Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
Mr Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent progress has been made on the review of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. [56231]
Mr Blunt: The Government intend to make an announcement before the summer recess.
Departmental Data Protection
Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many contracts his Department holds which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; to which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each such contract are held; and how many people have their data stored overseas under each such contract. [55744]
Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice does not have any contracts where personal data of UK citizens is stored overseas.
Departmental Travel
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how much each executive agency of his Department has spent on travel by (a) private hire vehicles, (b) trains, (c) buses, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private aircraft since May 2010; [56071]
(2) how much has been spent on travel in respect of (a) each of his Department's executive agencies and (b) the chief executive of each such agency since May 2010. [56181]
Mr Djanogly: The Department is unable to provide this information fully in the categories requested directly from its accounting systems. The journey types by trains, buses, cars or other are aggregated under single travel account codes and to disaggregate those would incur disproportionate costs. The available information from MoJ chart of accounts, from May 2010 to April 2011, is provided in the following table:
Travel by t ype: | OPG | NOMS | HMCS | TS |
(1) Included under travel other (2) Overseas travel represents travel by commercial aircraft in most cases. (3) Travel other includes all other travel spend that can not be disaggregated further on the accounting system and includes all prison officer, judiciary, magistrate and juror travel costs which would include rail, buses, private vehicle hire, taxis and private mileage. (4) Agencies cannot provide discrete costs for the CEO but only for the CEO's budget area which includes his wider office and direct support staff. |
Legal Aid: Gurkhas
Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much legal aid relating to the processing of immigration cases for former Gurkhas was paid to each law firm in each of the last five years. [56160]
18 May 2011 : Column 207W
Mr Djanogly: The information requested is not available. Records held by the Legal Services Commission do not indicate whether or not a particular case related to a former Gurkha.
Legal Aid: Reform
Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what progress his Department has made on his proposed reforms to civil legal aid. [56216]
Mr Djanogly: We are making good progress in preparing the Government's response to the consultation. I anticipate being able to publish the response soon after Whitsun recess.
Prison Service: Manpower
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many vacancies there were at each prison directly operated by HM Prison Service in the (a) West Midlands and (b) East Midlands for each grade of staff employed by HM Prison Service on 31 March 2011; [56004]
(2) what the (a) operational staffing requirement and (b) number of staff in post was at each prison directly operated by HM Prison Service in the (i) West Midlands and (ii) East Midlands for each grade of staff employed by HM Prison Service on 31 March 2011. [56005]
Mr Blunt: Information on the operational staffing requirement, staff in post and funded vacancies for each grade in each establishment within the East Midlands and West Midlands regions on 31 March 2011 is contained in a table which has been placed in the Library.
Prison Service: Manpower
Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Tooting (Sadiq Khan) of 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 459-61W, on the Prison Service: manpower, how many individuals have been appointed on the new prison officer contract since 31 December 2010; and how many such individuals remained in post on the latest date for which figures are available; [56040]
(2) pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Tooting (Sadiq Khan) of 16 March 2011, Official Report, columns 459-61W, on the Prison Service: manpower, how many of the individuals appointed on the new prison officer contract between 30 September 2009 and 31 December 2010 remained in post as at 31 March 2011. [56041]
Mr Blunt: Between 31 December 2010 and 31 March 2011 143 staff took up post as prison officer 2s. Of these 136 were still in post on 31 March 2011.
Of the 851 staff who took up post as prison officer 2s between 30 September 2009 and 31 December 2010, 771 remain as officers as at 31 March 2011.
Reoffenders
David Simpson:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many people who were released from prison having served a sentence for burglary were
18 May 2011 : Column 208W
subsequently convicted of a similar offence
(a)
in total and
(b)
in each region in each of the last five years; [56013]
(2) how many people who were released from prison were subsequently convicted for offences related to violent crime (a) in total and (b) in each region in each of the last five years; [56015]
(3) how many people who were released from prison were subsequently convicted of a sexual offence (a) in total and (b) in each region in each of the last five years. [56016]
Mr Blunt: The following figures relate to offenders released from prison in England and Wales. Regional break-downs of these figures are not available.
