what steps have been taken to inform UK-based employees of Urenco of the decision to sell the UK’s shareholding; [49615]
(4) what account he has taken of the review of the UK nuclear energy programme in assessing the potential market for shares in Urenco. [49616]
Charles Hendry: I have been asked to reply.
The Government are currently undertaking a full analysis of their options with regard to the UK’s stake in Urenco and no final decisions have yet been made.
The Government do not give out information on expected proceeds from individual asset sales. To do so would prejudice the Government’s commercial position in ongoing and future sale processes. However, any change in the present ownership arrangements will be subject to securing value for money for the tax payer as well as meeting non-proliferation and other policy objectives.
The UK remains fully committed to upholding nuclear non-proliferation, safety and security principles. Should we decide to proceed with a sale, any restrictions on potential purchasers of shares in the company would be dependent on our assessment of the risk posed to our non-proliferation and other policy interests.
Neither Ministers or officials have had any discussions with the UK-based employees of Urenco or their trade union representatives on the implications of a potential sale. Any such discussions would be premature at this stage and would in any case be for the company’s management to undertake.
Urenco provides enrichment services to civil nuclear utilities worldwide and the provision to customers in the UK represents only a very small proportion of its business. The Government’s review of the UK’s nuclear strategy is expected to have little, if any, impact on Urenco’s business.
Home Department
Asylum: East of England
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department has paid to each local authority in the East of England in respect of asylum seeker support in each year since 1997. [49140]
Damian Green: Payments to local authorities in the East of England in respect of asylum seeker support for the financial year between 2002-03 and 2009-10 are given in the following table. Data for previous years are not available at the required level of analysis and it would incur disproportionate cost to provide the information for the years before 2002-03.
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| Payments to local authorities in the East of England | ||||||||
| £000 | ||||||||
|
|
2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
| Note: These figures include payments to local authorities in Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. They have been taken from the audited accounts of the Home Office (or the UK Border Agency from 2009-10). | ||||||||
Asylum: Finance
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department paid to (a) the Refugee Council, (b) the Scottish Refugee Council, (c) the Welsh Refugee Council, (d) Refugee Action and (e) Migrant Helpline in each of the last five years. [48859]
Damian Green: The amount paid to these organisations is detailed in the following table.
| Funding to voluntary sector bodies 2005-10 | |||||
| £ million | |||||
|
|
2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
| Note: These figures are taken from the audited accounts of the Home Office or (for 2009-10 only) of the UK Border Agency. | |||||
Asylum: Greater London
Mr Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers living in Greater London (a) returned voluntarily and (b) were deported to their country of origin in each of the last five years. [49080]
Damian Green: The data you have requested are shown in Table 1 as follows:
| Table 1: Failed asylum seekers, excluding dependants, residing in the Government Office London area, returned to their country of origin, 2006 - 10 | |||
|
|
(a) Voluntary departure | (b) Enforced removal | Total |
| Note: All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. | |||
Birds of Prey: Conservation
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of illegal killing of birds of prey have been investigated by the police in each of the last five years. [49555]
James Brokenshire: The Home Office does not collect information on police investigations.
In addition, offences of illegally killing birds of prey are summary offences and are not included in the police recorded crime statistics collected by the Home Office.
Borders: Personal Records
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of passenger name record data her Department expects to capture from passenger movements by December 2013. [49388]
Damian Green: We are currently collecting passenger name record (PNR) data for 11.4% of total air passenger movements.
No timescales have yet been decided for increasing the volume of PNR data being collected and there are no targets specifically for collection by December 2013.
Cycle to Work Scheme
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many employees in her Department are participating in the Cycle to Work scheme. [49410]
Damian Green: The Home Office Cycle to Work scheme was launched in Home Office HQ and the UK Border Agency (UKBA) on 9 October 2009; in the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) on 1 April 2010; and in the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) on 19 April 2010.
Since implementation a total of 413 staff have signed up to the scheme, comprising:
From Home Office HQ and UKBA—326
From IPS—70
From CRB—17.
