Sports Clubs
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to promote the Community Amateur Sports Club scheme. [51218]
Andrew Stunell: The Department for Communities and Local Government currently has no plans to promote the Community Amateur Sports Club scheme to local authorities, although we recognise this as an excellent opportunity for community-based amateur clubs to benefit from a range of tax reliefs, including Gift Aid.
Sports Facilities
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in what ways neighbourhood plans will confer extra protection on sport and recreation facilities. [50601]
Greg Clark: Research commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport into the regulatory burden on sport and recreation clubs was published in March 2011 (“Red Card to Red Tape—How sports clubs want to break free for bureaucracy”). It recommended that neighbourhood plans should consider the provision of sport and recreation facilities.
The Localism Bill will allow communities to set out how important sport and recreation facilities should form part of their neighbourhood plan, which, if adopted, becomes part of the development plan.
Sustainable Development
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what factors he plans to take into account in developing a definition of sustainable development for use in the planning system. [49721]
Greg Clark: Current policy on the sustainable development principles that should underpin planning decisions is contained in Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development. The National Planning Policy Framework will consolidate and simplify the suite of existing national policy and guidance, and we will consult on a draft in the summer. That draft will also take into account responses to a consultation on the content of the National Planning Policy Framework, and will reflect the Government's vision for sustainable development announced by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 28 February this year.
Tenancy Deposit Schemes
Nigel Adams:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Dudley North (Ian Austin) of 14 December 2009, Official Report, column 919W, on tenancy deposit schemes, (1) what (a) guarantees, (b) underwriting, (c) liabilities and (d)
5 Apr 2011 : Column 856W
obligations were agreed in relation to support for the three tenancy deposit protection schemes under the previous Administration; [38765]
(2) what assessment he has made of the financial stability and integrity of each of the three tenancy deposit protection schemes, including the effect of low interest rates on their integrity, since May 2010; [38766]
(3) what steps he has taken since May 2010 to ensure that tenancy deposit schemes can meet their financial liabilities. [38767]
Grant Shapps: The three tenancy deposit protection schemes are operated by private companies under service concession agreements with my Department. All three schemes are designed to be self-financing.
The service concession agreement that was agreed by the previous Administration with the custodial tenancy deposit protection scheme contained a guarantee that the Government would meet any shortfall arising if approved fees were not covered by the interest on deposits held. That guarantee was removed as part of a revised agreement negotiated in August 2010 which also incorporated a four year extension of the original agreement.
Neither of the two insurance based tenancy deposit protection schemes’ agreements have ever included any similar government guarantees, underwriting, liabilities or obligations.
Voluntary Organisations: Non-domestic Rates
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will encourage local authorities to offer rate relief to voluntary community organisations. [50639]
Robert Neill: Charities are generally entitled to 80% mandatory business rate relief. Local authorities must grant that relief where the relevant eligibility criteria have been met.
In addition, councils have a power to offer discretionary rate relief. They can offer up to 100% rate relief to non-profit making organisations. Central Government funds 75% of the cost of discretionary rate relief.
While the granting of discretionary rate relief is ultimately a decision for the local authority, I believe it has an important role to play in supporting the local voluntary sector, recognising the public benefit that voluntary groups give to their local community. We would expect local authorities to take full account of the central Government funding support for discretionary rate relief in making their decisions.
Certain voluntary organisations may also be eligible for small business rates relief which we have doubled until 30 September 2012. Eligible organisations with rateable values below £6,000 will pay no rates for that period.
Moreover, I have recently corresponded with the London borough of Camden on the issue of discretionary rate relief to the innovative People’s Supermarket, as outlined in my Department’s press notice of 3 March 2011.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 857W
International Development
Departmental Early Retirement
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of his Department's staff have taken early retirement in each of the last five years; and at what cost to his Department in each such year. [50842]
Mr Duncan: The following table shows the number of staff who have taken early retirement, under the provisions of the civil service compensation scheme, from the Department for International Development in each of the last five financial years.
The following table shows total capitalised costs (including annual compensation payments or early/enhanced pensions) which are recorded against the year in which the retirement was approved.
| Financial year | Number of early departures | Total cost (£000) |
| (1) Costs yet to be finalised (2) Approximately | ||
Developing Countries: Agriculture
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of his Department's commitment to agriculture and food security made at the G8 L'Aquila Summit has been disbursed to date; and under what budget headings it has been spent. [50873]
Mr Duncan: In the fiscal year 2009-10 the Department for International Development (DFID) had disbursed 32% of its total pledge of £1.1 billion to global food security and agriculture. DFID is, therefore, on track to meet its commitment made at the 2009 G8 summit held at L'Aquila. The £352 million disbursed in the 2009/10 fiscal year is comprised of the following:
| Budget heading | Spend (£ million) |
|
Transport and Storage projects where the main purpose is to promote food security |
|
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans his Department has for the use of the remaining funds from its commitment to agriculture and food security made at the G8 L'Aquila Summit before the 2012 deadline. [50874]
Mr Duncan:
The recent bilateral and multilateral aid reviews have set out the results which DFID will deliver in the next four years. In summary, it is envisaged that
5 Apr 2011 : Column 858W
we will stop 10 million more children going hungry and ensure a further four million people have enough food throughout the year.
We anticipate working directly on food security in a small number of countries including Ethiopia, (South) Sudan, Zimbabwe and Burma. In other countries including Rwanda, Kenya and Malawi we will deliver programmes which improve the livelihoods of rural people and the enabling environment for small holder food producers. We will also continue to support multilateral agencies with a mandate on food and nutritional security. Agriculture will continue to be a major focus for DFID's Research and Evidence Division, which has increased its support for agriculture by 60% over the last three years.
Developing Countries: HIV Infection
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his policy is on the provision of generic drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS in developing countries; and what his policy is on the (a) international trade and (b) intellectual property issues involved in the supply of such drugs. [51034]
Mr Duncan: The UK remains committed to the goal of achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. This includes working with both originator and generic pharmaceutical companies to ensure that safe, affordable and effective drugs are available. Increasing value for money in terms of price, quality, market security and product suitability for developing country use is paramount. We are working with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS TB and Malaria, UNITAID and other partners to encourage a more strategic approach to shaping international anti-retroviral markets.
With regards to international trade and intellectual property issues involved in the supply of generic medicines, we stated in our recently published White Paper ‘Trade and Investment for Growth’ that we would seek to ensure that provisions on intellectual property rights in EU free trade agreements did not have negative impacts on the ability of the poorest to access low cost medicines. Further, legitimate generic products of assured quality should not be detained unnecessarily while in transit.
Employment Agencies
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in the last year for which figures are available. [51406]
Mr Duncan: In financial year 2010-11 the Department for International Development (DFID) spent the following:
| Category of spend | 2010-11 figure (£) |
| (1)This figure represents the total paid to recruitment agencies. These payments were for the services of temporary staff and included both payment to the individual and a fee to the recruitment agency. It is not possible to disaggregate this figure. (2) This figure represents payments to training providers for staff training and professional development for DFID staff, including staff appointed in country (SAIC). | |
5 Apr 2011 : Column 859W
Overseas Aid: Publicity
Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps the Government has taken to publicise its reasons for increasing official development assistance to 0.7 per cent. of gross national income by 2013. [51494]
Mr Andrew Mitchell: I have taken every opportunity to publicise this Government's commitment to spend 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) as official development assistance (ODA) from 2013, and to explain the results that British taxpayers should expect to see from this investment. The commitment was published in the coalition programme for government and the comprehensive spending review. I have reaffirmed this commitment is several speeches, both in the UK and overseas. Last month saw the publication of ‘UK Aid: Changing Lives, Delivering Results’, which set out clearly the pressing needs in developing countries, and how meeting the 0.7% target will transform lives.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Burma: Capital Punishment
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British Ambassador to Burma has raised with the government of Burma the circumstances of the execution on 19 November 2010 by Border Guard Force soldiers of a 75 year old man from Dtra Greh township, Pa'an district, Karen state. [50631]
Mr Bellingham: We were concerned to read the Karen Human Rights Group bulletin which reported this incident. Our embassy in Rangoon is speaking with groups in Burma to corroborate the report. Our ambassador regularly raises with the Burmese authorities the Government’s serious concern over the regime’s human rights violations.
