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Human Papilloma Virus: Vaccination
Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis points were allocated to price in the human papillomavirus vaccine tender criteria; according to what criteria the effects of price were calculated; and how price affected the total points score allocated to each vaccine. [51195]
Anne Milton: In order to select which human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to purchase and use, the Department follows Europe Union procurement legislation and uses a rigorous process for the selection based on cost-effectiveness analysis.
The methodology used was published in the British Medical Journal in July 2008:
www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a769.full
A copy of the criteria used in the adjudication has been placed in the Library.
The criteria were shared with the manufacturers during the process so that they were fully informed of the criteria against which their bids would be evaluated.
Learning Disability: Social Services
Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of his Department's Skills for Care funding allocation for 2011-12 will target adult social care staff supporting people with profound and multiple learning disabilities; and if he will make a statement. [52017]
Paul Burstow: In 2011-12, the Department is providing approximately £27.5 million funding to Skills for Care for the training and development of the adult social care workforce. This includes £13 million for the Training Strategy Implementation grant, which Skills for Care administer on the Department's behalf. The grant provides funding to employers in the private and voluntary sectors to upskill their existing workforce. This is a generic grant and will support the improvement of skills across the sector including those staff who support people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
Mental Health Services: Complaints
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what requirements there are on mental health trusts regarding mechanisms for dealing with complaints raised by members of the public. [51902]
Mr Simon Burns: The Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service Complaints (England) Regulations 2009 provides the framework within which all providers and commissioners of NHS services (including mental health trusts) must operate. This framework includes the handling, investigation and the response to the complainant.
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what requirements there are on mental health trusts in respect of the time taken to respond to complaints made by members of the public. [51903]
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Mr Simon Burns: The Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service Complaints (England) Regulations 2009 do not specify time-scales for handling individual complaints. The body receiving the complaint must offer to discuss with the complainant:
the period within which the investigation of the complaint is likely to be completed; and
the period within which the response is likely to be sent to the complainant.
During the investigation, the organisation receiving the complaint must keep the complainant informed, as far as reasonably practicable, as to the progress of the investigation.
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Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints each mental health trust in England received in each of the last five years. [51904]
Mr Simon Burns: The following table shows the total number of complaints received by mental health trusts in England in each of the last five years.
| Hospital and community health services: written complaints by mental health organisation; England as at 1 April to 31 March each year | ||||||
|
|
|
2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
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27 Apr 2011 : Column 436W
27 Apr 2011 : Column 437W
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| n/a = Not available. ‘*’ = Not applicable. Notes: 1. Data from foundation trusts are returned on a voluntary basis and therefore data for some trusts are unavailable. 2. Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Tees, Esk And Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Northumberland, Tyne And Wear NHS Foundation Trust and Kent And Medway NHS And Social Care Partnership Trust were all formed in April 2006. 3. Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust was formed in October 2008. 4. Coventry And Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust was formed in 2006. Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre, Workforce and Community dataset KO41a | ||||||
Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long on average it took each mental health trust in England to respond to a complaint raised by a member of the public in the most recent period for which figures are available. [51905]
Mr Simon Burns: This information is not collected centrally.
Midwives
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultant midwives there were in each region in 2010. [51432]
Anne Milton: It is not possible to identify consultant midwives from the non-medical workforce census.
NHS: Pensions
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether an impact assessment has been carried out on the proposed changes to the NHS Pension scheme; and what estimate he has made of the change in the opt-out rate resulting from implementation of those changes; [52276]
(2) what arrangements are in place to ensure that the changes to the NHS Pension scheme are sustainable and progressive; [52277]
(3) what assessment he has made of the effects of the proposed changes to the NHS Pension scheme on part-time members of staff who are members of the scheme. [52278]
Mr Simon Burns: At the spending review the Government announced changes to the level of employee contribution rates which would lead to total savings of £2.8 billion a year by 2014-15, to be phased in from April 2012. Discussions about how this will be implemented are on-going with unions in the context of wider ranging pension discussions. The Government will put forward proposals in June, and will then begin formal consultation on the necessary changes to scheme regulations.
The Government are committed to protecting low earners and ensuring changes are both sustainable and progressive.
The Treasury published an estimate of likely opt-out rates at the spending review:
http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sr2010_policycostings.pdf
This estimate has been scrutinised by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility, and will be reviewed when the Government puts forward final designs.
NHS: Redundancy and Early Retirement
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the Exchequer was of (a) voluntary redundancies, (b) early voluntary retirements and (c) compulsory redundancies in the NHS in 2010-11. [51923]
Mr Simon Burns: There is no extra cost to the Exchequer for members of the NHS Pension scheme taking voluntary early retirement. The cost of voluntary early retirement is borne by the member through reduced benefits.
No information is available on the cost of voluntary or compulsory redundancies in 2010-11 as the accounts for this period have not been laid. Information is available from the NHS (England) summarised accounts on costs of termination benefits for the 2009-10 year. Termination benefits include the costs of severance payments and redundancy payments including employer costs of redundancy retirement. This amounted to £266,000 for strategic health authorities, £6,825,000 for primary care trusts and £15,142,000 for NHS trusts. Data are not available for NHS foundation trusts.
From 2010-11, there is a HM Treasury Financial Reporting Manual requirement for the NHS audited summarisation schedules to further analyse termination benefits into the number and cost of compulsory and other exit packages by cost banding.