Table 1 as follows provides information on the number of adult offenders released from prison in the first quarter of each year after serving a sentence for burglary who went on to commit another burglary offence in the following twelve months.
Table 1: Number of adult offenders who subsequently committed a burglary offence after release from a prison sentence for burglary | |
Table 2 as follows provides information on the number of adult offenders released from prison in the first quarter of each year who went on to commit either a violent or sexual offence in the following twelve months.
Table 2: Number of adult offenders who subsequently committed a sexual or violent offence after release from prison | |||||
|
2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
For more detail on how re-offending is measured please see the Ministry of Justice website:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/reoffendingofadults.htm
Reoffenders: Crimes of Violence
David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have been convicted on more than one occasion for offences related to violent crime in each region in each of the last five years. [56007]
Mr Blunt: The following tables show the numbers and proportions of offenders sentenced between 2005 and 2009 for an offence of violence against the person, in each region of England and Wales, who at the time of their sentence had at least one previous conviction for an offence of violence against the person.
Table 1: Number of offenders (1) sentenced for an offence of violence against the person, by region, 2005-09, who had a previous conviction for an offence of violence against the person | |||||
Number | |||||
Region | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
18 May 2011 : Column 209W
Table 2: Percentage of all offenders (1) sentenced for an offence of violence against the person, by region, 2005-09, who had a previous conviction for an offence of violence against the person | |||||
Percentage | |||||
Region | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
(1) The figures are based on counts of sentencing occasions where the primary offence related to violence against the person and where the offender had at least one previous conviction where the primary offence involved violence against the person. An offender may be counted more than once if he or she has been sentenced more than once during the period. |
These figures have been derived from the data used for table 6.1 of ‘Sentencing Statistics, England and Wales, 2009’ which was published by the Ministry of Justice on 21 October 2010. Criminal history statistics for 2010 will be published on 26 May 2011.
These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system, the police national computer, which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police.
The Ministry of Justice holds data relating to England and Wales. Information for Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for the Scottish Executive and Northern Ireland Office respectively.
Young Offenders: Children in Care
Toby Perkins:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of young people aged (a) 12 to 15 and (b) 16 and over in each local authority area
18 May 2011 : Column 210W
are in custody; and what proportion of such children were formerly looked after children in care. [55645]
Mr Blunt: The YJB does not hold data down to local authority level; however we do hold data down to Youth Offending Team level. The majority of Youth Offending Teams are coterminous with local authorities in England and Wales; however there are some exceptions where a single YOT covers two or more local authorities (see Annex A for a list of Youth Offending Teams which cover more than one local authority area). During 2009-10, there were 157 YOTs; 139 in England and 18 in Wales. The following table shows the average proportion per 1,000 young people aged (a) 12 to 15 and (b) 16 and 17 year olds in each youth offending team in England and Wales that were in custody (remanded and sentenced) for the period of 2009-10. The population data are from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and are based on mid-year estimate from 2008, which are the latest available population data with the age breakdown.
Accurate data are not available on the number of looked after children.
These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be subject to change over time.
Period 2009- 10 | ||
YOT | Age 12-15 per 1,000 population | Age 16-17 per 1,000 population |
18 May 2011 : Column 211W
18 May 2011 : Column 212W
18 May 2011 : Column 213W
Bournemouth and Poole (made up of Bournemouth LA and Poole LA)
Cornwall (made up of Cornwall LA and Isles of Scilly LA)
Halton and Warrington (made up of Halton LA and Warrington LA)
Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (made up of Shropshire LA and Telford and Wrekin LA)
South Tees (made up of Redcar LA, Cleveland LA, and Middlesbrough LA)
Tower Hamlets and City of London (made up of Tower Hamlets LA and City of London LA)
Wessex (made up of Isle of Wight LA, Hampshire LA, Southampton LA and Portsmouth LA)
Worcestershire and Herefordshire (made up of Worcestershire LA and Herefordshire LA)
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Biodiversity
Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the European Commission's proposed 2010 Biodiversity Strategy. [56206]
Richard Benyon: The UK welcomes the recent publication of the Commission's EU Biodiversity Strategy as an important contribution towards implementing the international commitments on biodiversity agreed in Nagoya last October. The strategy, which includes six targets and 20 related actions, is also intended to help the EU and its member states meet the EU's 2020 biodiversity target agreed in March 2010.