Burma: Politics and Government
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of attacks by the Burma Army on civilians in the Manorone area of Ta Naw Tha Ri township, Karen state. [50709]
Mr Bellingham: The Government were concerned to read of the Free Burma Rangers report and other reports from February which documented the aftermath of attacks on Karen communities, and the Burmese regime's continuing persecution of and violence towards ethnic groups such as the Karen. The UK helped secure a robust resolution at the March UN Human Rights Council which called on the Burmese regime to take urgent measures to end their violations of international human rights and humanitarian law including the targeting of civilians in ethnic areas.
Burma: War Crimes
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on EU support for a UN commission of inquiry into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. [50553]
5 Apr 2011 : Column 860W
Mr Bellingham: The Government most recently discussed the prospect of a UN Commission of Inquiry in Burma at official level with other EU member states in March 2011. Officials have in recent weeks also raised this issue bilaterally with Swedish, Danish, Dutch, Irish and Lithuanian counterparts. The Government continue to support the UN Special Rapporteur’s recommendation for the UN to consider the idea of a Commission of Inquiry, and is working with other countries to build international support.
Departmental Secondment
Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff of his Department are on secondment to (a) a business organisation and (b) a charitable or non-governmental organisation. [50916]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not hold a central record of all its staff working on secondment with outside organisations as staff may also take special unpaid leave (SUPL) from the FCO to take up these appointments. Staff on SUPL are not counted as FCO employees for the duration of these appointments and their locations are not tracked.
However, there are nine FCO staff on formal secondment to business organisations.
EU Action
Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the policy of the Government is on the examination of the scientific evidence presented by the European Commission in support of legislative proposals presented to the Council of Ministers. [49143]
Mr Willetts: I have been asked to reply.
The Government believe that European legislation should be based upon a strong evidence base, including, when appropriate, scientific evidence. In this context we support President Barroso's intention to appoint a Chief Scientific Advisor. We also welcome a strengthening of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre in providing robust scientific and technical advice to support development and implementation of EU legislation.
It should also be noted that evidence presented in support of EU legislation will be examined by the UK and, where necessary, challenged well before any legislation reaches the European Council. For proposals which do go to Council it may be that scientific arguments will previously have been discussed at working groups of member states including the UK. The lead Department in the UK will have assessed the evidence presented by the Commission and may have presented its own evidence to the Commission. Scientific evidence is therefore thoroughly examined but final decisions do take into account broader issues and a range of evidence, not always principally scientific, may be offered in support.
Exports: Dairy Farming
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to support the development of export markets for UK dairy producers (a) in the Far East and China and (b) elsewhere. [50862]
5 Apr 2011 : Column 861W
Mr Bellingham [holding answer 4 April 2011]: I refer my hon. Friend to the response from the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr Prisk) on 23 March 2011, Official Report, column 1115W.
Government Communications
Hazel Blears: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of the operating costs of the Research, Information and Communications Unit in the Home Office (a) was met by his Department in (i) 2008-09 and (ii) 2009-10 and (b) will be so met in 2010-11. [47323]
Alistair Burt: I refer the hon. Member to the response from the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice my right hon. Friend the Member for Arundel and South Downs (Nick Herbert) of 31 March 2011, Official Report, column 458W.
Haiti: Politics and Government
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Haiti following the time taken to announce the outcome of the Presidential elections. [50973]
Mr Bellingham: We continue to underline the need for all Haitian parties to continue to demonstrate their commitment to a free, fair and transparent electoral process. We understand that the delay in announcing the preliminary results is due to the Haitian Provisional Election Council (CEP) making additional checks of the vote tabulations. 14 May 2011 is the date set for the inauguration of the new President. It is vital that this date does not slip, as any political vacuum or loss of momentum would threaten the continuity of the reconstruction efforts so essential to Haiti’s rehabilitation. The Organisation of America States Caribbean Community Election Observation Mission will give its considered opinion of the conduct of the Second Round in the coming weeks. We, along with others in the International Community and in Haiti, will draw important conclusions from that assessment about the state of Haitian democracy. It is vital that the next President works in the interests of all the Haitian people to continue the important task of reconstruction.
Ko Mya Aye
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to the Government of Burma on the (a) detention of and (b) access to medical treatment of Ko Mya Aye. [50632]
Mr Bellingham: Our ambassador to Rangoon most recently reiterated the need to release all political prisoners, especially those in poor health such as Ko Mya Aye, on 26 January 2011 during a meeting with Burmese officials in Naypyitaw. Our embassy regularly raises concerns over prison conditions with senior regime officials and works with prisoner support networks and non-governmental organisations to assist the families of prisoners who ask for our assistance. The Government helped secure a tough resolution at the Human Rights Council in March 2011 which called for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 862W
Libya: Armed Conflict
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK humanitarian aid flights have landed in Libya since UN Security Resolution 1973 was adopted; and how much aid has been delivered. [50636]
Alistair Burt: No UK aid flights have landed in Libya since the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1973; however the UK is providing assistance and protection to the people of Benghazi through our funding of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The UK is providing £2 million to ICRC, enabling it to provide medical teams to treat and provide medical supplies to 3,000 people in Libya affected by the ongoing fighting. The ICRC will also provide food and supplies to 100,000 of those most in need.
Lack of access by humanitarian agencies makes it difficult to give a comprehensive view of humanitarian needs in Libya. However, to date humanitarian agencies have reported no widespread, urgent humanitarian needs in Benghazi. In eastern Libya more generally, people have access to food, water and electricity, although there remain pockets of specific needs. Disruption to regular supply chains also risks causing shortages of basic items. Medical supplies are reaching eastern Libya and hospitals are functioning but stretched, with some staff shortages. Throughout Libya we have serious concerns for the protection of civilians.
Over 12,000 people have been repatriated from the borders with Libya on UK-funded flights. Blankets and tents also delivered by the UK provide shelter for up to 10,000 people. UK funded air operations specialists are helping co-ordinate repatriations as part of our efforts to prevent logistics difficulties in Tunisia and Egypt becoming a humanitarian crisis.
Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the ability to deliver humanitarian assistance to Benghazi following the establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya. [50637]
Alistair Burt: Since the adoption and enforcement of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 a number of agencies have returned to, or established operations in Benghazi, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières and International Medical Corps. However the situation remains precarious and the conflict poses an ongoing risk to humanitarian access, with the situation changing day to day.
Benghazi is also being used as a hub for the onward delivery of assistance. The World Food Programme is using it as an entry point for food aid and the Interim Transitional National Council has been able to forward aid from Benghazi to the besieged city of Misrata.
The prime concerns in Libya now are for people caught up in the fighting: attacks on civilians, medical needs of the wounded and sick, and those displaced by fighting, as well as access for humanitarian agencies.
Libya: Aviation
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what costs his Department has incurred in chartering aircraft to Libya in 2011. [48937]
5 Apr 2011 : Column 863W
Alistair Burt: Our provisional cost is £1 million. This will not be confirmed until the Foreign and Commonwealth Office receives final invoices.