Parkinson's Disease: Physiotherapy
Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of introducing GP-led commissioning on access to physiotherapy for people suffering from Parkinson's disease. [51863]
Paul Burstow: Subject to the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill through Parliament, general practitioners (GPs) will be given real responsibility to ensure that commissioning decisions are underpinned by clinical insight and knowledge of local healthcare needs. GPs, in partnership with other local healthcare professionals such as therapists and community nurses, are best placed to understand the health needs of local populations and how to work with their local populations to design services that meet those needs.
The GP role is particularly prominent for people with long-term conditions, and in helping patients to access wider or more specialised national health service services through the thousands of referral decisions they make on a daily basis. The quality and availability of primary care services also has a wider impact on accident and
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emergency attendances and emergency admissions. GP commissioning should also provide consortia with incentives to invest in interventions in community based services that keep people healthier for longer and prevent or delay treatment that is more expensive.
Pharmacy
Mr Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the effect on designation of community pharmacies as qualified providers of their regulation by the General Pharmaceutical Council; and if he will make a statement; [51041]
(2) what assessment he has made of whether regulation of community pharmacies by the General Pharmaceutical Council rather than the Care Quality Commission could prevent community pharmacies being recognised as meeting the definition of any qualified provider; and if he will make a statement. [52104]
Mr Simon Burns: I understand the right hon. Member is referring in these questions to whether the regulation of community pharmacies by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) rather than the Care Quality Commission (CQC) could prevent community pharmacies being recognised as meeting the definition of any qualified provider.
This would not be the case; rather the focus would be on ensuring, through the qualification process, that providers have the appropriate registrations, whether this is with the CQC, GPhC or other regulatory bodies.
Physiotherapy
Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the effects of the introduction of the willing provider model within the NHS on access to physiotherapy services for people recovering from fragility fractures. [51090]
Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of introducing the any willing provider model on access to physiotherapy services for people with Parkinson's disease. [51864]
Mr Simon Burns: The Government's intention in extending Any Qualified Provider (AQP) (previously Any Willing Provider) is to improve access by increasing the choice and control patients have over their care and treatment. The Department is continuing to develop AQP policy, and initial implementation guidance, including its application to specific services, will be published shortly.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of genital warts have been diagnosed in men aged under 25 since 2008. [51687]
Anne Milton: The numbers of genital warts (first episode) diagnosed in men in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in England for 2008 and 2009, are shown in the following table.
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| Genital warts: first episode | |||
| Age group | |||
|
|
<25 | 25+ | Total |
| Notes: 1. Data on diagnoses where the age of the patient was unknown are included in the ‘Total’ column. The total may therefore include some diagnoses on patients under 25. 2. The data available from the KC60 (2008 and earlier) and GUMCAD (2009 onwards) returns are for diagnoses made in GUM clinics only. A recent study (pending publication) of genital warts cases (first and recurrence) seen in GUM clinics and in general practice in 2008 has found most cases seen in general practice were referred on to GUM clinics and estimated that only around 5% of cases were seen in general practice only, i.e. figures in the table may represent up to 95% of cases. 3. The data available from the KC60 and GUMCAD returns are the number of diagnoses made, not the number of patients diagnosed. 4. The information provided is based on reported data from GUM clinics in England that has been adjusted for missing clinic data. 5. Data are unavailable for 2010. Source: Health Protection Agency, KC60 and Genitourinary Medicine Clinic Activity Dataset (GUMCAD) returns. Date of data: 25 August 2010. | |||
Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate the proportion of genital warts cases in women aged under 25 which would be prevented by using a quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) in the national HPV immunisation programme and catch-up programme; [51688]
(2) if he will estimate the proportion of genital warts cases in men aged under 25 which would be prevented by using a quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in the national HPV immunisation programme and catch-up programme. [51689]
Anne Milton: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) considered the cost-effectiveness of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme against cervical cancer, which included assessment of the impact of vaccination on genital warts. A summary of the evidence considered is set out in the JCVI statement on HPV vaccines that is published at:
www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@ab/documents/digitalasset/dh_094739.pdf
A copy of the JCVI statement has been placed in the Library, The cost-effectiveness study produced by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) used by the JCVI was published in the British Medical Journal in July 2008:
www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a769.full
This cost-effectiveness paper did not specifically report what proportion of genital warts cases in women or men aged under 25 would be prevented by using a quadrivalent HPV vaccine in the national HPV immunisation programme and catch-up programme.
The HPA in the modelling paper noted on the epidemiological impact of vaccination that the
‘model results predict that vaccinating 12 year old girls in a screened population at 80% coverage with a quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine that protects for an average of 20 years reduces the incidence of cervical cancer by 24-93% and anogenital warts by 22-100% after 100 years of an ongoing vaccination programme. Catch-up campaigns reduce incidence in the first 30 years of vaccination but have little effect beyond that. Extending
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vaccination to boys provides only a small additional reduction in incidence of cervical cancer and anogenital warts, with the greatest benefit when the duration of vaccine protection is short.’
In 2010, the Department commissioned an update to the cost-effectiveness study. This study is taking into account new data on the potential protection provided by the HPV vaccines against cancer and non-cancer diseases, including genital warts. The study, which has not yet been published by the HPA, will support the next procurement exercise for the HPV immunisation programme in 2011.