The Hungarian presidency of the EU is aiming to adopt Council conclusions on the Strategy at the June Environment Council.
We will shortly publish a new England Biodiversity Strategy, following the publication of the Natural Environment White Paper, which will set out how our international commitments will be met in England.
18 May 2011 : Column 214W
Coastal Areas: Access
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent progress has been made on the implementation of the coastal access provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009; [55585]
(2) what plans she has to implement the coastal access provisions of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 following the completion of implementation of the planned sections in Dorset, Norfolk, Kent, Somerset, Durham and Cumbria; [55586]
(3) what her policy is on the maintenance of coastal paths. [55591]
Richard Benyon [holding answers 16 and 17 May 2011]:The Government plan to introduce the new right of coastal access under part 9 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 on a 30 km stretch of the English coast between Portland and Lulworth Cove in Dorset in time for the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events in July 2012.
Natural England submitted its Weymouth Bay coastal access report to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 22 March 2011. There is now a period until 17 May 2011 for any objections to the proposals in the report and representations to be made.
In due course we will be discussing with Natural England its priorities and timetable for implementation of the coastal access provisions beyond the initial coastal stretches at Weymouth and in Cumbria, Durham, Kent, Norfolk and Somerset.
Local highway authorities are responsible for the maintenance of all rights of way in conjunction with landowners.
Departmental Legal Costs
Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department paid in (a) damages, (b) claimant costs and (c) defendant costs in respect of all civil claims brought against her Department in which the claimant was successful or the Department settled in each of the last three years. [54635]
Richard Benyon: The resources needed to obtain the information in relation to each of the last three years would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.
Floods: Insurance
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what models she has identified for insurance for areas of significant flood risk; what assessment she has made of such models; and if she will make a statement. [55952]
Richard Benyon: A working group that includes representatives from the Government, the Environment Agency, the insurance industry and other organisations is looking at a range of potential flood insurance models for the future.
18 May 2011 : Column 215W
These include the role that specialist brokers can play in helping people at high flood risk to access insurance, the potential role of local authorities, and various pooling arrangements for flood risk. Further information will be provided in the working group's interim report, which is due to be published shortly.
Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of her Department's compliance with the Statement of Principles on the provision of flood insurance of July 2008. [55994]
Richard Benyon [holding answer 17 May 2011]:In July 2008 the Statement of Principles required the Government to continue to make progress on a range of flood and coastal erosion issues. In relation to the specific issues identified:
We have incorporated the EU Floods Directive into law;
The Environment Agency have streamlined arrangements for providing flood risk data to insurers;
The Environment Agency published a long-term investment strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management;
Through the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 we have established how flooding from surface water will be better managed in the future;
We have completed a review of outcome measures and have consulted on reforms to the way capital budgets are allocated;
We are committed to preventing unnecessary building in areas of high flood risk and to giving a greater say to local communities through a faster and more democratically accountable planning system within a framework of clear national priorities; and
We continue to explore the role that non-regulatory approaches such as resilience grants, funding mechanisms and information can have in encouraging flood resilience and better building design.
Land: Contamination
Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received from bodies representing local authority regulators on her Department's recently proposed revision of the statutory guidance in respect of the contaminated land regime. [55984]
Richard Benyon: DEFRA held a public consultation on proposed changes to the contaminated land statutory guidance from 21 December 2010 to 15 March 2011. Over 50 responses were received from local authorities, including Local Government Regulation (part of Local Government Group), individual authorities, groups of authorities and other organisations whose membership includes local authority officers. The Secretary of State also received a letter in response to the consultation from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. These responses are currently being considered alongside other responses to the consultation, and a summary of responses will be published in due course.