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Domestic Violence: Immigrants
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women who applied for indefinite leave to remain as a result of alleged domestic violence had their applications refused in the latest period for which figures are available; what the grounds were for such refusals; and if she will make a statement. [49748]
Damian Green: Figures for the latest period, January 2011, show that 101 people (not gender specific) applied for indefinite leave to remain as a result of alleged domestic violence and of these cases 95 have been decided. 12 of those considered were refusals, nine cases were refused on the basis that it was not accepted that domestic violence had taken place and three cases were refused on other grounds(1).
(1) The information has been provided from local management information and is not a National Statistic. As such it should be treated as provisional and therefore subject to change.
Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of applications for indefinite leave to remain made by women accepted on to the Sojourner Project are determined within the 20-day limit; and if she will make a statement. [49749]
Damian Green: Figures(1) for the latest period, January 2011, indicate that 49% of applications for indefinite leave to remain as a victim of domestic abuse were made by applicants accepted on to the Sojourner Project. Of these applications 80% were determined within the 20 day target.
(1) The information has been provided from local management information and is not a National Statistic. As such it should be treated as provisional and therefore subject to change.
Drugs: Working Hours
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate her Department has made of the number of working days lost due to the effects of hard drug usage in each of the last five years. [48619]
James Brokenshire: The Home Office does not currently record this information and no estimates have been made.
Drugs: Misuse
Mr Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her policy is on measures to make illegal the (a) distribution and (b) sale of legal highs which are harmful to human health. [49529]
James Brokenshire: The Government take the issue of synthetic drugs, including new psychoactive substances (so called ‘legal highs’) very seriously.
On 23 July 2010, naphyrone became a controlled class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. 2-DPMP, a psychoactive ingredient found in samples of some ‘Ivory Wave’ branded products, was banned under the Open General Import Licence on 4 November 2010.
On 30 November 2010, we introduced legislative proposals in the Police Reform and Social Responsibility
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Bill, to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 with provisions for temporary banning powers on new ‘legal highs’. Our proposals aim to protect the public from the harms of these drugs; enable law enforcement partners to target suppliers and manufacturers; give the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) the time to provide full advice, and send a clear public health message about the harms of these drugs.
On 1 January 2011, the Home Office launched a three-month pilot to explore improvements to the current forensic early warning system for identifying new and emerging drugs. As part of this pilot, we are introducing new forensic technology at the borders to support UK Border Agency with the identification of any new drug being imported into the UK.
On 2 February, I wrote to the ACMD to set out the Government’s priorities for 2011-12. These include requesting the ACMD’s advice on our future direction in tackling supply, markets and demand with a view to protecting the public. This letter is published at:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/alcohol-drugs/drugs/response-acmd-mdma-ecstasy?view=Standard &pubID=857089
Entry Clearances
David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department from which countries in Europe nationals require a visa to enter the UK. [49553]
Damian Green: All nationalities, except European economic area (EEA) nationalities require a visa to work or study in the UK.
All EEA nationals (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Irish Republic, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) are entitled to free movement and do not require visas or other permission to enter, work or study in the UK.
Nationals from Albania, Belarus, Bosnia Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia all require a visa to enter the UK. For further information please see the following link:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/
Entry Clearances: Overseas Students
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she plans to ask the Migration Advisory Committee to conduct an assessment of the potential effects on the economy of her proposed reforms to the student immigration route. [49006]
Damian Green: The Secretary of State for the Home Department announced the Government’s plans to reform the student immigration system on 22 March 2011, Official Report, columns 855-72. We have no plans to ask the Migration Advisory Committee to assess the potential effects on the economy. An impact assessment will be published in due course.