Libya: Politics and Government
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received on the detention by Libyan authorities of Iman al-Obaidi; and if he will make a statement. [50971]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is aware of this case, which on 30 March 2011 the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has described as:
“shocking to the whole world”
and as one which demonstrates the Gaddafi regime’s:
“absolute disregard for any understanding of human rights”.
Miss Iman al-Obaidi’s claims must be investigated thoroughly, and if she is indeed still being detained, she should be freed and given access to legal representation.
Libya: Students
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will assess the effects of financial sanctions on Libya on Libyan students who are living and studying in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [51162]
Alistair Burt: The Government have been careful to implement the UN sanctions regime so as to minimise any adverse effects on Libyan students in the UK. We are working with the universities and the Libyan People's Bureau in London to get a fuller picture of who may be adversely affected by the sanctions.
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with banks to ensure that Libyan students who are living and studying in the UK are not disadvantaged as a result of financial sanctions on Libya; and if he will make a statement. [51163]
Alistair Burt: The Treasury has issued licences to enable payments to be made in respect of students in the UK who are sponsored by Libyan entities whose assets have been frozen. Such payments include educational, living and maintenance costs incurred by sponsored students.
Somaliland
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any plans to visit Somaliland on official business. [50406]
Mr Bellingham: We are not able to publicise plans for future visits for security reasons. The Government regularly engage with the Somaliland Government, both in London and in the horn of Africa region. The Secretary of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell) visited Somaliland on 31 January 2011.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 864W
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official visits Ministers in his Department have made to Somaliland in the last five years. [50407]
Mr Bellingham: There have been no visits by Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers to Somaliland in the last five years.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had at EU level on Somaliland. [50408]
Mr Bellingham: The EU Foreign Affairs Council on 21 March 2011 adopted Conclusions on Somalia. These included agreement that the EU would aim to enhance its support to regions of Somalia, such as Somaliland, and remained committed to peace, stability and democracy.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had at UN level on Somaliland. [50409]
Mr Bellingham: I attended a UN Security Council Open debate on Somalia on 11 March 2011 in New York. During this debate, the UN Security Council agreed to urge the International Community to provide additional support to the Transitional Federal Government, local and regional administrations, including Somaliland, to develop government institutions, strengthen civil society, prevent and resolve conflict, and take forward socio-economic reconstruction.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) letters, (b) emails and (c) other items of correspondence on the status of Somaliland his Department has received in each of the last 12 months. [50412]
Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office receives regular e-mail correspondence on the status of Somaliland, making it difficult to give precise figures. In the past 12 months, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received at least 15 letters from members of the public and 12 letters from Members of Parliament on the status of Somaliland.
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings officials in his Department have had with officials from Somaliland in the last five years. [50413]
Mr Bellingham: We hold regular meetings with the Somaliland administration at official and ministerial level both in the UK and in the Horn of Africa region, including in Somaliland. Recent examples include official level meetings during President Silanyo’s visit to London in November 2010, the visit of the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO)’s Director for Africa to Hargeisa in March, and meetings in the margins of a Somaliland Investment Conference, organised by the FCO and the Anglo-Somaliland Chamber of Commerce, in London on 31 March 2011.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 865W
Third Sector
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to support the Big Society initiative. [42649]
Alistair Burt: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has a strong tradition of voluntary work, ranging from individuals getting involved with their local communities to whole Departments undertaking voluntary activities in the UK and throughout our overseas network.
The FCO actively supports public and private voluntary service by its staff through allowing both paid and unpaid special leave to undertake voluntary activities. The amount of time given varies according to the nature of the activity, but all employees are offered up to five days paid special leave a year to volunteer. Examples of some of the voluntary activity undertaken by individual members of staff granted special paid leave are:
Independent Custody Visitor, reporting findings of unannounced visits to detention centres
Youth Educator, Envision Project
Participation in reintegration project for young ex convicts
Facilitation of Royal Commonwealth Society Commonwealth Youth Summits
Event promotion for Croydon Community Against Trafficking
In addition, in 2010 FCO staff in London and at 55 posts overseas ran a mile as part of Sport Relief and raised over £43,000 for 60 charities in the UK and overseas.
The Big Society approach is also reflected in the activities of our posts around the world in empowering local communities. Many of our staff overseas have given up their time to help local community projects, and have assisted charitable organisations through donations and fund-raising activities. The ‘Speed Sisters’ project in Palestine is an example of a project where, by providing financial and practical support to a Palestinian women’s racing team that had been struggling to compete, our consulate staff were able to challenge widely held views of women in the middle east.
Turks and Caicos Islands
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made by the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team in the Turks and Caicos Islands. [51250]
Mr Bellingham: The Special Investigator announced in April 2010 that 18 months would be a reasonable time for the criminal investigations to be completed.
The Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) continues to make progress and reports regularly to a Strategic Oversight Group (SOG), that includes the Turks and Caicos Islands Chief Executive and the Commissioner of Police.
It is part of the SOG’s remit to ensure that the SIPT works efficiently, keeps within a justified budget and pursues a sound investigation strategy. The SIPT’s reports to the SOG include information on the timing of critical
5 Apr 2011 : Column 866W
operational matters. This information is highly confidential, and would be regarded as such in any major criminal investigation.
Yemen: Politics and Government
Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the potential implications for UK policy of the departure from office of President Saleh of Yemen before any transfer of power to a new administration. [49732]
Alistair Burt: UK policy in Yemen remains to encourage and assist the development of a unified, secure, democratic and prosperous Yemen.
To this end, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence work closely together under a comprehensive strategy which aims to help the Yemenis tackle economic and security issues in parallel with broader issues of political representation.
The UK will welcome and support any decision of the people of Yemen to deepen their democratic structures. The UK remains a friend to the people of Yemen and remains committed to helping to improve Yemen's stability, economic development, the implementation of human rights, the reduction of conflict and the degradation of terrorism.
Any issue relating to the presidency and possible change of power are properly a matter for the Yemeni people. We continue to watch developments closely.
Transport
Airports: Planning
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 28 February 2011, Official Report, column 182W, on Heathrow airport, if he will set out each relevant Government policy that is to be taken into account as a material consideration where a planning application is made for expansion of an airport. [45231]
Mrs Villiers: There is no fixed list of national policies which are material considerations whenever airport expansion is proposed. The circumstances and the potential impacts of the development will not always be the same. It is for the decision-makers in any planning case to decide which factors are relevant to the case, and how much weight to attach to each. Individual policies in a planning policy statement or planning policy guidance note might be a material consideration in one case, but have no bearing in another.
Aviation: Noise
Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the fitting of silencers to small planes. [49777]
Mrs Villiers
[holding answer 29 March 2011]: Most light aircraft are required to meet international standards on aircraft noise and will be fitted with some form of
5 Apr 2011 : Column 867W
silencer to provide basic reduction in noise from the engine's exhaust system. In addition, enhanced silencers have been developed for many light aircraft types.
The responsibility for the certification of small aircraft is dependent upon the type of aircraft. For those that fall under the provisions of Regulation (EU) 216/2008, the Basic Regulation, the responsibility rests with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). However, for small aircraft EASA will largely validate the certification carried out by the State of Design, e.g. the USA. The configuration of the aircraft to meet noise requirements is generally achieved as part of the aircraft design process.
For aircraft that do not fall within EASA's remit the UK CAA is responsible for those aircraft that are registered in the UK. At present, homebuilt aircraft are not required to conform to the noise requirements.