Rivers
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department spent on cleaning rivers in the last five years. [55239]
18 May 2011 : Column 216W
Richard Benyon: The Environment Agency undertakes pollution prevention activities and has a role to investigate and remediate pollution incidents. It also has powers to prevent or stop pollution and operates under the ‘polluter pays' principle recovering its costs where possible.
The Environment Agency has a specific duty to protect and enhance water quality in rivers and other water bodies in England and Wales. It is funded to undertake its duties partly by government grant in aid (GIA) and partly through charges for environmental permits for water discharge activity (EPR charges).
The following table outlines all expenditure associated with activities aiming to ensure the cleanliness and quality of rivers and other water bodies continues to be protected and maintained.
£000 | ||||
Sources of funding | ||||
|
Total water quality spending | EPR charges | Pollution incidents cost recovery (1) | GIA/other |
(1 )In addition to pollution incident costs recovery, a significant proportion of such incidents are funded from GIA. (2) As yet unaudited. |
In addition to the grant in aid that will be provided to the Environment Agency this year, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced on 13 April 2011 that an additional £92 million would be spent over the course of the spending review period (2011-15) by a range of organisations, to help deliver additional improvements to our rivers, lakes and estuaries.
Scotland
Departmental Billing
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many invoices his Department received in respect of goods or services supplied by tier 1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and how many of those invoices were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government's Fair Payment guidance. [55859]
David Mundell: Between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011 the Scotland Office received 1,039 invoices. The Scotland Office aims to pay invoices within five days of receipt. During this period, 1,025 invoices were paid within five days. 14 invoices were not paid within five days. All payments were made within the 30 day contract obligation.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what mechanism his Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance. [55882]
18 May 2011 : Column 217W
David Mundell: Other than minor purchases, the Scotland Office does not undertake direct procurement or tendering projects. It utilises existing service contracts between suppliers and the Scottish Government or the Ministry of Justice. The Scotland Office follows the principles of the Government's Fair Payment guidance in its dealings with direct suppliers.
Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to his Department. [56050]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office makes use of a Government framework contract with Vodafone for mobile telephone and data services.
Departmental Taxis
Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Office has spent on private vehicle hire for ministerial travel (a) in total and (b) for each Minister in his Department since 11 May 2010. [56112]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office spent £40,527 on private vehicle hire for ministerial travel between 11 May 2010 and 30 April 2011. The following table shows the split by Minister.
Minister | Cost (£) |
Devolution
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the merits and demerits of the Calman Commission process; and if he will make a statement. [56145]
David Mundell: The Government introduced the Scotland Bill on 30 November 2010, in line with our programme for government commitment to implement the recommendations of the Calman Commission.
The Commission's Final Report was the culmination of a thorough process that considered a wide range of views through a strong programme of stakeholder engagement.
Greater Manchester
Mr Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department has made any payments to (a) the Manchester College, (b) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (c) City College, Manchester since 1997. [55751]
David Mundell: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999. Since that date no payments have been made to (a) the Manchester College, (b) Manchester College for Arts and Technology and (c) City College, Manchester.
18 May 2011 : Column 218W
Trade Unions
Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff of his Department are entitled to work (a) full-time as trade union representatives and (b) part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse of employing such staff on such duties was in the latest period for which figures are available. [56448]
David Mundell: No staff work full-time or part-time on trade union activities.
Home Department
Animal Experiments
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to ensure that all available non-animal methods in scientific research are implemented. [53687]
Lynne Featherstone: Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, the Home Office can only license the use of animals for scientific purposes where there is no non-animal alternative, and then only when both the number of animals to be used and any expected suffering is minimised. This reflects the principles of the 3Rs—the refinement of scientific procedures, the reduction of the number of animals used and their replacement with other methods wherever possible.
To ensure that no relevant replacement, reduction or refinement measure has been overlooked, all applications are considered by the local ethical review processes in place in all user establishments designated under the 1986 Act. They are also assessed in detail by Home Office Inspectors, who are all either medical or veterinary graduates.
The Government also encourages the development and use of alternatives and improvements in laboratory animal welfare through its support for the UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) and European and international 3Rs initiatives.