Treasury
Bank Services: Children in Care
Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what discussions he has had with the (a) Welsh Assembly Government, (b) Scottish Executive and (c) Northern Ireland Assembly on the proposed junior individual savings account for looked-after children; what arrangements he plans to make for the funding of the programme outside England; and whether the Barnett formula is to be applied to any new money allocated to the programme; [49816]
(2) whether he has had discussions with (a) the Secretary of State for Education and (b) devolved administrations on the implementation of savings accounts for looked-after children; [49492]
(3) which (a) charities and (b) non-governmental organisations he has met to discuss the provision of savings accounts for looked-after children. [49493]
Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers have met with a number of organisations and individuals to discuss how to support looked-after children through Junior ISAs. This has included Department for Education Ministers, and charities including Action for Children, Barnardo's and the Share Foundation.
As the Chancellor announced on 22 March 2011, the Department for Education will work with others to make the necessary funding available to support looked- after children through Junior ISAs. In doing so they are working with all relevant organisations—including the devolved administrations, charities and non-governmental organisations—to develop detailed proposals.
Junior ISA accounts will be available throughout the UK. It is intended that the scheme to support looked- after children through these accounts will also be available across the UK.
Business: Loans
Ed Balls: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Enterprise Finance Guarantee loans have been (a) offered to and (b) drawn by applicants in each parliamentary constituency; and what the monetary value of such loans was in each such category since November 2009. [52144]
Mr Prisk [holding answer 26 April 2011]: I have been asked to reply.
Under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG), as of 13 April 2011, over 14,300 businesses have been
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offered loans with a value of over £1.45 billion. Of these, almost 12,500 businesses have drawn down loans totalling over £1.24 billion.
Details of the figures on EFG lending by constituency will be deposited in the Libraries of the House.
Car Allowances
Mr Frank Field: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any plans to revise the rate of tax relief on mileage allowance set by HM Revenue and Customs. [45947]
Justine Greening: At Budget 2011 the Chancellor increased the payments scheme rates from 6 April 2011 to 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile thereafter. The rates had been unchanged since 2002.
The payments scheme’s existing 5p per mile passenger payment was also extended to volunteer drivers.
Government: Assets
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue his Department will raise through asset sales in each of the next four financial years; and how much of such revenue will be directed to capitalisation of the Green Investment Bank. [49299]
Justine Greening: The Office for Budget Responsibility has not included any figures for asset sales proceeds in its spending review forecasts. This is on the basis that there will always be uncertainty until the late stages of an asset sale and that offering indicative valuations for specific assets could weaken our ability to secure maximum value from a sale process.
Budget 2011 announced that the Government are aiming to raise £2 billion from the sale of assets to allocate to the Green Investment Bank (GIB). This will include the £775 million net proceeds already received from the sale of High Speed 1. The spending review allocated £1 billion from departmental budgets for the GIB, meaning the total initial capitalisation will be £3 billion.
Members: Correspondence
Mr Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Economic Secretary to the Treasury plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Torbay of 14 December 2010 on measures taken by his Department to reduce printing and postage costs. [49689]
Justine Greening: I replied to the hon. Member on 30 March 2011.
Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Glasgow South of 8 December 2010 on behalf of his constituent, Ms Sandie Boyd. [49391]
Justine Greening: Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs replied to the hon. Member on 21 March 2011.
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Public Sector: Pensions
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department had with (1) (a) members of the local government pension scheme or their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme prior to the announcement of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of the proposed increase in the level of employee contributions; [52356]
(2) (a) members of the principal civil service pension scheme or their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme prior to the announcement of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of the proposed increase in the level of employee contributions; [52357]
(3) (a) members of the judicial pension scheme or their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme prior to the announcement of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of the proposed increase in the level of employee contributions; [52358]
(4) (a) members of the teachers pension scheme or their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme prior to the announcement of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of the proposed increase in the level of employee contributions. [52359]
(5) (a) members of the NHS pension scheme or their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme prior to the announcement of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of the proposed increase in the level of employee contributions; [52360]
(6) (a) members of the police forces pension scheme or their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme prior to the announcement of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of the proposed increase in the level of employee contributions; [52361]
(7) (a) members of the firefighters pension scheme or their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme prior to the announcement of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of the proposed increase in the level of employee contributions. [52362]
Danny Alexander: The Government launched the Independent Public Service Pension Commission chaired by Lord Hutton last June to conduct a fundamental structural review of public service pension provision. It produced its final report in March 2011.
Ahead of the spending review, Lord Hutton produced an interim report which found that the value of public service pensions has been increasing following dramatic increase in life expectancy at retirement. Current pensioners are expected to spend over 40% of their adult lives in retirement, compared to 30% for pensioners in the 1950s. Most of these extra costs have fallen to employers and taxpayers.
In this report the Commission concluded that there is a clear rationale for public servants to make a greater contribution if their pensions are to remain fair to taxpayers and employees, and affordable for the country.
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At the spending review, in response to Lord Hutton's interim report and to ensure a fairer distribution of cost between taxpayers and scheme members, the Government announced that they would implement progressive changes to the level of employee contributions to public service pensions that lead to an additional saving of £1.8 billion a year from 2014-15, to be phased in from 2012-13. This is equivalent to a three percentage point increase on average.
Public service pension schemes are not trust based and so do not have trustees. However, the Government are committed to engaging with trade unions and other groups to discuss implementation of this policy. In these discussions the Government have confirmed their commitment to the changes being progressive, and that low earners should be protected.
Public Expenditure
Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what fiscal measures his Department plans to put in place to increase levels of private sector research and development in agricultural industries during the comprehensive spending review period. [43696]
Justine Greening: The Government support private sector investment in research and development (R&D) through the R&D tax credit schemes which are available to all companies, including in the agricultural sector. Budget 2011 announced a package of reforms to the schemes, including increasing the SME scheme rate of relief to 225% by 2012, subject to state aid approval.