Aviation: Olympic Games 2012
Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which private air fields, flight schools and leisure flight operators will be within the exclusion zone during the London 2012 Olympics. [51230]
Mrs Villiers: The recently announced London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics airspace restrictions are intended to apply to the following aerodromes marked on the 1:250000 Aeronautical Chart:
Andrewsfield
Ascot
Audley End
Battersea Heliport
Benington
Bicknor Farm
Biggin Hill
Blackbushe
Boreham
Damyns Hall
Denham
Dunsfold
Dunstable Downs
Duxford
Earls Colne
Egerton
Elstree
Fairoaks
Farnborough
Farthing Corner
Fowlmere
Gerpins Farm
Graveley
Halton
Harpsden
Henlow
High Easter
High Wycombe
Hunsden
Hurley Lodge
Jackrells Farm
Jenkins Farm
Kenley
5 Apr 2011 : Column 868W
Kirdford
Laddingford
Laindon
Lamberhurst
Lashenden
Lewknor
Linton
Lippitts Hill
London Colney
Meppershall
Napps Field
North Weald
Nuthampstead
Old Hay
Panshanger
Plaistow
Rayne
Redhill
Ridgewell
Rochester
Rush Green
Russells Farm
Rydinghurst
Southend
Spring Farm
Stapleford
Stoke
Thurrock
Waits Farm
Warlingham
Wethersfield
White Waltham
Willingdale
Wycombe Air Park
We also expect that all small landing strips located within the planned prohibited or restricted zones will be covered by the temporary airspace restrictions.
All airspace users wishing to operate in these zones will need to comply with the airspace restrictions in place.
Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether steps will be taken to compensate private air fields, flight schools and leisure flight operators who are within the exclusion zone during the London 2012 Olympics. [51231]
Mrs Villiers: The Government have no plans to compensate aerodrome operators or airspace users who may be affected by the planned security restrictions for the London 2012 Games.
Cycle to Work Scheme
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has made an assessment of the behavioural impact analysis report by the Cycle to Work Alliance on the effects on the cycling industry of the financial incentives provided by the cycle to work scheme; and if he will make a statement. [51145]
5 Apr 2011 : Column 869W
Norman Baker: I welcomed the publication of the behavioural impact analysis report by the Cycle to Work Alliance and also provided a supportive foreword. There are no plans to make a further statement or conduct an assessment on the effects on the cycling industry of the financial incentives provided by the cycle to work scheme.
Cycling England
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what residual functions will remain following the abolition of Cycling England; which organisation will carry out each such function; what the estimated costs of each such function are; and what transfer of funds will be made to each organisation to carry out each such function. [46486]
Norman Baker: Cycling England will cease to exist after 31 March 2011 and promotion of cycling will fall to the Department for Transport and local authorities.
Funding for cycling will be subsumed into the Local Sustainable Transport Fund. £560 million is available over four years for sustainable transport solutions including cycling. Local authorities will also have ring fenced resources for public health, which could include promoting cycling.
A number of national cycling projects will continue to be funded through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, overseen by Department for Transport.
Bikeability Cycle Training has been allocated £11 million in 2011-12 and will continue to be supported for the duration of this Parliament. The delivery arrangements for this are currently being considered.
Links to Schools, Bike It and Bike Club have been allocated £12.7 million in 2011-12 via a grant to the Active Travel Consortium. After March 2012 local authorities will be expected to support such projects themselves.
Departmental Estate
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to reduce the size of his Department’s estate; and if he will make a statement. [46219]
Norman Baker: I refer to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston and Surbiton (Mr Davey) on 14 March 2011, Official Report, column 150W.
In addition, the Department for Transport has exercised a lease break on approximately one third of its main London headquarters building which will cease to be occupied by the Department from the end of 2012. We estimate that this measure will save £5 million per year.
Public Bodies Reform Programme
Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Renewable Fuels Agency. [48684]
Norman Baker:
On 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, the Minister for the Cabinet Office
5 Apr 2011 : Column 870W
and Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), issued a written ministerial statement 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.
I refer the right hon. Lady to my answer of 23 March 2011, Official Report, columns 1144-5W. This provides our best current estimate of the level of savings which will accrue from the dissolution of the Renewable Fuels Agency and the transfer of its functions to the Department for Transport.
Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Commission for Integrated Transport. [48688]
Norman Baker: On 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 9-10WS, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr Maude), issued a written ministerial statement 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.
I refer the right hon. Lady to my answer of 30 March 2011, Official Report, column 351W. This is our best current estimate of the level of savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Commission for Integrated Transport.
Departmental Theft
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what items with a value of over £100 have been taken without authorisation from his Department since his appointment; and what steps have been taken to recover such items. [48434]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport comprises seven agencies, a shared service centre and the central Department (the ‘Department’). The figures provided in the following table are for all items recorded as lost by or stolen from DFT staff, from either on and off the various premises of the Department and includes both Department owned assets and staff personal property. The figures provided do not include losses or thefts where records are not available centrally or where such losses or thefts were not reported. While some of this information may exist in records held locally within the central Department and the agencies, it can be obtained only at disproportionate costs.
The property recorded as lost and stolen since May 2010 is as follows:
|
|
Lost | Stolen |
5 Apr 2011 : Column 871W
It would not be appropriate to comment on specific cases, however, the Department takes firm action to investigate thefts and seeks to recover losses. Instances of theft are reported to the police whenever appropriate.
Information held on departmental laptops and BlackBerrys is encrypted to appropriate HMG standards. All such BlackBerrys reported as lost or stolen are remotely erased.
Driving Standards Agency
Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Driving Standards Agency (a) received in income from and (b) spent on administration of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence in the financial year 2009-10. [50537]
Mike Penning: In the 2009-10 financial year the agency received £3.1 million of income and incurred total costs of £3.74 million on the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence.
European Aviation Safety Agency
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the oral answer of 10 March 2011, Official Report, column 1053, on the European Aviation Safety Agency, what his policy is on lowering flight time limitations as a result of the proposed European Aviation Safety Agency legislation. [51115]
Mrs Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to comments submitted by my Department and the Civil Aviation Authority to the European Aviation Safety Agency’s consultation on flight time limitations which are published in Civil Aviation Information Notice Number IN-2011/18 at:
www.caa.co.uk
Exhaust Emissions
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the draft Local Authority Basic Carbon tool in evaluating the carbon impact of whole area interventions, including those delivered through the Sustainable Travel Town programme, prior to the introduction of the tool. [49834]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport undertook a full, independent evaluation of the Sustainable Travel Town programme in March 2010, including carbon impacts. The Department has not undertaken a retrospective evaluation of such interventions using the carbon tool, which only went live on 16 February 2011.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 872W
Great Western Railway: Electrification
Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Pontypridd of 7 March 2011, Official Report, column 835W, on the Great Western Railway: electrification, when he plans to place in the Library details of the business case work which assisted his Department in determining the further extension of electrification of the Great Western Main Line. [48086]
Dr Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish the details of the business case work prepared in respect of the electrification of the Great Western main line between Cardiff and Swansea; and if he will make a statement. [48860]
Mrs Villiers: Details of the business case work, which assisted the Department for Transport in determining the case for further Great Western electrification, was placed in the Libraries of the House on 31 March.