The coalition agreement includes a commitment to work to reduce the use of animals in scientific research. We are working on a strategy to deliver this commitment and I expect to make an announcement on this shortly.
Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward proposals to reduce the 12-year period for ending the use of wild caught primates for scientific research in the UK. [53721]
Lynne Featherstone: Article 10 of European Directive 2010/63 requires that animals of all species of non-human primate used in scientific procedures must be purpose bred unless there is justification for the use of wild caught animals. The United Kingdom has operated a similar policy since 1995 and has not authorised the first time use of wild caught primates for more than 10 years.
18 May 2011 : Column 219W
Article 10 also requires that from the dates set out in Annex II to the Directive all non-human primates should be the offspring of animals bred in captivity or sourced from self sustaining colonies. Under Article 10, the European Commission must carry out a feasibility study by 10 November 2017 to confirm or amend the dates in Annex II. The United Kingdom contribution to the feasibility study will be considered at the appropriate time when consulted by the Commission.
Directive 2010/63/EU must be implemented by member states from 1 January 2013.
Community Safety Local Partnerships
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the adequacy of business representation on community safety partnerships. [55907]
James Brokenshire: We expect community safety partnerships to engage and work with local people, including the business community, when developing their annual strategic assessment and agreeing their local priorities. Membership of partnerships, beyond the statutory responsible authorities, is determined locally and as such it is not possible to make an accurate assessment of the adequacy of business representation.
Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to her Department. [56065]
Damian Green: The suppliers to the Home Department for the provision of (a) mobile telephones are Vodafone, Orange and O2, and for (b) mobile data services, Vodafone.
Driving Offences
Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drink driving offences were recorded in each police force area in England and Wales in each year since 1997; and how many successful prosecutions for these offences there were in each such year. [53428]
James Brokenshire: There were 93,973 breath tests in England and Wales in 2009 whose outcome was positive or refused, compared with 91,666 in 2008 and 97,590 in 2007. Data by police force area can be found on page 84, table 4.04 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin “Police Powers and Procedures 2009-10. The publication is available in the Library of the House and at the weblink provided below:
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/police-research/hosb0711/
Historical data, going back over the past decade can be found on page 83, table 4.01 of the same publication.
Prosecutions are dealt with by the Ministry of Justice in their “Criminal Statistics” publication, copies of which are available from the Library of the House and the weblink as follows:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/criminal-justice/criminal-annual.htm
18 May 2011 : Column 220W
Entry Clearances: Married People
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for spouse and partner visas have been denied on the basis that they have not met the English language requirements since 29 November 2010; and what proportion of the total refusals for spouse and partner visas since that date this group represents. [55986]
Damian Green: These data are based on management information. They are provisional and subject to change.
Period: f rom 29 November 2010 onwards
Refusals (Not met English language requirements ) for spouse and partners—71
Total refusals—for spouse and partners—6,126
Immigrants
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to address gaps in local data on migrant populations. [55985]
Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2011:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what plans the Secretary of State for the Home Office has to address gaps in local data on migrant populations. [55985]
ONS produces estimates of long-term international migrant flows for each local authority. Over the last decade these have attracted extensive interest. The Migration Statistics Improvement Programme (MSIP) work programme was initiated in April 2008, with the purpose of improving population and migration statistics in line with recommendations made in the 2006 Interdepartmental Task Force on Migration Statistics and subsequent Parliamentary reviews. The programme is led by the National Statistician and the Office for National Statistics, working in partnership with the Department for Communities and Local Government, Home Office, Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health, Department for Children Schools and Families, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Her Majesty's Treasury, devolved administrations and the Bank of England.