The Government are also continuing to invest in science and research, ring-fencing £4.6 billion of resource spending in each year of the spending review.
The Technology Strategy Board, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council are together providing £90 million of funding for the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Innovation Platform over the spending review period. This five year programme (launched in 2010) will help agricultural and food businesses increase their productivity while decreasing environmental impact. It includes £50 million of new investment to match-fund industry R&D priorities in these sectors.
DEFRA is also working with BIS and other Government Departments and industry to implement the recommendations of the Taylor review on encouraging private sector investment in applied research and knowledge transfer.
Pensions
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the savings to the public purse from the implementation of proposed increases in employee contributions to the Scottish Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme; [52351]
(2) what estimate he has made of the savings to the public purse from implementation of proposed increases in employee contribution to the NHS Superannuation Scheme (Scotland); [52466]
(3) what estimate he has made of the savings to the public purse from the implementation of proposed increases in employee contributions to the Health and Personal Social Services Northern Ireland superannuation scheme; [52349]
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(4) what estimate he has made of the savings to the public purse from the implementation of proposed increases in employee contributions to the Northern Ireland Teachers' Superannuation scheme; [52350]
(5) what his estimate is of the savings to the public purse that would arise from implementation of the proposed increases in the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Northern Ireland). [52507]
Danny Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 1 March 2011, Official Report, column 436W.
Public Sector: Pay
Mr Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the change in the level of the public sector wage bill between 2010-11 and 2014-15. [51748]
Danny Alexander: The independent Office for Budget Responsibility published, as part of the “Economic and Fiscal Outlook” on 23 March 2011, projections for general Government employment to 2015-16. Underlying these projections are assumptions about general Government paybill growth, and growth in paybill per head. Further details on the methodology behind these projections can be found in Box 3.6 of the March 2011 ‘Economic and Fiscal Outlook’, and Box 3.7 of the November 2010 publication:
http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/wordpress/docs/economic_and_fiscal_outlook_23032011.pdf
http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/wordpress/docs/econ_fiscal_outlook_291110.pdf
Public Sector: Pensions
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department was responsible for formulating the assumption about the opt-out rate from public sector pensions in the Department for Work and Pensions Spending Review 2010 policy costing document; and if he will make a statement. [52253]
Danny Alexander: The Spending Review 2010 Policy costing document was published by HM Treasury.
The estimate of likely opt-out rates was scrutinised by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility.
The Government are engaging with trades unions and other groups to discuss implementation. In these discussions the Government have confirmed their commitment to the changes being progressive, and that low earners should be protected.
Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Government Actuary's Department on the sustainability and progressiveness of proposed reforms to public sector pensions. [52355]
Danny Alexander:
The Government Actuary's Department is a non-ministerial department that provides actuarial advice on policy proposals where relevant. In
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line with the practice of successive Governments and in order that advice and information is available for policy development such advice is not generally made public.
Deputy Prime Minister
Departmental Voluntary Work
Graeme Morrice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he is taking steps to increase volunteering opportunities in his office. [51044]
The Deputy Prime Minister: My office sits within the Cabinet Office and staff are encouraged to participate in volunteering activities in accordance with the Cabinet Office's departmental policy on volunteering, for which the Minister for the Cabinet Office is responsible.
Electoral Register
Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with local authorities on steps to facilitate the use of online voter registration; and if he will make a statement. [52596]
Mr Harper: As part of looking at the implementation of individual electoral registration, officials are exploring options for improving the electoral registration process, including the practicalities and potential benefits of online registration for people seeking to register for the first time.
The Government expect to publish a draft Bill before the summer recess, setting out their proposals for the implementation of individual electoral registration in more detail.
General Election 2010: Costs
Mr Spellar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of the 2010 general election. [52102]
Mr Harper: We have estimated that the cost of the 2010 UK parliamentary election will be £113,255,271.
This figure consists of £28,655,271 for the cost of distributing candidates' mailings and a further £84.6 million for the conduct of the poll. Our estimated cost of the conduct of the poll is based on the information set out in the Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officers' Charges) Order 2010. The overall figure will be finalised once all claims from acting returning officers in Great Britain and the chief electoral officer for Northern Ireland (who are statutorily responsible for running the poll) have been received and finalised.
Culture, Media and Sport
British Library: Lindisfarne Gospels
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will have discussions with the British Library on plans to display the Lindisfarne gospels in the North East of England. [51504]
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Mr Vaizey: The British Library operates at arm’s length from Government. It is a matter for the British Library Board to take decisions on access to the Lindisfarne Gospels.
Government have encouraged a constructive dialogue between the North-East and the library on how to best serve their mutual interests while complying with the library’s statutory obligations. I welcome the library’s agreement to a short-term loan of the Gospels to the North-East region, and to work towards an ongoing programme of loans.
Cricket: Lancashire
Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much funding his Department has allocated to promoting participation in cricket among young people in the (a) Pendle borough council and (b) Lancashire council area in each of the last five years. [50970]
Hugh Robertson: We are unable to provide the information in the format requested. Sport England record the amount of funding awarded to cricket in the Pendle local authority area and Lancashire, but cannot separately identify the specific funding allocated for initiatives to support the participation of young people in cricket, such as “Chance to Shine”. Funding for cricket initiatives that have benefited young people, though not exclusively, in Lancashire and Pendle is shown in the following tables.
| Lancashire | ||
| £ | ||
|
|
Lottery funding | Exchequer funding |
| Pendle | ||
| £ | ||
|
|
Lottery funding | Exchequer funding |
| (1) For financial year 2010-11 data is currently only available up until 31 December 2010. | ||
Departmental Work Experience
Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what remuneration package his Department's arm’s length bodies offer to interns; [53281]
(2) how many interns his Department's arm’s length bodies employed on the last date for which information is available. [53282]
Mr Jeremy Hunt: My Department does not collate this information for its arm’s length bodies. Accordingly, I have asked their chief executives to write to the hon. Member for Bury South.