High Speed Two Railway Line
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to which public libraries his Department has sent hard copies of the consultation documents on the proposals for High Speed Two. [50821]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 4 April 2011]: Hard copies of all of the consultation documents were sent to the following libraries:
Amersham Library
Atherstone Library
Aylesbury Library
Banbury Library
Beaconsfield Library
Birmingham Central Library
Brackley Library
Buckingham Library
Coventry Central Library
Daventry Library
Ealing Central Library
Fulham Reference Library
Harrow Civic Centre Reference Library
High Wycombe Library
Highbury and Islington Central Library
Kensington Central Library
Lichfield Library
Oxford Central Library
Rickmansworth Library
Solihull Central Library
Swiss Cottage Central Library
Tamworth Library
Uxbridge Library
Warwick Library
Westminster Reference Library
Willesden Green Library Centre
Copies of the main consultation document, the summary and the consultation CD, were also sent to 139 councils along the proposed London to West Midlands route.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 873W
High Speed Two
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the role and responsibilities are of Mr Ian Jordan, Project Sponsor of HS2 Ltd; and what remuneration he receives. [49923]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 30 March 2011]: Mr Jordan's role encompasses the following responsibilities:
developing the overall case for HS2 London-west midlands for the current consultation and co-ordinating HS2 Ltd's advice to Government;
leading the option selection process for route proposals from the west midlands to Leeds and Manchester and producing a report to the Secretary of State;
HS2's demand modelling and economic analysis; responsible for building the economic case for HS2 and developing the more detailed analysis necessary to support a hybrid Bill;
programme and project management for HS2.
Mr Jordan is a senior civil servant in pay band 1 (SCSI). Under the Government's Transparency Agenda, individual base pay is disclosed (in £5,000 bands) only for SCS pay band 2 and above.
High Speed Two: Rolling Stock
Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his most recent estimate is of the likely average seat occupancy rate of High Speed Two trains. [49934]
Mr Philip Hammond: I refer my right hon. Friend to the ‘Economic Case for HS2: The Y Network and London-West Midlands’, available on the consultation website at:
http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk/library/documents/economic-case
London-Norwich Railway Line
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent from the public purse on rebranding (a) engines and (b) rolling stock used on rail services between Norwich and London in (i) 2006-07, (ii) 2007-08, (iii) 2008-09 and (iv) 2010-11. [49157]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport does not hold information related to rebranding of rolling stock on the Norwich to London line. A decision to rebrand is a commercial matter for a train operating company.
Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has had made of the likely level of carbon dioxide emissions over the lifetime of a hybrid car compared to that of a petrol or diesel car. [47847]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does not hold data on lifetime, emissions of hybrid cars compared to petrol or diesel cars.
No detailed studies have been undertaken to compare production and end of life emissions and it not possible to fully compare in-use emissions due to insufficient data.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 874W
However, we can say that the majority of life cycle emissions for all vehicles are associated with the usage phase. Information collected by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for 2010 shows that the average emissions for newly registered hybrid cars was 106 gCO2/km, petrol cars was 145 gCO2/km, diesel cars was 144 gCO2/km and .the average of petrol and diesel combined was 144.6 gCO2/km.
This means that the average UK hybrid car is a 26% improvement on average of a diesel car, a 27% improvement on an average petrol car and 27% improvement on the average petrol and diesel cars combined.
Motor Vehicles: Finchley
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of applications for renewal of vehicle excise duty tax discs were made (a) online and (b) at post offices by (i) all residents and (ii) residents over the age of 65 years of Finchley and Golders Green constituency in the latest period in which figures are available. [51222]
Mike Penning: The information requested about the proportion of residents of Finchley and Golders Green renewing their vehicle excise duty using the Internet and the Post Office is not readily available and would incur disproportionate costs to gather. Information about residents over the age of 65 is not held.
Throughout Great Britain the proportion split for renewing vehicle excise duty tax discs during the financial year 2009-10 was online 41%; Post Office 54%; Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Local Offices 2% and electronically to fleet operators 3%.
Motor Vehicles: Insurance
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he has taken to assist police forces and insurers to address motor vehicle insurance fraud; [49798]
(2) what steps he is taking to tackle fraud in the motor insurance industry. [49849]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport has recently introduced Continuous Insurance Enforcement which is expected to have a significant effect in reducing the use of uninsured vehicles.
We are working with the motor insurance industry to provide industry participants with automated access to a driver’s record so that they can check the driver’s entitlement to drive, endorsements or driving convictions when applying for motor insurance cover. The intention is to prevent drivers providing false or misleading information which may compromise cover and invalidate the policy.
The police already take steps to tackle those who are not validly insured and other fraud. I will also consider with the Home Office a proposal for a dedicated police unit on insurance fraud, paid for by the insurance industry, as proposed in the recent Transport Select Committee’s report on motor insurance.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 875W
Parking: Pedestrian Areas
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the outcome was of the review of pavement parking conducted in 1988. [46196]
Norman Baker: The review did not lead to any formal conclusions, but it did inform the development of legislation, including the Road Traffic Acts of 1988 and 1991.
I have recently written to all English traffic authorities in England (outside London) to remind them of the powers and tools they already have to tackle local pavement parking problems, and to issue them with the special authorisation necessary for new signs for area-wide bans.
Radioactive Materials
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which radioactive materials were carried on the ship Captain Yakovlev which departed from Hull on 25 February 2011 for St Petersburg; and which company owned the cargo. [50242]
Mike Penning: The regulatory regime for the transport of radioactive materials requires consignors to notify Department for Transport of only a very limited proportion of the many thousands of shipments of low level radioactive material which are safely undertaken each year. We have received no notification of this consignment.
Railways
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what consideration his Department has given to removing responsibility for rail and signalling infrastructure from Network Rail in (a) Scotland, (b) the South Western region, (c) the South Central region and (d) the South Eastern region; [51093]
(2) what consideration his Department has given to removing Anglia area rail track and signalling infrastructure from the responsibility of Network Rail in 2011. [51094]
Mrs Villiers: Sir Roy McNulty's Rail Value for Money Study has considered a range of options relating to responsibility for the rail network. The study will present its findings shortly. Sir Roy's recommendations and responses to those recommendations will shape the Government's proposals for the reform of the industry, which we intend to set out later this year.
Railways: Electrification
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to further electrification of the UK's existing rail infrastructure. [49708]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 29 March 2011]: As well as a package of electrification in the North West, which includes electrification between Manchester and Liverpool via Newton-le-Willows and electrification to Blackpool North, we recently announce plans to extend the existing programme of electrification of the Great Western Main Line to Bristol and Cardiff. We are currently working with the Welsh Assembly Government on a proposal to electrify the Valleys lines north of Cardiff.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 876W
The Government support a progressive electrification of the rail network in England and Wales as a way of reducing the cost of running the railways, increasing passenger comfort and reducing carbon. We continue to work with Network Rail to look at the case for further electrification in the next rail control period starting in 2014.
Railways: Infrastructure
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what cost-benefit analysis his Department has undertaken on proposals for restructuring of rail and signalling infrastructure in (a) Scotland, (b) the South Western region, (c) the South Central region and (d) the South Eastern region. [49833]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has made no such assessment. The independent Office of Rail Regulation is responsible for assessing the performance of Network Rail in driving efficiencies on the rail network while delivering the Government’s High Level Output Specification.
Railways: North West England
Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the effects on rail fares of the development of the Northern Hub. [50827]
Mrs Villiers: No assessment has been made of possible impact on future rail fares arising from the development of the Northern Hub.
Railways: Shropshire
Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that a direct rail service between Shropshire and London is included within the new West Coast franchise. [50041]
Mrs Villiers: The rail service for the next West Coast franchise is currently under consultation. This consultation will not be completed until 21 April 2011. The Department for Transport has received representations regarding previous Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone services as part of this consultation. The Invitation to Tender is expected to published in early May 2011 and this will detail the train services that bidders for the franchise will be expected to operate.
Railways: Wales
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the business case for electrification of the South Wales Valleys rail lines. [45224]
Mrs Villiers: Copies of the business case for electrification of the South Wales Valleys rail lines were placed in the Libraries of the House on 31 March 2011.