Phase 1 of the MSIP ended in May 2010 and resulted in significant improvements to migration and population statistics at a Local Authority (LA) level. This work included:
the development of an immigration model that uses a range of more timely administrative data and other sources to allocate immigration data to local authorities. This replaced the direct use of Census data for this purpose. This was a significant improvement as it meant that changes in distribution since the 2001 Census were taken into account
the use of data from the Higher Education Statistics Authority, which for the first time includes student term time address, and been used to produce better estimates of student migration
a methodology has been introduced to produce an initial set of short-term migration estimates at LA level. These were published in a research report followed by a period of extensive user consultation which has fed into the further development of these estimates
Phase 2 of the MSIP is now underway and will run until March 2012. Phase 2 is concentrating on making greater and better use of administrative data to produce further improvements to migration and population estimates at LA level. This includes:
undertaking reconciliation work to understand the gaps between administrative sources and population estimates
18 May 2011 : Column 221W
distributing long-term migrants to LA level using proportions from administrative sources instead of the current modelling approach
developing estimates of short-term migration for local authorities which will help to explain some of the gaps between the current population estimates and information contained in a range of administrative sources which include short-term migrants (particularly workers and students)
All publications from the Migration Statistics Improvement Programme can be found at the following link:
http://www.ons.gov.uk/about-statistics/methodology-and-quality/imps/index.html
Jack Dromey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to collect data on public opinion on migration following the discontinuation of the Citizenship Survey. [55989]
Damian Green: The Home Office currently has no plans to commission public opinion research on migration.
Immigrants: Detainees
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who were detained for immigration purposes and then (a) deported and (b) released in the last six months of 2010 had been detained for more than (i) three months, (ii) six months, (iii) one year and (iv) two years. [53113]
Damian Green [holding answer 3 May 2011]: For the purposes of this response, we have assumed “deported” to mean deported or removed. The following table shows details of those leaving detention under immigration powers in Immigration Removal Centres between 1 July and 31 December 2010, broken down by length of detention. Data showing those leaving detention under immigration powers in Her Majesty's Prisons are not available.
All | Removed/Deported | Released |
Notes: 1. Figures rounded to the nearest 5. 2. Release and Removal totals are given ‘per event' not ‘per individual'. This means that individuals could be counted more than once. 3. The time period refers to the continuous period of detention immediately prior to release or removal. |
Please note these figures are based on internal management information and should be treated as provisional and subject to change. They have not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols and may not agree with published figures.
The majority of those detained under immigration powers for periods beyond 12 months are likely to have been former foreign national prisoners (FNPs). Despite the best efforts of the UK Border Agency, deportation of FNPs can be delayed by the use of judicial challenges
18 May 2011 : Column 222W
and their failure to comply with the documentation process, which can lengthen the period of time spent in immigration detention.
We are working with international partners to return people to their home country at the earliest opportunity and will continue to tackle the delaying tactics used by those who attempt to frustrate their removal.
Every effort is made to ensure that a foreign prisoner's deportation coincides, as far as possible, with his or her release from prison. Where sentence length allows, deportation will be considered up to 18 months prior to the earliest point of removal.
Immigration: India
Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2011, Official Report, column 683W, on entry clearances: India, which categories of natural person would be limited under the proposed EU-India Free Trade Agreement; whether a minimum salary would be required for those persons admitted for less than 12 months; and what her estimate is of the number of persons likely to be admitted for less than 12 months. [53292]
Damian Green [holding answer 3 May 2011]: The EU-India Free Trade Agreement is still under negotiation. No decision has been taken as to the categories of person that the Mode 4 elements may apply to though it is likely to cover intra-company transferees, contractual service suppliers and independent professionals. The conditions of entry and numbers involved are still under negotiations.
Shoplifting
Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Justice on the number of penalty notices for disorder issued for shop theft which remain outstanding; and if she will make a statement. [55829]
James Brokenshire: I have had no such discussions.
The Ministry of Justice attend the National Retail Crime Steering Group, the national partnership to tackle retail crime. One aspect of its work is to ensure the effective use of existing sanctions and deterrents to retail crime. Magistrates courts are responsible for collecting fines arising from unpaid penalty notices for disorder in the same way as any other fine. The overall payment rate for all financial penalties in the financial year to March 2011 was 93%.