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Copies of the replies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Museums and Galleries
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what funding his Department has provided to the Museum at Night scheme in each of the last three years; [52093]
(2) what estimate he has made of the number of people who will participate in the 2011 Museum at Night scheme; [52094]
(3) what museums are participating in the 2011 Museum at Night scheme. [52095]
Mr Vaizey: The funding for the Museum at Night scheme in each of the last three years is set out in the following table.
| £ | |||
|
|
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council | Arts Council England | Total |
It is estimated that the 2010 Museum at Night Scheme attracted 85,000 people who attended 345 events at 286 venues. Similar figures are being aimed for in 2011.
To date, 218 venues have registered their events for the 2011 Museum at Night Scheme which is on target for around 250 to 300 venues participating altogether. A full list of venues can be provided by Culture 24.
Ofcom
Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what timetable has been set for Ofcom’s further analysis of the potential to allocate spectrum in the 872/917 MHz band. [51264]
Mr Vaizey: The matter raised is an operational one for the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, my officials spoke to Ofcom, who advised that it has not yet set a timetable for further analysis of the allocation of spectrum in the 872/917 MHz band. Ofcom will keep the situation under review and update stakeholders when they progress this work.
Olympic Games 2012
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to require all cleaning contracts (a) in respect of the London 2012 Olympics and (b) held with his Department to stipulate that the cleaning products used should be EU Ecolabel products accredited by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and if he will make a statement. [52374]
Hugh Robertson:
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is a non-departmental public body with the freedom to set its own policies within the delegated
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limits set by the Department. All operational procurement decisions are matters for the ODA, and not for departmental Ministers. The ODA adheres to the Government Buying Standards for Cleaning Products and Services. It promotes and encourages environmental awareness and requires contractors to meet various environmental criteria through its procurement procedures.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is the private company responsible for staging the 2012 Games. It is currently procuring for cleaning and waste contractors for London 2012 venues. Within the tender process, potential contractors will provide details of which cleaning and consumable products they propose to use at Games-time. LOCOG is not imposing any single mandatory labelling scheme, but sustainability of products and services will be a key component of the assessment. All supplier materials need to adhere to LOCOG's Sustainable Sourcing Code.
Within the Department EU Ecolabel products are not currently used. Instead our facilities contractor uses super concentrated cleaning products which are diluted on site. This enables less packaging and fewer deliveries, thus reducing our carbon footprint. All kitchens within the Department use ‘Ecover’ washing up liquid. The Department will discuss with the facilities management supplier the possibility of using EU Ecolabel products in the future.
Sports: Clubs
Heather Wheeler: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will take steps to ensure that community sports clubs are not disadvantaged by high music licence fees ahead of planned changes to the music licensing regime. [51209]
Mr Vaizey: Responsibility for the copyright policy framework which covers the licensing of public performances of works protected by copyright rests with my colleagues in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, but the Government have no role in setting the licence fees charged by these collecting societies which are independent commercial entities.
In implementing changes to the arrangements for the licensing of music for charities and not for profit organisations, the Government have encouraged Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) to negotiate with the relevant parties or their representative bodies on the level of fees. The Sports and Recreation Alliance is currently in ongoing discussions with PPL. If an agreement cannot be reached then the matter can be referred to an independent tribunal, the Copyright Tribunal, who can set tariffs.
Telecommunications
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had on the future regulation of power line telecommunications devices; and if he will make a statement. [51507]
Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply.
I have had no such discussions, however my officials have responded to a number of inquiries concerning power line telecommunication (PLT) equipment and its
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compliance with the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations. In common with most electronic products sold in the UK, PLT equipment is required to comply with the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Regulations 2006, which are based on the European Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive, 2004/108/EC.
Enforcement powers are delegated to the Office of Communication (Ofcom) where a radio spectrum protection or management issue occurs. Ofcom has investigated 219 incidents, with one still to resolve, but has not concluded that PLT products fail to comply with the essential requirements of the EMC Regulations. The essential requirements require that equipment shall be designed and manufactured, having regard to the state of the art and good engineering practice, so as to ensure that the electromagnetic disturbance generated does not exceed the level above which radio and telecommunications equipment or other equipment cannot operate as intended.
The technical solution to ensure the essential requirements of the Regulations are met will vary with the state of the art good engineering practice, extent of knowledge and similar variables and no revision of the technical requirement is currently foreseen.
Power line equipment manufacturers are committed to continuous innovation as technology advances, allowing them to comply with the requirements and spirit of the regulations while providing products to better meet general consumer expectations and needs.
Energy and Climate Change
Christmas
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department spent on (a) Christmas cards, (b) Christmas decorations and (c) Christmas receptions for (i) the press and (ii) staff of his Department in December 2010 and January 2011. [52420]
Gregory Barker: In December 2010 and January 2011, DECC sent e-cards at zero cost and purchased a stand for a donated Christmas tree at a cost of £24.50. No money was spent by DECC on Christmas receptions in this period for press or other staff.