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Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the oral statement of 22 March 2011, Official Report, on student visas, what her definition is of a graduate-level job; and if she will make a statement. [49292]
Damian Green [holding answer 28 March 2011]: The independent Migration Advisory Committee recommended a list of graduate-level occupations, which has been accepted by the Government. The list is as follows:
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code Occupation
1111 Senior officials in national government
1112 Directors and chief executives of major organisations
1113 Senior officials in local government
1114 Senior officials of special interest organisations
1121 Production, works and maintenance managers
122 Managers in construction
1123 Managers in mining and energy
1131 Financial managers and chartered secretaries
1132 Marketing and sales managers
1133 Purchasing managers
1134 Advertising and public relations managers
1135 Personnel, training and industrial relations managers
1136 Information and communication technology managers
1137 Research and development managers
1141 Quality assurance managers
1142 Customer care managers
1151 Financial institution managers
1152 Office managers
1161 Transport and distribution managers
1171 Officers in armed forces
1172 Police officers (inspectors and above)
1173 Senior officers in fire, ambulance, prison and related services
1174 Security managers
1181 Hospital and health service managers
1182 Pharmacy managers
1183 Healthcare practice managers
1184 Social services managers
1185 Residential and day care managers
1212 Natural environment and conservation managers
1219 Managers in animal husbandry, forestry and fishing not elsewhere classified
1222 Conference and exhibition managers
1231 Property, housing and land managers
1235 Recycling and refuse disposal managers
1239 Managers and proprietors in other services not elsewhere classified
2111 Chemists
2112 Biological scientists and biochemists
2113 Physicists, geologists and meteorologists
2121 Civil engineers
2122 Mechanical engineers
2123 Electrical engineers
2124 Electronics engineers
2125 Chemical engineers
2126 Design and development engineers
2127 Production and process engineers
2128 Planning and quality control engineers
2129 Engineering professionals not elsewhere classified
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2131 IT strategy and planning professionals
2132 Software professionals
2211 Medical practitioners
2212 Psychologists
2213 Pharmacists/pharmacologists
2214 Ophthalmic opticians
2215 Dental practitioners
2216 Veterinarians
2311 Higher education teaching professionals
2312 Further education teaching professionals
2313 Education officers, school inspectors
2314 Secondary education teaching professionals
2315 Primary and nursery education teaching professionals
2316 Special needs education teaching professionals
2317 Registrars and senior administrators of educational establishments
2319 Teaching professionals not elsewhere classified
2321 Scientific researchers
2322 Social science researchers
2329 Researchers not elsewhere classified
2411 Solicitors and lawyers, judges and coroners
2419 Legal professionals not elsewhere classified
2421 Chartered and certified accountants
2422 Management accountants
2423 Management consultants, actuaries, economists and statisticians
2431 Architects
2432 Town planners
2433 Quantity surveyors
2434 Chartered surveyors (not quantity surveyors)
2441 Public service administrative professionals
2442 Social workers
2443 Probation officers
2444 Clergy
2451 Librarians
2452 Archivists and curators
3121 Architectural technologists and town planning technicians
3123 Building inspectors
3131 IT operations technicians
3211 Nurses
3212 Midwives
3213 Paramedics
3214 Medical radiographers
3215 Chiropodists
3218 Medical and dental technicians
3221 Physiotherapists
3222 Occupational therapists
3223 Speech and language therapists
3229 Therapists not elsewhere classified
3319 Protective service associate professionals not elsewhere classified
3411 Artists
3412 Authors, writers
3413 Actors, entertainers
3414 Dancers and choreographers
3415 Musicians
3416 Arts officers, producers and directors
3422 Product, clothing and related designers
3431 Journalists, newspaper and periodical editors
3432 Broadcasting associate professionals
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3433 Public relations officers
3512 Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
3513 Ship and hovercraft officers
3531 Estimators, valuers and assessors
3532 Brokers
3534 Finance and investment analysts/advisers
3535 Taxation experts
3537 Financial and accounting technicians
3539 Business and related associate professionals not elsewhere classified
3541 Buyers and purchasing officers
3543 Marketing associate professionals
3551 Conservation and environmental protection officers
3561 Public service associate professionals
3564 Careers advisers and vocational guidance specialists
3565 Inspectors of factories, utilities and trading standards
3566 Statutory examiners
3567 Occupational hygienists and safety officers (health and safety)
3568 Environmental health officers
This list is published in a Statement of Intent on the UK Border Agency website at:
www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/aboutus/reports/soi-tier2/
Human Trafficking: EU Law
Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations she has received in support of the UK opting into the European directive on human trafficking. [47840]
Damian Green: The Government have received several hundred representations on whether it should apply to opt in to the EU directive on human trafficking.