Northern Ireland
Inward Investment
11. David Rutley: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the United States Administration on inward investment into Northern Ireland. [55389]
18 May 2011 : Column 223W
Mr Swire: The lead responsibility for attracting inward investment to Northern Ireland lies with the Executive, but we co-operate closely in support of their efforts.
The Secretary of State has had regular discussions on inward investment with representatives of the United States Administration, including Secretary Clinton when he met her in Washington.
Corporation Tax
13. Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on the powers of the Northern Ireland Assembly to set the rate of corporation tax in Northern Ireland. [55391]
Mr Paterson: A Government consultation on rebalancing the Northern Ireland economy runs until June 24, and includes a discussion of the potential benefits of devolving to the Assembly the power to vary the corporation tax rate.
More effective competition with the low rate in the Republic of Ireland could prompt a step-change in the levels of private sector investment and employment necessary to transform the Northern Ireland economy.
Universal Credit
14. Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive on the implications for Northern Ireland of the Government's proposals for universal credit. [55392]
Mr Swire: I have not been approached by Northern Ireland ministerial colleagues to discuss universal credit but I am happy to engage in such a discussion.
The Department for Work and Pensions keeps in close contact with the Department of Social Development on the subject of welfare reform at ministerial and official levels.
Pat Finucane
15. Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he plans to announce the outcome of his consideration of whether to establish a public inquiry into the death of Pat Finucane; and if he will make a statement. [55393]
Mr Paterson: I have not taken a decision on this issue. I hope to do so shortly.
Departmental Billing
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many invoices his Department received in respect of goods or services supplied by tier 1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and how many of those invoices were not paid within the period of time specified in the Government's Fair Payment guidance. [55861]
Mr Paterson: My Department received 9,115 invoices in the period 1 May 2010 to 1 April 2011. The Northern Ireland Office aims to pay all invoices within five working days.
18 May 2011 : Column 224W
During this period 43% of invoices were paid within five working days, and 98% within 10 working days. All payments were made within the period specified by the supplier.
Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what mechanism his Department has established to ensure its payments are passed through the supply chain to each tier in accordance with the last date for payment defined in the Government's Fair Payment guidance. [55884]
Mr Paterson: My Department uses a third party provider to process all financial transactions to suppliers. Where possible payments are made within five working days of receiving an invoice.
Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to his Department. [56049]
Mr Paterson: For mobile telephones, the Northern Ireland Office uses the services of Vodafone, Orange and O2
Data services are provided by BT, Vodafone and O2.
Transport
Cycleways
Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how much his Department has spent on maintaining cycle lanes in the last five years; [55324]
(2) how much his Department has spent on promoting the use of cycle lanes in the last five years. [55325]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does not provide funds specifically for maintenance of cycle lanes, which are part of the highway and maintained as such. Local authorities determine their own spending priorities and it is for them to decide how much to allocate to general road maintenance.
However, in 2010-11 the Department provided a grant of £1.5 million to Sustrans for maintenance of the National Cycle Network. Through the project 385 kilometres of traffic-free (i.e. off road) sections of the National Cycle Network were upgraded, maintained or even built.
The Department for Transport does not specifically promote the use of cycle lanes as they are only one of several measures which can improve conditions for cyclists.
Between 2006-07 and 2010-11 the Department for Transport, via Cycling England, provided funding for 17 Cycle Towns and one Cycle City aimed at encouraging more people to cycle more safely, more often. Infrastructure improvements, including cycle lanes, were an element of many programmes. More details of these are available at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/cyclingengland/
18 May 2011 : Column 225W
Departmental Mobile Phones
Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the name is of each contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) mobile data services to his Department. [56051]
Norman Baker: The information for the Department for Transport and its agencies is as follows:
|
Contractor or supplier of mobile telephone services | Contractor or supplier of mobile data services |
Driving Offences: Fines
Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people normally resident in EU countries other than the UK were liable to pay a speeding fine in England in each of the last five years. [51867]
Mike Penning: In 2006, we estimated that around 3% to 4% of all speeding offences detected on camera were by foreign-registered vehicles. However, we do not have data on the nationality of drivers of vehicles and we have no practical mechanism to count those foreign licence drivers who are committing offences undetected or GB licence holders driving foreign-registered vehicles.