Rescue Services: VAT
Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to implement the value added tax refund for Mountain Rescue. [49776]
5 Apr 2011 : Column 877W
Mike Penning [holding answer 29 March 2011]: I have been advised by HM Treasury that there has been no announcement on extending zero rates of VAT to benefit mountain rescue teams. However, discussions are continuing on determining a suitable grant system for distributing the funds to support the purchase of mountain rescue equipment announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on the 8 February. More details will be available in due course.
Road Safety
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what plans his Department has for road safety campaigns on television in 2011-12; [50656]
(2) what plans his Department has for road safety campaigns in schools in 2011-12; [50657]
(3) whether his Department plans to run road safety campaigns for children in conjunction with the private sector in 2011-12; [50658]
(4) whether his Department has a ring-fenced budget for road safety for children in 2011-12. [50659]
Mike Penning: The Department for Transport is currently developing its communication plans for 2011-12 and future years. The spending review allocated £3.5 million for road safety communications in 2011-12.
Child road safety will remain a priority. Plans for child road safety have yet to be submitted and approved although we expect to include child road safety campaigns in partnership with the private sector. The plan will be subject to the controls on advertising and marketing spend governed by the Efficiency and Reform Group.
The THINK! education materials (covering early years, primary and secondary school children) will remain available for use within schools.
There are no current plans for television road safety campaigns in 2011-12.
Rolling Stock: Costs
Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2011, Official Report, column 786W, on rolling stock, what the source is of the base data on which the net present value calculation was made; and what the assumed (a) procurement and (b) maintenance costs are of the electric trains and locomotives. [49411]
Mrs Villiers: The data on which the calculation was made came from sources that included Network Rail, the rail Network Modelling Framework (NMF), data from previous rolling stock deals and the recent Intercity Express programme (IEP) proposal from Agility Trains. The capital rental of full length electric trains was assumed to cost around £260,000 per month, with the capital rental of each locomotive assumed to cost around £30,000 per month. The maintenance of eight-car electric trains was assumed to cost £3.56 per mile, with the maintenance of each locomotive assumed to cost £0.45 per mile.
The above costs are given at 2009-10 prices.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 878W
Sea Rescue
Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of each of the most recent tests for local knowledge administered to coastguards working at maritime rescue co-ordination centres. [45875]
Mike Penning: The current coastguard local knowledge tests are developed and administered separately by the management of each maritime rescue coordination centre (MRCC). The subject areas covered are consistent, but the tests themselves vary in format and style between locations. I have arranged for copies of the current tests to be placed in the Libraries of the House.
Tamar Valley Railway Line
Mr Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether the construction of communication masts along the Tamar Valley line is required to be carried out under an obligation required by any European directive; [48851]
(2) if he will review the adequacy of (a) consultation with local residents and (b) protection of areas of outstanding natural beauty of the permitted development rights arrangements under which Network Rail is constructing communication masts along the Tamar Valley line. [48915]
Mrs Villiers: There is a requirement under the interoperability directive 2008/57 for railway subsystems to comply with technical specifications for interoperability (TSIs). The current TSI for control-command and signalling applies to high speed or conventional lines on the trans-European rail system and requires the installation of a global system for mobile communication (GSM-R) based secure radio system for new or upgraded lines. The TSI does not require a GSM-R system for lines outside of the scope of the TSI.
Network Rail propose GSM-R is rolled out beyond the lines covered by the scope of the TSI and across their entire rail network on the grounds that this offers the most cost-effective and safe solution.
The location of individual GSM-R masts is an operational matter for Network Rail in which Ministers have no power to intervene. Network Rail’s permitted development rights (PDRs) enable the company to carry out certain development on its operational land in connection with the movement of traffic by rail without having to make a specific planning application. These rights are set out in part 17 of schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order 1995 (the GPDO). The GPDO is administered by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Network Rail advises that its PDRs apply in areas of outstanding natural beauty and we understand the company followed guidance from DCLG about informing local authorities and residents in advance of the development.
Railways: Cost-Benefit Ratios
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the 60-year cost-benefit ratio of (a) the Thameslink programme, (b) Crossrail, (c) High Speed One and (d) High Speed Two. [47309]
5 Apr 2011 : Column 879W
Mrs Villiers: The information is as follows:
(a) The benefit cost ratio for the current Thameslink investment is 2.2:1.
(b) The benefit cost ratio of Crossrail is 1.92:1.
(c) The Secretary of State has not made an estimate of the 60 year cost-benefit ratio for High Speed 1 using the current economic assessment methodology. Cost-benefit ratios were calculated during the life of the project using the methodology of the time. Information on these is available in National Audit Office reports dated 28 March 2001 and 21 July 2005. Both reports are available from the NAO.
(d) The Government estimate that the benefit cost ratio for the proposed Y-shaped HS2 network is 2.6:1.
Thameslink Railway Line: Standards
Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what proportion of delay minutes on the Thameslink route were attributed to (a) Network Rail, (b) First Capital Connect and (c) delays to First Capital Connect services caused by other train-operating companies in each of the last 15 performance periods for which figures are available. [37752]
Mrs Villiers: Network Rail is responsible for performance data for the rail industry. My hon. Friend may wish to contact Network Rail’s chief executive at the following address for such information:
David Higgins
Chief Executive
Network Rail
Kings Place
90 York Way
London, N1 9AG.
Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the (a) performance and (b) level of customer service under the franchise agreement provided by First Capital Connect on the Thameslink rail route. [50019]
Mrs Villiers [holding answer 31 March 2011]: Department for Transport officials meet every four weeks to review compliance against the franchisee’s contractual commitments, including the delivery of specific performance obligations. During the most recent four-weekly assessment period, First Capital Connect was compliant with all its franchise commitments.
Transport: Finance
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate he has made of the change in the real-terms cost of a passenger journey by (a) private car, (b) bus, (c) rail and (d) air since 2000. [50865]
Norman Baker: I have not estimated changes in the real cost of passenger journeys by car, bus or rail. Instead the Department for Transport (DfT) uses data from the independent Office for National Statistics (ONS). This shows that between 2000 and 2010 the real cost of motoring, including the purchase of a vehicle, declined by 8%, bus and coach fares increased by 20% and rail fares increased by 15% in real terms.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 880W
The costs of travelling by air are not available from ONS data so are provided from DfT analysis. The average cost of a one-way domestic flight air fare, including taxes and charges, fell by 34% in real terms between 2000 and 2008, the latest date for which figures are available.
Transport: Passengers
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what proportion of passengers travelled by (a) private car, (b) bus, (c) rail and (d) air transport in each year since 2000. [50864]
Norman Baker: The National Travel Survey covers residents of Great Britain and produces estimates of the number of trips made per person per year, by mode of transport. The most recent estimates for 2009 and earlier years are available at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/nts/how-mode/nts0303.xls
The percentage of trips that each mode accounted for during 2009 are available at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/nts/how-mode/nts0301.xls
The National Travel Survey covers travel within Great Britain only and the number of air trips within the survey is small. Air travel is therefore included in the “other” category in these tables.
Waterloo Station
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent estimate has been made of the book value of Waterloo International railway terminal. [49847]
Mrs Villiers: The former Eurostar facility at Waterloo is owned and managed by BRB (Residuary) Ltd (BRBR) on behalf of the Department for Transport. The latest valuation was carried out as at 31 December 2009 and is included in BRBR's 2009-10 annual report and accounts. These show that the book value of the facility at that date was £3.2 million. This valuation is split into four parts as follows;
Freehold station valued at £35.7 million
Leasehold concourse valued at £1.0 million
Leased coach park valued at £0.3 million
Leased arches beneath domestic station valued at negative £33.8 million
The commercial value of these assets is likely to exceed the book value.