Departmental Art Works
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what art works from the Government Art Collection are displayed (a) in ministerial offices and (b) elsewhere in his Department; what estimate he has made of the monetary value of such works; and what the cost to his Department of the (i) storage, (ii) handling, (iii) transport and (iv) hanging of such works has been since his appointment. [52419]
Gregory Barker: The following works of art from the Government Art Collection are displayed in ministerial offices in the Department of Energy and Climate Change:
A Scottish Landscape 25/75 1973 aquatint by Norman Ackroyd
Waves II23/75 block print by Tadek Beutlich
The River at Hammersmith after Sunset 1981 painting by Ian Caughlin
After the Tomb 11984 painting by Jennifer Durrant
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Permit yourself to.... 23/50 (from A Billboard for Edinburgh 2008)
Screenprint by Cerith Wynn Evans
Spring Song 1951 painting by William Gear
Winter Walk, N.2 1948 painting by Ivon Hitchens
In the Studio of Jamini Roy 1976-1979 painting by Howard Hodgkin
20.3.69 1969 painting by John Hoyland
Sundial, Queens' College 53/75 A/P block print by Walter Hoyle
Collage No.7 1974 collage by Trevor Jones
Interior with Aluminium Sheet 1970 painting by Peter Jowett
Red and Blue 2/50 1970 screenprint by Barry Martin
Green and Orange 9/50 1970 screenprint by Barry Martin
La Cathedrale Engloutie 1960 painting by Ceri Richards
Bring back Edinburgh's Trams 23/50 (from A Billboard for Edinburgh 2008) Screenprint by Bob and Roberta Smith
Icebergs, Argentine Islands, Antarctic Peninsula 1979 watercolour by David Smith
Double Chevron and Spiral 24/250 1989 screenprint by Kate Whiteford
Untitled 2350 (from A Billboard for Edinburgh 2008) inkjet print by Rachel Whiteread
Landscape with Ruined Mine painting by Bryan Wynter.
The following work of art from the Government Art Collection is displayed elsewhere in the Department of Energy and Climate Change:
HM Queen Elizabeth II (b.1926) Queen Regnant 1952 photograph by Dorothy Wilding.
Estimated valuations have not been provided in this answer. The current monetary value of a work of art can be accurately assessed only at the time of purchase or sale or by professional valuation. In the former case, the Collection is not actively traded; in the latter, it would not be justifiable expenditure of public funds to have works valued professionally.
There have been no costs to the Department of Energy and Climate Change for (i) storage, (ii) handling, (iii) transport and (iv) hanging of these works of art since the Secretary of State was appointed. These costs have been borne by the Government Art Collection (Department for Culture, Media and Sport).
Ministerial Policy Advisers
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will publish the expense claims made by his Department's special advisers since May 2010. [52235]
Gregory Barker: A total of £251.44 has been claimed in expenses by DECC's special advisers since May 2010. Such expenses are claimed in accordance with the Department's terms and conditions.
Departmental Qualifications
Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Department holds on the university qualifications of his Department's (a) directors and (b) Permanent Secretary. [52292]
Gregory Barker: The response is shown in the following table.
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Fuel Poverty
Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the level of fuel poverty in the UK. [53175]
Gregory Barker: In 2008, the latest year for which this information is available, approximately 4.5 million households in the UK were in fuel poverty. This is equivalent to around 18% of all UK households.
Communities and Local Government
Audit Commission
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much each individual (a) board member and (b) director of the Audit Commission received in (i) expenses, (ii) salaries including allowances and bonus payments and (iii) other benefits in kind in each of the last three years. [51976]
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Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend direct.
Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 27 April 2011:
Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
The information you request appears in the Commission’s Annual Accounts each year. The accounts for the year ending 31 March 2011 are being finalised and will be published in July. The accounts for previous years are available on the Commission’s website:
www.audit-commission.gov.uk
Hospitality registers and expenses for our Chairman, Chief Executive, Commissioners and Managing Directors are published quarterly on the website.
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what away days and in-house conferences have been held outside its own premises by the Audit Commission in the last 36 months; and what the location and cost was in each such case. [51978]
Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend direct.
Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 27 April 2011:
Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
The Audit Commission does not hold ‘away days’. None of our events off site are for leisure or recreational purposes.
Prior to the announcement of our proposed abolition in August 2010, the Commission had over 2,000 staff located throughout England. Many were professional staff undertaking different functions for the Commission, for example audit, housing inspection and research. It is necessary to bring staff together on occasions to ensure the effectiveness of operational delivery and employee relations or for staff training. Different professional groups also have different training and development requirements. The Commission only has staff meetings where there is a specific business purpose. The purpose may be to review strategy, decide on and disseminate the business plan for the year, improve communications, improve organisational cohesion, address a specific operational issue, or for training and development, including keeping up-to-date with developments in and government policies for health, housing, local government and police authorities. Some are a mixture of these. They also had a range of titles.
We are unable to extract information for staff meetings and their precise purpose from external bookings, including those for client meetings and training events, without incurring disproportionate costs.
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which hotels in London have been booked and paid for by the Audit Commission in the last 24 months; how much such accommodation cost in each case; and for what purpose each such booking was made. [51979]
Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend direct.
Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 27 April 2011:
Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
Prior to the announcement of our abolition in August 2010, the Commission had over 2,000 staff located throughout England. It is necessary for staff to stay overnight in London while attending
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meetings at the Commission's Millbank office, or meeting with clients, including other inspectorates, government departments and representative bodies, in the London area.