We are aware that the current systems mean that foreign drivers are less likely to face the consequences of dangerous road use. We are looking at ways of improving enforcement where we do not have details of the driver who committed the offence. We are also considering innovative approaches to fine collection by using third parties to improve enforcement.
Great Western Railway: Franchises
Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for the Great Western franchise beyond 2013. [56141]
Mrs Villiers: The specification for the new franchise, to commence in 2013, will be developed over the next year in consultation with the railway industry and stakeholders.
High Speed Two Railway Line
Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) position and (b) payband is of each member of staff of (i) his Department and (ii) High Speed Two assigned to work on the High Speed Two mobile exhibitions and roadshows. [52967]
Mr Philip Hammond:
The Department for Transport has nine members of staff in the high-speed rail policy team, who spend some of their time working on the
18 May 2011 : Column 226W
exhibitions and roadshows. Of these, one is SCSPB2, two are SCSPB1, three are PB6, and three are PB4. When further resources have been necessary, support from other areas of the Department has been requested.
45 HS2 Ltd employees attend roadshows as part of their duties. The positions are a mixture of administrative and specialist posts (i.e. engineer) and are formed of DfT secondees and directly employed HS2 Ltd staff. The make-up of these staff are identified in the following tables:
DFT secondees to HS2 | |
Band | Number of employees |
Directly employed HS2 staff | |
Band | Number of employees |
Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether anyone acting on behalf of his Department or of High Speed Two Ltd approached any of the business leaders who wrote an open letter to the editor of the Financial Times in support of High Speed Two to encourage them to do so. [54016]
Mr Philip Hammond [holding answer 4 May 2011]: No permanent civil servants or employees of HS2 Ltd approached any of the individuals who signed the letter referred to.
I and other Ministers in the Department regularly urge business and civic leaders who support high-speed rail proposals to make their views known publicly, as those who oppose high-speed rail have done.
Special advisers in the Department will have had follow up contact with some of these supporters of high- speed rail to make them aware of the opportunities to make that support known.
Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to revise the service assumptions for demand modelling in respect of the High Speed Two proposals. [54803]
Mr Philip Hammond: An indicative service specification has been produced by HS2 Ltd for the purposes of preparing an economic case for HS2. This is indicative only and should not be considered as binding on the eventual service pattern that operates on HS2. The service specification is likely to be further refined as the project progresses.
18 May 2011 : Column 227W
HM Coastguard
Dr Wollaston: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what definition of national resilience his Department uses in relation to its proposals for the future operating model for HM Coastguard. [54505]
Mike Penning: In relation to the proposals for a future operating model for HM Coastguard, national resilience is the interoperability between all coastguard centres within a national network. This would enable HM Coastguard to maintain the provision of its mandated operational responsibilities during specific threat periods, intense loading or impairment to one or more centres as a result of staff shortages or infrastructure impairment.
Motor Vehicles: Registration
Mr Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motor cars of each make registered on or prior to 1945 are recorded as still in existence by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency database. [55462]
Mike Penning: The following table provides an estimate of the number of cars which were first registered (or are likely to have been first registered) before 1946 and were either licensed or had a statutory off-road notification (SORN) applied on 31 December 2010.
However, it is impossible to know exactly how many pre-1946 cars are still registered for two reasons:
(1) An unknown number of pre-1946 cars that were neither licensed nor had a SORN on the 31 December may still be in existence. Nothing is known about these vehicles.
(2) Before 1971 registration was carried out by local authorities. From 1971, registration was carried out centrally. Any vehicle that had been first registered before this date but was unlicensed at the point of the change will have received a new, post-1971, date of first registration if and when the vehicle was licensed again. The only way to identify these vehicles is through the date of manufacture; this information is not available for all vehicles, especially older ones.
First registered before 1946 | First registered after 1971 but manufactured before 1946 | ||||
Make | Licensed | With a SORN | Licensed | With a SORN | Total |
18 May 2011 : Column 228W
18 May 2011 : Column 229W