West Coast Rail Franchise
Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has allocated to the costs of tendering for the West Coast rail franchise. [50871]
Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport anticipates that the costs of tendering for the West Coast rail franchise will be in the order of £1,220,810.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 881W
Energy and Climate Change
Agriculture: Environment Protection
Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate the number of agricultural businesses which will receive funding from his Department for the use of low-carbon technology and energy-efficient equipment in each of the next four financial years. [50811]
Gregory Barker: DECC is in the process of prioritising funding for innovation for the next four years to focus on those technologies and programmes where the need is greatest and that will have the greatest impact on meeting the Department's climate change and energy objectives. It is, therefore, not possible to estimate the number of agriculture businesses that will receive funding from DECC for the use of low-carbon technology and energy equipment over this period.
Anaerobic Digestion (AD), a relevant technology for many agricultural businesses, is eligible for the feed-in-tariff’s (FIT) scheme which reward small-scale, low-carbon electricity generation. We are currently consulting on proposals to increase tariffs for AD installations with an installed capacity of up to 500kW.
Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many officials in his Department are provided with mobile communication devices; and how much his Department spent on mobile telephones and related data services in the last year for which figures are available. [51418]
Gregory Barker: As of 4 April 2011, DECC had 436 officials with mobile communication devices. This includes mobile phones, BlackBerry devices and 3G cards. The cost of these devices for the period covering 20 February 2010 to 19 February 2011 was £215,600.48.
Departmental Travel
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) on what date (a) he and (b) each other Minister in his Department last travelled by (i) London underground and (ii) public bus services on Government business; how many times (A) he and (B) each other Minister in his Department has travelled by each such form of transport on Government business since May 2010; and if he will make a statement; [50090]
(2) on what date (a) he and (b) each other Minister in his Department last used a ministerial car while travelling in an official capacity; and how many times (i) he and (ii) each other Minister in his Department has travelled to their constituency in a ministerial car since May 2010; [50191]
(3) how much his Department has spent on ministerial travel by (a) ministerial car, (b) train, (c) bus, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private aircraft since May 2010. [50226]
Gregory Barker: Ministers regularly use London underground and public buses on Government business at their own expense. No central record is kept of such travel.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 882W
No DECC Ministers have allocated GCDA—Government Car and Despatch Agency—ministerial cars. Ministers may use the GCDA pool cars, and have occasionally used these to travel to their constituency, where a business requirement has justified this. Ministers also use taxis and private hire cars for official travel. The details of overseas travel are published quarterly, and can be found at:
www.decc.gov.uk
Since May 2010, DECC has spent £132,676 on GCDA ministerial cars, compared with £303,129 which DECC spent on GCDA ministerial cars during the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010.
All travel is taken in accordance with the Ministerial Code.
Departmental Vacancies
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the staff vacancy rate in his Department was in 2010-11; and what vacancy rate has been assumed in his Department’s budget for 2011-12. [51390]
Gregory Barker: The average monthly staff vacancy rate in DECC during 2010-11 (from April to February) was 6%. During the course of the year, the vacancy rate reduced from almost 10% in April 2010 to below 3% in February 2011. We expect the vacancy rate to stabilise at around 2% in 2011-12.
Energy
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department has taken to provide information to the public on (a) creating low-carbon energy, (b) matching supply and demand, (c) securing value for money for consumers and (d) other major energy challenges over the next decade. [51112]
Gregory Barker: Greater transparency is at the heart of our commitment to enable the public to hold political and public bodies to account and deliver better value for money in public spending. DECC aims to ensure that its data are as accessible to the public as possible.
The Department publishes information through a wide range of avenues including the DECC website and data.gov.uk. Data on energy production including renewables are published monthly on the DECC website, while each quarter fuller analysis of energy production and use is published in ‘Energy Trends’. Annually full information is published in the ‘Digest of UK Energy Statistics’ as well as a more detailed look at energy use in ‘Energy Consumption in the UK’. Other important data sets included data on GHG—greenhouse gas— emissions, detailed local level electricity and gas consumption data and work with the Energy Saving Trust to publish data on installation of insulation measures at local authority and parliamentary constituency level.
A number of recent publications also provide the public with relevant information:
The DECC Business Plan sets out actions against coalition priorities to 2015 and a number of impact and input indicators which can be used to assess progress.
The DECC website and the Energy Saving Trust provide consumers with extensive information on how they can generate low-carbon energy (through the domestic feed-in tariffs) and energy saving measures more generally.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 883W
DECC's Annual Energy Statement, consultation for electricity market reform (EMR) and 2050 Pathways Analysis all describe the major energy challenges over the next decade and beyond. The EMR consultation also includes projections for future demand and supply and how the balance could be maintained.
Affordability is a key concern for DECC. We support the independent regulation of electricity markets through Ofgem—their primary duty is to protect the interests of present and future consumers. The proposals set out in the EMR consultation document were assessed to gauge their likely impact on consumers and that has been published alongside the policy proposals.
National Grid also publishes data on its website describing in real time how supply and demand is matched:
http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/Data/Realtime/
Energy Supply
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment has been made of the ability of independent renewable electricity generators to secure a reasonable value for their output following removal of the requirement on suppliers to secure increasing proportions of the power they supply from renewable sources. [50620]
Charles Hendry: We published the EMR electricity market reform consultation in December 2010 seeking views on proposals to reform the electricity market to meet our decarbonisation, security of supply and affordability goals. This included a proposal for a feed-in tariff to support low carbon, including renewable generation.
We are committed to supporting existing investment in renewables, and therefore we also consulted on the best means to transition from the current renewables obligation to the new mechanism.
We will publish final proposals before the summer recess.
Energy: Billing
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the likely effects on consumers of provisions in the Energy Bill to increase the information provided on domestic energy bills. [51154]
Gregory Barker: The Energy Bill includes proposals to require energy suppliers to inform consumers through their bills about the cheapest available tariff to give customers greater control over their energy costs, (we are also seeking to implement this proposal through a voluntary agreement with energy suppliers).
We have published an impact assessment which concluded that, depending on the level of switching in relation to the cheaper tariff information, consumers may benefit in terms of cheaper energy bills. It also estimated that if a voluntary agreement cannot be reached and secondary legislation is required, total costs would be in the range of £0-£43 million with a best estimate of £22 million. This impact assessment is available online at:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/legislation/energybill/1002-energy-bill-2011-ia-green-deal.pdf
(with details of the information on bills requirement from page 72).
5 Apr 2011 : Column 884W
If the Government need to use the powers to mandate action by the energy suppliers then a further impact assessment will be required.
Energy: Housing
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what discussions his Department has had with local authorities on their role in (a) providing access to the Green Deal and (b) improving the energy efficiency of private rented homes. [50556]
Gregory Barker: On 9 March 2011, the Department agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Local Government Group to work together to tackle climate change. DECC is currently working with several local authorities to consider the opportunities and barriers to deliver the Green Deal.
Our discussions with local government, including the Local Government Association, include improving the energy efficiency of the private rented sector.
Energy: International Co-operation
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) whether any (a) special advisers, (b) parliamentary assistants and (c) Ministers' spouses or partners took part in the green trade mission to the US; [51475]
(2) what the (a) names and (b) job titles are of the members of the green trade mission to the US; [51476]
(3) how the members of the green trade mission to the US from private sector companies were selected. [51480]
Gregory Barker: The following business representatives took part in the recent UK green trade mission to the US, which I led:
Emma Howard Boyd, Director, Jupiter Asset Management
Bill Rumble, Group Commercial Director, Mark Group
Dennis Hayter, Vice President for Business Development, Intelligent Energy
Rowan Douglas, Chief Executive Officer of Global Analytics at Willis Re (replaced by David Short in North and South Carolina)
Andy Wood, Chief Executive, Adnams
Ian Mays, Chief Executive Officer, Renewable Energy Systems.