Appendix 1 lists all London hotels booked in the last 24 months, for overnight accommodation only, together with the total cost for each hotel and average room rate paid.
Appendix 2 lists all London hotels booked in the last 24 months for training or staff meetings, together with the total cost for each hotel. The costs for training events or staff meetings include room hire, food and beverages, equipment hire and delegate rates. The Commission's long-standing policy is that external venues should only be booked if meeting rooms on Commission premises are either unavailable or unsuitable, for example they cannot accommodate the numbers involved. Pressure on Commission rooms has eased since last May with the abolition of Comprehensive Area Assessment and the ending of other inspection programmes with a consequent reduction of some 600 staff employed by the Commission.
A copy of the Appendices will be placed in the House of Commons Library.
Audit Commission: Food
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will place in the Library a copy of each invoice from Leeming Pilkington to the Audit Commission in respect of food and beverage purchases in the last 12 months. [51972]
Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to respond to my hon. Friend direct.
Letter from Eugene Sullivan dated 27 April 2011:
Your Parliamentary Question outlined above has been passed to me to reply.
The invoices from Leeming Pilkington to the Audit Commission for food and beverage purchases over the last 12 months. The invoices cover two accounts.
The Trading Account—covers the staff cost and consumables, including sandwiches and beverages for lunches, for training events and other meetings held on Commission premises.
The Vending Sales Account—mainly covers the cost of sandwiches and confectionery for vending machines. Items are purchased by staff from vending machines and the income is used to defray the cost of the goods. The Charity Commission also pay a proportion of the cost through a lease service charge. The costs of supplying and servicing the machines are included in the Trading Account invoices.
One invoice relates to a reception for the departure from the Commission of its then Chief Executive in March 2010. The reception was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, the Comptroller and Auditor General and other senior staff from the Department of Communities and Local Government and Cabinet Office.
The current catering agreement comes to an end on 31 May 2011 and we will be using a local supplier based offsite from 1 June 2011.
A copy of the invoices will be placed in the House of Commons Library.
Audit Commission: Gifts
Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will place in the Library a copy of the declarations of gifts made to each individual director and board member of the Audit Commission in each of the last two years. [52015]
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Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend directly.
Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 27 April 2011:
Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply.
Declarations for Board Members and Managing Directors are available on the Audit Commission's website:
http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/legal/freedomofinformation/publicationscheme/hospitalityandexpenses/pages/default.aspx
Council Tax: Essex
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent estimate he has made of the average change to council tax bills for households in (a) Southend and (b) Essex between 2010-11 and 2011-12. [51954]
Robert Neill: The average Band D council tax bill for both Southend-on-Sea council and Essex county council remained unchanged between 2010-11 and 2011-12.
Details of the changes in council tax bills for all authorities in England between 2010-11 and 2011-12 were published on the Department for Communities and Local Government website on 23 March 2011. They can be found at:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/localregional/localgovernmentfinance/statistics/counciltax/
Departmental Video Recordings
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2011, Official Report, column 1122W, on departmental video recordings, which contractors were hired to film the Hazel Blears video message in August 2008; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each invoice arising from the production of that video message. [51937]
Robert Neill: Two Media Trust invoices have now been placed in the Library of the House detailing the costs arising from the Hazel Blears-fronted video launching the White Paper “Communities in Control: Real Power Real People”, produced in August 2008. One invoice shows the £11,790 quoted in the 9 March answer for the costs of producing the video.
The second invoice, for £1,210, is for running out DVDs of a revised version of the video in November 2008 for distribution at the ‘Chain Reaction’ conference attended by more than 50 voluntary sector organisations.
Employment Agencies
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 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. [51402]
Robert Neill: In the financial year 2009-10 the Department spent £557,000 on (a) recruitment agency fees, nothing on (b) outplacement agency fees and £5.45 million on (c) (external) staff training.
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These figures have been extracted from the Public Sector Procurement Expenditure survey for 2009-10.
In order to drive down costs, the Department is enforcing all Cabinet Office controls on applicable areas of spend. This includes a pan-Government recruitment freeze, greater scrutiny of all spend on training and stricter controls on spend on consultancy, including a review of all consultancy contracts every three months to ensure that they are necessary.
Enterprise Zones
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to provide local enterprise partnerships with information on the application process for enterprise zones. [51783]
Robert Neill: The Government are already in discussion with the first wave of 11 local enterprise partnerships on their proposals for enterprise zones.
Following the announcement at the Budget, the Government promised to host two workshops, the first of which was held on 6 April for the first tranche of 11 local enterprise partnerships. A further workshop will be held in early May for the remaining interested local enterprise partnerships.
The ‘Enterprise Zone Prospectus’ published at the Budget also provides guidance to the remaining interested local enterprise partnerships on what issues they may want to consider when submitting their expressions of interest for enterprise zones.
The timetable seeks expressions of interest to be submitted by the end of April. We will publish more detailed criteria once we have received these.
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria he proposes to apply to the competition to identify 10 further enterprise zones. [51854]
Robert Neill: The criteria to identify a further 10 enterprise zones will be published in due course.
Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Blackpool South (Mr Marsden) of 1 April 2011, Official Report, columns 529-30W, on enterprise zones, what assessment he has made of the case for establishing enterprise zones in the areas announced on 23 March 2011; and if he will publish the evidence on which his decision was made. [51913]
Robert Neill: Seven of the eleven local enterprise partnerships were selected on the basis that they encompass one or more of England's largest cities, ranked by population. The remaining four local enterprise partnerships were selected on the basis of need, using the published location criteria used to assess bids to the regional growth fund.