Susan Elan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to announce a decision on the implementation of the EU Directive on human trafficking. [49273]
Damian Green: The Government decided not to opt in to the European Directive on human trafficking at the outset, but to review its 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.
A final decision remains subject to parliamentary scrutiny.
Immigration Controls
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what method her Department used to calculate the immigration cap figure of 21,700. [48793]
Damian Green [holding answer 24 March 2011]:The Migration Advisory Committee recommended an upper annual limit of 43,700, including intra-company transfers (ICTs). The Government have exempted ICTs from the annual limit, and has therefore subtracted the number of ICT visas in 2009 (22,000) from the Committee’s recommended figure.
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Knives: Crime
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) injured and (b) killed as a result of knife crime offences in each police force area in England and Wales in each year since 1997. [47677]
James Brokenshire: The Home Office has collected data on selected offences involving the use of a knife or sharp instrument via a special additional data collection since April 2007. Data are collected for the following offence categories: attempted murder, threats to kill, actual bodily harm (ABH) and grievous bodily harm (GBH), robbery, rape and sexual assaults. The collection does not include data on whether or not an injury was sustained, though the ABH and GBH categories may be of most relevance to the question.
The data for ABH and GBH offences involving a knife or a sharp instrument for 2008-09 and 2009-10 are provided in table A. These data were published in tables 7.13 and 7.14 of ‘Crime in England and Wales 2009/10’ via the following link:
http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs10/hosb1210chap7.xls
Data for 2007-08 are not comparable to those for subsequent years for a number of reasons. Firstly, in 2007-08, the offences that were included in the knife and sharp instrument collection were: attempted murder, GBH with intent, GBH without intent and robbery. In 2008-09, this was expanded to also include: threats to kill, ABH, sexual assault and rape.
Secondly, there was a clarification in the counting rules for GBH with intent between 2007-08 and 2008-09. Some forces were classifying on injury sustained rather than intent. However, this does not affect the totals presented in the answer, as both GBH with intent and GBH without intent are included in both years.
Finally, a 2009 audit of how bottle and glass offences are recorded in the knife and sharp instrument data collection identified that some forces were including unbroken bottle and glass offences in their returns, which are outside the scope of this collection. The offence most affected was ABH. Some forces resubmitted data for 2008-09 and these revised figures are included in the answer. However, four forces were unable to provide figures that separate out the unbroken bottle and glass offences, and a number of unbroken bottle and glass offences are included.
Revised data were not requested for 2007-08, as ABH was not collected for this time period. Robbery and attempted murder offences are rarely carried out with unbroken bottles, so are largely unaffected.
Data for 2007-08 are provided in table B and are also available in table 7.11 of ‘Crime in England and Wales 2008/09’ via the following link:
http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/hosb1109chap7new.xls
Data for homicides involving the use of a knife or sharp instrument are collected via the Homicide Index. These are provided in table C.
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| Table A: ABH and GBH (1) offences involving the use of a knife or sharp instrument recorded by the police, 2008-09 to 2009-10 | ||
| England and Wales, recorded crime (number) | ||
| Police force area, England and Wales (2) | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
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| (1) Includes racially or religiously aggravated wounding or inflicting GBH. (2) Four police forces include unbroken bottle and glass offences in their returns, which are outside the scope of this special collection. As such, data for these forces are not directly comparable to data for other forces. The four forces are: West Midlands, Surrey, Sussex and the British Transport Police. | ||
| Table B: GBH offences involving the use of a knife or sharp instrument recorded by the police, 2007-08 (1) | |||
| England an d Wales, recorded crime (number ) | |||
| 2007-08 | |||
| Police force area, England and Wales (2) | Total GBH | Wounding with intent to do GBH | Wounding or inflicting GBH without intent (3) |
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| (1) Table revised 21 January 2010. (2) A number of police forces included unbroken bottle and glass offences in their returns, which are outside the scope of this special collection. As such, data are not comparable between forces. (3) Includes racially or religiously aggravated wounding or inflicting GBH. | |||