No ministerial spouses or partners, special advisers, or parliamentary assistants were part of the delegation.
Businesses were invited to participate in this visit taking account of assessments by DECC, UKTI and the British embassy network in the United States of their compatibility with the objective of demonstrating the ability of companies to seize the opportunities presented by the global green economy; their interest in the commercial opportunities in the states being visited; and compatibility of schedules.
Shipping: Exhaust Emissions
Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what representations he has made on raising of international climate finance from the regulation of shipping emissions at the (a) International Maritime Organisation and (b) G20. [51233]
5 Apr 2011 : Column 885W
Gregory Barker: The Government are an active proponent internationally of measures to reduce shipping emissions. The primary aim of such measures would be to reduce emissions, but they could in addition generate revenues which could be used for a variety of purposes, potentially including international climate finance.
The Secretary of State has made no direct representations at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) or the G20 (Finance Ministers), as these are for the Secretary of State for Transport and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
In the G20, I understand the French presidency have held discussions on international climate finance among Finance Ministers, and Trevor Manuel, the South African National Planning Minister, has presented the findings of the UN Secretary-General's High Level Advisory Group on Climate Change Finance (AGF) with UK Government support.
The IMO secretary general and the Secretary of State spoke in November 2010, given the Secretary of State's role as a member of the AGF. We also understand the Norwegian Government, as co-chair of the AGF, are presenting the findings to the IMO shortly.
Feed-in Tariffs
Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many certificates an investor or generator may hold for the purposes of feed-intariffs in respect of a site with a unique (a) property address and (b) meter point. [50625]
Gregory Barker: No certificates are issued under the feed-in tariffs (FITs) scheme. I therefore take the question to refer to meeting the criteria of the definition of a site for accreditation under the FITs scheme.
A site is defined in the FITs licence conditions as
“the premises to which are attached one or more Accredited FITs installations or Eligible installations in close geographical proximity to each other, to be determined by: a). the relevant meter point administration number for the electricity supply, b). street address, c). OS grid reference; and any other factors which the Authority (Ofgem) at its discretion views as relevant.”
It is the responsibility of Ofgem as administrators of the scheme to use its discretion in applying the definition of a site when accrediting an installation for the feed-in tariffs (FITs).
Natural Gas: Exploration
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will consult the Environment Agency on the potential implications of seismic tremors for onshore drilling for unconventional gases. [51621]
Charles Hendry: We have regular contact with both the Health and Safety Executive and the environment agencies on unconventional gas. The implications of seismic tremors for onshore drilling for unconventional gas will form part of this dialogue.
Nuclear Power Stations: Safety
Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether defence nuclear activities will be included within the scope of the review into the safety of UK nuclear plants by the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Directorate. [51460]
5 Apr 2011 : Column 886W
Charles Hendry: Following the nuclear incident at Fukushima in Japan, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change asked Dr Mike Weightman, HM Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations, to report on the lessons to be learnt for the UK from the incident, with an interim report requested from Dr Weightman in May 2011 and a final report in September 2011. Dr Weightman has complete independence to determine the scope of his reports and the arrangements for conducting his inquiries for them. However, the Secretary of State’s responsibilities only relate to civil nuclear facilities. I understand that Dr Weightman's focus for his interim report will be on any early lessons for existing and prospective UK nuclear power stations. His final report may have lessons that are relevant for nuclear safety at defence-related sites.
Office for Renewable Energy Deployment
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 14 March 2011, Official Report, columns 107-8W, on departmental manpower, which specific technologies the Office for Renewable Energy Deployment covers. [50748]
Gregory Barker: Renewable energy is defined by the Renewable Energy Directive 2009 as:
“energy from renewable non-fossil sources, namely wind, solar, aerothermal, geothermal, hydrothermal and ocean energy, hydropower, biomass, landfill gas, sewage treatment plant gas and biogases”.
There are at least 22 technologies that fall within this definition across the electricity, heat and transport sectors.
The Office for Renewable Energy Deployment’s (ORED) purpose is to increase greatly the deployment of these technologies in the UK as cost-effectively and sustainably as possible. ORED does this through a framework of financial incentives that provide long-term, comprehensive and targeted support across the range of renewable technologies; and by taking steps to address non-financial barriers that hinder renewables deployment.
ORED works with others to meet its objectives, both in DECC and across Whitehall—particularly DECC’s teams that deal with heat and microgeneration technologies and the Green Deal; with the Department for Transport on renewable transport technologies; and DECC’s Science and Innovation Group on renewable technologies which are still at relatively early stages of development and demonstration but which are expected to be important contributors for the pathway to 2050.
Oil
Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what plans he has for future support to the UK oil refining industry. [50426]
Charles Hendry: The Government recognise the important role that the UK's refining sector plays in the economic life of the country. The Government seek to ensure that the right conditions exist to attract and retain investment in the UK's refining sector. We work closely with the downstream oil industry and its representatives to understand the impact of policy on the sector and to ensure this understanding is shared across a range of Government Departments.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 887W
Renewable Energy
Mr Offord: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the effects of removing the prohibition on the sale by local authorities of electricity generated from renewable energy. [51156]
Gregory Barker: The change has been welcomed by a number of local authorities seeking to take forward renewable energy projects. DECC is working proactively with local authorities and the Local Government Group (LG Group) to enable local authorities to benefit from this new opportunity supported by the renewables incentives framework. For example, a recent DECC-LG Group Memorandum of Understanding(1) acknowledges the pivotal role that local councils have in tackling climate change. We are therefore committed to working with local authorities to reduce emissions on their own estate and operations, in their areas (within their control and influence) and through participating in national carbon reduction initiatives such as the Green Deal, roll-out of renewables, and smart meters.
(1) http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/local/local.aspx
Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs
Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the written ministerial statement of 18 March 2011, Official Report, column 33WS, on feed-in-tariffs (review), what discussions he has had with representatives of the anaerobic digestion sector prior to the publication of his proposed tariff changes. [48817]
Gregory Barker: Before the publication of the fast-track consultation on the feed-in tariffs (FITs), discussions were held with the National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC), the Renewable Energy Association (REA), the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) the National Farmers Union and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA). Matters discussed included: (i) whether the current tariff for farm-scale anaerobic digestion (AD) delivers the expected 8% return on capital and if not, why not; (ii) the capital, operating, fuel and other costs of farm-scale (up to 500 kW) AD plants; and (iii) financial and non-financial barriers to the further deployment of farm-scale AD and how these might be addressed.
Jason McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) what assessment his Department has made of Ofgem’s ability to make feed-in tariff payments; [50975]
(2) what key performance indicators his Department uses to assess Ofgem’s ability to make feed-in tariff payments. [50976]
Gregory Barker: Feed-in tariffs (FlTs) payments are not made by Ofgem. The obligation is on electricity suppliers to make the FITs payments.
5 Apr 2011 : Column 888W
Solar Power
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2011, Official Report, column 1074W, on the solar photovoltaic sector: Brighton, what size of market his Department considers to be relatively small; and if he will make a statement. [50749]
Gregory Barker: As of 1 April 2011, data from the “FITs Installation Statistical Report” produced by Ofgem:
https://www.renewablesandchp.ofgem.gov.uk/Default.aspx
show 28,617 solar photovoltaic (PV) installations with a total generation capacity of 77.862 MW for Great Britain. Brighton and Hove contributes less than 1% with 81 solar PV installations with total generation capacity of 0.164 MW.
Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will discuss with the banking industry future funding for solar photovoltaic developers affected by the outcome of the fast-track review of the feed-in tariff scheme. [51117]
Gregory Barker: My officials are in regular contact with representatives from the banking sector and solar photovoltaic (PV) developers.