Enterprise Zones: Non-domestic Rates
John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what mechanism he plans to use to implement discounted business rates for enterprise zones. [52725]
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Robert Neill: Local authorities will use their powers to grant local discounts that are contained in the Localism Bill, subject to parliamentary approval. The costs will be reimbursed by central Government.
Housing: Carbon Emissions
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what definition of (a) zero-carbon homes and (b) zero-carbon non-domestic buildings his Department uses. [51865]
Andrew Stunell: The Government have set out in the growth review, published on 23 March, our policy on the definition of zero-carbon homes from 2016. This can be found under “Action 9, paragraphs 2.297 to 2.300, of The Plan for Growth”.
http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_growth.pdf
On 20 December 2010, Official Report, columns 145-47WS, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, the right hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Shapps), announced that this Government are committed to introducing zero-carbon new non-domestic buildings from 2019, and will maintain consistency between the definitions for domestic and non-domestic buildings as far as is practical.
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what consultations he has had with stakeholders on the proposed reduction of the standards promoted through the zero-carbon home scheme prior to his announcement of the changes. [52368]
Andrew Stunell: From 2016, all new homes will be required to be zero carbon and the Government's approach will minimise costs to house builders and so help them to deliver the new homes the country needs. Although it would have been inappropriate to pre-empt the Budget announcement by consulting external partners on the specific terms of the announcement in the Plan for Growth, my Department has had, and continues to have, a continuous dialogue with the full range of interested parties; for example, through the 2016 Task Force and the independent Zero Carbon Hub, on its zero-carbon homes policy.
The Zero Carbon Hub has led a cross-sector research group, with representation from both house builders and environmental groups, which provided expert recommendations, prior to the recent announcement alongside the Budget, on the right minimum levels of carbon reductions to be required on the site of the home itself.
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effects on (a) levels of employment in and (b) the contribution to the economy of the construction products sector from the decision to reduce carbon standards for new homes arising from the work of the zero-carbon home taskforce. [52369]
Andrew Stunell:
From 2016, all new homes will be required to be zero carbon and the new definition will minimise costs to house builders and help them to deliver the new homes the country needs. The construction
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sector should benefit from the certainty which this announcement on the future regulatory requirements for zero-carbon homes provides enabling them to invest with confidence in new construction products and methods. The Government expect to publish an impact assessment shortly which will describe the impacts of the policy.
Housing: Construction
Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities exceeded the housebuilding projections in 2010-11. [51773]
Grant Shapps: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not hold such data.
Housing: Planning Permission
Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) whom his Department consulted on proposals to change requirements for planning permission to convert premises from commercial to residential use; [52675]
(2) what the timetable is for the consultation on the proposed changes to the planning process in relation to permission for conversions from commercial to residential use; [52676]
(3) what representations he has received on the proposed changes on the conversion of premises from commercial to residential use. [52747]
Robert Neill: The consultation on the relaxation of the planning rules for change of use from commercial to residential was published on 8 April 2011. The consultation ends on 30 June 2011.
It is a public consultation and it is therefore open to anyone to respond. The consultation document can be found on the Department's website at:
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/relaxationchangeconsultation
A summary of representations received will be published after the consultation has closed.
Local Government
Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information his Department holds on the number of arrests made at council meetings in England in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and (c) 2010. [52300]
Robert Neill: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not hold this information.
Local Government Finance
Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 4 April 2011, Official Report, column 729, on Government funding (distribution), what the evidential basis was for the statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State that no local authority in the country faces a reduction in its real expenditure of more than 7.7 per cent. [52141]
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Robert Neill [holding answer 26 April 2011]:I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 April 2011, Official Report, column 2MC.
Local Government: Bye laws
Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has to allow local authorities to create or abolish byelaws without requiring his Department’s approval; and if he will make a statement. [52088]
Grant Shapps: We intend to take forward proposals to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy associated with byelaws, and will make a further announcement in due course.
Local Partnerships
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the remuneration, including basic salary, bonus, allowances, expenses and pension contribution was of each individual director and board member of Local Partnerships in each of the last five years; and if he will place a copy of the most recent annual report and accounts of Local Partnerships in the Library. [51980]
Robert Neill: Local Partnerships is a joint venture between central Government (HM Treasury) and local government (Local Government Association). It has its own board to which it is directly accountable. Questions about its activities should be put directly to Local Partnerships.
A copy of Local Partnerships' 2009-10 accounts (covering the eight months from its incorporation on 1 July 2009) has been placed in the Library of the House.
Park Homes
Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2011, Official Report, column 249W, on Park Homes: ownership, what his policy is on introducing a fit and proper person test for park home site owners; and if he will make a statement. [51862]
Grant Shapps: As I announced in my answer of 9 February 2011, Official Report, column 294W, on Park Homes, I remain concerned that a fit and proper test for park home site owners could prove bureaucratic. I do, however, propose to consult shortly on a range of other measures to improve the licensing regime that applies to park home sites to enable local authorities to more effectively ensure that the health and safety of residents are better protected.
Non-domestic Rates: Milton Keynes
Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many businesses in Milton Keynes received business rate hardship relief in 2010. [51927]
Robert Neill: The information requested is not held centrally.
Local authorities in England provide national non-domestic rates outturn information on their NNDR3
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statistical returns. While these show the amounts of business rate hardship relief granted they do not show the numbers of businesses affected.